ABOUT US
North Shore Design-Build, LLC is a woman owned company leading a group of designers, engineers, and tradespeople. This special team enjoys taking clients' ideas and creating extraordinarily beautiful, comfortable, and sustainable buildings and spaces. We specialize in whole building approach to integrating Architecture, Interior Design, Structure, HVAC, Sustainability, Lighting, and Accessibility. We also believe that every person and family deserves a high quality, safe home that is affordable in ALL markets.
Meet Dee
Owner, Designer, Engineer, CSL
Dee started her career in this industry in high school when she worked as a draftsperson at Port Engineering in Newburyport. In this role she eventually worked her way up to designing subdivisions and private septic systems. Upon graduation, a different engineering field was chosen, or at least a broad-based systems engineering. Dee went to MIT, majoring in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. This was applied to the high-tech sector in the areas of electronics, mechanics, software, optics, and servo-controllers. After 17 years as an engineer, a change was due and she left to start a remodeling and furniture business with her father. The following year Dee started the Masters of Architecture program at the Boston Architectural College (BAC).
In 2014 Dee received her Masters in Architecture as well as the brand-new Sustainable Design & Construction Certificate (which took an extra year of classes). While at the BAC Dee worked in their required mentorship program under a number of architects in a wide variety of areas. She also continued to work in construction. An Unrestricted Construction Supervisor's License was obtained in 2008, and she also volunteered as a supervisor and architectural designer for the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate.
Jan Preston
Office Manager, Marketing Assistant
Jan brings with her 40 years of experience in retail as co-owner of the former Casa de Moda boutique in Beverly, MA. She also ran marketing operations at the recent Habitat for Humanity North Shore ReStore, Peabody. At North Shore Design-Build, LLC she is managing the social networking and other marketing activities.
History
In 2008, the predecessor to NSDB, T&D Associates, was born. This was a partnership between Dee and her father doing design and remodeling. Even after Dee and her father diverged in their focus, Dee continued to work under the same dba. In time, many skilled members were added to the team.
The dba North Shore Design-Build was created at the beginning of 2019 to better reflect the focus of the team. New construction and some commercial work had become a significant portion of the design and build work.
In 2022, NSDB became an LLC to add better legal protections to the firm and the clients.
Meet the Team
The designers, engineers, other technical professionals, general contractors, and tradespeople are chosen on a per project basis. Factors include the type of project, a good match of skill set, and schedule-availability tradeoffs.
Starting before the pandemic, many of the design/build firms in the area began sharing a large diversity of resources because the demand for labor and skills so far outstripped the supply. As a result, some of our long-term and frequent team members are contractors that would prefer not to have their name here. Other team members can be seen on our Collaboration page.
Trades
KRW Contracting is a GC, remodeler, and heavy equipment operator. Their expertises are a valuable compliment to those of NSDB.
NSDB loves partnering with Upwire. Everything they do is thorough and meets or exceeds specifications, and their crews are young and extremely enthusiastic. Also, they have an exceptional ability to communicate with other team members and project managers.
O'Riordan Plumbing and Heating is a growing outfit that is extremely knowledgeable and skilled. They started in contracting and have their CSLs in addition to their Master Plumber License. As a result, their problem solving is unmatched.
NSDB has been working with Tim Liporto since, well, long before we were NSDB. Many of our projects have been with Habitat for Humanity, however, other projects have also demonstrated their exceptional teamwork, knowledge, and workmanship.
A new team member at NSDB is Feeley Electric. They came highly recommended from several of our other stakeholders and we have not been disappointed. Their work has been very high quality while expending exceptional effort to be respectful of the home owners.
A good build firm would be nothing without an exceptional mason. We are lucky to have ID Cronin and Sons, LLC. In fact, this family business goes back three generations, and Dee's family has had a close relationship with them for all three generations. They have since grown into a full-service property improvement company, and NSDB would use them as a GC in a heartbeat, especially for a restoration project.
NSDB has worked with TMK Construction LLC, in Marlborough, in various capacities including site supervision and design over the years. Tom is also a real estate agent, and as such he has a unique eye for what home designs should entail.
Vendors
NSDB uses local vendors as much as possible to support the local community, obtain the highest quality materials, and to minimize our carbon footprint. Fortunately, we have many options in our area. In most cases, these vendors are also a source of excellent information and services.
There are three building supply companies in close proximity to NSDB: Moynihan Lumber Beverly, Timberline Enterprises LLC, and Building Supplies Outlet. As will most lumber yards, Moynihan and Timberline will do computations on framing members for builders. For an extensive list of mouldings, the industry uses Anderson & McQuaid Company Inc. in Cambridge.
Although the building supply companies have some hardware on their shelves, the only true hardware store in the area is Aubuchon Hardware Store in Beverly formerly Dawson's Hardware. This is an excellent shop, especially since they are open on Sundays.
Also extremely convenient to the Beverly area, across the street from Moynihan Lumber, is the Designer Bath and Salem Plumbing Supply showroom and where you can see and order beautiful kitchen and bath fixtures beside the storefront for tools and supplies for professionals. Less than a block away is Rexel Beverly, an electrical supply house for professional electricians. Although these supply houses are setup for professionals, they are extremely helpful to the homeowner.
Last, but certainly not least, are the suppliers of flooring, cabinets, and countertops, and tile. Whether we are doing the design or the build, NSDB enjoys a "trade discount" with these partners, and we reciprocate by sending customers to them who aren't clients. These companies include (with links):
