Cold Mountain Builders has worked with owners, architects and consultants from all over the United States. We understand that we are only as good as our last project.

 To that end, we share with you an unvarnished look at what our clients and partners have to say about their experiences working with Cold Mountain Builders.

If I were asked by a friend about Cold Mountain Builders I would say:
“Superb craftsmanship, really nice, capable and friendly workers. Straight forward to work with. You cannot do better.”

John and Cindy Reed
Owners

When Jay Fischer reached out asking for a reference, I couldn’t have been more pleased to provide it.

My wife and I rented for many years on Lake Megunticook in Camden, and we always said if we ever built anything in Maine, Cold Mountain would be the one to do it for us. For years we had seen the projects that Jay and Cold Mountain had built around town, and always loved their work.  Furthermore, with friends who knew them well, we knew the quality of craftsmanship was second to none.

In 2019 we finally found a spot on the lake, and Jay Fischer was the first call we made.  Not only was working with Jay a pleasure, but his entire crew was also absolutely first rate. Jay’s steady hand during our entire project (which spanned the worst of the pandemic) was seen throughout and was the mark of peak professionalism.

Then, there was the level of superlative craftsmanship carried out by he and his team. We couldn’t be more pleased with the attention to detail and the quality of work throughout the entire house and property. Our family is thrilled with the results and looks forward to enjoying our house on the Lake for generations to come.

Matt and Sarah Lapides
Owners

Every wonderful architectural commission comes with its own challenges, and its own potential for failure. This In our first meeting with Jay Fischer, we talked about our hopes for an energy-efficient house that would fit into the Church Street historic district of Belfast. We soon fell into a pattern of monthly meetings with Jay and TJ Heintzman through which the ultimate design and many thoughtful details of our eventual house emerged. We appreciated their expertise, resourcefulness, patience, and openness to new ideas, making our ongoing mutual engagement in the project enjoyable and productive.

Now that we have been in the house for a year, we still marvel at details of the design and the quality of the materials and workmanship throughout. The interior is beautiful, full of light in all four seasons. The house is well insulated and well ventilated, so it is cool in summer, warm in winter, and comfortable to live in. The solar panels produce more than enough electric power for all our energy needs including heat, cooling, and hot water.

Finally, we are delighted with the exterior design, thanks to Jay’s discerning eye and the skill of Cold Mountain’s carpenters. It strikes the exact balance we hoped for in contemporary, yet classical design that complements the surrounding neighborhood. Indeed, every time we are out in the yard, neighbors and passersby stop to admire the house and comment on how much they like it. We feel fortunate to have had Cold Mountain build our house, and we couldn’t be happier with the process, the product, and especially the people.

Michael Wessels
Patricia Maher
Owners

Jay Fischer was the key to our project’s success. He was the first person we talked to about the suitability of the site, which was tight and steep, before we even started looking for an architect. Jay’s knowledge of construction and design, his common sense and his ability to anticipate problems and find solutions—and his ability to communicate—ensured that the house embodied our dream and the process of building it was a pleasure. The house is small, with complicated rooflines and intricate finishes, and thanks to Cold Mountain Builders’ high standards, it is as elegant and sturdy as a wooden boat. Jay solved every detail, from engineering a narrow spiral stairway to something as small as figuring out a way to fit a screen door under a low overhang. The house is beautiful, and it sits on the land as if it has always been there. It was completed over ten years ago, and as the house settled one or two things eventually needed some fixing; the same crew that worked on it came and made the repairs. Jay works for the long term; he builds houses, and he also builds relationships.

Deborah Weisgall
Owner

We were, and still are, extremely pleased with our experience with the Cold Mountain team. Their commitment to quality in every detail and their commitment to us and our vision for our home made working with them a delight. In short, they are skilled craftsmen and thorough professionals.

Tony Grassi
Owner

The CMCA building in Rockland, Maine, designed by Toshiko Mori, was both a technically challenging and highly complicated building project. Acting as the liaison between the CMCA Board of Directors and the construction process, my summary report would begin and end with our great admiration for the Cold Mountain Builders team that exceeded our expectations in every phase of the project. They consistently encouraged and expected creative options from their own team. They assembled decision makers to develop effective solutions and consistently communicated a single path forward that best served the organization’s needs.

During this very high-profile project, Jay and his team proved to be outstanding at listening to our needs, understanding our priorities and budget goals and communicating effectively with us about all of our options. Most importantly, the team expertly solved the challenging problems that inevitably emerge when transforming the architect’s vision and plans into reality. Cold Mountain’s way of working was both highly effective a great example of how to build a highly complex structure in a dense and busy neighborhood.

Jay’s own creative eye, his way of communicating, his attention to detail in both planning and the managing of the budget process and his recognition of potential challenges all made this project a tremendous success. There was consistent, seamless coordination and supervision of the many subcontractors involved which gave the Board tremendous confidence throughout the process.

Jay, I personally I appreciate that you made yourself and your core team available to me at all times. Your honesty and fairness in all of our communications were paramount in our working relationship throughout the project.

The values that you demonstrate as the head of your company, are reflected in all of your employees and team members.

Jack McKenny
CMCA Board of Trustees
Chair, Building Project

We interviewed more than a dozen Maine architects, explaining what was then no more than a concept for development of the land we had purchased. One architect commented, “This might be a project for Cold Mountain.” Then a second did.

Architect hired. One who knew of, but had never worked with, CMB. We met Jay Fischer for dinner in Portland. It changed our lives.

In my experience, the best projects represent collaboration—between client, architect, landscape designer, contractor and interior designer. It is a team effort in which every member of the team plays an essential role.

Over the course of more than two years, we developed the highest possible regard for CMB, its crew and subcontractors. It is a firm characterized by intelligence, integrity, craft, and good taste. Every member of the crew and its supervisors and management share a commitment to excellence which mirrored ours. We knew it wasn’t ordinary and would not come cheaply. It is among the best investments we ever made. More than a decade later, our house remains a source of pride and gratification.

Larry Lasser
Owner

Cold Mountain Builders ROCK! From cold stone, shiny steel, warm wood and clear glass, their structural implementation and detailed craftsmanship enchants. We first purchased one of their homes in 2014 and were so pleased with the product that we sought out Jay Fischer’s advice on how to choose an architect for our next home. Instead of glibly providing us with a list, he drilled into what we really wanted, coaxing us to develop a visual presentation of building characteristics that we desired. He sat in on our architect interviews and supported our final decision. He involved us in the choice of major subcontractors which included competitive bidding.   Building during the pandemic was challenging, but delays, scope and cost creep were handled and communicated. They assured us that they would build what we wanted, and they were true to their word. As recent retirees, retaining and working with Cold Mountain Builders for 2 unique oceanfront mid-coast Maine homes has been a delight. You should try it.

Carl and Noriko Wittwer
Owners

Yes, we are in and it is no small wonder that it all works and feels right and comfortable and like a home.
We want to thank you all profoundly for your patience, endurance and hard work, most of all for the beauty and craftsmanship of your work for which we will be thankful on an hourly basis as we live in our new home. Your hands and minds are in each of its details and it feels right. There is no better way to describe its naturalness—for us, that was the goal and the highest compliment.
Bravo to an extraordinary team effort.
Hats off to a brilliant set of minds and hands — inexpressible thanks.

Frederic Wittmann
Christine Kondoleon
Owners

In many years of architecture practice, I’ve had the good fortune to work with several talented building contractors, but it’s difficult to think of any others that can match the talent and expertise offered by Cold Mountain Builders.

From the beginning of a new project with Cold Mountain, it’s clear that this is no ordinary building contractor, and this will be no ordinary journey. Jay Fischer leads a subtle team-building process that integrates the client, architect and builder, forming a bond of shared aspirations that continue through the project. He is that rare combination of confident and open: one trusts his ability to solve problems and achieve goals, but his confidence never strays into a set way of doing things, instead always focused on the particular parameters and needs of the project.

The Cold Mountain team has a genuine curiosity about design and architecture. The entire crew seems to quickly understand the design narrative of the project almost as well as the architect. A site visit is an unusually stimulating event, where conversations range from budget and schedule (meticulously managed), to the aesthetic resolution of a challenging joint between two surfaces, or even on to the history of an unusual material specified for siding.

Cold Mountain’s long history in the area also means that they have a substantial knowledge base of local craftspeople, materials, and suppliers to ensure their projects will feel at home in Maine. Be prepared: on the trail of a perfect cache of beautifully weathered stone, one must expect road trips with Jay Fischer to obscure unnamed locations, but it will be a memorable adventure. Jay understands: a house is a collection of stories, and he’s there to help tell the first ones.

Bruce Norelius
Architect

From the months of preplanning with our architectural team before ground had even been broken, to the extraordinary finished project, Cold Mountain Builders have provided the highest level of professional skill. Each individual impressed us as highly competent and serious about their work. Rick Tyler, our project manager, led the team in the most expert and conscientious manner, which indeed is equally reflected in the guidance of Jay Fischer and his staff at the top of the company. It is a company that has been so successful and a dream to work with because of superb leadership from every part of the organization, the extremely high quality of workmanship and attention to detail. We had no worries throughout the whole process and will always choose to work with them in the future. Cold Mountain Builders is a company of integrity and heart and it has been a privilege to work with them.

Liv Rockefeller
Ken Shure
Owners

Cold Mountain Builders stands out because of its high level of both craftsmanship and professionalism. The craftsmanship I have observed includes the great hands and understanding of materials found in their superior carpenters.

Jay Fischer’s education, exposure and experience with detail and finishes allow him to really understand what architects and sophisticated clients are thinking about.

On the professional side, Cold Mountain Builders workmen relate equally well to owners, subcontractors, and designers. It is also the way that they resolve problems in the field. Jay sets the tone for this.

Sam Van Dam
Architect

Every wonderful architectural commission comes with its own challenges, and its own potential for failure. This was the case when I was asked to design a home, boathouse, and studio for an undeveloped and unimproved site in Islesboro, with the requirement that the buildings be designed and built within an extremely tight time frame. As we began to consider the design and construction process, we quickly became aware of the logistical challenges that would shape this project.

The remote island was accessed by a ferry with a limited schedule. The road from ferry to site was unpaved. The weather volatile and building season short. And perhaps of greatest challenge was assembling a large, experienced team of capable and motivated tradesmen. Interviews with a wide range of contractors presented us with a fortunate choice. Jay Fischer came with the experience and team that made our team, and the client, confident Cold Mountain Builders could handle the project and the schedule. Jay immediately became a partner in the development of the project, providing guidance and good judgment as final plans were completed. Jay hired a launch that ferried the men from the mainland to the island in the dark every morning, and returned them in the dark every evening. Logistics of getting materials and men to the site were handled smoothly. He assembled a crew that had the fortitude and discipline to manage all weather situations. The process, administration, and elements were carefully managed to never impede the execution of excellent work. Cold Mountain Builders handled project communication superbly. Jay and TJ, the project manager, were always available and prepared, and always offered clear, frank and thoughtful responses to the project and conditions. They served as facilitators of our very specific design intentions.

The project was completed before the deadline. The budget was maintained. The workmanship on a demanding design, superb. At completion I had nothing but respect for the work of the wonderful crew. And respect and thanks for Jay and TJ’s steady composure, honesty and dedication through the entire project. As we discuss each new project with contractors, I ask myself if there is a chance that the team and process can be as professional and pleasurable as it was with Jay and Cold Mountain Builders. It seems that we’ll have to work with Cold Mountain Builders again to repeat this experience.

Andrew Berman
Architect