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About Fred Beese

From Hollywood film sets to Chestnut Hill restorations — 30 years of artistry behind every project.

Fred Beese — master builder and craftsman based in Wyndmoor, PA

The Builder Behind the Work

One Builder.
One Project at a Time.

Fred Beese has spent 30 years learning that the best homes aren't built with more crew members — they're built with more attention. Based in Wyndmoor, PA, Fred works alone on every project he takes. That means the person who shows up to discuss your project is the same person who does the work, and the same person who stands behind it when it's done.

Before building, Fred spent years in the film industry as a visual artist — an eye for composition, proportion, and detail that most contractors never develop. When Fred remodels a kitchen or restores a historic door, he's not just fixing what's broken. He's thinking about how the finished space will feel to live in.

Most of Fred's clients start small. A sticky door. A broken cabinet hinge. A fence that needs rebuilding. They're blown away by the quality, and they call back for the bigger project — the kitchen renovation, the custom built-ins, the full bathroom remodel. Fred has clients he's worked with for more than 25 years. That's not a service relationship. That's a craftsman who becomes part of the house.

What Fred Does

  • Handyman services — repairs, installs, maintenance across all trades
  • Kitchen remodeling — from cabinet refresh to full gut renovation
  • Bathroom remodeling — tile, fixtures, custom vanities
  • Historic home restoration — Victorian, Tudor Revival, Arts-and-Crafts, Wissahickon schist
  • Custom woodworking — built-ins, cabinetry, millwork, pergolas
  • Lighting design and installation

Where Fred Works

Chestnut Hill, Wyndmoor, Jenkintown, Glenside, Flourtown, Mt. Airy, Germantown, Lafayette Hill, Ambler, Fort Washington, and throughout Montgomery County, Philadelphia, Bucks County, and Chester County, PA.

Career Journey

A Life in Design

Chicago — Early Career

Photography Studio

Formative years in a Chicago photography studio developing a deep understanding of light, composition, and visual storytelling — the foundation for everything that followed.

Los Angeles — Film Industry

Hollywood Lighting Crew

Moved to Los Angeles at 21 and joined the film industry, working on lighting for feature films and music videos. Credits include films directed by Wes Craven and Stephen Frears, and productions featuring The Judds, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Jonathan Pryce. This experience refined Fred's mastery of light and his eye for atmosphere and spatial drama.

Los Angeles — 30 Years

From Lighting Design to Custom Homes

Founded his own interior and landscape lighting design business serving Hollywood's most discerning clients. Work expanded naturally into construction — full home remodels, additions, and custom builds from start to finish.

Spanish Colonial custom home under construction Los Angeles CA During Construction

Custom Spanish Colonial — Los Angeles, CA

Custom Spanish Colonial home completed Los Angeles CA Completed

Arched windows, custom ironwork, period details throughout

Philadelphia — Present

Restoration & Custom Building in the Delaware Valley

Relocated to Wyndmoor, PA (19095) in 2022. Now applying 30 years of West Coast craftsmanship to Philadelphia's rich architectural heritage — restoring historic homes, creating custom built-ins, and bringing the same attention to light, form, and function to the character homes of Chestnut Hill, Wyndmoor, and Montgomery County.

Hollywood Background

Film & Video Credits

Fred's years on Hollywood sets gave him an irreplaceable education in light, atmosphere, and the emotional power of a well-designed space.

Feature Film • Lighting Crew

"Shocker"

Directed by Wes Craven

Feature Film • Lighting Crew

"The Grifters"

Directed by Stephen Frears

Television • Lighting Crew

"Pee-wee's Playhouse"

Paul Reubens

Feature Film • Lighting Crew

"Barbarians at the Gate"

Starring Jonathan Pryce

Music Video • Lighting Crew

"Love Can Build a Bridge"

The Judds

Feature Film • Lighting Crew

"The First Power"

Starring Lou Diamond Phillips

Trusted by the Best

A Distinguished Client Roster

Over three decades in Los Angeles, Fred built relationships with some of the entertainment industry's most discerning clients. That same standard now comes to the Philadelphia area.

Entertainment — Lighting Design

Lisa Kudrow
Helen Hunt
Madonna
Jonathan Frakes & Genie FrancisStar Trek: The Next Generation
Walt Disney AnimationMemorial Garden
Don StewartScreenwriter

Agency & Industry — Lighting

Kevin HuvaneCreative Artists Agency
Bryan LourdCreative Artists Agency
Tory MetzgerCreative Artists Agency
David O'ConnorCreative Artists Agency
Ron MardigianWilliam Morris Agency
Jack Grossbart & Marc SchwartzWilliam Morris Agency

Construction — Los Angeles

Courteney CoxFriends, Scream, Ace Ventura
David HusbyEmmy-winning Sound Mixer — Elf, Guardians of the Galaxy 2
Jensen Daggett-ChemlaFriday the 13th, Home Improvement
Jane BerlinerCAA — Agent for Madonna
Bill & Fran ReichenbachSession Trombonist for John Williams

What Clients Say

5-Star Google Reviews

★★★★★
“We initially hired Fred to build a bedroom closet for us, and his work has been truly exceptional. His attention to detail, combined with a strong sense of aesthetics, is rare to find. He takes the time to refine every aspect of the work.”
Raffaella Braga Built-In Closet
★★★★★
“We had a fantastic experience working with Fred Beese! His communication was incredibly clear from start to finish, so we always knew exactly what to expect. His prices are reasonable, but what really sets him apart is his vision — he offered suggestions that elevated the final result.”
Timothy Morgan Home Renovation
★★★★★
“Fred is truly an artist. He built a fence for me and collaborated every step of the way. I highly recommend him especially if you want the end result to be outstanding and beautiful.”
Betsy Kalish Custom Fence
★★★★★
“Fred is an outstanding contractor. His communication skills are excellent. He keeps you informed every step of the way and is extremely easy to work with. His attention to detail really sets him apart, and it shows in the quality of his work.”
Karen Martin Home Improvement
★★★★★
“Fred Beese has done much work for me on my house over the years both as a craftsman and as a contractor. His work is uniformly excellent. He is responsible, meticulous, very knowledgeable across the range of construction skills.”
Larry Kronish Ongoing Home Projects
★★★★★
“Fred does excellent work! He can do pretty much anything you need done from electrical to carpentry. He is a pleasure to work with.”
Meg Franzen Handyman Services

Read all 8 reviews on Google →

Ready to Work with Fred?

Every project starts with a conversation. Tell Fred about your home and what you're hoping to accomplish.

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