Custom Home Builder in Atlanta, GA
Since 1995, Glazer Design & Construction has built custom homes across metro Atlanta — managing every phase from site planning and permits through final walkthrough.
Atlanta Custom Home Builder
When you decide to build a custom home in Atlanta, GA, the biggest advantage is control — over the floor plan, the finishes, the lot, the systems, and the long-term maintenance profile of the home. Glazer Design & Construction has operated as a licensed custom home builder in Atlanta, GA since 1995, managing residential new construction projects across Buckhead, Brookhaven, Sandy Springs, Midtown, and surrounding neighborhoods.
Building a custom home is more complex than a renovation. It involves site evaluation, architectural plans, engineering, land and zoning considerations, City of Atlanta or county permit approvals, foundation work, framing, mechanical systems, and a finish-out process that requires coordinating licensed subcontractors across every trade. Glazer manages that entire process under one contract, with a named project manager on-site from groundbreaking to final inspection.
If you are evaluating a lot, working with an architect, or still deciding between a major renovation and a ground-up build, the right starting point is a consultation — not a commitment. Contact us for a free assessment of your project scope and timeline.
Five Features A Custom Home Builder Can Provide
Energy-Efficient Construction
Custom homes built today can be designed from the ground up for energy performance. Spray foam insulation, high-efficiency HVAC, low-E windows, and tight building envelopes reduce utility costs year over year. Glazer works with your architect and mechanical engineers to specify systems that meet or exceed Georgia energy code. This is far easier to build into new construction than to retrofit into a finished home later.
Accessible and Age-in-Place Design
Building custom means accessibility can be designed into the home from day one. Wider doorways, zero-threshold entries, roll-in showers, single-level layouts, and roughed-in elevator shafts are all standard requests. Atlanta's aging homeowner population increasingly asks for these features. Building them into new construction costs significantly less than modifying a finished home after the fact.
Outdoor Living Integration
Atlanta's climate supports outdoor use for eight to nine months of the year. Custom homes in Buckhead, Brookhaven, and Sandy Springs regularly incorporate covered porches, screened outdoor rooms, outdoor kitchens, fire pit areas, and pool-adjacent entertaining spaces. Glazer coordinates outdoor living construction as part of the full home build — planned from the start, not added as an afterthought.
In-Law Suites and Accessory Dwelling Units
Multi-generational living is growing across metro Atlanta. A dedicated in-law suite with a private entrance, kitchenette, bedroom, and full bath is most cost-effective when built during new construction. Accessory dwelling units on the same lot are subject to Atlanta zoning rules that vary by neighborhood. Glazer navigates those approvals and permits as part of the standard project process.
Custom Layout and Room Design
The most common reason Atlanta homeowners choose new construction over resale is that no existing home has the exact layout they need. A dedicated home office, true mudroom, butler's pantry, media room, or main-level primary suite — these are standard requests Glazer builds into custom home plans regularly. You design the layout around your life, not around what was already built.
What to Expect When Building a Custom Home in Atlanta, GA
Custom home building in Atlanta, GA involves more steps and a longer timeline than most homeowners expect when they start the process. Here is what Glazer’s clients typically encounter:
Timeline: A ground-up custom home in metro Atlanta generally takes 12 to 18 months from permit approval to final certificate of occupancy, depending on the size of the home, the complexity of the design, and the jurisdiction’s permitting and inspection schedule. Pre-construction phases — lot evaluation, architectural drawings, engineering, and permit submission — can add three to six months before a shovel goes in the ground. Glazer walks you through a realistic project timeline during the initial consultation.
Permits and approvals: Custom home construction in Atlanta requires a building permit from the City of Atlanta, Fulton County, DeKalb County, or the relevant municipality depending on the lot location. Projects in historic districts, flood zones, or neighborhoods with active HOAs or architectural review boards require additional approvals before permit submission. Glazer manages the full permit and approval process, including coordination with the City of Atlanta Office of Buildings and relevant county offices.
Cost: Custom home construction costs in metro Atlanta vary significantly based on lot cost, square footage, finish level, and site conditions. A production-level custom home starts around $200 per square foot for construction costs. High-finish custom homes in Buckhead or Brookhaven frequently exceed $400 per square foot. These figures do not include land, design fees, or financing costs. Glazer provides a detailed, written construction estimate after reviewing architectural plans so you have a fixed scope before committing.
Lot and site considerations: Not every lot in metro Atlanta is straightforward to build on. Slope, soil conditions, tree preservation requirements, setbacks, utility access, and stormwater management all affect the buildable area and the cost of site preparation. Glazer evaluates lots before you purchase when possible, which can save significant cost and timeline surprises later.
Our Custom Home Projects
What Our Clients Say
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to build a custom home in Atlanta, GA?
Custom home construction costs in metro Atlanta typically range from $200 to $400 or more per square foot for construction alone, depending on finish level, lot conditions, and home size. A 3,000 square foot custom home at mid-range finishes in Sandy Springs or Dunwoody might run $600,000 to $900,000 in construction costs. High-finish builds in Buckhead or Brookhaven regularly exceed $1,000,000 in construction cost before land and design fees. Glazer provides a detailed written estimate after reviewing your architectural plans.
How long does it take to build a custom home in Atlanta?
Building a custom home in metro Atlanta typically takes 12 to 18 months from permit approval to certificate of occupancy. Pre-construction phases including lot evaluation, architectural drawings, engineering, and permit submission generally add three to six months before construction begins. Total timeline from initial consultation to move-in is commonly 18 to 24 months for a full custom build. Permit turnaround times vary by jurisdiction — City of Atlanta and DeKalb County permits for new construction can take several months depending on project complexity and review queue.
Do I need a licensed contractor to build a custom home in Georgia?
Yes. Georgia law requires a licensed general contractor for any construction project over $2,500. Custom home construction involves structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work that requires licensed subcontractors under a licensed general contractor’s oversight. Glazer Design & Construction is a licensed general contractor registered with the Georgia Secretary of State (Control No. 0330108). All subcontractors working on Glazer projects hold the required Georgia trade licenses.
Can Glazer build on a lot I already own in Atlanta?
Yes. Glazer works with clients who already own a lot as well as clients who are still in the land search phase. Before construction planning begins, Glazer evaluates the lot for slope, soil conditions, setbacks, utility access, tree preservation requirements, and any HOA or zoning restrictions that affect the buildable area. If you are still searching for land, Glazer can assess a lot before you purchase to identify any conditions that would significantly affect construction cost or timeline.
What is the difference between a custom home builder and a production builder?
A production builder constructs homes from a set catalog of floor plans with limited customization options, typically on land the builder owns in a planned subdivision. A custom home builder works from plans you develop with an architect, on a lot of your choosing, with full control over layout, materials, systems, and finishes. Custom home building costs more per square foot than production building but results in a home built around your specific requirements rather than a standardized model. Glazer operates exclusively as a custom builder — every project is designed and built for the specific client and lot.
Does Glazer handle the permits for custom home construction?
Yes. Glazer Design & Construction manages the full permitting process for custom home construction, including building permit submission to the City of Atlanta, Fulton County, DeKalb County, or other relevant jurisdiction, coordination with engineering reviewers, and scheduling of all required inspections from foundation through final certificate of occupancy. For projects in historic districts or areas with architectural review board requirements, Glazer coordinates those submissions as well.
Which areas in Atlanta does Glazer build custom homes?
Glazer Design & Construction builds custom homes across metro Atlanta including Buckhead, Brookhaven, Sandy Springs, Midtown, Druid Hills, Virginia-Highland, Decatur, Vinings, Dunwoody, Roswell, Alpharetta, and Marietta. The company has experience with the permitting and approval processes in the City of Atlanta, Fulton County, DeKalb County, and Cobb County jurisdictions.
Serving Metro Atlanta’s Most Established Neighborhoods
Our work spans the full range of metro Atlanta neighborhoods — intown communities like Virginia Highlands, Midtown, and Cabbagetown, established suburbs like Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, and Roswell, and everything in between. Wherever your home is, we bring the same licensed crew, written contracts, and on-site project management.
Memberships & Associations
Glazer Design & Construction holds active memberships with the industry’s leading residential and green building organizations. These affiliations reflect our commitment to construction standards, energy efficiency, and professional accountability on every project we take on.
Looking For An Atlanta Custom Home Builder?
Contact us for a free quote at (404) 683-9848, email Randy@GlazerConstruction.com or complete our Fast Form below.