We’re going to be upfront: we’re Temprano Construction, a home addition contractor based in Northern New Jersey, and we’re on this list.
That’s not a disqualifier — it’s how you should read everything that follows. We’re going to go deep on what we do and who we’re the right fit for. Then we’ll give you an honest look at the other contractors across New Jersey who handle this work well.
Why write this at all? Because a home addition is one of the largest investments a homeowner makes. The wrong contractor — one who’s overextended, under-licensed, or not built for your specific project — is something you’ll live with for years. We’d rather help you find the right fit, even if that’s not us.
Here’s what we used to evaluate these companies: owner involvement, NJ licensing and EPA compliance, specialization in additions, transparency in the proposal process, and verifiable results in the field.
What to Look for in a Home Addition Contractor in New Jersey
A few things matter more than most homeowners realize before they start making calls.
Owner involvement. A lot of contractors sell you on the owner, then hand the job to a project manager you’ve never met. Find out early who manages your project day-to-day and who picks up the phone when something goes sideways.
NJ licensing and EPA compliance. Every contractor doing home improvement work in New Jersey must hold a valid Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration — verifiable through the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs. If your home was built before 1978, your contractor should also hold EPA RRP (Renovation, Repair, and Painting) Lead Renovator certification. Federal law requires it when disturbing more than six square feet of painted surface. Northern and Central NJ housing stock skews heavily pre-1978, and many contractors either don’t advertise this credential or don’t have it.
Specialization. A GC who does everything spreads their addition experience thin. Contractors who build a meaningful portion of their work around additions understand structural requirements, permit timelines, and the homeowner experience in ways generalists often don’t.
Proposal transparency. Vague estimates lead to expensive surprises. Ask for itemized proposals that list inclusions and exclusions explicitly, and a change-order process that communicates cost implications before work starts — not after.
1. Temprano Construction — Northern NJ
Best for: Northern NJ homeowners planning a meaningful home addition — second-story add-a-level, rear addition, master suite expansion — who want the owner managing the job from start to finish and a clear, itemized proposal with no surprises.
Not the right fit if: You’re in South Jersey, Hudson County, Newark, or Irvington. We don’t travel outside a roughly one-hour radius from Northern NJ, and we don’t take on projects under approximately 500 square feet or standalone trades like painting, flooring, or standalone HVAC.
What we do
Temprano Construction is a second-generation family business operating in New Jersey since 1985. Ray Temprano — current owner and on-site project lead — grew up working alongside his father and spent 10 years as a respiratory therapist before going full-time in construction. That background shows up in how we run jobs: calm under pressure, process-oriented, clear communication at every phase.
We specialize in luxury home additions of all types — second-level add-a-levels, rear first-floor additions, master suite additions, and multi-room expansions. Our primary service area covers Essex, Bergen, Morris, Passaic, and Union Counties, including Bridgewater, Morristown, Westfield, Warren, Verona, Montclair, and Cedar Grove.
Ray is on-site and involved on every project. You reach the owner directly — not a call center, not a scheduler.
Our proposals are itemized. Every inclusion and exclusion is listed in writing before a contract is signed. Scope changes come with a cost conversation before any work is adjusted.
We hold an EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm designation (Cert #NAT-F321755-1, valid through February 2031). Ray holds individual EPA Lead Renovator certification (Cert #R-I-99273-26-01798, valid through May 2031), certified for purposes of Section 402 of TSCA. For older NJ homes — the majority of the housing stock across Essex, Bergen, and Morris Counties — this matters legally and practically. We follow EPA-required lead-safe work practices on every renovation in pre-1978 homes, protecting your family and our crew.
Proof
Our most recent completed project: a 1,000 sq ft second-level addition in Bridgewater — master suite, steam shower, new HVAC zone, and electrical subpanel. Six days of framing. Timeline from permit application to punch list: several months, with permit review by the municipality driving most of the lead time.
Google rating: 5.0 stars across 17 reviews. What clients actually say: “fair and honest,” “always reachable,” “on time,” “respected our budget.”
We receive referrals directly from architects, property managers, and high-end real estate agents throughout Northern NJ — and recommend architect partners to clients who don’t yet have plans in hand.
What you won’t get here
We’re not a high-volume shop. Our project count reflects the size and scope of the jobs we take. If you’re outside Northern NJ, or your project is under 500 square feet, we’re probably not the right fit.
Pricing: $200–$400/sq ft depending on materials, scope, and addition type. Ground-up new construction: $300–$600/sq ft. Budget a 10–15% contingency for existing conditions, permit fees, and site surprises.
Request a free estimate → tempranoconstruction.com/contact/
2. Magnolia Home Remodeling Group — Statewide NJ
Best for: NJ homeowners across multiple counties who want a large, well-established regional firm with deep marketing infrastructure and a broad portfolio.
What they do: Magnolia Home Remodeling Group is one of the highest-visibility home addition contractors in New Jersey, operating for 30+ years. They hold NJ HIC licensing and full insurance, and handle additions alongside kitchen, bathroom, and whole-home remodeling. Their reach is statewide — they surface consistently across Northern, Central, and South NJ searches.
Proof / positioning: Long-established reputation, broad licensing, and consistent visibility. Specific case study results are marketing-forward on their site; independent outcome data is limited.
Worth considering if: You’re not in Northern NJ, or you want a larger regional firm with more operating infrastructure than a smaller owner-led shop.
One honest note: Ask directly who manages your project day-to-day. High-volume regional firms sometimes separate the sales conversation from the field team — worth clarifying before you sign.
3. KraftMaster Renovations — Chatham, NJ (Morris County)
Best for: Morris County and surrounding area homeowners who want a design-build firm with in-house design capabilities and a luxury market orientation.
What they do: KraftMaster Renovations, based in Chatham, NJ, has operated for 20+ years with a design-build model that covers 3D design renderings, permit handling, and full construction execution under one contract. They specialize in home additions and whole-home renovations, and their portfolio shows completed second-story additions and full home transformations across Morris County and adjacent areas.
Proof: BIG50 Award winner from Remodeling Magazine. 4.9 rating on Houzz. Completed project portfolio publicly available.
Worth considering if: You don’t yet have architect plans and want design included under a single contract, or if you prefer a firm with an in-house design studio.
4. JMC Home Remodeling — Morris, Union & Essex Counties
Best for: Homeowners in Morris, Union, and Essex Counties who want a contractor with 40+ years in the region and a documented track record across remodeling categories.
What they do: JMC Home Remodeling brings four decades of experience to home additions, kitchens, baths, and full-home renovations across Northern NJ. Their service area overlaps significantly with Temprano’s counties. They claim a 91% customer satisfaction rating.
Worth considering if: You’ve received a direct referral from JMC’s network or you want to compare a long-tenured regional name against other options.
One honest note: Their public case study library for additions specifically is limited. Ask for references from completed addition projects — not just remodeling in general — before making a decision.
5. White Maple Construction — NJ
Best for: NJ homeowners looking for a locally-owned contractor with an additions focus and owner-led positioning.
What they do: White Maple Construction is a New Jersey home addition contractor handling projects from three- and four-season sunrooms to full second-story add-a-levels. Their positioning is locally-owned and operationally focused, which aligns with what many homeowners want in this category.
Worth considering if: You’re outside Northern NJ and want a comparable owner-forward model in your area.
One honest note: Public proof points — completed case studies, verified reviews, specific results — are lighter than most other firms on this list. Ask for direct references before committing.
6. Michael Robert Construction — Westfield, NJ
Best for: Homeowners in and around Westfield who want a locally-rooted design-build firm with a strong emphasis on architectural matching — additions that look like they were always part of the original house.
What they do: Michael Robert Construction focuses on custom home additions in the Westfield market, using a design-build approach that prioritizes seamless integration with existing architecture. Their portfolio and client focus are Westfield-centric.
Worth considering if: You’re specifically in the Westfield area and want a contractor with deep roots in that market.
One honest note: Their geographic focus appears more limited than the other firms on this list. Confirm they serve your specific town before spending time on an estimate call.
7. Cipriani Remodeling Solutions — South & Central NJ
Best for: South and Central New Jersey homeowners — Cherry Hill, Mount Laurel, Marlton, and surrounding markets — who want a 45-year-established design-build firm with a full-service model.
What they do: Cipriani Remodeling Solutions has served homeowners across South and Central Jersey for over 45 years. Their design-build approach covers planning, permitting, and construction under one contract, and their addition portfolio spans a range of project types. They serve a meaningfully different geography from most of the firms on this list.
Worth considering if: You’re in South Jersey and the Northern NJ firms here are too far. Cipriani is one of the most established names in their region for this type of work.
FAQ
Most home additions in NJ run $200–$400 per square foot, depending on scope, materials, and addition type. A 1,000 sq ft second-level addition in Northern NJ typically lands between $200,000 and $400,000 in construction costs. Ground-up new construction runs $300–$600/sq ft. Budget a 10–15% contingency above your construction number for existing conditions, permit fees, and site surprises. Architect fees — if you don’t already have plans — typically add 10–15% of construction cost.
Yes — without exception. Every home addition in NJ requires a building permit. Your contractor must pull the permit in their name, and NJ code requires a licensed architect or engineer to seal the structural plans. Permit review timelines vary: 2–3 weeks in faster municipalities, 6–8 weeks or more in slower ones. A contractor who suggests working without a permit is a hard pass.
Start with licensing: verify their NJ Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration through the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs. Ask who specifically manages your project and how you reach them during the build. Request an itemized proposal that lists every inclusion and exclusion. For pre-1978 homes, ask about EPA RRP Lead Renovator certification — it’s legally required in many renovation scenarios and genuinely matters for your family’s safety. Then ask for references from completed addition projects specifically.
A typical second-story addition runs several months from permit approval to punch list. Before construction even starts, add 2–8 weeks for municipality permit review — and that timeline is outside the contractor’s control. Your own pace on material selections (shingles, flooring, fixtures, finishes) directly affects the schedule. Contractors who quote a firm completion date before permits are approved aren’t giving you a real answer.
