Frequently Asked Questions

While most of our projects are custom designs and can be any size footprint, we have many floor plans on our web site that may be close to what you want.  Some of our clients start with one of these designs and we modify them to better fit each client’s design requirements. View our Floor Plans

Yes, Blue Ridge is 20 minutes from our office and would be happy to work with you in Blue Ridge, GA.

Our residential design services are very reasonably priced.  We charge by the square foot, the complexity of the project and by the specific services each client needs.  Since each project is different, we would want to speak with you to better understand more about your specific project before estimating the cost of our design services.

Yes we do.  We are distributors for Hearthstone as our timber home provider.

We design and build with many different architectural styles and designs including Heavy Timbers, Log, Conventional and Hybrid (Hybrid being a mix of all three of these architectural styles).  For more details view the architectural styles page.

You bet we do.  We have done multilevel bunkbeds in a variety of sizes and kinds.  You may find a few examples in the portfolio gallery of our web site.  View our Gallery.

Absolutely, we do it all the time.  We are a custom design shop and can change any previously designed home to meet the specific requirements of our client.  The house plans we have on our web site are simply a point of reference.  We can make any changes you want.

Conventional and system-built construction both use materials and methods of framing that are approved by building codes for strength, safety, and durability. The two differ in where they are built: conventional construction takes place on the building site, whereas system-built homes are partially fabricated in the mill facility and then shipped to the job site for assembly.

Turn-key is exactly what it sounds like – when we’re done, all you have to do with your home is turn the key in the front door. We will prepare the build site, rough-in the utilities, finish the carpentry, and even finish the landscaping!

Yes we do.  Home renovation requirements vary greatly from job to job.  We would first want to better understand the work needed to your home before deciding if your project would be a good fit for our renovation team.  Please give us a call to discuss how Modern Rustic Homes may be helpful for your project.

Had you asked that question a few years ago, we would be happy to send you a catalog. However, with today’s ever-changing technology and the vastly growing variety of floor plans and design features, we found that updating our online website made more sense to quickly stay in touch with our clients. There is so much more information we are able to provide online.

Please check out our website at www.ModernRusticHomes.com.

We take care of everything needed to build your home. This includes pulling all the permits for electrical, septic (where needed), and general Home Building Permits for those states and counties that require permits. We will also work with your HOA (homeowners Association) and/or ARC (Architectural Design Committee) to provide the necessary documentation and permissions to build in your community. If you are financing any portion of your new home, we will also work with your lender to schedule inspections and draws while keeping you informed of our progress along the way.

Absolutely. We understand the requirements for “Universal Access” and frequently design and build homes to accommodate special needs. Many if not most of our clients are planning for a second home and/or their last home and want that home to accommodate their needs for the rest of their lives. To accommodate this we frequently design and build our homes with wider door openings, no steps or minimal steps at the entrance, no-threshold showers, and with elevators that are more affordable today. Once we better understand your design requirements, your home will be designed and built to meet your accessibility requirements.

Great question. Most of our clients are from out of town and/or out of state with a few even out of the country. Understanding this, we have built a process that allows us to collaborate long distance and maximize our time together even if that time is limited to just a few meetings. For example we use Houzz.com as a collaborative tool to share architectural photography during the design phase of the project. We also have a “Finish Room” at our Office and Design Center from which to choose all your finishes, textures and colors in one visit with us. We also use email, Skype, Facetime and other technologies. This allows us to collaborate and share ideas and photography long distance to accommodate the needs of our clients that have limited time to spend with us.

Wow, simple question and a complicated answer. Ask yourself what it is you want in your home? Be very honest with yourself. Likely you have worked long and hard to have the home you want, so think it through. Design and build what you will use. Otherwise, it is excess space to be paid for and maintained. Think about how you live today, plan for aging in place, what hobby or interest do you have that requires space. Be serious, very serious about your budget. Tell me what you will spend not what you want to spend. We will then let you know if budget and design are in alignment. Be patient, it takes time and quality takes even more time. Assemble pictures either in a folder or digital file to share with us. If you have seen a plan that you like the master bathroom, then show me. Now schedule a phone call or face to face meeting, so we can talk it through. Building a home is a team effort. You and we are the team. Teams come together to win. Our win is a good experience and a well-built and beautiful home for you.

If that is all you need, we would be happy to provide you with just design services. However, for those clients that need more we offer a variety of services to include Residential Design, & Turn-Key Construction, as well as Interior Design services, offered all under one roof here at Modern Rustic Homes.

Remodeling a house is an adventure. If you are a fan of HGTV then you know you need to plan for the unexpected. One issue I have seen consistently with HGTV remodels is the cost to remodel is never what they expected it to be. Also, the timeline for completion is unrealistic. This can be a small deal or a big deal. What we do is identify the scope of work you wish to have done and price accordingly. We also ask that you allow for a contingency fund for the unforeseen things such as bringing mechanical systems up to code or the upgraded appliances you couldn’t live without. Anytime you marry old construction with new it is a challenge to have the add-on not look like it was added on. It takes time and attention. So as to the price… it is a moving target. We come together and figure it out.

The cost to build the Falling Waters Cabin will vary depending on where the home is to be built, the finishes selected, and site preparation requirements. Having said that, a budget somewhere between $550 and the mid $600’s should be anticipated.

Yes we use a lot of reclaimed materials like mushroom board, vintage heart pine flooring, reclaimed and re-purposed barn wood as well as other materials harvested from structures built decades ago.

Yes, we would be happy to discuss providing the design and build services for your project in Ellijay, GA in the Coosawattee River Resort.

We schedule workshops usually two weeks after a home show or other larger events. If you would like an invitation to our next workshop or event, please sign up to the Modern Rustic Homes Newsletter.

Most of our home designs have outdoor living spaces to include, Living Porches, Outdoor Dining, Outdoor Kitchens, and other outdoor entertainment spaces. We began designing outdoor living spaces and fireplaces over 25 years ago before they were popular. I guess that makes us a trendsetter. One other trend is for outdoor showers.

The cost to build the Dragonfly Lodge is impacted by where the home is built as well as the finish selections and site preparation requirements. Having said that, a budget somewhere north of $750K should be anticipated.

The time it takes to build your home will vary depending on the size and complexity of the home, the construction system chosen, and the weather and site preparation requirements.  An average build time is 10 to 12 months. You can view an outline of our Design and Build Process.

Yes, we build boat docks for any of those lakes where docks are allowed such as Lake Lanier, Allatoona Lake, Clark Hill Lake, Hartwell Lake, Chatuge Lake, Lake Burton or Lake Blue Ridge. Unfortunately, some lakes that are managed by the US Corp of Engineers (like Carters Lake) do not allow boat docks. Other areas (like the Chattanooga River in Tennessee) have varying restrictions for boat docks. We will obtain the appropriate approvals before beginning construction.

Great question, thanks for asking. Modern Rustic Homes has developed a successful design/build process that is executed by an experienced team of professionals who have designed and built homes for over 25 years.

View an outline or our Design and Build Process.

Yes by appointment. We have model homes at our Offices and Design Center in Ellijay, GA. Additionally, some of our past clients are kind enough to allow us to tour their home from time to time. We also have extensive photography and a few virtual tours of homes we have built.

View our Home Builder Gallery.

We have a variety of phases in the construction that demand your attention.  This is intended to confirm your preferences for fixtures, finishes and the details of your home.  An example would be cabinets for the kitchen and bathrooms.  We consult with you about the cabinet layout, then we need your direction and approval for cabinet door and drawer styles, the color of the paint and/or stain and details for the cabinet accessories.  Lighting fixtures also require your specification so we know specifically which fixture is being used in each room.

We design and build many different residential styles including conventional stick-built homes. As well as full log homes, timber frame homes, and hybrid homes (hybrid being a mix of building systems). You may find more details about the residential styles and building systems on their pages.

Yes. Also, all of our subcontractors are also required to be insured and if we find a gifted craftsman that is not insured, we insure him or her before they come to the job site.

Absolutely! We don’t call them custom homes for nothing. Each standard model can be used as a starting point for an endless number of variations. Walls can be moved, plans can be flipped and built on a crawlspace or on a fully finished basement. It’s your home and it’s all up to you.

All of our workshops are by invitation only and we offer complimentary passes to the home shows where we exhibit.  To assure your seat and get immediate confirmation to the next event, make sure you are subscribed to our newsletter.  These subscribers will be the first notified for each event.  You may subscribe here:  Modern Rustic Homes Newsletter.

Turn-key is exactly what it sounds like – when we’re done, all you have to do with your home is turn the key in the front door. We will prepare the build site, rough-in the utilities, finish the carpentry, and even finish the landscaping!

Yes, we do.  Green construction means different things to different people. We practice green building and incorporate green building features from Emerald Green to Warm Green.  Emerald Green may include windmills, solar panels, water cistern reclamation, and geo-thermal heat. Warm Green being more cost effective features such as energy efficient windows and doors, spray foam insulation, pre-finished flooring, energy efficient appliances, passive solar gain design as well as recycled materials. We use all these methods to provide a more energy efficient and comfortable home.