NEW LIMERICK, Maine — A Massachusetts man who recently moved to Aroostook County has brought his high-end carpentry experience with him and started a new Houlton-area business.
Calvin and Ana Episcopo made the winter trek north from Martha’s Vineyard just before the recent December snows and he’s already preparing estimates and completing jobs for people eager for hard-to-get carpentry and home repair services.
On the island of Martha’s Vineyard over the past several years, Calvin’s business, Episcopo Services, primarily subcontracted for a builder of high-end custom homes. But with the move to The County, he said this new venture will focus on smaller jobs.
The Massachusetts couple moved north with the hopes of finding a place they could call home where the housing market is more affordable and stable and because of their connection with the local congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Calvin said.
Some might say the Episcopos’ timing is near perfect because the need for the type of work Calvin does is high, with many locals bemoaning delays in completing home projects because it is hard to find workers available to repair, renew and refinish.
Not to mention nearly 20 percent of construction workers are 55 years old and older nationally with many expected to retire in the next decade. And Maine has a broader worker shortage with just 42 available workers for every 100 open jobs, according to a December U.S. Chamber of Commerce report.
In The County and throughout most of the state the construction skilled labor market is critically understaffed. Just this May Gov. Janet Mills signed an executive order that directs several state agencies to take action aimed at the shortage of qualified construction workers, including a focus on hiring more women.
Calvin and Ana said they, too, have heard from many people about how hard it is to get help for large and small projects.
“Almost everyone we have talked to said there is a need for a carpenter available to take on jobs because people are booked out for a long time,” said Ana, adding that they are happy to bring what Episcopo Services has to offer to the Houlton area.
The couple met along the side of the road, they said laughing.
Ana was riding with a mutual friend living on the Vineyard and when they drove past Calvin who was working on a job. The friend stopped and they met.
“The rest is history,” she said.
The move to Maine has been better than they expected with so many locals reaching out to help, they said.
A trip to Houlton’s Co-op for lunch was particularly fun.
“Almost the first day we came here we went to the Co-op and the Gateway Ambassadors gave us a welcome packet,” Ana said, referring to the local community service group. She added that it was filled with gifts like a T-shirt.
“Everyone here is so incredibly nice,” said Calvin. “The other thing I really appreciate about coming here, we love the outdoors and it is just so beautiful in the great North. In 2020 I did a backpacking trip to Mt. Katahdin and I immediately fell in love with northern Maine.”
With over a decade of experience, Calvin said he can complete nearly any home improvement or maintenance project from finish carpentry, window and door replacements, handyman tasks to kitchen and bathroom remodeling and custom work.
Working for a homebuilder Calvin had to do everything related to that and he is experienced in installing windows, doors, flooring, kitchen and bath remodeling, patios and decks, he said.
Although he especially loves finish trim work and cabinetry projects, adding that custom work like one he completed in Massachusetts are especially satisfying.
The projects were for Michael Klein on Martha’s Vineyard.
Klein said Calvin was part of a larger crew that completed an addition on his home. But he also completed two custom projects, eight-foot wide custom cedar barn doors and drawers under built-in benches in a mudroom.
“I was really impressed that he was able to do the doors by himself. I am sure he can frame something with his eyes closed, but fine carpentry is where he really excels,” Klein said. “There’s a big difference between putting two boards together and the stuff he is able to do. He is really able to read the wood.”
Klein added that the mudroom drawers get a lot of daily use and they fit and work perfectly as do the barn doors.
“He is the nicest person to deal with, I wish he never moved,” Klein said.
And locally, Calvin just completed a bathroom bead board ceiling and crown moulding project for Kami Higgins Horch of Houlton.
“It’s the nicest part of our bathroom now,” she said.
Horch said they moved to Houlton 3 ½ years ago but had a difficult time finding contractors to do the work and most did not want to do the smaller jobs but Calvin was glad to do what they wanted.
“He showed up on the day he said he would, his craftsmanship was top notch. He stuck to his estimate,” she said. “I highly recommend him.”
And both Klein and Horch said he is friendly, respectful and worked with their schedules to get the job done.
“He was one of the only guys that showed up when he said he would,” said Klein. “It was really refreshing.”
As far as rates, because the jobs vary so much, Calvin said it’s best to charge by the job.
“We are honest and it is fairly priced based on local rates,” Calvin said.
During the winter months, the best jobs include closets, built-ins, flooring, and interior remodeling. And because there are so many older houses in Houlton he thinks restoring an historic home would be a great adventure, Calvin said.
While getting established in the community, he said if someone has a “Honey-do” list, he can do that, but in the long run, he’s looking to do more detailed finish and remodel work for individuals and contractors.
Episcopo Services is fully insured and provides free estimates. They can be reached at 864-991-9267.
