Traditional Builders, Inc. was founded in January of 2002. It offers full general contracting, design/build and historic preservation services to owners and architects who share a commitment to our rich architectural heritage and early building trades.

We help clients to preserve the distinctive historic buildings of the region and to produce new buildings that faithfully continue this architectural tradition. We take pride in every project as do all our subcontractors and suppliers. Our company is fully licensed, bonded, and insured and can administer all permitting and Historic District Commission review issues.

Preservation of our historic built environment depends on a centuries old legacy of traditional building trades. Every one of our projects is an opportunity to pass on a worthwhile and lasting architectural tradition, just as our predecessors did for us. Our mission is to preserve this inheritance and to keep it vital and relevant for future generations. Our mission is to help to maintain the viability of these important skills and to preserve their availability to the historic built environment.

Traditional Builders, Inc. is managed and owned by John Waters. John earned a B.A. in English Literature from Connecticut College in 1988. Like many English majors, John spent significant time in the building trades and in business management prior to establishing Traditional Builders, Inc. in 2002. He received accreditation as a professional in Historic Preservation from Goucher College in Baltimore, MD in 1998. In 2000, he completed the two-year apprenticeship program in Preservation Carpentry at the North Bennet Street School, in Boston, MA.

Matt Hankins, Preservation Manager, received a B.A. in Historic Preservation at Mary Washington College in Fredricksburg, VA. Matt is another graduate of the Preservation Carpentry program at the North Bennet Street School. Prior to joining Traditional Builders, Inc., Matt spent more than five years working at the museum village, Historic Richmond Town located in Staten Island, New York. Matt joined Traditional Builders in 2004.

John Harmon, Operations Manager, brings more than a decade of remodeling experience to Traditional Builders, Inc. His knowledge and experience from heavy equipment operations to kitchen remodeling has greatly enhanced the viability and strength of our company. John joined Traditional Builders in 2005.

These are some of the important historic American buildings that these employees have served as carpenters, restorers, contractors and/or project supervisors:

The Mill Manager's House, Baltimore, MD (ca 1815)

The Engraver's Workshop of Harewood House (ca 1780), Sandy Spring, MD

Maidstone (ca 1745), Owings, MD

The Lincoln Cottage (ca 1842), Washington, DC

The Paca House Gardens, Annapolis, MD

The Pierce Mill (ca 1820), Washington, DC

Historic Richmond Towne (ca 1680 earliest home), Staten Island, NY

Derby-Beebe Summer House, Peabody-Essex Museum, Massachusetts

Primitive Hall, Chester County, Pennsylvania

First Unitarian Church, Dedham, Massachusetts

Evans-Mumbower Mill, Ambler, Pennsylvania

Old Eagle Schoolhouse, Treddyfrin, Pennsylvania

Gideon Gilpin Barn, Brandywine Battlefield, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania

Peirce Mill, Rock Creek Park, District of Columbia

Shirley-Eustace House Carriage Barn, Roxbury, Massachusetts

St. Mary's Catholic Church, Rollinsford, New Hampshire

Grumblethorpe, Germantown, Pennsylvania

Yellow Springs, Chester Springs, Pennsylvania

Evans-Mumbower Mill, Ambler, Pennsylvania

Lyndhurst, Tarrytown, New York

Smith's Ordinary, St. Mary's City, Maryland

Iron-Master's Residence, Centre Furnace, State College, Pennsylvania