General Contractor in Cambridge, MA
Home to Harvard University and MIT, Cambridge is a vibrant city with tree-lined streets and a mix of Victorian, Colonial, and contemporary architecture.
📍 Landmark: Harvard University & MIT
Coen Construction in Cambridge, MA
Home to Harvard University and MIT, Cambridge is a vibrant city with tree-lined streets and a mix of Victorian, Colonial, and contemporary architecture. As the trusted Boston MA general contractor, Coen Construction has been serving Cambridge homeowners with premium craftsmanship since 2010.
Settled in 1630 and originally named Newetowne, Cambridge was renamed in 1638 after the English university. Home to Harvard Yard — the oldest corporation in the US — and MIT's iconic Dome. Cambridge's Inman Square, Porter Square, and Central Square neighborhoods feature beautiful older homes that Coen Construction loves to restore and expand.
Services We Offer in Cambridge
Frequently Asked Questions — Cambridge
Does Coen Construction serve all Cambridge neighborhoods?
Yes — we serve Harvard Square, Central Square, Inman Square, Porter Square, East Cambridge, Mid-Cambridge, and all surrounding areas.
Can you help with historic home renovations in Cambridge?
Absolutely. Cambridge has many homes built in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Our team understands how to work with original materials and comply with Cambridge's historic commission guidelines.
What types of home additions are most popular in Cambridge?
Due to Cambridge's smaller lot sizes, second-story additions and rear additions are very popular. We also do a lot of dormer additions and attic conversions for Cambridge homeowners.
What permits are needed in Cambridge?
Cambridge requires building permits from the Inspectional Services Department for structural work. Historic district properties may also need Cambridge Historical Commission approval — we handle all permitting.
What siding is best for Cambridge triple-deckers?
James Hardie fiber cement siding handles New England freeze-thaw cycles beautifully and is approved in most Cambridge historic districts.
Explore Cambridge — Our Service Area
Cambridge homeowners navigating home renovations must work within Boston-area building permit requirements. Coen Construction handles every permit on your behalf — from initial application to final inspection.
- Structural additions and home expansions require a full building permit from your local Inspectional Services Department (ISD).
- Historic district properties need additional review from the local Historic Commission or Preservation Board before work begins.
- All electrical, plumbing, and HVAC sub-permits are included in our full-service project management.
- Typical permit timelines in Greater Boston: 2–6 weeks depending on scope and local review board schedules.
Cambridge's historic homes demand specialized expertise. We've mastered working with the city's historic commission guidelines while delivering stunning modern renovations.
Expert Craftsmanship for Your Greater Boston Home in Cambridge
We understand historic preservation requirements, Boston ISD permitting, and the unique challenges of urban renovation. Let's discuss your project.
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What Our Customers Say
"Amazing company and people!!!"
"Coen Construction redid my bathroom and did a fantastic job. The initial quote was very reasonable and they answered several rounds of questions I had. The construction process was very straight forward and they kept me informed the entire way. Definitely will be using them again"
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"I thought I'd share a final and last review now that the work solving the the issues that Coen created has been completed a year after their work. We originally contracted for a full paint of an empty condo, electrical work, and drywall for some ceilings. In short, the outcome was not good for the painting. I'm mainly focusing on the painting, as that has had the longest term impact, but they had to come back and fix a number of the outlets that just pulled out of the wall - the whole box - and multiple that ended up not being grounded. The ceiling drywall replacement was good. 1) No prep to walls and ceiling at all - the team started painting while heavy dust was being created by the plaster and drywall work. There was ZERO prep after that was complete. We've now repainted the entirety of the unit. 2) Repainting was done in the first place, after we fired Coen, as they simply couldn't keep the paint colors organized with the associated room, touching up rooms in the wrong color. In multiple instances, they claimed a wall - particularly the ceiling - was done. It was not. 3) Touch-ups were a joke. The most egregious attempts were that the bathroom was touched up with the living room paint, creating a mix-match of colors, and the trim across the the entire house (gloss white) was then touched up with ceiling flat creating flat white spots on very literally every piece of trim in the house. Note it's literally everywhere as that's how much touchup they had to do after they were "done." They bought the wrong finish for the living room and dining room. 4) The bathroom. living room, and hallway all had paint they applied that peeled off the wall. The ceiling the bathroom lasted barely a month. No cleaning of the window sills and trim from the construction dust, so the paint never adhered to the surface. To the aforementioned final job in item 3, the trim paint peeled. The owner gave a cursory "I'm sorry we couldn't help you" and never once came to look at anything. After the 8th+ attempt at fixing everything, we were exhausted by the experience and wanted to move on, but do not hire Coen Brothers. Even if they attempt to make it right, the poor project management and organization of the team they sent has pretty much made for a year's worth of jobs to fix it all."
