For forty years, Custom Electric & Communications has been shaping the way buildings function across New England. Founded on principles of service and reliability, the New Hampshire-based company has grown into a full-service electrical contractor licensed in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont. Today, under the leadership of President Nick Balster and General Manager Chris Foley, Custom Electric is looking firmly ahead—focusing not just on delivering power safely and reliably, but on preparing clients for the energy transition that will define the next generation of construction.
“Our projects go beyond wiring and switchgear,” Balster explains. “We’re building out electric vehicle infrastructure, preventative maintenance programs, and advanced energy efficiency upgrades. Our mission is to not only deliver the power safely and reliably, but to help our customers prepare their buildings for the future.”
“Our mission is to not only deliver the power safely and reliably, but to help our customers prepare their buildings for the future.”
It is this balance of traditional expertise and forward-looking vision that has set Custom Electric apart. While many firms in the industry focus on either new construction or maintenance, Custom Electric has made a point of excelling across both. The company’s reach spans commercial, industrial, and institutional projects, with teams that can deliver tenant fit-ups, ground-up building construction, and sophisticated energy upgrades with equal confidence.
“What sets us apart is our breadth,” Foley emphasizes. “On one end, we’re handling tenant fit-ups and ground-up building constructions. On the other hand, we’re executing preventative maintenance programs tied to NFPA 70B, installing EV chargers, and integrating building automation and energy management systems.”
That breadth is underpinned by a service culture that makes customer support as important as technical delivery. The company operates a 24/7 licensed electrician support line, a service that clients rely on in emergencies. “If there’s an issue at 2 AM, they know they’ll get a real electrician on the phone, not a call center,” Foley says. “That’s the culture—we bring service excellence backed by technical capability.”
The company’s 40th anniversary in 2025 is a major milestone, but leadership sees it less as a moment for reflection and more as a springboard for growth. “This year marks our 40th anniversary, which is exciting,” Balster says, “but we’re very much focused on the next 40.” That forward focus has already led to significant investments in people and training, including the launch of Custom Electric University.
The program is designed to prepare electricians not only for current codes but for future technologies, giving employees career-long pathways and equipping clients with teams trained in the latest systems. “Today, we aim to scale that foundation into a platform that can lead on energy transition projects while investing in people,” Balster explains. “That’s why we’ve launched Custom Electric University—to make sure our electricians are trained not just for today’s codes, but for tomorrow’s technologies.”
For Foley, the program underscores the company’s long-term perspective. “We’re building something bigger than projects,” he says. “We’re creating a career path for tradespeople. We’re supporting communities with resilient electrical infrastructure, and we’re shaping how buildings function in the energy transition. Custom Electric is a partner you can trust not just today, but through the changes that are coming to our industry.”
Milestones for the company often revolve as much around culture as they do around project wins. Foley notes that establishing Custom Electric University as a permanent development program is one of the team’s proudest achievements. Just as important has been earning the trust of general contractors and construction managers by demonstrating the ability to handle complex systems, from manufacturing floors to automation-heavy buildings. “Those milestones position us for the bigger energy transition projects we’re now taking on,” he says.
Safety, meanwhile, remains non-negotiable. Both leaders stress that it is not a box to check but a mindset ingrained in the company. “We built a safety-first culture where every team member feels responsible for themselves and for each other,” Foley says. Balster echoes the point: “We don’t view safety as a program; it’s more of a mindset. Every day for us starts with safety, and every project and service is judged on it.”
That mindset is evident in the company’s current projects, many of which reflect the future of building performance. Examples include installing advanced HVAC controls in schools, rolling out EV charging infrastructure, and implementing preventative maintenance programs for large institutions. “The exciting part isn’t just the technology,” Balster says, “but how these projects let us deliver continuity, construction, service, maintenance, and upgrades all through one trusted partner.”
One project he highlights is a group of four schools in Massachusetts upgrading to advanced building management systems. “It’s a pretty interesting set of projects that will result in improved comfort and operations for each of the schools, in addition to energy savings long term,” he says. Supported by funding from the Green Communities Act and local utility incentives, the upgrades represent a significant investment in smarter, safer buildings. For Custom Electric, they are also marquee projects that showcase the firm’s ability to integrate advanced controls into educational environments. “We are part of a project team that’s helping them do that—it’s a significant investment for the schools,” Balster explains. “It’s a very interesting and engaging project, and one that we are very proud of.”
The company’s philosophy rests on two key pillars: consistency and culture. By showing up when promised, keeping safety at the top of the list, and embracing continuous improvement, Custom Electric has built lasting partnerships. “We’ve built long-term partnerships because we show up when we say we will do the work, and keep safety at the top of the list,” Foley says. “At the same time, we’re not static. Our culture model is about continuous improvement. Every project is an opportunity to get sharper, safer, and more efficient. That combination of dependability and adaptability has kept us successful for four decades.”
As the company looks to the rest of 2025 and beyond, the focus is on scaling up while preserving its values. Preventative maintenance programs are expanding, investments in energy transition projects such as EV charging and efficiency retrofits are accelerating, and training through Custom Electric University is deepening. “Our goal is to be the contractor that helps customers modernize their buildings while protecting their systems, and we’ll continue to invest in our people because that’s how we sustain growth and excellence long term,” Balster says.
For Custom Electric & Communications, the future is clear. Smarter, safer, and more efficient buildings are no longer optional—they are the standard clients expect. With forty years of experience, a culture of service and safety, and an unwavering commitment to continuous improvement, the company is positioning itself not only to keep pace with that change but to lead it. “We believe that the next decade is about smarter, safer, and more efficient buildings,” Balster says, “and we’re positioning ourselves to lead that shift.”
