Specialty Home Improvement Services in Southeastern MA
Some projects do not fit neatly into painting, carpentry or remodeling. These are the ones homeowners call us about specifically — usually because they have already been told by someone else that it is not worth doing, or that it cannot be done.
Thirty-plus years in the same trade area means we have solved most of these problems before. If you have something in mind that is not listed here, describe it to us. The estimate is free either way, and we will tell you honestly if it is outside what we do well.
Our specialty services
Custom Projects
One-off work that does not have a category: an odd built-in, an architectural detail you saw somewhere, a repair three other contractors have passed on. Describe it and we will tell you whether it is something we do on our contact form here.
Brick Whitewashing
Whitewashing creates a breathable, permanent lightening treatment for brick fireplaces, chimneys and exteriors. Unlike solid paint, it keeps the mortar lines and texture of the brick visible.
Fireplaces
Fireplace surrounds, mantels, hearth tile and brick treatments — the finish work that turns a fireplace back into the focal point of the room.
Tiling, Backsplashes & Flooring
Tile and laminate flooring, kitchen and bath backsplashes, shower walls and floors, subfloor replacement, and grout and tile repair.
Cabinet Refinishing
Cabinet refinishing for vanities and built-ins, refinished in place when replacement is not the right call for the budget or the timeline.
Sheetrock & Plaster Repair
Holes, cracks, water damage and failed plaster patched, skim-coated and blended so the repair disappears under the finish coat. Contact us for an estimate now.
How the project runs
01
Describe the project.
Call, email or send photos. For unusual work, photos save everyone a trip and let us tell you quickly whether it is in our wheelhouse.
02
Free Estimate.
We come out, look at the actual conditions, and put a written scope and price in front of you at no cost.
03
Agree the approach.
For specialty work especially, we walk through materials and method before starting, because these projects rarely have one obvious right answer.
04
Complete and review.
We finish the work, clean up, and look at it with you before calling it done.
Specialty questions homeowners ask
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Whitewashing applies a thinned, breathable coating that soaks into the brick and lightens it while leaving the texture, colour variation and mortar lines visible. Solid paint sits on the surface as an opaque film, hides all of that, and can trap moisture inside masonry — a real concern on older New England chimneys and exteriors. Whitewashing gives a softer, more traditional result and is generally the better choice for brick that still looks like brick.
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Treat it as permanent. Because the coating penetrates the masonry rather than sitting on top of it, removing it means chemical stripping or media blasting, both of which risk damaging the brick face and mortar. That is the honest answer, and it is why we recommend testing the finish on a small, inconspicuous area before committing to a whole fireplace or facade.
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The most common changes are a new mantel and surround in wood or millwork, retiling or restoning the face and hearth, whitewashing or refinishing existing brick, and building flanking built-ins or bookcases. These are finish and masonry-surface projects. We do not service the firebox, flue or chimney structure itself — that work belongs to a licensed chimney professional, and we will say so if that is what your fireplace actually needs.
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Anything that does not fit our standard service list but sits inside painting, carpentry, tile or interior finish work. Past examples include converting unused closets into display shelving, matching discontinued trim profiles, and rebuilding architectural details that had been removed from older homes. If it needs structural engineering, licensed plumbing or electrical, or masonry reconstruction, we will refer you to the right trade rather than take it on.
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No. Estimates are free, including for specialty and custom work. Sending photos ahead of the visit helps us come prepared and, occasionally, saves you a visit entirely if the answer is that this is not something we do.
Describe the project and we will tell you honestly whether it is something we do well.
Why homeowners hire Sorel
HIC Number: 205379.
Where we work
Sorel Home Improvement provides home improvement services throughout Southeastern Massachusetts, including Taunton, Easton, Norton, Dighton, Raynham, Berkley, Mansfield, Rehoboth, Lakeville, Middleborough and Bridgewater. See our full home remodeling service area for details on each town.
See our work, hear what our customers say