Jack Mills Carpenter-Builder has been family operated since 1974. Carpentry in the Mills family runs deep. The first noteworthy event took place in the Scituate High School woodshop class. Jack already had experience with woodworking. He was assigned to cut a new home plate for the SHS baseball field. The board was pine and had poor grain quality. Jack refused to cut the poor wood famously saying to the teacher “It will crack you Darn Fool”. This event in the late 1940s was enough for Jack to end up in the principal’s office. It was also the start of a constant desire for high quality. The home plate was assigned to another student, and it cracked. During high school, Jack began work on a lifelong hobby project, his full-scale Grand Banks Dory known by the family as Tidely Idley. Jack graduated SHS class of 1949.
From SHS, Jack earned a certificate in carpentry at Hart Trade School, Boston. In 1954 Jack went into the US Navy serving in the “Sea Bees” Construction Battalion. This was during the mid-1950s while the US was tangled in the Korean War. Although Jack did not see front-line action, he did help build bases at Guantanamo Bay and other sites worldwide. The Can-Do attitude of the See Bees continued when Jack returned to Scituate to join the labor force building the South Shore.
Jack first attended Hart Trade School. Later at night school, Jack earned an Associate Degree in Architecture from Wentworth Institute of Technology, while working full time and raising a young family. Jack honed his skills as a lead carpenter and project manager with several local craftsmen before going out on his own. Eventually, many of Jack’s children and grandchildren served time working for the company that was officially formed as a sole proprietorship in 1974. Jack Mills Carpenter-Builder was born.
In the 1970s and 1980s Jack lead a revolving crew of framers building apartments, subdivisions, and commercial spaces throughout Eastern Massachusetts. Many of these young carpenters went on to form their own companies. During the 1980’s Jack’s youngest son, Andy, joined the crew pushing a broom and picking up scraps. Firewood was anything shorter than afoot. Anything longer could be used or re-used to minimize waste. After working summers through high school, SHS ’87, Andy pursued a college degree and career paths outside of the construction field. In 1994, Andy returned to his first love and re-joined Jack’s company full time.
The degree in Communications Andy received would prove valuable to Jack Mills Carpenter-Builder as the company evolved toward a focus on remodeling. The team of Jack and Andy continued working closely with homeowners to create unique projects ranging from the full spectrum of carpentry. Projects during this time include kitchens, bathrooms, additions, decks, and even roofing. Each project honed the skills of the team whose desire is to always strive for perfection.
In 2014, Jack’s grandson Josh joined the team. Josh has a degree in Physics and a passion for sculpture. Josh’s background gives Jack Mills Carpenter-Builder a unique perspective on project design and feasibility.
In 2021, Jack retired from fieldwork but stayed involved with consulting, estimating, and related office duties. It was during this time Jack and Andy formed Mills Fine Carpentry, LLC to bring the vision of high-quality craftsmanship into the future.
Shortly after turning 90, Jack passed away. His legacy lives on in the many homes he
built or rebuilt.
In the fall of 2021 John K. Mills joined the crew. John is the eldest of Jack’s grandsons and a welcome team member. Andy, Josh, and John carry forward with Jack’s mission of providing high-quality craftsmanship.
Mills Fine Carpentry 