Bluntly, the remodeling industry is crowded with contractors who shouldn’t be touching your home. In high-value areas like Brookline, Newton, or Lexington, hiring the wrong contractor can quickly turn into a six-figure mistake. We know this because we’ve been the second (and third) team on site plenty of times, called in to clean up messes after unlicensed, underprepared, or flat-out dishonest contractors walked away from unfinished or failing projects. It’s a niche where we’re proud to shine.
One of the most frustrating realities is that these contractors often sound great during the estimate process. They say “yes” to everything and promise quick timelines, low prices, and clean finishes, but the second a surprise pops up (which it always does), they disappear, change their story, or blame you. When a project goes wrong, it creates delays, damages your trust, and often requires starting over with demo, permitting, or even legal intervention. It’s not worth the gamble.
Use this list to evaluate any contractor you're considering for your home renovation. If a contractor resists any of these questions, move on. The right team will answer confidently and back it all up with proof.
You might think remodeling a home in Lexington is basically the same as remodeling in Brookline. On paper, sure, they're both affluent, historic suburbs. But when you're inside the walls, the differences are huge. This is where homeowners often get burned. They hire a contractor who says, “I’ve done this before.” But they’ve never done it here. And in remodeling, that one detail can change everything.
A contractor who understands your town knows the building inspectors by name (and what they’re sticklers for). They understand the aesthetic and permitting threshold and can design around common material issues before they cause delays, which leads to a more realistic timeline and cost estimate based on hyper-local precedent.
If a contractor hasn’t worked in Brookline before, they won’t anticipate these conditions, which means change orders, delays, and a budget that explodes halfway through construction. You'll likely find historic construction details in Brookline’s older homes.
These towns have their own quirks that require detailed planning.
There’s a reason why we don’t try to be the cheapest contractor in town. In remodeling, as in almost all quality endeavors, you truly get what you pay for. And if you're only looking at price, you're almost guaranteed to overlook risk.
Most low bids only cover what’s easy to see, but the hidden costs emerge once walls come down. That’s when the change orders start. And that’s when your budget starts spiraling. We’ve taken over dozens of projects on which the first contractor walked away or got kicked off the job because they underbid, underestimated, or didn’t understand the scope.
We actually encourage clients to interview multiple contractors. Not because we’re nervous about competition, but because we know the difference will be obvious. When clients speak to five contractors, they quickly see who really understands the scope and challenges and who is winging it. Expertise is hard to fake and will starkly contrast vague promises. Most of the time, they return to us because we’re proven to be the most capable, honest, and experienced.
We manage every aspect of the project, design, budget, timeline, and execution with full transparency. That means realistic pricing tied to scope and site conditions, clear, written plans and estimates, and thoughtful communication every step of the way.
You give us the dream and the budget, and we build the path. We don’t upsell, underdeliver, or hide change orders in the fine print. You’ll receive a detailed design within your budget, which will save you time, stress, and money and provide serious peace of mind.
From Brookline’s historic building requirements to Danvers' zoning limitations, we know how to navigate the system and avoid costly delays. This is firsthand, hard-won experience.
We only take on projects where we can bring real value. If someone’s looking for the fastest, cheapest solution, we’re not the right fit. But if they want a team that’s going to do it right the first time, we’re exactly what they need.
Hiring the right contractor is the single most important step in your remodeling journey. At Honorato Company, we bring deep local experience, proven processes, and a team committed to doing it right the first time. We want the result to speak for itself long after construction ends.
Planning a remodel or other custom construction in Greater Boston: Brookline, Newton, Lexington, Danvers, Wellesley, or beyond? Contact us today. Let’s talk about your project. We’ll meet you on-site, walk you through your options, and show you what it looks like to move forward with total clarity.