Carlton Builders’ unparalleled historic renovation capabilities enabled it to physically move a 100-year-old cottage
Founded in 1977, Carlton Builders is a second-generation custom home builder rooted in Chatham, Cape Cod. In addition to delivering new custom homes, renovations, additions and custom carpentry across the Lower Cape, including Chatham, Orleans, Harwich and Brewster, the company runs a second location in Hingham that enables it to also serve the South Shore and Greater Boston areas. Jesse Carlton, Owner and President, shares an overview of Carlton Builders’ work and the trends shaping the market today.
“The company grew out of a building tradition my family established here on the Cape, and the through-line has always been the same: craftsmanship that respects the Cape Cod aesthetic while building homes meant to last for generations. We work across the full spectrum, from ground-up custom homes and large-scale renovations to additions and historical restorations. Our signature style is classic Cape Cod; creating shingle-style and traditional New England homes that feel like they belong on this coastline, but with modern layouts, energy performance and comfort built in. What sets us apart is our specialism in restoration work. We are quite comfortable with historical construction techniques and materials, which is something not every builder is willing or able to take on,” he opens.
Attention to detail
Being so comfortable with such a wide variety of work is something the company partly owes to Jesse’s own experience. Born and raised in Chatham, Jesse grew up around the trade as the son of a custom homebuilder, spending his early years working alongside his father, which is where his love of design and carpentry began. “I became a carpenter by trade myself, with a focus on finish carpentry, before going on to earn a business degree from the University of Maine. Then, I spent time in real estate covering acquisitions, mortgages and both commercial and residential work, which gave me a perspective on building that goes beyond the job site. I later worked as a construction supervisor with the Silva Brothers, a high-end firm well-known for being the general contractors on the American reality show This Old House, before bringing all of that together under Carlton Builders,” he recalls.
Jesse’s own experience on This Old House has meaningfully shaped his approach to homebuilding and raised the bar for what doing things properly actually means to him. Working at that level, often on older, historically significant homes under real scrutiny has reinforced a standard of quality and attention to detail that Jesse carries into every Carlton Builders project. It is a big part of why restoration and historically sensitive work feels natural to the company.
That expertise is currently being put to work on a project involving the renovation and movement of a 100-year-old cottage. Named Gillis Road, this project is a rather unique endeavor for the company. The team physically raised and moved the century-old cottage to an adjacent lot, setting it down on a new foundation before carrying out a full addition and renovation of the structure. That move freed up a beautiful waterfront lot for a new 5000 square foot custom home. Still, Carlton Builders managed to maintain the original structure of the cottage, which was essential as it had previously been a valued 12-acre family property for generations. The cottage holds deep meaning for the family, who have spent their summers there for over a century, and much of the work done on it over the decades has been carried out by family members themselves. Getting the historic details right has been the top priority throughout, and it is precisely the kind of project that Carlton Builders excels in.
Resilience & craftsmanship
The broader market on Cape Cod continues to evolve alongside new trends, and at the moment, it is sustainability and energy efficiency that are front and center. Clients increasingly want homes that are healthier to live in and cheaper to run, so Carlton has been responding to this trend by making better building envelopes, high-efficiency systems and green building practices a standard part of every project rather than an optional upgrade. “In addition, we are seeing steady interest in smart home and technology integration,” Jesse continues. “On the Cape specifically, there is a strong demand for combining that modern performance with traditional, storm-resilient coastal design. A lot of our work is on the water, and that is an area where materials and technology have changed the game. Advances in building materials and construction techniques now let us build stronger, more durable homes in waterfront and flood-prone locations, guaranteeing far better resistance to moisture, wind and salt exposure all without sacrificing the traditional Cape aesthetic. That combination of resilience and craftsmanship is exactly what clients with homes on the water are asking for.”
With several projects lined up, the second half of 2026 looks set to be just as busy as the first for Carlton Builders. “We are in the process of wrapping up two homes in Chatham, breaking ground on a new build and launching a spec project we are really excited about. This last project, also in Chatham, is a four-bedroom home of approximately 4500 square feet with a pool and pool house, slated for delivery in summer 2027. On top of that, we are growing the team and are currently looking to add project managers and lead carpenters to keep pace with the work ahead,” he reveals.
Expansion plans
Carlton Builders is aiming to keep the same pace of steady growth it has been experiencing in the last few years as it looks to the future. “While we do not see ourselves becoming a production builder because quality will always come first, we are still focused on expanding our team with the right people, those who share our vision for quality-first building, so we can keep delivering beautiful, well-built homes. Most importantly, we are grateful to our clients and to our crew. We have had the chance to work with wonderful clients and build stunning homes in scenic, waterfront settings on the Cape, and we are proud that the majority of our work comes through referrals. We look forward to continuing to build high-quality dream homes for years to come,” Jesse concludes.
Whether it is moving a century-old cottage to a new foundation or constructing a waterfront home designed to withstand coastal conditions, Carlton Builders consistently upholds the same high-quality standards.