The company was founded in August of 1981 when the owner, Ted Nelson was 22 years old and living in a rooming house on Blinman Street in New London. From its humble beginnings Ted named the business T. J. Nelson Home Improvements because of his desire to remodel homes in Connecticut and thereby, change the complexion of Southeastern Connecticut. The first five years of the business were devoted to carpentry, roofing and painting jobs that required a minimum of employed staff. But as the business began to grow, it took on larger jobs and full time employees. The in home office moved to Garfield Avenue, then to Ocean Avenue and eventually to a commercial office store front at 9 Union Street in December of 1988. Earlier, that same year Ted incorporated the firm under it's official name T. J. N. Enterprises, Ltd., but still did business as T. J. Nelson Home Improvements.