K. T. Fenton Masonry

Stay away from these people. Our apartment complex has been without front stairs for nearly six months now, because Fenton decided to work on the project part-​time throughout the late summer and fall (many days and weeks went by with no progress at all). Finally finish it in November (more than three months late), and oh, by the way, turns out they chose to not order the railing for the stairs until after they were completed! And Brookline won’t give a cert of occupancy without a railing. So, here we sit, nearly a month later, still with no railing, and thus no stairs. We’ve been reduced to creeping through side alleyways (many of which, by the way, have no railings), and there is seemingly no end in sight, even as we start seeing ice and snow on the ground.
It’s a pity, because they do good work (the stairs are lovely), and their workmen seem very professional, but their project management is beyond shoddy. I was not involved in the decision to hire these people, but I certainly would stay away from them (and recommend that others do so as well) in the future.

We have lived in this home for 13 years and it came with a pool. Nice Gunite pool in good shape but with a weathered concrete deck (apron.) Cracks here and there and just looking tired. Wife says «fill it in!» There’s the solution. Having swum competitively for 12 years, her ridiculous recommendation bordered on blasphemy. I dilly daddled about what should be done, and deep down inside I knew the only way to do this right and to achieve the look I wanted was going to require going over the top. When you start a project like this, you get all sorts of advice. Advice bordering on brilliant and much on «I got the guy for the job.» Each one of these geniuses (guys) wanted to do it their way and not my way. I wanted the pool renovation to look like a pond. I wanted natural stone bordering the pool and carefully cut and fitted to look quarry-​like. And then I would have the creamy white Gunite painted black! Yup black! Incredulous looks from the «experts» was the answer I got when I approached the standards for the project. Black? Stone work! I know what I want but I need to see it. In comes Ken Fenton from K. T. Fenton Masonry. Introduced to me by Landscaper extraordinnaire Jeff Maurer of the Frank B. Maurer Company. I descirbe the stone I’m looking for and Ken ponders and says «i think I know just the stone… Ghosen.» From western MA he states. A sample arrives the next day and Houston we have lift off. I’m one of these guys that when I buy something, order something, go out to dinner… I want it yesterday. I am kindly advised that you will not be swimming by Memorial Day (it was the May 1.) More details are worked on in my head and sketched onto a yellow lined pad of legal paper that Ken and I scratch and design. Or should I say erase the mess and start over several times. Sketching stage fright I’m afraid! A bevy of international craftsman arrive each day at 7:00 AM. First with jack hammers to cut out the deck, sand, gravel, Ghosen stone, more Ghosen stone and so it goes. Each individual 3 to 500 pound stone is designed chipped and lowered into place. Much like flag stones. But 3 to 4″ thick and closely resembling a blue stone granite mix. We run out. My fault I added an outdoor fire pit and kitchen all in my new Ghosen stone. Project is now getting big. I mean buy a cottage big. I mean «what are you nuts?» I mean stay on the Cape and call me when it’s done big. Labor Day it’s done! The most incredible pool project this little amateur designer has ever done! Now painted black the pool and the stone look so natural. Grass borders and creeps between the crevices of the stones on the deck edge as if the pool/​pond had been here for years. Each night I swim with the dog (he barks) and enjoy my new pond. Even better looking down from our kitchen and family room Ken’s master peice is appreciated through out the day. Frogs love it. Ken is a fabulous designer and craftsman. His crew is exceptional, friendly and the hardest working professionals I’ve come across in years. Call Ken for a great masonry job!