Feinmann proves that in-house architecture and hands-on building expertise are stronger together
When Peter Feinmann founded his Boston-based design-build firm in 1987, residential general contracting was commonplace. However, when Feinmann began producing its own design work, the business boldly went against the grain of the industry. After working with outside design partners throughout the early 1990s, the firm decided to hire an in-house architectural team which became Feinmann’s foundation by 1999, allowing it to provide an elevated level of service to their clients while simultaneously achieving a greater level of control over the building process.
Ultimately, Peter’s ambitious and novel way of running his luxury build business led to it winning a regional Best of Design Award in 2004, something he describes as a turning point in Feinmann’s journey. “We were recognized above people I genuinely thought were better than us, and that’s when I knew we had truly arrived,” Peter begins. “From there, we built on the design-build model over the next 20 years, growing the company and consistently receiving design, craftsmanship, and service awards each year in local and national remodelling and building industry competitions.”
Exceptional project portfolio
To protect the future of the business, he began exploring employee ownership in 2017 and made the transition in 2022, bringing current President Maren Reepmeyer on board shortly after. Maren joins Peter to tell us more about Feinmann’s projects, culture and future aspirations. “We work in the single-family residential market, focused on the luxury segment,” adds Maren. “Most people know us for our larger projects, but we handle everything from handyman work, usually for existing or returning clients, all the way through to whole-home remodels, additions, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs).”
Consistent recognition for its design work sets the company apart from competitors in the Boston market, which Maren says they are incredibly proud of, while acknowledging other differentiators: “Beyond the awards, I think it’s our tried-and-tested predictable process that really defines us. We’re known for it and we’re very disciplined about it. It’s service-oriented where building lasting relationships grounded in creativity and care is paramount. We generate about 60 percent of our work from referrals or repeat business, which we think speaks for itself.
“Additionally, being an employee-owned business has been genuinely transformational,” Maren continues. “We weave it through every company meeting and it has become prominent in all of our branding and messaging. It builds culture, supports retention, and generates real energy, as people are excited to be part of something they have a stake in. When employees directly benefit from the company’s performance and growth, this ownership brings with it a source of belonging, pride, and camaraderie. It’s the very foundation of who we are.”
This foundation all started when Peter took mechanical drawing and drafting in high school and realized he had a deep desire to build. “For our senior class project, I designed a house on a cliff with an elevator from the garage,” he recalls. “My grandmother noticed it, but at the time, that kind of passion wasn’t encouraged toward architecture or construction. My parents expected me to go to law school, but I kept following my instinct. A few years after college, I pursued a trade degree, and from there it was simply about following that pull toward building. I constantly asked myself what needed to get better. When a client in the late 1990s told me our design staff wasn’t strong enough, I hired a designer who stayed with us for nearly 20 years. Every gap I identified, I worked to fill.” Peter’s ambition and love of building led to a variety of exceptional projects, from modern two-story urban penthouses with panoramic city views to historic renovation work and most notably, a project that’s currently under construction in Newton, Massachusetts. “This is a great renovation example,” he highlights. “The original house dates to the late 17th century, with an addition from the mid-19th century. We’re stabilizing the structure while building a new kitchen within that complex. We are fortunate to work in a part of the country that covers both ends of the spectrum and everything in-between when it comes to residential design and inventory. This makes for very interesting work when it comes to remodeling. Our talented team of designers can flex to find solutions that meld seamlessly with any style.”
Client satisfaction remains paramount to Feinmann for the remainder of 2026 and beyond, as it continues to build meaningful relationships based on their ability to be a trusted advisor, a creator of truly unique solutions, and crafter of beautiful builds. “Alongside that client focus, we’re investing heavily in professional development, from our carpentry teams through to project managers and our design division,” Maren elaborates. “We’re really taking stock of where we are and what it means to build well for the next five to ten years. We’re also incredibly excited about exploring AI and how it can support the business; we’d like to be leading-edge in how we adopt it.” Alongside automation, the firm is focusing on high-performance design and how it can integrate green initiatives and healthy home principles into its work.
“For me, the key goal is completing the transition from a founder-led company to a truly employee-owned one,” Peter closes. “I truly believe it will continue to grow and succeed in servicing our clients in a way that lives up to the notable reputation we’ve built over the last 39 years.”