Sterchi Construction in Chattanooga: Full-Service Residential and Commercial General Contracting

Sterchi Construction is a licensed general contractor serving Chattanooga and surrounding Hamilton County with residential remodels, new construction, and commercial build-outs, operating since the 1980s as a locally-owned firm that manages projects from permitting through final inspection rather than acting as a broker.

What Sterchi Construction actually does

General contractors coordinate all trades on a project: they pull permits, schedule inspections, hire and supervise subcontractors, and manage budgets and timelines. Sterchi Construction handles kitchen and bathroom remodels, room additions, basement finishing, commercial tenant improvements, and new home construction. The firm is licensed as a general contractor in Tennessee and holds bonding, which protects a homeowner if the company fails to complete a job. Unlike some contractors who subcontract nearly everything, Sterchi maintains in-house carpentry and project management, which typically reduces delays caused by communication gaps between separate crews.

Services and pricing

Sterchi Construction prices projects on a fixed or time-and-materials basis depending on scope definition. A kitchen remodel in the Chattanooga area currently runs between $40,000 and $80,000 for mid-range finishes (quartz or solid-surface counters, semi-custom cabinetry, standard appliances); a bathroom remodel between $12,000 and $25,000 depending on whether plumbing is relocated. Room additions and basement finishing vary widely by square footage and finishes; the firm provides itemized estimates after an on-site walkthrough. Commercial projects are quoted individually. Sterchi Construction handles permits and inspections as part of the contract rather than passing permit costs separately to the client, which simplifies budgeting. Verify current pricing directly, as material costs in construction fluctuate quarterly.

How Sterchi compares to other Chattanooga general contractors

Sterchi operates at a different scale than large regional builders like Toll Brothers or David Weekley (which focus on new subdivisions) and differently than one-person handymen. Comparable local general contractors include Chas. E. Smith Inc., which also manages full remodels and new construction but is larger and typically takes bigger commercial projects, and smaller remodel-focused shops that may not handle commercial work or large additions. Sterchi's niche is mid-sized residential projects and moderate commercial jobs where a single point of contact and local presence matter. Choose Sterchi for a remodel where you want continuity from design phase to completion and direct communication with the contractor managing the work. Choose a larger firm if you are building a 10,000-square-foot home or a major commercial tenant improvement. Choose a handyman service for small repairs, single-trade jobs, or under-$5,000 work.

Who Sterchi suits and who it does not

Sterchi Construction works well for homeowners doing a significant remodel (over $20,000) who want a general contractor to coordinate all permits, inspections, and subs, and who prefer to deal with one company rather than managing multiple trades themselves. It suits business owners undertaking a buildout of a commercial space and wanting local, bonded oversight. The firm is not the right fit for quick cosmetic changes (paint, flooring only) that don't require permits or inspections, or for one-off plumbing or electrical calls where you need a service contractor. Sterchi also typically requires projects large enough to justify the overhead of permitting and project management; ask directly about minimum project size.

What the first visit involves

Contact Sterchi Construction by phone or email with photos and a description of the project. A representative schedules an on-site estimate visit, where they walk the space, ask about timeline, budget, and finishes, and discuss whether the project requires city permits (most remodels do in Chattanooga). Within one to two weeks, Sterchi provides a written estimate breaking down labor, materials, and timeline. Homeowners and business owners should prepare a realistic budget beforehand and have clear expectations about finishes and scope; vague estimates lead to change orders later. If you accept, you sign a contract that specifies start date, completion date, payment schedule (often 30% down, 30% at midpoint, 40% at completion), and what happens if either party backs out.

Hours, contact, and logistics

Sterchi Construction operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and schedules projects year-round. Contact the firm at their Chattanooga office for availability; residential remodels typically start within four to eight weeks depending on the season and the firm's queue. Most projects run four weeks to three months; new construction can run longer. Verify current scheduling directly, as capacity varies.

Sterchi Construction has established a reputation in Chattanooga because it manages the parts of remodeling and building that most homeowners and small business owners find frustrating: permits, code compliance, and coordination. For anyone planning a remodel or addition in Chattanooga, a licensed general contractor like Sterchi removes the burden of hiring and managing multiple trades separately.