Garwood, NJ Remodeling & Renovation Contractor
We are an owner-operated remodeling contractor serving Garwood homeowners across Union County, from full bathroom and kitchen renovations to interiors, flooring, finish carpentry, and decks. Every Garwood project is walked, scoped, and built by the owner — not handed off to a crew you never meet.
The owner answers the phone — and walks the site in Garwood.
Remodeling built for Garwood's housing stock.
Garwood is a town of post-war single-family homes, and remodeling them well means understanding how they were framed, finished, and added onto over the decades.
Garwood in Union County is a classic New Jersey community of about 4,688 residents where the median home dates back to roughly 1953 — housing stock that has served generations and is now squarely in the renovation window.
The numbers tell the story: the median Garwood home was built around 1953, and about 55% are owner-occupied. That vintage means original bathrooms, tight kitchens, aging trim, and basements ready for a second life — renovation projects we handle every week. Our focus here: full-scope remodeling — bathrooms, kitchens, interiors, and the carpentry that ties it together. We are based in Roselle Park, roughly 6 miles away, and work in Union County regularly.
We approach a Garwood remodel by reading the house first: how it was originally built, what previous additions touched, and where the plumbing and electrical actually run. That homework is what keeps a renovation on schedule once demolition starts and the surprises behind the walls show up.
What we build in Garwood.
From a single bathroom to a whole-floor renovation, we handle the trades, permits, and finish work under one owner-operated contract for Garwood homeowners.
Bathroom Remodeling
Full-scope bathroom renovations — demolition, rough-trade coordination, tile, finish carpentry, and fixture install.
Scope & process →Interior Renovations
Kitchens, living spaces, basements, and whole-floor renovations under one owner-operated contract.
Scope & process →Flooring Installation
Engineered hardwood, solid wood, large-format tile, and luxury vinyl — installed the way a finish carpenter expects.
Scope & process →Finish Carpentry & Trim
Crown, base, casing, wainscot, built-ins, and stair details — self-performed, not subcontracted.
Scope & process →Decks & Outdoor Living
New builds, deck restorations, privacy fences, and pergolas — permits handled, inspections coordinated.
Scope & process →Light Commercial & TI
Tenant improvements, office fit-outs, and small-to-mid commercial scopes — built to code, on schedule.
Scope & process →Building in Garwood, by the book.
Most Garwood renovations of any real scope need a permit, and we handle that paperwork and the inspection schedule so you don't have to.
In Garwood, construction permits are filed with the municipal construction department. The department enforces the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code and reviews work under its building, electrical, plumbing, and fire subcodes. We prepare the application package and coordinate it with the office for you.
Under the state Uniform Construction Code, most bathroom and kitchen remodels that touch plumbing or electrical require a construction permit, and so do basement finishes. Decks generally trigger both a zoning review and a construction permit when they're attached to the house or raised above grade — the kind of outdoor work that's common on Garwood's split-levels and colonials. We confirm exactly which subcode permits a given project needs before we start.
Garwood's construction inspections are scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so we build the rough and finish inspection points into the project timeline from the start. That way trades aren't standing around waiting on a sign-off, and the job keeps moving toward closeout.
Permit requirements and fees change — we confirm the current Garwood requirements with the municipal construction office before every project. This page is general information, not a code ruling.
Close by. Accountable.
We are based in Roselle Park, a short drive from Garwood, which means the owner can get to your home for the first walkthrough, show up while the work is underway, and be back quickly if a question comes up after the crew has gone for the day. There's no regional dispatcher and no chain of subs between you and the person responsible for your project.
Being local also means we know the Union County rhythm — the municipal offices, the inspection cadence, and the older housing stock that defines towns like Garwood. You get one accountable contact from the first quote through final closeout, the same person who scoped the job standing behind the finished work.
- Based InRoselle Park, NJ · a short drive to Garwood
- NJ HIC13VH14168400 · registered, bonded & insured
- One ContactThe owner, from quote to closeout
- FreeOn-site consultation & written scope
Garwood remodeling questions.
Do you serve Garwood, NJ?
Yes. We are based in Roselle Park, just a short drive from Garwood, and we take remodeling and renovation projects throughout Garwood and the rest of Union County. The owner walks every Garwood site personally.
Are you registered and insured to work in Garwood?
Yes. RuLee Construction holds New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor registration 13VH14168400 and carries liability insurance. We provide a certificate of insurance once a contract is in place, and we pull the required permits through the local construction office.
Do I need a permit to remodel my bathroom or build a deck in Garwood?
Most likely yes. Under the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code, bathroom remodels that touch plumbing or electrical generally require a construction permit, and decks that are attached or raised above grade typically need both zoning and construction permits. We confirm the town's current requirements before any work begins.
Do you charge for an estimate?
No. We provide a free on-site consultation in Garwood and a written scope so you can see exactly what is included before you decide anything.
How does a project work from start to finish?
We start with a walkthrough and a written scope, handle permits and inspection scheduling, then build the work with the owner on site. You have one accountable contact from the first quote through the final closeout.
“Incredibly honest and reliable.”
Rui has done many projects at my house and he is incredibly honest and reliable. His work is great and detailed. Always a can do attitude. I would 100% trust him with your next project.
Liz M. · Homeowner, repeat client · Google review 5.0 on Google · 6 reviews · read them all →Planning a remodeling project in Garwood?
Tell us about it in 30 seconds. Rui reviews every request personally.
- Rui gets back to you within one business day (two at most).
- A free on-site consultation at your home in Garwood.
- A written, itemized scope, so you can see exactly what is included.
Rui Reis, owner. NJ HIC 13VH14168400 · Bonded & insuredPlanning a project in Garwood?
One call, one accountable owner, one disciplined process — from the first walkthrough to the final closeout package.