2023: Year in Review
2023 was a fantastic year for BLB Design / Build. We completed more projects than ever before, continued to grow our team, and were recognized nationally and regionally for our outstanding work. We’re incredibly proud of all BLB has accomplished this year. Read on to see how 2023 has been our best year yet!
The Projects
Of our 31 active projects, we completed 21, including the North Reading Family Home, our most extensive build to date. The ability to complete several projects while continuing work on active job sites was only possible with our fantastic in-field crew. Working through rain and shine, our highly skilled carpenter team put in over 13,861 hours of labor and helped us achieve our project goals.
This year’s top completed project categories were whole home remodels, exterior projects, and miscellaneous jobs, each averaging 19% of our total work. Kitchen and bath remodels came in second with an average of 14.3%. Additions, commercial remodels, and finish basement projects followed each with an average of 9.5% of our total projects.
North Reading Family Home, Videography by Aeropex Media Creative
In the Community
This year, we also had the opportunity to work closely with several local businesses and community organizations. In the fall, we were honored to be a part of PRO New England‘s Youth in Remodeling Career Day for the second year. Over 500 students from trade schools across the state attended and participated in hands-on, interactive, and experiential activities relating to the residential trades. This year, we focused on teaching students how to properly lay out walls when framing using essential tools and materials. Our exhibit consisted of four stations with several 2x4s on saw horses, allowing students to mark where studs should go.
Our Lead Carpenters, Josh B. and Josh W., advise carpentry students on how to properly lay out walls when framing at Pro New England’s 2023 Youth in Remodeling Career Day.
Our team members also happily volunteered their time to the Amesbury Chamber of Commerce‘s Block Party and joined the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center‘s Annual Walk Against Domestic Violence. In addition to these causes, we sponsored the Newburyport PTO Kitchen Tour, Family Day at Yankee Homecoming, Newburyport Art Association‘s Annual Auction, the Holiday House Tour and Seaside Soiree for the Anna Jaques Hospital Aid Association, the Firehouse Center for the Arts, and the Amesbury Educational Foundation.
Some of our team at the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center‘s Annual Walk Against Domestic Violence in downtown Newburyport. Photo by Lani Shumway Photography.
The Recognitions
Our team humbly accepted a record seven awards from four different organizations this year, including:
- BRAGB MA PRISM Awards: Gold Award for Project Manager of the Year
- BRAGB MA PRISM Awards: Silver Award for Best Bathroom Remodel (Between $75,000 And $150,000)
- Northshore Home Magazine: Best of Northshore Editors’ Choice for Best Design / Build
- Northshore Home Magazine: Best of Northshore Readers’ Choice for Best Wine Cellar
- Chrysalis Awards: National Award in Kitchen Remodel Over $250,000 Category
- Qualified Remodeler’s Master Design Awards: Gold Award in the Outdoor Living (deck/porch/sunroom) Category
- Qualified Remodeler’s Master Design Awards: Bronze Award in the Kitchen over $150,000 Category
The Modern Kitchen, a high-end chef-inspired, contemporary kitchen expansion and remodel, won two awards, including a National Award from the Chrysalis Award Organization and a Bronze Award from Qualified Remodeler’s Master Design Awards. Joppa Flats, a porch addition in Newburyport overlooking the Merrimack River, was honored with a Gold Award from Qualified Remodeler’s Master Design Awards. Our Cape Ann Refresh, which transformed an outdated, eclectic-style house into a sleek, contemporary home, won a Silver Award from the Builders & Remodelers Association of Greater Boston (BRAGB) for the project’s primary bathroom. Lastly, we were awarded Best of Northshore Editors’ Choice for Best Design / Build Firm by Northshore Home Magazine for the second year in a row, while our Wine Cellar Build project was voted Readers’ Choice for Best Wine Cellar – our sixth time receiving this award!
Photography by Freebird Photography and Aeropex Media Creative.
The highlight of our 2023 recognitions was Shelby Goudreau (née Snyder) winning the BRAGB MA PRISM Gold Award for Project Manager of the Year. As our only project manager, she manages a high volume of projects simultaneously with great success. Since joining BLB in 2020, Shelby has completed 33 projects ranging from $50,000 to over $1 million. Shelby is a highly organized and dedicated leader who strives to be the best for our team and clients. She is a fierce advocate for client needs and does whatever she can to make the construction process smooth. We’re incredibly proud of her accomplishments and this recognition.
Shelby Goudreau, Project Manager of the Year. Photo by Freebird Photography.
Shelby is one of the most hardworking and organized people on our team, and it’s amazing to see her recognized as one of the best in her field. No one deserves this more.
BENJAMIN BECKER, OWNER + CHIEF VISIONARY
On behalf of the entire BLB Design / Build team, we thank everyone who has supported us this year. We are looking forward to a fantastic 2024, and we cannot wait to get started on new projects.
Looking to make your dream home a reality in the new year? Connect with us today to see how we can help!
