Testimonials

See what Bortell/Stroud Associates’ customers say about Dave and the team:


Our office has worked with Bortell/Stroud for eighteen years. During that time Dave Bortell has been General Contractor on over twenty renovation and remodeling projects in Cambridge, Brookline, Newton, Tiverton and Cape Cod. His company has done work for us on both private residential houses and condominium remodeling.

Whenever possible, we advise our clients that we prefer to work exclusively with Bortell/Stroud. In so doing, we can assure the client of competitive prices, the finest quality work, timely completion, good communications and ease of process. We have the highest praise for Dave, his crews and his sub-contractors. His prices have always come in as per his thorough estimates and he has remained available to our clients years after their projects are completed. He is honest, reliable, intelligent and a pleasure to work with. I can recommend Bortell/Stroud without reservation.

Barbara Kapp, M. Arch., President, Barbara R. Kapp and Associates, Inc.


With every nail that is hammered, with every piece of wood that is measured, with every stroke of a paint brush, there is extreme respect, conscientiousness, thoughtfulness, perfection and the highest level of skill that goes into each moment. We have had the gift of Bortell/Stroud restoring our Beautiful home in Brookline and our Beautiful Cottage on Cape Cod, they only do a MAGNIFICENT JOB because they can’t do less than that. Bortell/Stroud creates a very positive environment while staying profoundly committed to their work, to you and your family, and they stick to every inch and meter of their word! AND IT’S ALL TRUE!!

Katherine Reynolds Cohen, Brookline, MA


Expertise and extraordinary skill, thoughtful attention to detail and a warm, gracious and honorable approach to the needs of clients. . . Bortell/Stroud embodies all these qualities and more. I’ve worked with David Bortell and his very skilled craftsmen on several projects in my home. All my experiences have been both enjoyable and positive.

Carol Salter, Newton


Dave’s unassuming, low-key approach turns even the most complex project into an enjoyable, creative process. No matter what we have asked for, Dave’s response has always been “No problem!” Dave really understands us and our home, and has given us superb advice, but always with sensitivity toward the other professionals on the team. And his attention to detail has been amazing. Dave’s “punch list” at the end of our projects has always been much more complete than anything we could have done ourselves, and every detail is finished quickly and with no fuss, before the project is done.

Through multiple projects over 14 years, we’ve never had a cross word with Dave. The exceptional quality of his work is matched by his utter integrity. Dave has made remodeling fun! We don’t even go out to bid any more – we’ve been spoiled!

Kate and Rich Sands – Arlington, MA


David Bortell is the finest contractor we’ve ever worked with, and we recommend him and his company with great enthusiasm. They did a wonderful job with our ambitious kitchen and bathroom renovation and have been terrific in the post-project follow-up and follow-through. Great craftmanship, attentive to details, creative in solving problems, and a pleasure to work with.

Liz Cohen and Herrick Chapman


David Bortell built a two-car garage, renovated a family room, repaired the slate roof, installed a modern heating system, and painted and insulated my 90 year old house in Cambridge. The work was of the highest quality, David’s crew was friendly and courteous, and he delivered on time and on budget. It was truly a pleasure working with him. I was so pleased, I recommended David to a friend and colleague, and she thanked me for the tip and expressed her satisfaction with David’s work.

Tom Maniatis


We have used Bortell/Stroud for many years for jobs both large and small. Their work is of the highest quality. The staff are friendly and professional. We have happily recommended them to many of our friends who have thanked us for the introduction.

Bortell/Stroud stands behind their work and we are always pleased to show others what they have done for us.

Janet Green, Cambridge


I daily give thanks that Dave Bortell was the contractor for the major renovation of my house in Cambridge in 2009/2010. The house is now everything I could have wished for (and more), all due to his expertise and diligence. Starting with rough architectural plans, he and I worked together to rebuild the old, somewhat tattered 1912 house: I wanted to maintain its original character, but change its design to fit my needs.

Dave was at the work site every day – rain, shine or snow – directing and monitoring his staff, carefully supervising sub-contractors, ensuring that all was on schedule and that it would turn out the way I wanted it to be.

The work involved refinishing all of the old woodwork; constructing a grand bookcase, a charming window seat and a gorgeous long banister to perfectly match the original style of woodwork (all done by his in-house shop); relocating many walls and closets and moving original floorboards to fit the new rooms; installing a new kitchen, bath and laundry room (and renovating two existing baths); constructing a cathedral ceiling; painting and wallpapering the entire house; and rebuilding two porches.

The Bortell/Stroud staff were cheerful, honest and hardworking; and a supervisor was always on site. Their attention to detail and to getting the job done right – even if it occasionally meant a re-do – was frankly astounding.

I am immensely pleased and highly recommend Bortell/Stroud without reservation.

Nicola Moore