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Building a Custom Home in Hall County, GA
Cost per square foot, lot and site costs, permits and the step-by-step process for building a custom home in Gainesville and Hall County.
Quick answer: Building a custom home in Gainesville and Hall County typically costs about $150 to $350 or more per square foot for the house itself, plus the lot and site costs such as clearing, driveway, well and septic. A small custom home or guest cottage can start around $90,000. EBD Construction LLC, a licensed and insured general contractor based in Gainesville, Georgia, builds new custom homes with the same three-person crew it uses on every project, and owner Eric Bubniak pulls all permits himself. Call 404-925-7481 for a free consultation.
Planning an addition or new home? See how EBD works as a residential general contractor in Gainesville and Hall County.
Who builds custom homes in Hall County, GA?
EBD Construction LLC is a Gainesville-based general contractor with more than 15 years of experience building and remodeling homes across Hall County. Along with remodels and additions, EBD builds new custom homes from the ground up with the same crew from start to finish. Three full-time builders have worked side by side for over a decade, so the people who frame your house are the people who set your tile and hang your trim.
- A builder you talk to directly. Eric is your point of contact from walking the lot to handing you the keys.
- Design help included. EBD offers full design services and coordinates plans and engineering.
- Permits handled for you. Eric pulls every permit himself and schedules the inspections.
- Work that's guaranteed. All EBD work is guaranteed, and references from past customers are available on request.
How much does it cost to build a custom home in Hall County, GA?
The cost of a custom home in Hall County depends mostly on four things: the size of the house, the shape and roofline, the site, and the finishes you choose. Most homes land between $150 and $350 or more per square foot for the house itself.
Here's a general guide to what building a custom home typically costs in the Gainesville area, not counting the land. It isn't a quote; your price depends on your plans and your choices.
| Home type | What it usually involves | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Small custom home or guest cottage | About 600 to 1,200 sq ft, simple footprint, 1 to 2 bedrooms | $90,000 to $300,000 |
| Mid-size custom home | About 1,500 to 2,500 sq ft, 3 to 4 bedrooms, covered porch | $225,000 to $700,000 |
| Large custom or lake home | 2,500 sq ft and up, basement, screened porch, higher-end finishes | $400,000+ |
| Cost per square foot | The house itself, from builder-grade to high-end finishes | $150 to $350+ |
The fastest way to get a real number is a free consultation. Bring your lot, your plans or just your wish list, and Eric will tell you up front where your money goes furthest.
Tip: A simple rectangle with a straightforward roof is the most budget-friendly shape to build. Put the extra money into the rooms you live in most, like the kitchen and a screened porch, instead of extra corners and rooflines.
What site costs should I budget for when building in Hall County?
Land and site work are separate from the price of the house, and in Hall County they vary a lot from lot to lot. Common site costs include:
| Site item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Clearing and grading | $5,000 to $40,000 |
| Driveway | $3,000 to $25,000 |
| Well (where no public water) | $8,000 to $20,000 |
| Septic system (where no public sewer) | $8,000 to $25,000 |
| Utility connections (power, water, sewer taps) | $2,000 to $15,000 |
Many lots outside Gainesville city limits use a well or septic system, and steep, rocky or wooded lake lots cost more to prepare. Eric can walk your land before you buy it or before plans are drawn, so there are no surprises.
How long does it take to build a custom home in Hall County?
Most custom homes in the Gainesville area take about 8 to 14 months to build once permits are issued, plus 1 to 4 months beforehand for design, pricing and permitting. A typical EBD custom home follows these steps:
- Free consultation and lot visit. Eric walks the land with you and talks through what you want and what you want to spend.
- Design and plans. Plans are drawn or adjusted, with engineering where needed.
- Pricing and selections. You get a written estimate and choose cabinets, counters, flooring, fixtures and finishes.
- Financing and permits. Your lender approves the construction loan, and Eric pulls the building permit (and septic permit, if needed).
- Site work and foundation. Clearing, grading, footings and the foundation or basement.
- Framing, roof and windows. The house is framed, dried in and inspected.
- Rough-ins and inspections. Plumbing, electrical and HVAC go in and are inspected before insulation and drywall.
- Finishes. Drywall, cabinets, counters, tile, floors, trim, paint, porches and exterior.
- Final inspection and walkthrough. You walk the finished house with Eric, and anything that isn't right gets fixed.
Is it cheaper to build or buy a house in Hall County?
Buying an existing home usually costs less up front. Building costs more, but you get exactly the layout, finishes and energy efficiency you want, everything is new, and there's no list of projects waiting on day one. If you already own land, or you can't find an existing home on the kind of lot you want, building is often closer in cost than people expect. If you love your current lot and neighborhood, a whole-home renovation or a home addition may be another way to get the house you want.
Do I need a permit to build a house in Hall County?
Yes. A new home needs a building permit and a series of inspections, from footings to final. Lots without public sewer also need a septic permit from Hall County Environmental Health, and Lake Lanier docks and shoreline work are permitted separately through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Homes inside Gainesville city limits are permitted through the City of Gainesville; homes in unincorporated Hall County go through Hall County. Flowery Branch, Oakwood and Buford each have their own process. EBD Construction pulls all required permits itself as part of the project, so you don't have to.
Where does EBD Construction build custom homes?
EBD Construction is based in Gainesville, Georgia and has served Gainesville and all of Hall County for more than 15 years, including:
- Gainesville
- Flowery Branch
- Oakwood
- Buford
- Chestnut Mountain
- Murrayville
- Clermont
- Lula
- Gillsville
- Homes around Lake Lanier
Why hire a local Gainesville builder for a custom home?
- Local knowledge. Hall County lots, slopes, soils, wells and septic systems are familiar ground.
- The same crew every day. No rotating cast of subcontractors you've never met.
- Clear communication. You'll know what's happening each week, what it costs, and when each stage will be done.
- Reviews you can check. EBD Construction has 5-star reviews on Thumbtack, and references from past customers are available on request.
- See the work first. Browse the project gallery or walk through a real EBD whole-home project.
Custom home building FAQs
Can I build on land I already own?
Yes. Building on your own lot is common in Hall County. Eric will walk the land with you to look at slope, access, utilities and where the house fits best before any plans are drawn.
Do I need house plans before I call?
No. You can bring finished plans, a sketch, a stock plan you like or just a list of what you want. EBD offers full design services and can coordinate drawings and any engineering the house needs.
How do I pay for a custom home?
Most people use a construction loan, often a one-time-close loan that converts to a regular mortgage when the house is finished. The lender pays the builder in stages as work is completed and inspected.
Can you build a lake home on Lake Lanier?
Yes. Lake lots often have slopes, basements and views that call for careful planning. Docks and shoreline work on Lake Lanier are permitted separately through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Can you build a smaller home or guest house?
Yes. Smaller custom homes, guest cottages and in-law houses are a good way to build new on a budget, and the same crew and care go into them as a large home.
What drives the cost of a custom home the most?
Size, the shape of the house, the site, and finishes. A simple footprint with a straightforward roof costs less per square foot than a house with many corners, vaulted ceilings and complex rooflines. Kitchens, baths, flooring and windows are where finish choices move the price most.
Is EBD Construction licensed and insured?
Yes. EBD Construction LLC is licensed and insured, all work is guaranteed, and references are available on request.
Ready to talk about building your home?
Call Eric Bubniak at 404-925-7481 or fill out the form below for a free consultation. Tell us about your lot, the size of home you have in mind and your timeline, and we'll set up a time to talk it through.
Get your free consultation
Tell us a little about your project. Eric will call you within one business day to talk it through and set up a time to see the space.