64 FALL 2016
AWARDS
BUILDER
Custom Home
HOWELL CUSTOM
BUILDING GROUP
Meticulous custom builders, the
husband-and-wife-led team of
Howell Custom Building Group
tackle projects from a mudroom
to the complete overhaul and
restoration of Boxford's historic
19-acre Towne Farm this past
year. Tackling the nitty-gritty
of construction, Howell success-
fully straddles the sometimes-
competing demands of archi-
tect's and homeowner's visions
with building code and zoning.
The company prides itself on
extensive planning and com-
munication with homeowners
before a hole is dug or a brick
laid.
Riverwalk Complex, 360
Merrimac St., #5, Lawrence, 978-
989-9440, howellcustombuild.com
READERS'
CHOICE
CM Ragusa Builders, 287 High St.,
978-255-4087, Newburyport,
cmragusa.com
BUILDER
Renovation
CM RAGUSA BUILDERS
Stress-free is not often a term
few builders can boast of a
singular focus on custom
renovations like owner Christo-
pher Ragusa. He owns his own
millwork facility, for one, craft-
ing everything from molding
to cabinetry from raw lumber
rather than using prefab. In fact,
Ragusa is proud to say he's nev-
er built the same thing twice.
Many of the company's projects
involve multiple unique aspects,
to take advantage of views
and homeowner desires for
more exotic woods. Success for
Ragusa is in the details—the
company spends plenty of time
in preconstruction guiding
clients through permit is-
photographs by Eric Roth
Howell Custom
Building Group
Matt Diana
Housewright
B U I L D
sues, choosing architects, and
detailing budgets.
287 High St.,
Newburyport, cmragusa.com
READERS'
CHOICE
Howell Custom Building Group,
Riverwalk Complex, 360 Mer-
rimac St., #5, Lawrence, 978-989-
9440, howellcustombuild.com
BUILDER
Restoration
MATT DIANA
HOUSEWRIGHT
When you're serious about
period details, turn to Matt
Diana and his team—everyone
from the PBS series "This Old
House" to the Daughters of the
American Revolution hold his
work in the highest esteem.
Diana, who was a star student
in 17th-, 18th- and 19th-century
building techniques at Boston's
North Bennett Street School, is
able to combine centuries-old
craftsmanship with seamless
integration of modern ameni-
ties to create a home that is
functional, historically accu-
rate and beautiful.
101 W. Main
St., Georgetown, 617-584-4259,
mattdianahousewright.com
READERS'
CHOICE
Windhill Builders, 16 Market
St., Ipswich, 978-356-8988,
windhillbuilders.com
