Frequently Asked Questions
Questions we get before every project
The honest answers to what homeowners actually ask us about budgets, schedules, permits, and how a design-build project really runs.
Common Questions
Everything in one place
Working with GHIR
Are you a licensed general contractor in Georgia?
Yes. GHIR holds Georgia Unlimited GC licenses #GCCO006076 and #GCQA006072, plus Florida GC #CGC1527188. We are a NARI Atlanta member and fully insured.
What does design-build actually mean?
It means architecture, budget, permitting, and construction all run through one team on one contract. You are not the referee between an architect who does not know what things cost and a builder who was handed a plan he cannot execute. One contract, one schedule, one point of contact.
Do you offer financing?
Yes. We offer unsecured project financing up to $150,000 with no home equity required. Ask during your free consultation.
What areas do you serve?
We are based in Dawsonville and work throughout North Georgia and the north metro, including Cumming, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Buford, Suwanee, Sandy Springs, Gainesville, Dahlonega, Canton, Dunwoody, and Jasper.
Budget and scheduling
How long does a project take?
Most kitchen and bath remodels run 6 to 10 weeks of construction once selections are complete and materials are on site. Additions run 3 to 6 months. Custom homes run 9 to 14 months of construction, with 2 to 4 months of design and approvals ahead of that.
How do you handle budgets?
You get a line-item budget by trade with real allowances before construction begins. A number that is low enough to win the job and high enough to survive it is not a budget, it is a sales tactic.
What usually delays a project?
Rarely the labor. It is almost always either a long-lead selection, meaning custom glass, a specific stone slab, or cabinetry with a ten-week lead time, or a permitting step that was started late. On a septic lot, Environmental Health approval is the single item most likely to move a start date.
Can we stay in the house during the work?
Usually, yes. We seal the work zone, protect the path in, and stage the work so the rest of the house stays livable. On a whole-home renovation that is sometimes not practical, and we will tell you that honestly before you sign rather than after.
Permits and approvals
Do you pull the permits?
Yes, on every project, in whichever jurisdiction your property falls under. We handle the submittal, the subcontractor affidavits, and the inspection scheduling. You never have to navigate a building department yourself.
How do I know which department reviews my project?
It depends on whether your parcel sits inside a city limit or in unincorporated county, and the two submittal packages are not the same. We confirm jurisdiction before drawings are finished rather than after.
What if my home is on septic?
Then the county health department is involved before the building permit is, not alongside it. Most North Georgia counties require Environmental Health approval to be in hand before the building permit application is submitted. We file it first.
Will you work with our HOA or architectural review board?
Yes. Many neighborhoods require drawings and approval before work begins, and some historic districts require a certificate of appropriateness for exterior changes. We prepare and submit that documentation as part of the project.
Hiring your first contractor? Our full guide covers how to hire a general contractor in North Georgia, from license verification to contracts and lien waivers.
Still have a question?
Ask us directly. The free consultation is a conversation about your project, not a sales appointment.