On a rare sunny winter day in Portland, Nate Nelson’s crew is in good spirits. “Man, did we need this,” he says with a laugh. After weeks of ice storms and gray skies, the mood shift is immediate. “My guys are super happy. Sun and everyone’s singing.” That awareness of weather, mood, environment feels fitting for someone who has built a career working closely with Maine homes and the people who live in them.
Nelson is the founder and owner of Back Bay Builders, a Portland-based residential remodeling company now in its 21st year. Over two decades, he’s built a reputation not just for quality craftsmanship, but for honesty, communication, and an instinctive understanding of how homes in coastal New England should look, feel, and function.
Long before he picked up a hammer professionally, Nelson knew exactly what he wanted to do. “Since junior high, I have loved the show This Old House,” he says. “I watched it religiously every Saturday.” The path wasn’t entirely linear. Like many of his generation, Nelson was encouraged to pursue college first. “My dad said, ‘You’re going to college, you’re getting your four-year degree. You can do the trades afterwards.’”
So he did. Nelson earned a forestry degree from the University of Maine, a choice that reflects his lifelong love of the outdoors. That degree took him west, where he worked as a seasonal forest ranger in Wyoming and later spent winters building houses in Colorado. After several years, he returned east and committed fully to the trades, working as a carpenter for high-end home builders before eventually striking out on his own.
“I always had the ambition of going out on my own,” he says. “I started slow and didn’t try to bite off more than I could handle.” That measured approach has served him well. What began as a small operation doing a little bit of everything has evolved into a focused residential remodeling business specializing in kitchens, bathrooms, additions, and whole-house renovations. “I live here in Portland, but I was born and raised in Topsham,” Nelson says. “I’ve always loved the New England vibe: the architecture, the texture, the Capes, the Colonials, the rock walls, the patios, the cedar shake siding. I’ve always been a Mainer at heart.”
Remodeling homes in coastal Maine comes with unique challenges, especially when it comes to exteriors. “The outsides are definitely the most problematic,” Nelson explains. “If you’re building within a mile or two of the coast, you’ve got to think differently about fasteners, metals, and corrosion from the salt air.” Energy efficiency is another growing consideration. New energy codes in Portland require homes to be tighter, warmer, and more water-resistant than ever before. “You’re always thinking about how to make the house weather-tight,” he says, which is a priority that many homeowners now share, especially after recent winters and rising energy costs.
While Back Bay Builders does take on some historic work, Nelson is quick to clarify that it’s not the company’s primary focus. “We’ve done projects on the West End that are historic, and it can be challenging with permitting, design hoops, parking, and dumpsters. It’s crazy,” he laughs. Still, he’s careful to ensure that any renovation feels appropriate to its surroundings. “You don’t want to make the house stick out like a sore thumb. We’re always trying to keep things timeless.”
Ask Nelson what kind of work he enjoys most, and the answer isn’t about a specific room—it’s about transformation. “We’re doing a project right now on Fry Street,” he says, describing a classic Maine Cape where the team removed the entire second story and rebuilt it with full dormers, new siding, and a farmer’s porch. “It’s nice to see the whole house transform.”
Those larger-scale projects are the most satisfying, especially when clients come in with a clear vision and a collaborative mindset. “When you’ve got good designs and good customers, it’s really satisfying to take a whole house and revamp it in a way that still blends with the neighborhood.” Still, Nelson is equally enthusiastic about small changes that make a big impact, especially in Portland’s tighter neighborhoods. “A lot of people can’t build out,” he explains, “so we’re opening up kitchen walls into dining rooms, or adding a small addition that changes how the whole house feels.” He recalls a recent 16-by-16 addition with cathedral ceilings and exposed beams. “It was such a small space, but they were ecstatic,” he says. “I just got a text the other day: ‘It’s been a year. We love our space.’ That’s the stuff that feels really good.”
When budgets are limited, as they often are, Nelson encourages homeowners to focus on the rooms that do the most work. “Bathrooms and kitchens,” he says without hesitation. “They’re the most utilized spaces. They’re there to work.” Many of the bathrooms he renovates are simply outdated, and relatively simple changes can dramatically improve daily life. “New tile, a new shower, getting rid of a tub,” he says. “Empty nesters will sometimes take space from a bedroom and make the bathroom bigger. It makes a huge difference.”
That same practical mindset carries into how Nelson approaches budgeting with clients. “I listen first,” he says. “I hear their vision, then I give them an initial budget—not line by line, but a realistic ballpark.” From there, priorities get refined. “Some people have a very firm budget,” he says. “Others find a little wiggle room once they get going.” He’s seen both ends of the spectrum, from cautious Cousins Island homeowners who prefer to spread projects out over time to clients with bigger budgets and ambitious plans. Regardless of the situation, Nelson’s goal is the same: transparency. “There are a lot of good middle-of-the-road products that are quality and fairly priced,” he says. “We’re not trying to oversell.”
If there’s one part of remodeling Nelson admits is the hardest, it’s timelines. “It’s one of the toughest parts of my job,” he says plainly. With trades stretched thin across Greater Portland, scheduling has become a delicate balancing act. “All our trade partners are so busy, and they don’t have enough help.” When clients hear overly optimistic promises elsewhere, Nelson is direct. “Someone told a customer they could get it done in two months,” he says. “I was like, absolutely not.” Delays, he explains, are simply part of remodeling. “Once one thing gets delayed, it all snowballs. It’s the nature of the beast.” What matters is communication. “I’m always upfront. I keep people updated. They just want to know what’s going on.” That honesty has earned him long-term trust, something he believes is more important than any price point. “People really need to do their research on who they’re hiring,” he says. “You might think you’re getting a lower price, but then the job goes backwards.”
After 20 years in business, Nelson is passionate about encouraging the next generation to consider careers in the trades. “Every day is different,” he says. “It’s not monotonous. There are always new challenges, new sites, new environments.” He points out a shift that’s now being felt across the industry. “When I was in high school, everyone said, ‘Go to college.’ And now we’re hurting because fewer people went into the trades.” The upside? “You can make a really good living,” he says, “and you leave trade school with less debt and start making money right away.”
At home, Nelson’s renovation list is patiently waiting. He lives in a classic Portland Cape and plans to add onto the back once his kids are grown. For now, his focus remains on helping others shape homes that respect their neighborhoods, withstand Maine’s climate, and support the way people actually live.
“When you’ve got good designs and good customers, it’s really satisfying to take a whole house and revamp it in a way that still blends with the neighborhood.”
NATE NELSON
Nate Nelson is the founder and owner of Back Bay Builders, a Portland-based residential remodeling company serving Greater Portland and coastal Maine. With more than 20 years of experience, Back Bay Builders specializes in kitchens, bathrooms, additions, and whole-house renovations. Known for honest communication and thoughtful craftsmanship, Nelson and his team focus on creating homes that respect Maine’s architecture, climate, and the way people truly live.