What Kraus Associates does

Kraus Associates is an architect-led design/build firm headquartered at 66 Central Street in Wellesley, Massachusetts, founded in 1999 by Charles Kraus. The firm provides single-source architectural design and construction services across residential new construction, renovations and additions, commercial tenant fit-ups, historic preservation and adaptive reuse, and specialized healthcare and institutional facilities. Its primary service area is affluent Massachusetts communities including Wellesley, Newton, Weston, Arlington, and Cambridge, with Charles Kraus holding architectural licensure in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Florida.

The firm's core differentiator is the architect-led design/build model, under which Kraus Associates acts as both architect and general contractor on each project, eliminating the typical separation between design and construction entities. Service offerings include pre-design and feasibility analysis, schematic and design development, construction documents, preliminary estimating, construction administration, and full general contracting with bi-weekly transparent invoicing and detailed cost variance reporting. Pricing combines hourly architectural billing (new-build design fees of $20,000-$45,000 for ~4,000 sf houses; renovation fees of $5,000-$25,000) with construction billing at $450-$750 per square foot plus a fixed overhead and profit margin on subcontractor and material costs. Project sizes range from a $260,000 porch conversion to a $2.3 million custom new home and 10,800 sf commercial facilities.

The firm operates with a lean in-house team of three — Principal Architect Charles Kraus, Designer David Twerago (joined 2022), and Designer Elizaveta Basov — supplemented by subcontractors for construction trades. Go-to-market is sales-led and referral-driven, relying on the company website, a Houzz professional profile (Best of Houzz 2023), earned media in This Old House, Wellesley Townsman, and New England Home Magazine, and word-of-mouth from completed clients. Customer mix spans residential homeowners, commercial tenants, healthcare providers, and developers, with no external institutional investment or parent company.

Name

Kraus Associates

Legal name

Kraus Associates

Website

https://krausab.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Kraus Associates is a Wellesley, Massachusetts-based architect-led design/build firm founded in 1999, providing integrated architectural design and general contracting services for residential, commercial, healthcare, and historic preservation projects across affluent Massachusetts communities under Principal Architect Charles Kraus.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Wellesley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design Services: Hourly billing for architectural services with defined phases and fee ranges. New build architectural fees range from $20,000 to $45,000 for approximately 4,000 sf houses. Renovation/addition fees range from $5,000 to $25,000 depending on complexity.
2. Construction/General Contracting Services: Full construction management and general contracting services. Billing based on actual cost of subcontractor and material costs plus a fixed percentage for overhead and profit. Construction costs range from $450/sf to $750/sf for new construction depending on size and complexity.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Kraus Associates is an architect-led design/build firm providing single-source responsibility for residential, commercial, institutional, and healthcare projects. The firm operates as both architect and general contractor, delivering services ranging from pre-design feasibility and architectural design through construction management and completion. Headquartered in Wellesley, MA, with Charles Kraus licensed in MA, RI and FL.

Product overview

Kraus Associates is an architect-led design/build firm offering a unified approach to architecture and construction. The company provides comprehensive architectural design services (including pre-design, schematic design, design development, and construction documents) alongside construction management and direct building services. Their core differentiator is the 'Architect-Led Design/Build' model, where they serve as both architect and general contractor, eliminating the traditional separation between design and construction entities. Services span residential new construction and renovation, commercial projects including tenant fit-ups and historic restoration, and preliminary cost estimating. Projects range from custom homes (Avon Rd, Atwood, Rhinecliff, Golden Ball) to commercial facilities (Bar Method, Telegraph Buildings, Oral Surgery facilities, Senior Resource Center).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architect-Led Design/Build Single-source design/build approach where Kraus Associates serves as both architect and general contractor, providing unified responsibility from initial concept through construction completion for residential and commercial clients.
• Architectural Design Services Comprehensive architectural design services including pre-design, schematic design, design development, and construction documents for residential and commercial projects, billed hourly with defined phase ranges.
• Construction Management Services Construction administration and project management acting as the owner's agent during construction, including subcontractor coordination, budget tracking with bi-weekly invoicing, detailed cost variance reporting, and quality supervision.
• Residential New Construction and Renovation Custom home design and construction services including new builds, renovations, additions, and historically preserved renovations for single-family residences in Massachusetts communities.
• Commercial Projects Commercial architecture and construction services including tenant fit-ups, new construction, historic restoration, and mixed-use developments for healthcare, fitness, real estate, legal/financial, and industrial clients.
• Pre-Design and Feasibility Services Zoning research, site analysis, existing conditions surveys, and feasibility studies to establish project parameters and context before schematic design.
• Preliminary Estimating Early-stage construction cost estimation performed as part of architectural services to help clients understand project costs before working drawings are created.

Quantifiable outcome

• Projects completed on schedule and on budget - multiple testimonials cite finishing on time and under budget

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• American Institute of ArchitectsminorOthersProfessional membership organization for architects. Kraus Associates is a member, demonstrating professional credentials and industry engagement.
• Boston Society of ArchitectsminorOthersLocal chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Kraus Associates holds membership, indicating regional professional recognition.
• NCARBminorOthersNational Council of Architectural Registration Boards. Charles Kraus is NCARB Certified, enabling licensure across multiple states (MA, RI, FL).
• Better Business BureauminorOthersBusiness accreditation organization. Kraus Associates maintains BBB accreditation demonstrating commitment to ethical business practices.
• Tiles Plus MoreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTile and flooring supplier. Listed as a partner/supplier on the firm's website, providing materials for construction projects.
• Masterpiece PaintersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPainting contractor. Listed as a partner/supplier providing painting services for construction projects.
• Marvin Doors & WindowsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium door and window manufacturer. Listed as a partner/supplier providing architectural-grade fenestration products.
• Benjamin MooreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPaint manufacturer. Listed as a partner/supplier providing paints and coatings for projects.
• KohlerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKitchen and bath fixtures manufacturer. Listed as a partner/supplier for plumbing fixtures, faucets, and accessories.
• Sub Zero & WolfminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium kitchen appliance manufacturer. Listed as a partner/supplier for high-end kitchen appliances.
• Build.comminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline building products retailer. Listed as a partner/supplier for various building materials.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Hacin + Associates: Boston-based architecture and design studio working on high-end residential, hospitality, and commercial projects in the Greater Boston area. Comparable as a similarly sized Boston design practice competing for premium residential and small commercial commissions.
• ikon.5 architects: Mid-sized architecture firm delivering design services across cultural, educational, commercial, and residential projects with a similar hands-on principal-led model. Comparable as a similarly sized, design-led practice that competes for design commissions on comparable building types.
• Touloukian Touloukian: Boston architecture firm with a portfolio of custom residential, adaptive reuse, and small commercial projects in New England. Comparable as a similarly sized principal-led practice operating in the same regional market with overlapping residential and historic renovation capabilities.
• Sheskey Architects: Boston-area architecture firm where founder Charles Kraus worked for six years as a project manager before founding Kraus Associates. Closely comparable in scale, regional focus, and architectural practice model, making it the most direct precedent and peer for Kraus Associates.

Broad incumbents

• CBT Architects: Established Boston architecture firm offering architecture, interior design, and master planning across a much broader portfolio of commercial, residential, and institutional work. Comparable because it serves the same Greater Boston client base and competes for residential and commercial projects in the same region.
• Payette: Boston architecture firm focused on healthcare, higher education, and science facilities, with a broader institutional portfolio. Comparable because it competes for institutional and healthcare design commissions in the Greater Boston market where Kraus Associates also operates.
• DiMella Shaffer: Boston architecture firm providing design services across senior living, healthcare, higher education, and commercial sectors. Comparable because it serves similar institutional and commercial client types in the Massachusetts market with an integrated architecture practice.
• Sasaki Associates: Watertown, MA-based planning, design, and architecture firm with a broad practice spanning urban planning, landscape architecture, and building design. Comparable as a large Massachusetts-based design practice serving institutional and commercial clients in overlapping geographies.
• Elkus Manfredi Architects: Large Boston-based architecture and design practice specializing in mixed-use, hospitality, residential, and commercial developments. Comparable as a Boston architecture incumbent competing for similar premium residential and commercial clients.
• Albert Righter Tittmann Architects: Long-established Boston architecture firm delivering custom residential, commercial, and institutional projects across New England. Comparable as a regional incumbent with deep roots in the same affluent Massachusetts communities served by Kraus Associates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kraus-architects

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kraus Associates