Call 205-955-0807
Call 205-955-0807

Custom Home Building and Home Additions

Building a new home or expanding the one you have is one of the largest investments you will make. The quality of that outcome depends almost entirely on the contractor you choose — their construction process, their communication standards, and their willingness to deliver what was committed to at the outset. Recon Reconstruction of Alabama builds custom homes and home additions throughout Clanton, Chilton County, and Central Alabama. One licensed design-build team. One point of accountability from the first site visit through the final walkthrough.

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New Construction Services

New Construction Services We Provide
in Clanton and Central Alabama

Both services below have dedicated pages with complete details on process, timeline, and what to expect at each phase of the project. Click either service to learn more.

Custom Home Building in Clanton, AL

We build custom homes for families throughout Clanton and Chilton County -- from site evaluation and foundation through framing, mechanical rough-ins, insulation, drywall, flooring, trim, and final finish work. Every custom home we build is managed directly by owners Kyle McRae and Alex Price from the first planning conversation through the final walkthrough and punch list.

Home Additions in Clanton, AL

Room additions, second story expansions, garage additions, and master suite additions for homeowners throughout Clanton and Chilton County. We specialize in additions that integrate seamlessly with the existing structure -- matching rooflines, exterior materials, and interior finishes so the addition reads as original construction rather than an obvious afterthought.
Recon Reconstruction New Construction

The Design-Build Approach to New Construction in Central Alabama

Most construction problems in new home building and additions occur at the handoff between design and construction. A set of plans is produced by a designer who was not fully aware of site conditions, material costs, or construction sequence requirements. Those plans are handed to a builder who builds what is in front of them without full understanding of the design intent. Discrepancies between the two are resolved on the fly, at cost to the homeowner.
Recon Reconstruction operates as a design-build contractor. Planning and construction are managed by the same team. Your project is designed with full awareness of local construction costs in the Central Alabama market, material availability, site-specific requirements, and the practical construction sequence that makes the build efficient. Every decision made in the planning phase is made by people who are also going to build it — which eliminates the gap between what was designed and what gets built.
When something changes during construction — and in new construction, something always does — there is one team to call. One team that knows the full project context, can assess the impact of the change on every downstream phase, and can resolve it without a chain of conversations between parties who only know their own scope.

What Makes New Construction in Chilton County Different From Other Markets

Building in Chilton County has specific characteristics that a contractor with genuine local experience handles differently than a regional builder rotating through the market.
Soil and site conditions in Central Alabama vary significantly by location. Expansive clay soils are common throughout Chilton County and require foundation design that accounts for seasonal movement. A builder who does not understand the specific soil conditions of your site and does not factor them into the foundation design creates a long-term structural problem that manifests years after the build is complete.
Local code and permitting is managed through Chilton County. We have an established working relationship with Chilton County’s building department, understand the inspection sequence and documentation requirements, and manage all permit applications and inspections as part of every project we build.
Utility access and infrastructure varies significantly between in-town Clanton properties and rural Chilton County sites. Well and septic requirements, power and gas line extension, road access, and site drainage all present differently on rural lots than on developed subdivision lots. We assess utility access and infrastructure requirements during the initial site evaluation on every project.
Local subcontractor relationships matter for schedule and quality. We work with electrical, plumbing, and HVAC subcontractors who understand the local market, show up when they are scheduled, and perform to a consistent standard. A contractor new to the Chilton County market does not have those relationships — which creates schedule variability that costs homeowners time and money.
Recon Reconstruction New Construction

Step by Step

How We Manage New Construction Projects From First Call Through Final Walkthrough

Every new construction project we manage follows a consistent process.
Here is what working with Recon Reconstruction on a new build or home addition looks like from first contact through completion.
1

Initial consultation

We meet at the site or your current home, understand your goals, review your budget range, and provide honest initial guidance on what is realistic for your scope. No obligation at this stage. No pressure. Just a straight conversation about what you are trying to build and whether we are the right fit.
2

Site evaluation

For new builds, we evaluate the lot -- soil conditions, topography, utility access, drainage, setback requirements, and any site-specific construction considerations. For home additions, we assess the existing structure, foundation type, framing system, and utility configuration that will affect how the addition ties in.
3

Pre-construction planning

We develop the project scope, work through design decisions, manage material and system selections, and prepare the documentation required for permit applications. Every decision that affects the construction sequence is made before ground breaks.
4

Permitting

We submit all permit applications, manage the review process, and schedule required inspections throughout the build sequence. Permitted construction in Chilton County requires inspections at specific phases -- foundation, framing, rough mechanical, insulation, and final. We manage all of them.
5

Construction

We execute the project according to the agreed scope and schedule. Kyle McRae and Alex Price are on-site and personally involved throughout. If something changes or a decision is needed, you hear from us directly -- not from a site supervisor you have never met.
6

Final inspection and walkthrough

We complete the final county inspection and walk the completed project with you. Every item on the punch list is addressed before the project is closed.

Building on Your Land in Chilton County What to Know Before You Start

Homeowners who already own land in Chilton County or are considering purchasing a lot before selecting a builder should understand a few things that directly affect construction feasibility and cost.
Soil testing is the most important pre-construction step on any rural or previously undeveloped lot. The results determine foundation design requirements and directly affect foundation cost. We recommend soil testing before finalizing any new construction budget.

Perc testing is required for any lot that will use a private septic system rather than municipal sewer. Perc test results determine whether a lot can support a septic system and what type is required. A lot that fails a perc test cannot support a home with a conventional septic system — a significant factor in lot selection.

Setback requirements and zoning in Chilton County determine how far from lot lines, road rights-of-way, and other features a structure must be placed. These requirements affect where on a lot a home can be positioned and what the actual buildable area is. We review setback requirements for every lot we build on as part of the pre-construction planning process.
Utility extension costs for lots without existing power, gas, water, or sewer connections can add significantly to total project cost. We assess utility availability and extension cost requirements during the initial site evaluation so there are no surprises after construction begins.
Road access and site preparation on rural lots often requires clearing, grading, and in some cases road construction or culvert installation before construction equipment can access the site. These site preparation costs are part of the total project budget and are assessed during the initial site evaluation.
custom home building
Recon Reconstruction New Construction Land Prep
Recon Reconstruction New Construction Land Prep

New Construction vs Buying an Existing Home in Central Alabama

This is a question many families in Clanton and Chilton County work through before deciding to build. Here is how we think about it honestly.
The case for building is strongest when you cannot find an existing home in your target area that meets your requirements at a price that makes financial sense, when you own land and want to build on it, when you have specific design requirements that existing homes cannot accommodate, or when the difference in cost between building and buying is justified by the difference in quality and customization you get.
The case for buying existing is strongest when your timeline does not allow for a construction process, when you can find a home that genuinely meets your requirements in the current market, or when the total cost of building — including land, site preparation, and all construction costs — exceeds what you would pay for an equivalent existing home by a margin that is not justified by the customization benefit.
We give homeowners an honest answer to this question when it comes up. There are projects that make clear financial sense to build. There are also situations where buying existing is the right answer. We are not in the business of talking people into building when it does not make sense for their situation.

27 Years of Residential Construction Experience in Clanton and Central Alabama

Recon Reconstruction of Alabama is owned and operated by Kyle McRae, Braden McRae and Alex Price. All owners are actively involved in every new construction and home addition project from the initial consultation through the final walkthrough.

Kyle McRae’s background spans residential construction, insurance restoration, and cabinet design and fabrication through McRae Cabinet and Design. That breadth of experience informs every new construction project — from the structural decisions made early in the process to the finish material selections made at the end.

Alex Price manages construction execution and quality control in the field. His standard on new construction projects is the same as it is on restoration and remodeling work — the project is built the way it was designed, to a standard that holds up over the long term.

Braden McRae graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Construction Science and built his early career working in commercial new construction before joining the company. His background includes managing large-scale commercial projects with a focus on coordination, scheduling, and field execution. Today, Braden serves as a Project Manager, overseeing construction operations, managing timelines, coordinating subcontractors, and helping ensure projects are completed to the standards clients expect. His commercial construction experience brings structure, organization, and attention to detail to every project from start to finish.

We are based at 816 Center Avenue in Clanton. We are not a regional builder rotating through the Chilton County market. We are a locally rooted contractor whose reputation is built entirely on the quality of the work we deliver to our neighbors throughout Central Alabama.
about us
Recon Reconstruction Team

Serving Clanton, Chilton County and Central Alabama

We serve homeowners and families throughout Clanton, Chilton County, and surrounding Central Alabama communities including Jemison, Thorsby, Calera, Helena, Alabaster, and Verbena.

Frequently Asked Questions

New Construction Contractor
in Clanton, AL

A custom home build in the Clanton area typically runs seven to twelve months from groundbreaking through certificate of occupancy, depending on the size of the home, the complexity of the design, the site conditions, and the efficiency of the permitting and inspection process. Pre-construction planning -- site evaluation, design decisions, material selections, and permit preparation -- adds one to three months before groundbreaking. The total timeline from first consultation to move-in is typically ten to fifteen months for a standard custom home project. We provide a realistic project timeline at the outset of every engagement and communicate clearly throughout the build so you always know where your project stands.
A spec home is built by a developer or builder to a predetermined floor plan and specification set, typically without a buyer contracted at the start of construction. The buyer selects from what has been built or what is currently under construction -- they may have limited input on finishes and no input on floor plan or structural design. A custom home is designed and built specifically for one client, incorporating their design preferences, floor plan requirements, site conditions, and finish selections from the beginning of the process. Recon Reconstruction builds custom homes -- not spec homes. Every home we build is designed around the client who will live in it.
No. We work with homeowners at every stage of the process -- including those who are still evaluating land options. We can provide input on lot suitability, construction feasibility, and estimated site preparation costs for specific lots you are considering before you make a purchase decision. Having a builder evaluate a lot before you buy it can save you from purchasing a site that has constraints -- soil issues, utility access problems, setback limitations -- that significantly affect construction cost or feasibility. Call us before you buy the land, not after.
Construction cost in the Central Alabama market depends on the size of the home, the complexity of the design, the finish level specified, site conditions and preparation requirements, and current material and labor costs. We provide written estimates based on a thorough scope of work and specific design decisions -- not per-square-foot rules of thumb that do not account for the variables that actually drive construction cost. Call us at 205-955-0807 to discuss your project and schedule a consultation. We will give you a realistic picture of what your project costs before you commit to anything.
A design-build contractor manages both the planning and construction phases of a project under one contract and one team. The alternative -- hiring a designer separately and then bidding the project to builders who were not involved in the design -- creates a gap between what was designed and what is practical to build, and splits accountability between parties who can point at each other when problems arise. With a design-build contractor, one team is responsible for the full outcome. Planning decisions are made with full awareness of construction requirements and costs. Construction is executed with full understanding of design intent. When something changes, one team resolves it. We operate as a design-build contractor on all new construction and home addition projects.
Custom home construction is typically financed with a construction loan -- a short-term loan that funds the build in draws as construction milestones are reached -- which converts to a permanent mortgage upon project completion. Several Alabama banks and credit unions offer construction-to-permanent loan products for owner-occupied custom homes. Requirements typically include a signed construction contract with a licensed contractor, a project budget, construction timeline, and builder credentials. We are familiar with the lender requirements common in the Chilton County market and can provide the contractor documentation lenders typically require. We recommend beginning conversations with lenders early in the planning process -- loan approval timelines can affect groundbreaking dates.

Ready to Build in Clanton or Chilton County?

Call Kyle McRae directly at 205-955-0807 to schedule a free consultation. We visit the site, understand your goals, and give you a straight assessment of what is possible, what it costs, and how long it takes.