The Best Custom Home Builders in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Last updated on August 28th, 2024 at 01:00 am

Building a custom home in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is exciting but complex. One of your most important decisions is selecting the right custom home builder. A skilled builder brings expertise and has strong relationships with suppliers, ensuring you get the best building materials and fixtures for your home. These connections help secure top-quality products at the best prices, avoiding run-of-the-mill options and adding value to your investment.

Chattanooga, with a population of 184,086 and a median home value of $379,500, offers a dynamic real estate market where custom homes are in high demand. The average project cost for a custom home in this city ranges from $100,000 to $300,000, with some projects reaching up to $400,000. The price per square foot averages $60, reflecting the quality and customization in building your dream home. Since these projects can take up to 24 months, working with a builder who can effectively manage the timeline and complexities is essential.

This article will introduce you to some of the most exceptional Chattanooga custom home builders. These professionals are builders and craftsmen known for their reliability and ability to turn your vision into reality. Choosing the right builder is pivotal for ensuring your custom home project is completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. Let’s delve into the profiles of these top builders who can help you create a home that truly reflects your style and needs.

Overview: The Best Custom Home Builders in Chattanooga, Tennessee

See Ranking Methodology at the bottom of this article to learn more.

Cuthbertson Homes

PO Box 21246, Chattanooga, TN 37424

Cuthbertson Homes is a licensed and insured custom home builder serving the greater Chattanooga area. Established 20 years ago, Cuthbertson Homes is headed by Rob Cuthbertson. He earned his degree in construction management at Brigham Young University and is presently studying for a major in program management at the University of Oxford. He is a licensed and insured builder and personally manages each project to make sure that it produces quality construction and promotes exceptional client communication.

One of the top custom home builders in Chattanooga, Cuthbertson Homes has been a trusted name in the building industry for over 16 years. Its work has been recognized with two Best of Houzz for Service awards in 2019 and 2020. It has also been certified by the Real Estate Finance and Investments Certification (REFAI) from Linneman Associates.

Cain Development

6407 Snow Hill Road, Ooltewah, TN 37363

Cain Development is a custom home builder in Chattanooga. It builds quality custom homes that consistently exceed even the highest expectations of its clients. Established over 10 years ago, Cain Development is ably led by its main principals, Josh and Jordan Cain. Its team brings together years of experience and walks its clients through each project step, from start to finish. They have vast experience, knowledge, and expertise that is guaranteed to assist their clients every step of the way. Cain Development considers itself a one-stop shop for anything its clients need.

Cain Development has been recognized for its contribution to the industry. In 2018, it was a Top 3 Finalist for Best Builder by Best of the Best, and it was also the Chattanooga Official Peoples’ Choice Awards from Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Peppers Construction

2106 Fort Street, Chattanooga, TN 37408

Peppers Construction has been the leading builder in the Chattanooga, Tennessee, area for 20 years. Its goal is to design and construct projects using new Energy Star and LEED-certified products that save clients money. Its commitment to customer service and quality is seen in every project detail.

One of the most commended custom home builders in Chattanooga, Peppers Construction, was founded by Ben Peppers, who has led the company to its current position as a leading builder in the Chattanooga area. He completed his education at the University of Georgia and has over 18 years of experience. Under his watch, the firm is certified by the Greater Chattanooga Home Builders Association (HBA).

Dexter W. White Construction

3412 Dayton Boulevard, Chattanooga, TN 37415

Dexter W. White is a general contractor with a team comprising project managers, interior designers, warranty service personnel, subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers who provide the highest customer service and satisfaction. Dexter W. White Construction was founded by its namesake; he had dedicated himself to building homes that would stand the test of time. The company encourages new ideas and turns them into reality. The firm has a reputation for excellent customer service, reliability, and accountability. Today, under the direction of Dexter, the firm continues to make homes with timeless charm and finished with the finest architectural details. Its commitment to its clients is attention to detail, unrivaled service, and unquestionable integrity.

The firm has been certified by various industry groups, including the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the Greater Chattanooga Home Builders Association (HBA), and the Home Builders Association of Tennessee (HBAT). It is one of the best Chattanooga custom home builders and was featured in a 2021 Chattanoogan.com article.

Mountain City Construction

213 Woodrow Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37415

Mountain City Construction is a licensed and insured residential and commercial construction company in Chattanooga. The firm has over 40 years of experience in the Chattanooga residential construction area, and its expertise is manifested in its quality craftsmanship.

Art Johnson founded Mountain City Construction, which offers various services. Art has made a name for himself in the Chattanooga area as one of the best in business. The testimonials and referrals he receives from past clients testify to his commitment to reliability, value, and quality. With its craft, Mountain City Construction has been awarded the 2017 STAR Award by Pulse of the City News for its invaluable contribution to the building industry.

Timber Creek Construction

3861 Hixson Pike, Chattanooga, TN 37415

Timber Creek Construction was established over a decade ago. Through its building practices, artistry, and personal dedication to its customers, Timber Creek has consistently provided unparalleled quality and value in its work.

Among the best Chattanooga custom home builders, Timber Creek was founded by Noah Bowling, who developed a love for building as a child. He completed his education at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a degree in construction management. For 12 years, he has worked in the construction industry and has been involved in every sector.

The company was established to provide unrivaled quality, excellence, and integrity through the construction experience. It transforms how clients experience the whole construction process. The firm assures its clients that the end product will exceed expectations. Timber Creek was the recipient of the 2019 Gold Winner for Interiors from MUSE Design Awards, and it has been certified by the Greater Chattanooga Home Builders Association (HBA).

Cole Construction

2106 Fort St, Chattanooga, TN 37408

Cole Construction is Chattanooga’s leading custom home builder and has been working with clients to build their perfect houses. The company’s goal in each project is to produce quality homes that meet clients’ needs. The company specializes in creativity and integrity, building exceptional homes to its clients’ specifications. 

Cole Construction was founded by brothers Warren and Matthew Cole, who were passionate about building homes. They both work for clients, providing exceptional service and going beyond excellent quality and value in their new homes. The firm aims to meet clients’ expectations, timelines, and budgets while adding talent and creativity to every project.

The company has been recognized with the 2020 Best of Houzz Service award. It has been certified by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the Greater Chattanooga Home Builders Association (HBA), and the Home Builders Association of Tennessee (HBAT). Among the most preferred custom home builders in Chattanooga, it was featured in the 2022 Modern Home Builders Magazine article.

Collier Construction

2500 East 18th Street, Chattanooga, TN 37404

Collier Construction is a family-owned and operated local business with an experienced general contracting firm of specialists. The firm has over 20 years of building with integrity and professionalism, always partnering with the best architects and designers. The firm’s experience has proven that listening to clients and delegating tasks to the right people results in exceptional work.

Collier Construction was founded by its President and CEO, Ethan Collier. Twenty years later, the company stands for quality craftsmanship and exceptional service. With over 29 years of experience in the building industry, Ethan has received numerous awards recognizing his hard work and contribution to the business.

The company takes pride in the different awards it has received from various groups. These include the 2013 Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics from BBB Serving Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia, the 2012 Home Builder of the Year by Greater Chattanooga Home Builders Association (HBA), the Green Light Award by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), the Design Award for Excellence in Architectural Engineering and Design – Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI), and the 2010 Small Business of the Year Award from the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. ​​Among the leading custom home builders in Chattanooga, it is also a member of the Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga.

Ranking Methodology

To evaluate the performance of builders, our methodology employs a systematic approach that considers various factors contributing to customer experience and satisfaction. We focused on assessing the custom home builders in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area. The methodology involves assigning weightings to specific categories based on their significance in determining customer service quality. Here’s the breakdown of the categories and their respective weightings:

• Average Customer Satisfaction (35%): This metric represents the average rating given by customers across the same review platforms as the Average Customer Satisfaction Score. A higher average rating indicates greater overall satisfaction with the service provided.
• Service Rating Score (25%): We analyze the ratio of high (4-5 stars) to low (1-2 stars) ratings for each business across multiple review platforms: Google, Houzz, and Yelp. A higher percentage of positive reviews contributes to a higher score, reflecting better customer satisfaction.
• Complaint Percentage (25%): We analyze the ratio of complaints to total reviews for each business. A lower complaints ratio indicates better service quality and results in a higher score.
• Business Hours and Availability (10%): The operating hours of each business are assessed to gauge accessibility. Companies with extended operating hours are awarded a higher score, as they offer greater convenience to customers.
• License Status (5%): We verify the licensing status of each contractor with their local licensing board to ensure legal compliance. Companies with valid licenses receive a higher score, reflecting professionalism and adherence to regulations.
• Total Score: We determined the overall rating for every contractor by calculating a weighted average, with the category weight determining the amount the subscore contributed to the total score 

Additional Note: Service Rating Score, Average Customer Satisfaction, and Complaint Percentage are calculated with a Bayesian estimate to account for if the contractor has a low number of total reviews. A Bayesian average is a statistical method used to calculate the average of a set of data points while taking into account prior information or beliefs about the distribution of the data. It combines the observed data with a prior distribution to generate a more accurate estimate of the true average.