How Archambault Construction seamlessly combines modern living with historic charm
Archambault Construction (Archambault) is a family-owned, award-winning design-build and remodeling company that has been serving New England since 1981. As a master builder, Archambault provides a single point of contact for homeowners throughout the process and promises to place equal emphasis and attention-to-detail on every project regardless of its size or difficulty.
“Archambault is a family company started by my father in 1981, and we’re focused on high-quality residential construction,” opens Stephen Archambault, Vice President. “We’re primarily a remodeling business, but we also build custom homes and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) throughout the Massachusetts area. When my father initially started the business, he wore all the hats, he did everything himself. I came into the business after completing a construction management program, and I saw his struggles first-hand. I was able to slowly take some responsibility from him, and I learned a lot from him about how to approach project management and client relationships.
“The foundations of this business are around being open, honest, and transparent with our clients. We share our expenses with them, communicate schedules and problems, and build a genuine rapport based on trust before we even break ground. Integrity is key to planning ahead and setting, meeting, and ideally exceeding expectations. However, even with the most planning and organization, there can sometimes be unforeseen problems throughout the process.
“Being flexible and able to adapt is a key component for any successful business in the homebuilding industry, not only because of different ground conditions or physical situations but because of market challenges and dynamics. We take several measures to mitigate any problems, and when we run into issues, we quickly identify solutions and communicate with clients about the best way to progress. None of this could be truly achieved without a great team in place.
“We have grown substantially over the last eight-to-ten years. I meet with each of my employees every quarter to get an insight into their goals for both the company and their careers; some of our best ideas and strategies have come from these meetings. By understanding each person’s goals, I can provide the necessary tools to meet these objectives. This not only benefits employees’ personal growth but also fuels sustainable internal growth for the company by adding new skills to our workforce,” Stephen states.
Original features and materials
Turning to the company’s capabilities, Stephen continues: “The market in Massachusetts is different to the rest of the US: there are lots of old homes here, and we’ve come to specialize in working on antique homes across New England. For many of these homes, owners want to extend the footprint without disrupting the history of the building, so we build additions that fit the home’s original style. We’ve recently worked on two homes that were built in the 1700s, for instance, to build additional space suitable for more modern lifestyles. We don’t just offer additions though, as we also complete entire remodels as well as kitchen and bathroom upgrades. In Massachusetts, the building industry is overregulated, especially given the new stringent energy code, which forces us to find creative ways to adapt that have a minimal impact on the client’s budget.
“Although we offer all kinds of services for homes like replacing windows or doors, the most frequent project is typically an addition with a substantial remodel within the existing home,” he explains. “There’s a lot of history in New England, so for these remodels, we strive to modernize the home while maintaining its historic integrity. A great way to do this is by salvaging as many original features and materials as possible. In a recent project, we had to replace the front door, but we reused the original door as a pocket door to the new pantry, which resulted in a unique accent piece in the kitchen. 
“Windows are a more challenging aspect because we must use newer windows that comply with new environmental and energy efficiency regulations. Using reclaimed lumber from Maine, we often add or restore beams to make them a feature of the home; in one of our bathroom remodels, we even had a structural beam running right through the shower; we were able to incorporate tis into the design as a great accent feature. When it comes to flooring, the pine or oak planks can be difficult to match or restore on an older home, but we can carefully sand the existing planks, which are often very thin due to years of restoration, to match newer materials without harming the structural integrity of the floor. The other challenge with working in historic homes is that we often discover unknown features or structures that require alternative planning. This is where adapting and getting creative is so important.”
New division
While Archambault specializes in historic homes, the business also offers modern remodels, new construction and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). “Every project is different, and while the planning and permitting stages of newer homes are easier to manage, even new homes come with hurdles,” Stephen shares. “I’m passionate about treating every single project with the same care and level of detail, treating every customer with courtesy and respect and also treating our team members with courtesy and respect, it is truly our team that propels Archambault’s continued success.”
To close our conversation, Stephen shares his vision for Archambault’s future. “We’ve set five- and ten-year goals for the company, which includes hiring additional project managers and opening an additional office in Maine in the next ten years,” he concludes. “We are also focusing on establishing a new division dedicated to building ADUs. Although we’ve offered ADUs for a while now, we’re seeing somewhat of a boom in the market due to recent changes in the zoning laws. We offer a range of options for clients looking to build an ADU and I’d like to push this further to offer more affordable solutions.”
www.archambaultconstruction.com