Get matched with top architects in Lunenburg, MA

"For our home addition/renovation we are very grateful to have found Richard Connolly and his site iCornerstone. Our vision was a Two-story + basement + livable attic space home addition which would provide significant practical square footage to our existing house and integrate seamlessly with it. We interviewed a number of general contractors but we were overall a bit uncomfortable after the interviews due to gaps in transparency regarding how costs were calculated and how timelines were established, resulting in some lack of confidence. We happened upon Richard’s iCornerstone site via Angies. Richard provided an extremely transparent and detailed description of his unique and practical process, which delivered a set of superb designs along with a truly logical, transparent, and honest listing of costs, both materials and labor, at all stages, and how those costs were derived. Richard also delivered transparency on timelines, and he provided recommendations for all the needed tradespeople that he had historically a close working relationship with; alternatively we could have selected tradespeople of our own choosing. Richard and his process gave us the utmost confidence for proceeding. We proceeded with our renovation under Richard’s guidance and his own crew and the entire process went according to plan with excellent communication, rapport, and confidence at all stages from excavation to final finish work. Transparency, confidence-building, dependability, highly knowledgeable, customer-friendly, and results-oriented are all terms we would use to describe Richard and the iCornerstone process. We strongly recommend Richard for anyone contemplating any home renovation or home addition, large or small."

"I chose to work with Ken to be the architect on a new construction residential home, I am looking to build. Thus far, I could not be happier with my decision. I cannot say enough, not only about his work ethic, but his passion for what he does. The guidance and ease of communication cannot be understated."

"I had an addition I wanted for our home. We were required to have a survey and an engineer drawing to apply for the permit. I had a list of 10-15 local engineering companies given to me by the permitting office. Very few would return my call. several the rest said they only do commercial or that this was too small of a job and would cost more. It was taking months and I was frustrated and decided to try Angie’s. I am so pleased. I had a response that very day I inquired for the job. It was clear what was needed from me. Great communication and answered questions to help me get them what they needed. The project from start to finish was drafted within 3 weeks. It could have been done sooner but I was traveling and not able to check emails. Once I told them to text me to alert me of an email they did that. I would highly recommend them."

"Customer service was optimal and thorough. All of my questions were answered In A clear and easy to understand way. Friendly and had a good understanding of my needs. Great job! "

"He was responsive. He took ourselves on the account.He had a very reasonable price."

"Horrible. We received a Gift Card for Straight Shooters for $500 Value in a charity event auction for which we paid $200. We have tried and tried to get Sean to honor this gift card but he blocked my wife. He answered my text and calls until I brought up the card. He simply says to get our money back from the auction that he won't honor it. That auction can't return our money as it was used."

"Our experience was wonderful. Glenn really spent time with us understanding our needs and vision for the space. He comes with many years of experience and insights. He had a fastidious attention to detail and a keen artistic eye. Everything was on budget and on time."

"Ed was terrific to work with and notably very responsive. In a big complicated project, Ed made himself available on our schedule so my wife and I could make revisions to the design after the kids went to bed. He was also very quick so we could get to full plans in a couple months instead of a much longer process I experienced with other designers. Ed also uses a great 3D software package allowing us to visualize the design from start to finish. Now that our project is built it's amazing how much the real thing looks like the virtual walk-throughs we did. Probably the only real challenge came in that our project had complex structural engineering to do. It all worked out in the end but with communication between designer to engineer to contractor to framers aspects of the work were lost and it took some rework to address. Ed was very responsive as always in working with everyone to figure it out. Ed was also very helpful in keeping the project practical and helping to identify a great contractor who saved us a ton of money. We couldn't have done the full scope of our project without that lead. So many other designers and architects we talked to, even high-end expensive architects, didn't use good 3D CAD software for the design phase. I can't imagine doing a big complicated project without that tool and Ed is expert in its use and it's a huge value-add. You really get to walk through your project and try it out before building it. We're finishing up our project and I haven't found anything yet that seems out of place or the wrong size - it's great! And again, above all Ed is fast and responsive which is a unique quality among almost everyone we've worked with. Recommended!"

"Overpromised, underdelivered Any renovation project has its ups and downs, but there are a few cornerstones that ensure an overall successful project for the client and contractor: Open communication, Transparency, and Follow Through. While we greatly appreciate the work of the carpenters, plumbers, and electricians who worked on our home--and there are some features of the home we very much love, I would not use this company again. Canty Brothers has a great sales team. They know exactly how to approach a client and provide the information to make a prospective client excited about the possibilities, however the follow through once the contract is signed is very different from the sales pitch. Once we signed the contract, we found communication became difficult, unless they were looking for a payment. We paid 650k for a complete renovation of a 1963 home south of Boston. The 1963 home was about 2700 square feet. We had an addition put on over the garage. The main living space is closer to 3200 square feet now. We also finished the basement. First, we were assured they would begin the project on time. The project was delayed starting by over a month. We were told initially that materials would be "middle of the way," but if we chose anything that wasn't builder's standard, we were charged extra. Many of the things we agreed upon in an email prior to the contract and in person, were not included in our final project. For example we were shown Master Cabinets and told that was what we would receive, but were downgraded to Fabuwood in the contract. It's difficult to push back when you are trying desperately to get them to complete work. We often felt we had to just accept whatever was happening because we worried they would simply stop working. In addition to the aforementioned, the construction crew caused a significant leak in our basement by damaging the water meter. We were charged for the repair. There was no leak prior to the crew working in the basement. The prior owners did not have an issue with this meter, either. Aside from incomplete or poor/sloppy workmanship, Canty Brothers did not care for our yard. There was significant debris, including glass and lead shingles from the previous house exterior left along the property. I have taken pictures of some of what I cleaned up personally. Once we moved into the house, we experienced a water leak in main bathroom through to the first floor, a gas leak due to a poorly sealed pipe, and our AC was not properly hooked up. These major items were addressed, but a better attention to detail could have prevented this. The design flaw with the gas vent, which vents out toward our patio, rather than up through the roof, means we can't have the back windows open unless we want the house to smell like natural gas. It is a design flaw that another company might possibly not have made, in my opinion. In addition, we now have water in our basement. When I called to ask that the sump pump I had originally asked be installed be included, John Canty, the owner, became incredibly belligerent. He assured me water would not get into the basement, and now that it has he wants to charge us for the sump pump that should have been originally installed when I first requested it. Almost three months after providing our final payment (despite agreement at walk-through that all work would be complete in thirty days), there are items that still haven't been completed or addressed. Our main gas fireplace insert has not been installed, despite being part of the contract. The backfill that was used to fill in damage to the yard contained broken dish fragments, large pieces of glassware, and other debris. It has been a struggle to grow grass, as a result. We will have to redo it in the fall. The house wasn't sealed completely, despite being told that we would rate "like a brand new home." I have yet to see that information, despite asking for it. I have maintained pictures of some of the workmanship. We have found vendors who can complete the work left incomplete by this builder, but we should not have to considering the premium we paid. Use this company with caution."