Residential finish carpentry and historic home restoration

J.P. Smith Builders works with homeowners who value natural materials, thoughtful craftsmanship and work that will age well.

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“A 100-Year Mindset”

Exterior wall of a building with a white door, small awning, and a wall-mounted lantern, on a brick walkway.

Thoughtful work for New England homes

We restore, renovate and build the details that make a home feel considered.

Our work is rooted in traditional craftsmanship and informed by modern building practices — from exterior restoration and repair to custom millwork, cabinetry and interior renovations.

We pay attention to the things that last: how a material will weather the Northeastern climate, how a detail belongs to the home’s history, and how today's decisions will hold up years from now.

About our approach

Selected work

  • House undergoing renovation with scaffolding on the side, a ladder leaning against it, and a van parked nearby.

    Historic home restoration · Portsmouth

  • Wooden shed next to a modern house with large windows, surrounded by trees.

    Fine exterior · Ossippee

  • Wooden beams installed on a ceiling with a window visible below.

    Custom millwork · Exeter

  • A bathroom with marble-tiled walls and floors, a window with white blinds, a white countertop with a sink, a mirror with lighting, a small cabinet with toiletries, and a patterned rug on the floor.

    Interior renovation · Kittery Point

View more of our work
Wooden stairs with white risers in a corner, with a wooden handrail on the left side. The surrounding walls are painted a light neutral color, and a section of the wooden floor is visible at the bottom of the stairs.

What we do

EXTERIOR RENOVATION

Wood siding, trim, windows, details and repairs for homes that deserve to keep their character.

INTERIOR RENOVATION

Thoughtful renovations for kitchens, baths, stairs and other spaces where craftsmanship matters.

FINISH CARPENTRY & MILLWORK

Custom cabinetry, built-ins, stairways, millwork and other woodwork made for the home.

Explore our services

“Meticulous Work” · 5 star Google Reviews

“JP’s craftsmanship on both the interior and exterior of my home surpassed any expectations I had. His work is meticulous, his work ethic is incredible, and his only goal is to please his customers. My home actually looks better than I imagined it would. We can’t wait to work with him again.”

— annemarie

“We hired JP to remodel our stairs and he did a great job from start to finish. He was efficient, communicated well throughout the project, and the finished stairs look awesome. We’re very happy with the results and would highly recommend his work.”

— Peter

“JP has performed various construction and home maintenance projects on our older Cape home over the past four years. He is meticulous and efficient, and extremely skilled and knowledgeable in all areas of construction. Above all, JP is trustworthy and reliable.”

— Janet
A clear process from first conversation to final walkthrough

Working together

We establish clear goals, realistic costs and a project plan before construction begins. Throughout the build, clients have a dedicated point of contact and access to a project portal for schedules, updates and documentation.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • We focus on residential restoration, renovation and finish carpentry, particularly for older and pre-war homes. Our work includes exterior restoration, kitchens and baths, stairways, cabinetry, built-ins, millwork and other detailed woodwork.

    We do not currently offer roofing, composite decking or vinyl-based exterior work.

  • While we are particularly interested in historic homes, we take on any home where the existing architecture, materials and craftsmanship are important to the project.

    Our approach is to build with “a 100-year mindset” — whether your home is new or old, we consider the way natural materials weather, wear and develop character.

  • Yes. While we do not currently offer full design-build services, we can collaborate with your existing architect or designer and can help connect you with professionals when needed.

  • Changes are documented through a formal change-order process. This keeps the scope, cost and schedule clear for everyone before additional work begins.

  • Because our projects are carefully planned and scheduled, we recommend reaching out as early as possible — even if your project is still in the planning stage.

    Get in touch to start a project.

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