Frequently Asked Questions

Authentic Construction serves the greater Charlotte and Lake Norman region of North Carolina, including Mooresville, Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Charlotte, and the surrounding communities in Mecklenburg and Iredell counties. Because our work is rooted in a thoughtful response to place, we take on a deliberately limited number of projects at a time to give each one our full attention.

We specialize in three areas: custom home building, home additions, and high-end residential renovations. Whether you're building from the ground up, expanding your existing home, or reimagining the space you already have, we act as both designer and builder — maintaining complete oversight from first concept through final walkthrough.

Design-build means a single team is responsible for both designing your project and constructing it, rather than hiring an architect and a builder separately. For you, that means one point of accountability, fewer surprises, tighter cost control, and a smoother path from idea to finished home. It's the reason our process can be both exacting and collaborative — nothing gets lost in the handoff between designer and builder.

Yes. Authentic Construction is a licensed general contractor operating in North Carolina, fully insured for your protection and ours. We pull all required permits and build to the current North Carolina Residential Code, and we're happy to provide license and insurance documentation before your project begins.

Home additions in the Charlotte area generally cost $170 to $330 per square foot for a finished, mid-to-upper-range addition. Single-story "build-out" additions sit at the lower end, while second-story "build-up" additions run $250 to $450+ per square foot because of the structural reinforcement, stairs, and roof work involved. The final figure depends on whether the addition includes a kitchen or bathroom, the finish level, and how it ties into your existing home.

Kitchen remodels in the Charlotte area span a wide range depending on scope. A mid-range renovation with new cabinetry, quartz or granite countertops, and updated fixtures typically runs $45,000 to $95,000, while high-end and luxury kitchens with custom cabinetry, premium appliances, and structural changes commonly range from $125,000 to $250,000+.

A production or "spec" builder repeats the same plans and finishes across many lots, which keeps costs low but limits individuality. A custom project is designed specifically for you and your site — original plans, considered proportions, and materials chosen for quality and longevity. You're not paying for square footage alone; you're investing in spatial quality, durability, and a home that belongs where it stands. That difference is exactly where our work lives.

Most home additions take 6=9 months from breaking ground to completion, with an additional design and permitting phase of roughly 2 to 3 months beforehand. Larger or second-story additions take longer because of the structural work involved. We build the permitting timeline into your schedule from the outset so there are no surprises.

Every project begins with its setting. We start by studying your site and understanding not just what you want, but how you live. From there we move through concept and design, a detailed estimate, permitting, construction, and a final walkthrough — with us maintaining complete oversight at every stage. Our process is deliberate, exacting, and deeply collaborative, so you're informed and involved throughout.

As both designer and builder, we guide the design in-house, which keeps your vision intact from concept through completion and avoids the gaps that can open up between separate design and construction teams. For projects that call for a specialized architectural collaborator, we coordinate that relationship seamlessly while remaining your single point of accountability.

The best first step is a conversation. Call us at 704-719-9775 or reach out through our contact page to schedule an initial consultation. We'll discuss your goals, your site, and your budget, and explain how our process would apply to your specific project — no pressure, just a clear-eyed look at what's possible.

We approach building as a discipline of refinement. Rather than maximizing square footage, we prioritize spatial quality — generous volumes, deliberate composition, and restrained elegance — creating homes that integrate with their landscape and endure. And because we hold complete oversight from conception through completion, the integrity of that vision is protected at every step. Our name isn't just a label; it's the standard we build to.