By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter
Photo/Melanie Petrucci
Shrewsbury – Valois Home Improvement has been serving Shrewsbury and its neighboring communities for 18 years. Owner Raymond Valois has created a thriving business that blends his love of problem-solving with creativity and an artistic flare.
Valois began his career in photography and the advertising field. He spent about 10 years in the industry but when he had pockets of time he also served as a handyman. The advertising market changed and his handyman side business evolved to the point that it became his primary career.
What began as a small home repair business is now a full-service home renovations entity. Valois has always had an artistic sensibility that he has been able to incorporate into his business. Largely self-taught, he has an innate ability to look at a construction situation and figure out a creative solution, whether it be fitting a new door into an old door jam, re-fitting kitchen cabinets or building a deck.
According to his website, “Ray’s creative side set him apart from other contractors as clients asked for more complex projects such as built-ins and other woodworking projects. He soon learned that his attention to detail and creative eye for the architectural esthetics of his client’s homes helped bring a unique perspective to his projects.”
“I don’t really have a full-size shop; my shop comes with me. I basically set up shop at someone’s home and make it happen,” explained Valois.
His truck and trailer are meticulously appointed and well-organized.
He is effective with the tools that he uses and he is able to re-use materials at hand. In one instance, he repurposed kitchen cabinets as a storage cabinet in a sewing room for one of his clients.
Areas of Valois’ expertise include kitchen and bath renovations, porches, custom decks, windows and doors, custom woodworking, finished basements, stairs and railings and fine finish carpentry.
“I love doing built-ins and fireplace mantels, things that allow me to be creative, which of course stems from my photography career. It’s great to be able to blend artistry with craftsmanship. When I get to use that outlet it’s very satisfying,” he noted.
“I really care about the experience that people get with me and the finished product,” Valois added. “I care about what I do enough to assure that I do it right to the best of my ability.”
Customer service is paramount, particularly in a competitive home improvement environment.
Terry V. of Milford had Valois design a bookcase in her living room.
“Ray is very precise in everything he does and he is more fussy than I am and that’s what I love about his work,” she said.
“I try my best to give homeowners a good experience. For those that understand and respect what I do, I give that respect back by doing an exceptional job,” Valois said.
Valois Home Improvement is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is fully licensed and has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
For more information, visit valoishomeimprovements.com.
