Temprano Construction is a licensed and insured New Jersey general contractor specializing in custom home additions in Morristown — rear additions, second-story work, primary suite expansions, and multi-room living space on the brick Colonials, Tudors, and older homes that define this market. Ray Temprano leads every project personally from estimate through final walkthrough.
James Street brick Colonials and Tudors near Burnham Park weren’t framed like a 1990s center-hall. Load paths run through masonry bearing walls. Floor systems may need sistering or reinforcement before you put new square footage on them. Chimneys, party walls, and original openings dictate where an addition can attach — and where it can’t without engineered work.
That is the difference between an addition that looks intentional and one that settles, cracks, or reads as an afterthought. We start with a structural assessment: existing foundation capacity, wall construction, roof bearing, and how new framing will tie in. Floor plan development follows what the house can support — not a stock addition footprint dropped onto the lot.
If you have architectural and engineering drawings, we collaborate with your design team through execution. If you’re earlier, Ray can connect you with an architect who regularly works on Morris County older stock. Either way, sealed plans and permit-ready documentation come before demolition.
Morristown’s older housing also means pre-1978 painted surfaces are common. When renovation work disturbs those surfaces, EPA Lead-Safe Work Practices apply — see our lead-safe renovation guide.
Building up where lot lines or setbacks limit outward expansion. On masonry homes, this requires engineered load transfer — not just “adding joists and hoping.” Full structural assessment before design is non-negotiable.
Extending outward while respecting masonry openings, exterior brick or stucco transitions, and historic curb appeal. Family rooms, mudrooms, and expanded living areas planned so the new volume reads as part of the original massing.
Many early-1900s Morristown homes never had a true primary suite. A rear or second-floor suite addition — bedroom, bath, and closet as one coordinated scope — is a high-value stay-put upgrade. (Note: bathroom-only remodel examples live on our Morristown hub and bathroom service pages — this page is about structural addition scope.)
When a galley kitchen in an older Colonial can’t open up without moving a bearing wall — or without adding space — we coordinate LVL or steel work with the addition envelope. Interior-only kitchen work: kitchen remodeling.
Bedroom count, laundry, office, and gathering space as one addition rather than a string of small projects that never quite solve the floor plan.
On homes with usable attic volume, dormers can add head height and daylight at lower cost than a full second-story addition — when structure and egress allow. Matched to existing roof geometry so it looks original.
When the addition solves the main floor but you still need play, gym, or guest space below grade. Moisture, egress, and systems done correctly. See basement remodeling and how to finish a basement in NJ.
Homeowners searching “Morristown” often live in either the Town of Morristown or Morris Township — separate construction offices, separate permit paths. We confirm jurisdiction at the first site walk so applications go to the right office the first time.
For Town of Morristown properties, the Division of Building and Uniform Construction Code administers UCC permits, plan review, and inspections. Morris Township properties go through Morris Township Building & Construction Code Enforcement. Temprano handles the permit package either way. Review windows vary; we build them into the schedule and keep you informed.
When walls are open on an older Morristown home, it’s the right moment for deferred work: bathroom remodeling, kitchen remodeling, window replacements, roofing, and exterior envelope repairs that would otherwise mean a second disruption later. We can scope adjacent renovation in one itemized proposal — cleaner than sequencing separate trades.
Finish work on a masonry Colonial has to hold up next to original brick, plaster, and trim. Transitions, flashing, and exterior detailing matter as much as the new square footage. Ray is second-generation construction with 40+ years of combined family experience in Northern New Jersey.
Scope, schedule, and cost changes before they happen. You talk to Ray — not a handoff chain.
Structural connections, materials, and craftsmanship meet the standard these homes deserve. Punch-list satisfaction is the floor, not the ceiling.
Most custom home additions in Morristown run $200–$400 per square foot depending on scope, materials, and type. Masonry tie-ins, engineered reinforcement, and matching older exterior materials can push a project toward the higher end of that range — which is why the structural assessment comes before the number. Plan a 10–15% contingency for conditions uncovered during demo on pre-war homes.
Every Temprano proposal is itemized with inclusions and exclusions spelled out. We offer free, no-obligation estimates.
Financing typically runs through HELOCs or construction loans. Morristown and Morris Township property values generally support the equity access homeowners need. We don’t offer in-house financing but coordinate with clients managing bank timelines.
Morristown’s early-1900s housing stock is predominantly pre-1978. EPA certification is legally required when renovation work disturbs painted surfaces in older homes — Temprano holds both firm and individual credentials.
Details: lead-safe renovation in NJ.
Projects Completed
Most additions run $200–$400 per square foot. Older masonry homes often need engineered reinforcement or careful exterior matching — budget a 10–15% contingency. Every Temprano proposal is itemized. See our NJ home addition cost guide.
It depends on your property address. Town of Morristown and Morris Township are separate jurisdictions with separate building departments. We confirm at the site walk and file with the correct office — for Town properties, start with the Morristown Building & Construction page. More: NJ addition permits.
Yes — if structure and detailing are planned before framing. Matching massing, roof geometry, and exterior materials has to happen at design, not as a finish-day scramble. That’s why we lead with the structural assessment.
On pre-1978 homes, yes when painted surfaces are disturbed. Temprano is an EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm, and Ray holds individual renovator certification. Read: lead-safe renovation in NJ.
Yes. Ray is on-site at every key phase. For a broader hiring checklist, see how to hire a GC in Northern NJ.
Morristown · Morris Township · Morris Plains · Madison · Chatham · Florham Park · Hanover · Whippany · Parsippany
We serve homeowners across Morris, Essex, Bergen, Passaic, Union, and Somerset counties. If you’re within an hour of Belleville, we can reach you.
Whether it's improving your home or upgrading your business space, we make every project simple, stress-free, and built to last.
