TEAM WORK: “People know they can count on us. Our reputation for experience, quality work, and service is well known.” Shown are members of the Black Bear Builders team, from left, project manager Rob Burke, owner Matt Bonacci, and designer Shelby Tewell.

By Jean Stratton 

Back Bear Builders is ready to turn your vision into reality! This respected design-build remodeling firm, headquartered in Pennington, has a long history of quality construction projects. Residential remodels and additions are its specialty, with a priority on first-rate service.

“We feel that our people and process differentiate us from our competitors,” says owner Matt Bonacci. “Having talented carpenters who are respectful and communicative is only the first step in running a successful renovation project. By focusing on cleanliness, communication, and setting realistic expectations, we hope to make what is inherently an inconvenient process more palatable.”

Bonacci’s introduction to the design-build business stemmed from his early interest in drawing, he reports. “When I was a boy growing up in Titusville, I liked to sit down and draw windows. That was fun.”

Minimal Operation

After graduating with a business degree from Boston College and a stint in commercial real estate, Bonacci navigated to the construction business. He opened Black Bear Builders in 2010 after having spent eight years working for williams-BUILDER in Robbinsville, where he was mentored by owner Harry Williams.

“I learned the business from Harry,” recalls Bonacci. “He was one of the smartest people I ever met.”

The idea of having his own business appealed to him, and in the beginning, it was a minimal operation, he explains. “I started the business out of my condo in Lawrenceville, and at first, it was just me and two carpenters. Then, we added an office manager, and things got busier.”

Today, it has grown to 14 employees, and as he points out, “after initially being exclusively design-build, now Black Bear Builders has collaborated with dozens of outside architects/designers. Roughly 25 percent of our business is designed by outside parties.

“Our niche now is large-scale renovations, including additions, standalone structures, multiple room remodels, and interior layout alterations.”

The company’s projects include structures of all ages — the oldest a farmhouse dating to the 1700s.

“With our remodels and additions, we always pay close attention to the original character of the house, and we are respectful of that,” points out Bonacci. “One of the goals of an addition is to make it look as if it has always been there.”

DOGGIE DEN: “Pepper’s” new special space was part of a larger mudroom addition. As plans progressed, the opportunity to give Pepper her own cozy corner became an important part of the process.

Word-of-Mouth

Black Bear Builders’ work is primarily in Princeton (50 percent) and the surrounding area, and it includes many repeat customers.

“This year, roughly half of our work is for repeat customers, while another 25 percent is referrals from past clients,” reports Bonacci. “By delivering on promises and being attentive and honest if we miss, we have generated a very good word-of-mouth reputation in the Princeton area.”

Indeed, Black Bear Builders has many fans among its customers. Remarks such as “The level of customer service was exceeded only by the expertise of the craftsman involved in the project” are very typical.

The priority on service starts from the very beginning, and continues every step of the way, right through the finishing touches, explains Bonacci. “We start with the design, and then the selection process for materials, tiles, cabinets, etc. Our designer takes the client to see the materials firsthand at the vendors’ location.”

Every room in the house from kitchen to bathroom, bedroom, and more are part of Black Bear Builders’ expertise. Currently, there is a lot of interest in aging-in-place and in-law additions, converting existing garage space to living space, home office conversions, pet-focused alterations (dog showers and feeding/storage areas in mudrooms), and basement finishing. Exercise rooms are also popular.

Home Improvements

Bonacci notes that the company continued to be busy during COVID, and has now become busier than ever.

“During COVID, people wanted to make home improvements. They were spending much more time at home, and they wanted to have the convenience they were used to outside the home. And, now people want their home to reflect their new lifestyle, which can still include working part time at home.”

Helping customers understand the complexities of the project is important, he adds. “This is a personal service business. It’s not just about technical knowledge. As the point person, I am more of a bridge between the home owner, and the technical people. It’s all about communication with them. We view it as very skilled work, but also a delivery process. We have to make an inherently difficult process less difficult.”

All the pieces of the puzzle have to be in place, he points out. “A large-scale remodel is a very big undertaking, involving materials and supplies, subcontractors, the builders’ staff, municipal officials, and constant coming and going into the clients’ home. Our people effectively move in with the clients for months at a time. Everything impacts all the other things.”

Bonacci is very proud of the Black Bear Builders team, including such key employees as project manager Rob Burke, designer Shelby Tewell, office manager Julie Morris, draftsman Dave Everman, and lead carpenters Fred Coppola, Marcus Clarke, Vince Croux, Bob Born, and Platon Dertouzos.

Different Backgrounds

“Our clients often remark on how they become so accustomed to having our people around and how much they miss them when the work is completed,” says Bonacci.

In addition, he points out, “I especially enjoy meeting our clients. They are all interesting people, all different backgrounds. I like the communication with them, and I like to learn about them and what they do. My clients really become educators for me.

“When you think of an addition or a remodel,” he adds, “think about what is the benefit to you as a homeowner. We are a local organization, and you can count on us for building expertise and service. Our staff and our subcontractors all have the highest standards and understanding of  our culture. There is always a lead carpenter on the job site, which is extremely important.

“We have a great team, and I look forward to bringing more younger people into the industry. We want to continue to offer the very best service for our customers.”

Black Bear Builders is located at 23 Route 31 North, Suite A-12. For further information, call (609) 730-0700. The website at blackbearbuilders.com is currently being updated. Company projects can be viewed on houzz.com.