About GS Builders
The standards of fine craft, applied to the homes we live in.
GS Builders Inc. is a residential contracting company serving Greater Boston, specializing in bathroom, kitchen and whole-house renovations, additions and custom millwork. We work with homeowners who care about their homes the way we do, people who want the job done right, not just done fast. Our focus has always been quality over volume, and we grow by doing work that keeps clients coming back.
Our approach
Driven by craft
We think about every project as a form of stewardship. A house carries the story of everyone who has cared for it, and understanding that history, how it was built, the techniques and materials of its time, is what allows you to connect the old with the new thoughtfully. That means careful hands, an honest approach, and a commitment to work that outlasts all of us.
That connection only works when you stay current. Modern building materials and techniques have changed what’s possible in meaningful ways. Today’s waterproofing membranes and shower systems are categorically better than what was standard even ten years ago. High-performance insulation options, whether for thermal efficiency, sound attenuation between floors and rooms, or fire resistance, give us tools that older construction simply didn’t have access to. The same goes for air sealing, moisture management behind walls, and subfloor systems that eliminate movement and noise underfoot. We pay close attention to these developments because getting them right is what separates a renovation that holds up for decades from one that causes problems down the road. Respecting the history of a house and building it better than you found it are not in conflict. That’s exactly the point.
Our story
From violin making to building
Our founder Ben Schindler grew up in Germany and spent formative years living and working across Europe, including four years of studies at the Newark School of Violin Making in England, one of the most respected programs of its kind in the world, before making his way to New York City. There he worked for Christophe Landon Rare Violins on the Upper West Side, building a career as a violin maker and restorer alongside some of the most respected names in the instrument world, and later served as an instrument specialist at Tarisio, the renowned auction house. He eventually opened his own violin restoration and making business, where the focus was always the same: the client, honest work, precision, and an unwavering attention to detail.
The transition from lutherie to renovation was never a departure so much as a natural extension. Both crafts ask the same things of you: careful hands, an honest approach, and an understanding that you’re working on something that outlasts you. GS Builders Inc. was founded in New York, in its early days a small operation that grew steadily as the needs of our clients pushed us into new territories and new scopes of work. Today GS Builders sustains a team of employees, subcontractors, and suppliers, built not through aggressive expansion but through the kind of work that keeps clients coming back.
After relocating his family to the Boston area, Ben brought GS Builders with him and the business has continued to grow. We take on renovations, additions, and custom millwork with a deliberate focus on quality over volume. We grow by doing good work, not by spreading ourselves thin.
How we work
What you can count on
01
Clear communication
One point of contact from first visit to final walkthrough. You’ll know what is happening this week, what comes next, and which decisions are yours to make. If something comes up behind a wall, you’ll hear it from us first, with options.
02
Materials worth the house
We help you choose fixtures, tile, stone and cabinets at specialty suppliers we trust, and review every selection before it’s ordered. Often the better product costs only a little more than the big-box version; where it makes no real difference, we’ll say so.
03
No shortcuts
The most important work in a renovation ends up behind walls and under tile: waterproofing, framing, insulation, venting. We build those parts as carefully as the finishes, because they decide how a room holds up for decades.
04
Trades we trust
Finding reliable trades is one of the hardest parts of renovating. Our own crew works alongside licensed plumbers, electricians and specialists we know well, and we manage all of them, so you have one team and one person to call.
From our clients
Kind words from our clients
For families that are looking for a personalized non-corporate renovation experience, I recommend GS Builders without hesitation.
The words I use to describe Ben are: approachable, helpful, communicative, kind, honest, and committed to quality.
Unlike most who want to rush through your job as fast as possible, forsaking quality for speed, Ben takes the time to listen to what you want to achieve and helps you get there with a balance of enthusiasm, patience and understanding.
He is committed to doing things the right way (what an incredible relief in a sea of dishonest and careless contractors) and went above and beyond to make sure we were happy with the final results.