ABOUT US
Work in progress: Stockbridge Bowl

Thom grew up in Chatham, New Jersey. His love of all kinds of music led to studying theory and composition at Manhattan School of Music and graduate school at the University of Toronto. Fascinated by North Indian music, he began playing sitar and enrolled in the doctoral program at Wesleyan University to study world music.

A few teaching gigs later, he ended up in the Berkshires, working at Simon’s Rock College of Bard in Great Barrington. He found teaching rewarding, but after twelve years, he was ready for a change.

He had always enjoyed woodworking and had built classical guitars and dulcimers. So he began working as a carpenter for a local builder and in 1986 started his own business. What began as fine carpentry grew into general contracting and design work as well as custom cabinetry.

His original workshop, on an unheated porch in his nineteenth-century farmhouse, first moved inside the house and then into a remodeled barn on the property. In 1998 he doubled the size of the shop, so it is now fully equipped for any size project.

West Stockbridge remodel

Thom loves his second career, although the hours are long. He especially likes working with his clients to realize their projects. When he takes a break, he enjoys cooking, movies, meditating with a local Zen group, and (believe it or not) working up remodeling ideas with his wife Anne for their own home.


When you call us, Thom’s wife, Anne Lesser, will probably answer the phone. She does our marketing and our books as well as making the initial contact with new clients. Her own business, Anne Lesser Communications, offers editorial and marketing services.


Other members of the crew include Chris Keefner (who’s been with us since 1999 and earned his Construction Supervisor License in 2005), Joe Schneid, Brandon Davis, and Chad Klapes (who recently also passed the Construction Supervisor License exam).

As part of our team, these experienced subcontractors, among others, regularly work on our projects and follow up with service as needed:

    • Gennari Heating & Plumbing
    • Henry’s Electric (wiring and appliances)
    • Cellu-Spray (dense-pack cellulose insulation)
    • Great River Construction (excavation and septic work)
    • Don Lagueux Painting, Wallpapering and Drywall

 

 
 



West Stockbridge, Mass.
(413) 232-8577
(413) 717-0118 cell

thom@buildwiththom.com

Mass. Construction Supervisor License: 055115
Home Improvement Contractor Registration: 161005

Website and design: Anne Lesser Communications and www.jasonhouston.com
Site Maintenance: Doorhinge Design Webcrafting