Associated Housewrights employs 14 skilled craftspeople with years of building and remodeling experience. We offer complete design services, with architectural and interior design consultants on staff. Our building staff includes carpenters, cabinet makers, and millwork experts who specialize in the skills needed for remodeling and expanding existing homes with architectural sensitivity and up-to-date efficiency.

In addition to our staff, Associated Housewrights has built partnerships with area building professionals who supply us with high-quality materials and services. Our extensive resources allow homeowners a wide selection of products and materials.

Each of the three principle partners plays an active role in the organization, and will be involved with your project. Roll over the photos for personal bios.

Matt Speer (design) received his B.S. in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University, and began his career in machine design. While working in the Washington, D.C. area, Matt's pursuit of aesthetically motivated design caused him to switch careers and enter the trade of cabinetmaking.

Matt worked as a craftsperson and designer with Lank Woodwork, and with Kramer & Eiland Woodworking. Highlights included work on the National Cathedral, the Blair House, IBM Corporate commissions and many superb private commissions.

In 1989 Matt moved back to the Midwest and started his own firm offering design and building services. The initial partnership of Associated Housewrights was formed in 1992. Matt’s work as a designer has been recognized on a local and national level.

Scott (listen) is a lifelong Madisonian who attended Edgewood Grade and High School and UW-Madison where he earned a B.S. in economics. Just a few weeks before college graduation he realized his greatest joy came from working with his hands and body as a tradesman.

He worked as a self-employed house painter & carpenter for nearly twenty years prior to entering into a remodeling partnership in 1992 with Matt Speer at which point Associated Housewrights originated. (Housewright comes from the old English word for carpenter.)

Scott is an active participant of NARI of Madison (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) having served as its President in 2004-05 and has completed the rigorous requirements necessary to become a NARI Certified Remodeler.

Scott enjoys exercising, reading, spending time with friends and attempting to make people laugh.

He lives in a 1922 Arts and Crafts Bungalow with the love of his life, his partner Jody Whelden, and Melville their cat.

Richard (build) worked summers as a carpenter's apprentice through high school and college with seasoned old-timers in the Merrimac Valley of New England.

An Eagle Scout, he graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1969 and holds an M.S. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Richard was a member of the Seven Circles Woodworking and Construction Collective on Williamson Street before opening his own studio, where he designed and built furniture commissions. His work is represented in Fine Woodworking's Biennial Design Book 2.

He has worked as a general contractor, project manager, and finish carpenter in Madison and Chicago for thirty years, and has been involved in the restoration of many fine homes. He joined the Associated Housewrights as a partner in 1997.