Harrill Richard & Sons Construction Company in Chattanooga: Full-Service General Contractor for Residential and Commercial Projects
Harrill Richard & Sons Construction Company is a licensed general contractor operating in the Chattanooga area that handles residential renovation, commercial build-outs, and new construction from project conception through completion. The firm manages the full scope of general contracting work, including permitting, subcontractor coordination, and inspections, positioning it as a choice for homeowners and small business owners who need someone to oversee an entire project rather than hire individual trades separately.
What Harrill Richard & Sons Actually Does
The company operates as a general contractor, meaning it takes responsibility for scheduling, budgeting, and quality control across all trades involved in a job. This is distinct from hiring a carpenter or electrician directly: a general contractor pulls permits, ensures work meets Chattanooga building codes, coordinates inspectors, and manages the timeline so that framers, electricians, and plumbers arrive in the right sequence. Harrill Richard & Sons serves both residential clients (home additions, kitchen and bath remodels, foundation repair) and commercial clients (tenant improvements, office buildouts), suggesting flexibility across project scale and complexity.
Services and Pricing Structure
General contractors typically charge in one of three ways: cost-plus (material and labor costs plus a percentage markup, usually 10–20 percent), fixed bid (a single agreed price for the full scope), or time and materials (hourly labor plus documented material cost). Harrill Richard & Sons' specific pricing model and typical markup percentage are details to confirm directly with the company, as these vary widely even within Chattanooga and depend heavily on project scope, materials, and complexity. A kitchen remodel in the Chattanooga market generally runs $50,000 to $100,000+; a room addition or basement finish typically ranges from $25,000 to $75,000. Always request a detailed written estimate and ask whether the quote includes contingency (typically 5–10 percent for unforeseen issues like hidden water damage or code upgrades).
How Harrill Richard & Sons Compares to Other Chattanooga Contractors
Chattanooga's general contracting market includes larger firms like Turner Construction (which focus on commercial work and institutional projects) and smaller owner-operated shops that specialize in specific trades or remodeling niches. Mid-sized outfits like Harrill Richard & Sons typically offer a balance: they are established enough to handle permitting and multi-trade coordination competently but often more flexible and accessible than sprawling commercial contractors. If your project is a straightforward residential remodel under $100,000, a mid-size firm often delivers faster decisions and more direct communication with ownership than a large commercial builder. If your job is a complex commercial tenant improvement or you need a contractor bonded for a $500,000+ project, a firm like Turner may be more appropriate.
Who Harrill Richard & Sons Suits and Who It Does Not
This contractor works best for homeowners doing a significant renovation (not minor handyman work), property owners adding square footage, or small business operators building out a leased space. If you need someone to manage multiple trades, navigate Chattanooga's permitting process, and stand behind the work with a warranty, a general contractor is the right call. You do not need a general contractor for a single-trade job (replacing a water heater, patching drywall, or painting a room); a licensed plumber or handyman is faster and cheaper. Avoid general contractors if your budget is under $10,000 or if you are comfortable hiring and coordinating trades yourself.
What the First Consultation Involves
Contact the company directly to request an estimate. Bring photos, dimensions, and a clear description of the scope (what is being built, replaced, or modified). The contractor should visit the site, ask about timeline and budget, discuss materials and finishes, and provide a written estimate within a week or two. Red flags include contractors who quote over the phone without seeing the space, pressure to sign a contract immediately, or reluctance to provide references. Ask for at least three recent projects you can contact directly, and verify that the contractor is licensed with the Tennessee Construction Licensing Board and carries general liability and workers' compensation insurance.
Hours, Contact, and Logistics
For specific hours and to request an estimate, contact Harrill Richard & Sons directly. Confirm whether they handle permitting internally or coordinate with the homeowner, and ask about their typical project timeline (a kitchen remodel often takes 6–10 weeks; an addition may take 3–6 months depending on weather and inspection schedules).
Harrill Richard & Sons fills a common need in Chattanooga: managing the complexity and coordination of multi-trade construction work so that the property owner is not juggling schedules and responsibility across a dozen contractors. For projects substantial enough to warrant that oversight, the firm's established presence in the local market and licensed status make it a straightforward starting point.
