Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How much per sq.ft. do you charge?

    This is a reasonable question; customers want to comparison shop. For an honest builder, it's also a potential minefield. Give yourself a budget of $1000 and you can build a wooden shed. Give yourself a budget of $1 million and you can build the exact same sized shed with gold plating and encrusted diamonds. It's all relative to the scope of the work. That being said, we typically build 100% completed rustic style log-sided homes with basements for around $100-120/sq.ft turnkey. You must be sure you are comparing "apples to apples". A competitor's initial lowball price may not include anything but the basic house shell with bare-bones detailing. The price is just designed to "get you in the door". Check the small print. With true custom, nothing is really "standard". If you want a certain feature set with us, we'll explain the pros and cons of it and let you make the decision. From the most basic requirements to the most extravagant feature, we'll sit down and go over every option with you before we start. You can rest assured that our price will include everything required to furnish you a quality built "turn-key" home. Having a firm grasp of your budget, your requirements, and good rapport with your builder should be the main priorities. A good, honest builder will maximize your return on investment without playing games.

  2. Where can I find land to build on?

    We sometimes carry a lot or two (or house or two) in inventory for the spec. market. Check out our "for sale" page for more info. We don't mind selling them to you. You can also check with a local realtor in the area you are interested in. All the large agencies such as Remax, GMAC, and Century 21 have offices throughout this region. You may also want to check out some of the smaller local realtors, too. The REALTOR.com website is a good place to start. Most of all, visit our beautiful areas to get a feel for what you like. Not only will it help clarify your selection criteria, but you'll have a great vacation to boot!

  3. Where do you build?

    We have offices in Ball Ground, GA and Ellijay, GA. We build in the following areas: Jasper, Ellijay, Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, Dawsonville, and surrounding areas.

  4. How do you determine construction quality?

    The State of Georgia currently follows the 2006 IRC code (with Georgia amendments) for construction quality. That code is our minimum requirement. A few local jurisdictions may have additional requirements. We will research all local ordinances and regulatory requirements before constructing in a new area. We also warrant that the house meets all construction guidelines as set forth in the most current edition of "Residential Construction Performance Guidelines" written by the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB).

  5. Do we need an architect? Do you require architectural stamps on plans?

    Hiring an architect in Georgia is a personal decision. Sometimes what you want can't be found in any pre-existing plans or stock plans. Architects can then be worth their weight in gold. We don't mind working with architects at all. However, the state of Georgia does not require architectural stamps on plans. As long as your plan is well designed and meets code, we can build it.

  6. Where can I find plans to build?

    We've had good luck with stock plans from the various plan books found at your local Home Depot or Lowes. We also like the website HousePlansAndMore.com for their breadth and ease of search. Others include Frank Betz, Don Gardner, and Jannis Vann and Associates, Inc. We have been able to make pencil modifications to many stock plans without having to go through the process of completely redrawing them. Of course, extensive modifications may require the use of an architect, engineer, or plan drawer. We don't mind becoming a team player with others.

  7. How long does permitting take?

    It varies by local jurisdiction. We always recommend that you have a satisfactory soil test performed as a contingency to purchasing your lot. All respected realtors should be aware of this contingency. If you don't already have one by closing, you should also obtain a survey as soon as practicable. Surveyors in this area can sometimes become quickly backlogged, so obtain one as soon as you can. We will not build on a customer's lot without a survey in hand.

  8. How long does construction take?

    After permitting, we can usually complete a standard size house on an average lot in about 6 months. Topography, weather, access, local regulatory requirements, detail, and other varying factors can affect how long construction will actually take.

  9. Do you build solid log homes?

    Along with traditional siding products, we build log-sided homes with different log siding profiles that give you that solid log home look and feel with traditional framing methods. We can even incorporate the look on the inside. However, we do not build solid log homes because of the high level of expertise needed to build this type of home. We recommend that you contact a builder who specializes in solid log homes if you are interested in this category.

  10. What types of services do you offer? Do you allow for sweat equity?

    Because of our small size, we are very flexible in our services. Consider our services a la carte. For the handyman or someone who just needs a little supervisory help, we can allow sweat equity and/or contribute some basic management time in order to save you money. For someone with cash reserves who is not sure yet about design selections, we can use a cost + flat fee arrangement instead of the standard quoted bid. Certain prudent restrictions apply. It's all up to you.

  11. What is my next step?

    Check out our "For Sale/Sold" page for previously sold and currently available properties. Check out our "Contact" page to e-mail us or call us with any questions/comments you may have. Also, start making lot, plan, and design selections. Finally, meet with us to discuss your needs. We look forward to building that dream of yours. Your dream, our passion.

All homes come with a 1-year warranty.