Questions we get asked every week.

The basics.

Where is Rivco Construction located?

Our office is at 3520 Eveningside Dr NW, Cleveland, TN 37312. We work across the Chattanooga metro, East Tennessee, and North Georgia.

How do I get an estimate?

Text photos of the space to (423) 883-0594 or use the estimate form on the site. Send a wide shot and a couple of close-ups with a short description; we reply within one business day with a preliminary scope and a time to walk the site.

How quickly does Rivco respond?

Within one business day on estimates, and same-day on emergencies. One Cleveland client called and Alex was on-site in thirty minutes; a Chattanooga business owner had an AC failure on a holiday weekend and Alex turned around from two hours away to get there the same day.

Is Rivco licensed, insured, and bonded?

Yes — licensed and insured in Tennessee and Georgia, BBB-accredited, and family-run since 2003.

What warranty do you offer?

A two-year workmanship warranty in writing on every project, in addition to manufacturer warranties on materials.

Do you take small jobs?

We take repairs and small scopes for existing clients and in our home service area, and we say so honestly when a job is a better fit for a specialty trade.

How does payment work?

Payments are tied to milestones defined in the contract, not to a calendar. You always know what has been completed before a draw is due.

Who is on site day to day?

Every Rivco project has a named Rivco superintendent on-site and a project manager who answers your text the same day.

Home Remodeling questions.

What does a home remodel cost in the Chattanooga area?

A kitchen refresh generally runs $35–55K, a mid-range kitchen or bath remodel $65–95K, and a gut renovation with custom cabinetry and structural changes $120K and up. Whole-home remodels on larger properties typically start around $250K. We give you an honest range on the first walkthrough rather than a teaser number.

How long does a whole-home remodel take?

A straightforward mid-range kitchen is 14–18 weeks door-to-door, including 6–10 weeks of cabinet lead time. Whole-home remodels typically run 5–9 months. We publish the schedule at contract signing and update it weekly.

Can we live in the house during the remodel?

Usually yes. We use negative-air containment, a dust-managed circulation path, and daily site cleanup written into the contract. On our Signal Mountain addition the family slept in their own bed 71 of 76 nights of construction.

Do you handle design as well as construction?

Yes. Rivco is design-build, so we price structure, mechanical routing, and millwork feasibility during design. The number you approve is the number you build to.

What happens if the scope changes mid-project?

Every change is written up with cost and schedule impact before any work happens. On the Murphy kitchen in Cleveland the homeowners added scope mid-job; we documented it, extended the schedule by about two weeks, and finished it out.

Are you licensed and insured in Tennessee and Georgia?

Yes — licensed and insured in both TN and GA, BBB-accredited, and every project carries a two-year written workmanship warranty.

New Construction questions.

What does it cost to build a custom home near Chattanooga?

Custom homes in the Tennessee Valley generally run $250–$450 per square foot depending on finish level, with mountain and steep-lot sites toward the top of that range because of site work and foundation cost.

How long does a custom home take to build?

Plan on 10–16 months from signed plans to move-in, plus 2–4 months of design and permitting ahead of that. Small commercial builds are typically 4–8 months.

Do you help with land and site selection?

Yes. We walk candidate lots before purchase and flag grade, access, septic, and utility issues that would change your build budget after closing.

Who manages permits and engineering?

We do. Rivco coordinates surveys, engineering, and permit submittals in Hamilton, Bradley, Catoosa, and the surrounding jurisdictions.

How many homes do you build a year?

A deliberately limited number, because every project gets a Rivco superintendent on-site and a project manager who answers your text the same day.

Do you build small commercial as well as residential?

Yes — retail build-outs, storefronts, and small commercial shells across the Chattanooga metro and North Georgia.

Roofing questions.

How much does a new roof cost in Chattanooga?

Architectural asphalt shingle roofs generally run $6–9 per square foot installed; standing-seam metal runs $12–18 per square foot. A typical 2,400 sq ft home lands between $14K and $22K for asphalt and $28K–$45K for standing-seam metal.

How fast can you respond to a roof leak?

We are usually on-site within 48 hours for leak diagnosis, and same-day for active emergencies. Storm patching happens before the estimate, not after.

Do you work with insurance claims?

Yes. We provide a free damage assessment, photo documentation, and coordinate directly with your adjuster on storm and hail claims.

Metal or shingle — which is right for my house?

Standing-seam metal carries 40+ year manufacturer warranties and sheds ice and debris well on ridge-line properties. Architectural asphalt costs less up front and suits most subdivision homes. We spec for the roof pitch, the exposure, and how long you plan to stay.

How long does a re-roof take?

Most residential tear-off and re-roof jobs are completed in 1–3 days. Metal roofing typically takes 3–6 days.

What warranty comes with a Rivco roof?

Manufacturer material warranties plus Rivco's two-year written workmanship warranty on every roof we install.

Interior questions.

Do you use your own crews for finish work?

Yes. Our finish crews are Rivco employees, not day labor. The person who sets your tile comes back to caulk it.

Can you do interior-only work without a full remodel?

Yes — flooring, tile, drywall, paint, trim, and cabinetry can be scoped as standalone projects.

What does custom cabinetry cost and how long does it take?

Custom millwork is typically 12–20 weeks from approved shop drawings and often a $15–25K premium over semi-custom. We place long-lead orders during design rather than after permit.

How do you keep dust out of the rest of the house?

Negative-air containment, zip walls, floor protection on the circulation path, and end-of-day cleanup that is a contract line item.

Do you install hardwood over existing subfloor?

Only after we verify the subfloor. On the Murphy kitchen in Cleveland the subfloor needed full replacement — we found it before the flooring went down, not after.

Can you match existing trim and finishes in an older home?

Yes. Historic and mid-century matching is regular work for us across Chattanooga, Red Bank, and Rossville.

Exterior questions.

What siding holds up best in the Tennessee Valley?

Fiber cement is our default recommendation for this climate — it handles summer humidity and winter freeze-thaw better than vinyl and takes paint predictably. We spec for our weather, not a national catalog.

What does a deck cost?

Pressure-treated decks generally run $45–70 per square foot installed; composite and covered outdoor living structures run $90–160 per square foot depending on roof structure and railing.

Do you do masonry and stonework?

Yes — foundations, veneer, chimneys, retaining walls, and hardscape, including steep-lot work on Signal Mountain and Lookout Mountain.

Can you handle storefront facades and ADA retrofits?

Yes. Storefront work, entry retrofits, and accessibility upgrades for small commercial tenants are part of our exterior scope.

How long does a siding replacement take?

Most full siding replacements run 2–4 weeks depending on home size, substrate condition, and paint scope.

Do you replace gutters at the same time?

We recommend it. Gutters, flashing, and drainage are cheapest to correct while the wall is already open.

Text photos and a short description to (423) 883-0594, or send it through the contact form. A real person replies within one business day.