SERVICES
Planning
Streamline your design phase and accelerate your start-date for construction with our personal consultation process that provides valuable creative input, budgetary advice, and the assurance of a negotiated contract sum with open disclosure of your itemized costs.
Additions
New Construction
From foundation to pinnacle, every project - large or small - is executed with artistic precision and conscientious oversight. Whether your architectural intention is sleek & modern, ornamental & classic, or historic preservation, we do it all with integrity and excellence.
Renovations
Relationship
Construction can be invasive to the client's world and fraught with surprises. Many of our clients are repeat-customers because we have earned their trust through honesty, fairness, responsiveness and courtesy. We seek to serve all your present & future construction needs.
Additions
Renovations
New Construction
Over 25 years of
fine quality service
in central New Jersey
and New York City
Small Projects
ABOUT
Since 1989 Garretson Custom Builders has established a reputation for fine quality residential construction services in central NJ and Manhattan NY, and has been the recipient of several awards from The Historical Society of Princeton for successful historical restoration projects.
Owner John Garretson, Fine Arts graduate of Princeton University, continues to provide creativity and personal oversight for every project,
ensuring that your new home,
addition or renovation,
whatever the architectural
style, will receive the
meticulous attention to
detail and fine craftsmanship
consistent with our company
vision and motto --
"every home a piece of history".
PROJECTS
TESTIMONIALS
Ronald Berlin, Architect.
As a persnickety architect, I approached my first-time project with John with a certain degree of trepidation - was he committed to respecting the design and able to sweat the details to realize the aesthetic intent?
I soon discovered that he was and had as much interest in making a beautiful building as I do. This has proven to be the case for all the subsequent projects we've worked on together. He contacts my office whenever a question arises on site, and we solve every problem collaboratively, working together to achieve the best result. He always deals with me and my client with unfailing courtesy and fairness, and often contributes inventive suggestions, based on his experience in construction, utterly consistent with the design intent. An architect seeking to create a fine and artful building couldn't wish for a better man to bring it into being.
Elias Moser, Architect.
GCB has consistently delivered excellent work on schedule and within budget, even when conditions were unfavorable. The crew and subcontractors are experienced and trustworthy -- high quality workmanship and no-hassle professional execution. I highly recommend John and his team.
Fawn Galli Interiors, Manhattan.
I've worked with John & his team on many projects: they are always professional, smoothly organized and on schedule. The pride in workmanship and attention to detail is evident every time.
Becky in Metuchen.
John Garretson is the consummate professional – an expert in historic home renovation who provides not only the highest standard of workmanship, but also the highest standard of business integrity. We are extremely fortunate to be able to attest to this. Garretson Custom Builders was referred to us by our architect after an unscrupulous contractor left us in the middle of an extensive renovation of our circa 1868 Victorian Italianate house. John had to deal with not only with a very difficult existing situation of poor workmanship and improper construction, but with traumatized owners as well. He has far surpassed our expectations. John’s crew is also top notch seasoned and talented professionals. Garretson Custom Builders not only gave us back peace of mind and a livable home, but also helped to give us back our vision for this grand old house.
Catherine Knight, Architect.
John is a dedicated professional intent upon getting the most for his client out of every project - making it the best it can be and always remaining mindful of budgets and schedules. His attention to detail is spectacular, leaving no unpleasant surprises at the end. As an architect I have thoroughly enjoyed working with John. He has great ability to work effectively with owners, architects and subcontractors, and I highly recommend him for any project.
Bruce in Princeton.
When we began the historically-sensitive restoration of our 18th century farmhouse, we sought recommendations from The Historical Society of Princeton for a builder on whom we could rely and were directed to Garretson Custom Builders. We could not have been happier with the results. From early in the process it became clear that John Garretson was meticulous, professional and exceptionally honest. He was careful to keep us informed of necessary changes in the scope of work and was sensitive to our budgetary concerns. Innovative and a problem-solver, John found solutions for the frequently complex construction problems that arise during the restoration of old structures while remaining ever mindful of the historic integrity of the house. Whatever the type of your project, you will be in good hands with Garretson Custom Builders.
Evelyn in Princeton.
Having undertaken six renovation projects, I can say that John Garretson is one of the best builders you can hire. He stands out in his knowledge of and commitment to the highest quality construction standards. He took personal pride in his work on our house and did not cut corners even when under pressure. Rather, he bent over backwards to meet our exceedingly perfectionist standards. John is, without doubt, the most responsive contractor I have ever hired. He answered my calls immediately, met with us promptly and at our convenience, and often worked late into the night to get us a quote on a change order or solve a difficult construction problem. John is thoroughly trustworthy and honest. He worked very hard to reach a fair resolution when inevitable misunderstandings arose. He never took advantage of us, even when he could have. We have been in our newly-rebuilt house for some time now, and we grow more pleased with his work every day.
Susan in Manhattan.
We were so delighted with the work done by GCB in our New York duplex. The workers were careful, timely and responsive. The quality of the finished work was superb. Everything about the project - which took place while we were living on site - from beginning to end was executed with the utmost professionalism and attention to detail. We could not be happier!
Jeffery Clarke, Architect.
John Garretson is the epitome of everything you would wish for in a custom builder. His conscientious attention to detail makes him a pleasure to work with and gives great assurance that a project will be built with respect to the design intent. Having completed several projects with GCB - some involving unique and challenging characteristics - I can highly recommend John without reservation. He always rises to the occasion, bringing in expert workmen - even artisans - to achieve the best effect possible.
Carol Reimann, Princeton University
Garretson Custom Builders completed substantial renovations and additions to a Victorian home on behalf of Princeton University. John and his crew painstakingly rebuilt the inside and outside of the house from the bottom to top. Details were paramount to this historic renovation, and John's attention down to the smallest item was remarkable. The end result was a stunning and superbly crafted house. A truly professional company!
Jon & Jenny in Princeton.
Garretson Custom Builders extensively renovated our kitchen, two bathrooms, and laundry room. We are very pleased with the results. John’s craftsmanship and attention to detail are excellent. While working through design issues with John and our architect, John contributed expert knowledge, viable options, and design imagination that resulted in well-thought-out solutions. His pricing was fair, and his invoices were fully detailed with no surprises. We will not hesitate to use Garretson Custom Builders for our next home improvement project.
Eleanor Windman Interiors, Manhattan.
If contractors were all like John Garretson....how easy my life would be.
It's really hard to describe John because there is no one to compare him to. He gets it done - you dream it up and he makes it happen. On time, great workmanship, smart, solution-oriented and someone you can count on to do the right thing. Only problem: there's only one of him!
Richard & Maura in Manhattan.
We’re thrilled with the apartment kitchen renovation - the team did a gorgeous job with meticulous attention to detail, and creative, intelligent design solutions to maximize use of our spatial limitations. The crew kept the dust in the work area, and cleaned up beautifully every day when they left – we had no trouble living in the apartment while the work was going on. And our building superintendent loved them – they were the nicest guys, they got along with the building staff – everybody was happy, not just us!
Jane in Princeton.
Garretson Custom Builders did extensive renovations and additions to our 1970 Colonial home. We were extremely pleased with the level of workmanship and the attention to detail. We also found John and his crews to be conscientious and very responsive to concerns and issues which inevitably arose during the construction. We heartily recommend Garretson Custom Builders. Our neighbors now call our house the pride of the neighborhood!
CONTACT
Inquiries
For any project inquiries or questions about
Garretson Custom Builders complete the following form:
Licensed & Insured in NJ & NY
NJ HIC # 13VH01105200
NY HIC # 1327434
NY HIS # 1327431
Certified EPA Firm # NAT-58680-1
EPA RRP # R-I-18506-10-06490
NJDCA New Home Builder # 045620
Garretson Custom Builders LLC
2 Morris Lane
Eastampton, NJ 08060-5317
Tel: 609-462-4260
Fax: 609-261-5505
For Immediate Service
Call John Garretson at 609-462-4260
Employment
Please email employment resume to garretsonbuilder@aol.com
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