Remodeling contractor in Worcester, MA, for single-family homes and three-deckers
Many Worcester houses are old, tall and close together. Whether you own a single-family on a quiet hill street or live on one floor of a three-decker and rent the others, you want the work done carefully, by people you can reach, with a written price before anything starts.
Gamache Construction in Worcester
Gamache Construction is a family-owned remodeling contractor based in Northborough, Massachusetts, that has served Worcester and the rest of Worcester County since 2006. In Worcester the company remodels kitchens, bathrooms and basements, builds additions and garages, paints interiors, and renovates whole homes, including individual units in the city’s three-deckers. Owner Chris Gamache runs three construction crews and brings in plumbing, electrical and tile trades as each job needs them. Gamache Construction is licensed in Massachusetts and insured, files the permits and schedules inspections with the city, gives a detailed written estimate before work is scheduled, and backs its labor with a warranty.
What about Worcester houses changes a remodel?
Age and density change it most. Worcester is the state’s second-largest city, with 206,518 residents at the 2020 census, and much of its older housing dates from the industrial boom, when three-deckers went up along hundreds of the city’s streets.
The three-decker started here
Worcester is the likely birthplace of the three-decker, often attributed to builder Francis Gallagher, though other cities make the same claim. Each floor is its own apartment with the same plan, so kitchens and bathrooms stack, and plumbing work on one floor can run through the units above or below. (Source: Wikipedia.)
Light framing from another era
Three-deckers are light wood-frame buildings, and many were balloon framed, with wall studs that run past the floors. Opening a wall in a house like this can expose old wiring, missing insulation and long open cavities, so we plan for what an older frame may hold and price the options in writing.
Narrow lots, little side yard
Worcester once charged sewer connections by street frontage, so builders turned the narrow end of the house to the street. That is why many lots leave little room beside the house. That leaves room for an addition above or behind the house.
Permits through the city
Building permits in Worcester come from the city’s Inspectional Services division at 25 Meade Street. We file the permits and schedule the inspections for the work we do, so you do not have to sort out which permit a project needs.
Remodeling services we offer in Worcester
Same crews and same written estimate, single-family or three-decker.
Roofs and siding on Worcester homes are handled by our roofing division, Roofing by Gamache.
Older houses, careful work
“Our 50 year old house”
Chris and his team helped refresh the interior of our 50 year old house. They were very professional and did fantastic work. Contractors who are easy to work with are hard to find, but Chris was just that. I highly recommended Gamache Construction.
“Very clear estimate provided”
Gamache Construction did a great job repairing my garage after a corner was hit by a car and needed structural repair. Very clear estimate provided and work was completed in a timely manner. They even painted the whole side of the garage to ensure continuity. Well done!
How a Worcester project runs
Four steps, with the price settled before the schedule.
Walk-through
We look at the space, and in a multi-family house we look at what sits above and below it, since that shapes the plan.
Written estimate
You get the scope, the options and the pricing on paper before anything goes on the calendar.
Permits and build
We file with Inspectional Services, our crews do the work, and the plumbing, electrical and tile trades come in when the job needs them.
Final walkthrough
We go through the finished work with you before the job closes, and the labor carries our warranty.
Can you remodel one unit of a three-decker?
Yes. We look at what sits above and below the unit before pricing it, and the scope is written down before we start.
Who issues building permits in Worcester?
The City of Worcester’s Inspectional Services division issues them. We file the permits for our work and schedule the inspections, and the city’s own fee schedule applies.
What if we find old wiring or rot once the walls are open?
We show you what we found, and added work beyond the agreed scope is handled as a written change order.
Can you add space to a house on a narrow Worcester lot?
Yes, by building up or out the back. City zoning sets how close to the lot lines and how tall you can build, so we look at the lot first and talk through what the city will need to see.
Do you replace roofs or siding in Worcester?
Yes, through our roofing division, Roofing by Gamache. The construction team handles the interior and structural work, along with replacement windows and decks.
Towns around Worcester we also serve
Our Northborough team works across MetroWest and Worcester County. Towns shown on this site are examples, not a complete boundary for project inquiries. Share your location and the work you are considering so we can confirm coverage for your project.
Updating a Worcester three-decker or single-family?
Single-family or three-decker, the first step is a visit to see the space and what surrounds it. From there you get a written estimate you can compare, and Chris and the crew carry the job from permit to final walkthrough.