What you don’t see under a house matters just as much as what you do.
After demolition, we discovered limestone within the footprint of the foundation, but not consistently across the entire site. Some areas were solid rock, others were soil.
That is a problem. When part of a structure sits on rock and another part sits on soil, they settle at different rates. Over time, that leads to differential settlement: cracking in drywall, stress on the structure, and long-term issues that are expensive to fix.
Instead of building on uneven conditions, we brought in a geotechnical engineer and adjusted the approach. We over-excavated the limestone and installed a crushed stone buffer to create a consistent base across the entire footprint. That allows the structure to settle evenly over time.
It’s not something you’ll ever see once the house is finished.
But it’s the kind of decision that determines how the house performs for decades.
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This kitchen sits inside one of the oldest homes in Historic East Nashville, built in 1900 (possibly 1895). Projects like this aren’t just about finishes. They’re about process.
We took the space down to the studs, releveled floors, straight-lined walls, and rebuilt the structure so everything that followed would be precise.
From there, it became a collaboration.
We partnered with our cabinet fabricator for the precision pieces: custom cabinetry, panel-ready appliance fronts, integrated storage solutions, while our in-house trim team handled detailed millwork, alignment, and integration throughout the space. That balance allows us to control quality while being strategic about cost.
Instead of outsourcing everything, we divide the work intentionally:
• Fabricators build what requires factory precision.
• Our carpenters build what makes financial and craftsmanship sense in-house.
• Designers guide material and finish direction.
• We coordinate it all to ensure it aligns seamlessly.
Even matching 100-year-old heart pine floors required three custom stain attempts before we were satisfied. That’s the level of detail historic homes demand.
This is how Artisan builds:
Strong in-house team.
Trusted trade partners.
Clear communication.
Strategic cost control.
#nashvillecontractor #nashvilleconstruction #nashvillehomeremodel #nashvillefinishwork #nashvillecarpentry #nashvillehomerenovation #artisanbuildconstruct #eastnashville
This basement was not a straightforward pour. We were working under an existing structure on a tight lot, and when we started digging we hit rock, which meant traditional concrete forms were not an option.
Over-digging to create the working room those forms require was not possible on this site.
So we looked at every option. CMU block works. Traditional poured walls are better. ICF is the best system for what we needed here, and that is where we landed.
We used the SuperForm ICF system: insulated concrete forms that stack, lock, and stay in place after the pour. The forms are not just structure. They act as built-in insulation, so the wall is tighter and more energy efficient from day one than block or poured concrete would be.
Waterproofing was a primary concern from the start. Rather than treating it as a finishing step, we built a full water management plan into the foundation itself, working with one trade to handle footings, drainage, wall construction, concrete, waterproofing, and insulation in a single coordinated flow. Fewer handoffs means fewer places for something to go wrong.
The form system also has integrated fastening strips, so interior framing and drywall attach directly without adding a separate wood layer. That keeps the finished wall thinner and the interior square footage larger.
A constrained site with rock and limited working room is not an ideal starting point. The right system made it one worth building on.
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This client had been through building and renovating before. On a past project, they chose the lowest bid and ended up going significantly over budget.
So this time, they approached things differently. They asked more questions, compared bids more carefully, and prioritized clarity over price.
We weren’t the lowest number, but we were realistic. From the start, we aligned on a firm budget, talked through where costs could shift, and set expectations clearly. There was no guesswork and no surprises.
The result was a project finished on time, and it hit the budget exactly.
The lowest bid can look appealing upfront, but accuracy and transparency are what actually protect the project.
Thank you for trusting us with your space @ziehersmith !
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When we arrived, these windows had been roped off.
Another contractor had decided to “deal with them later.” They were in rough shape: deteriorated sills, compromised brick, damaged jambs, failing structure. At one point, we were genuinely concerned they could fall out of the house.
But they were original.
And that changed everything.
Instead of replacing them, we rebuilt them, carefully, strategically, and piece by piece.
We preserved as much of the original jams as possible, epoxied and replicated exterior trim profiles, custom-milled new cedar sills on site, rebuilt deteriorated brick bases with hydraulic cement forms, and reinforced the structure internally where decades of damage had compromised integrity.
Only one lower sash had to be remade. Everything else was restored.
These windows are now secure, functional, and structurally sound, even at the highest, most weather-exposed point of the home.
This is what true restoration looks like.
Not cosmetic repair.
Structural responsibility.
Preserving history while strengthening it.
That’s the work we take pride in.
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This storm shelter wasn’t added later, it was planned from the beginning.
The unit itself is prefabricated steel, but everything around it had to be built to support it. We poured a reinforced foundation beneath it, roughly three feet of concrete, tied into the rest of the home’s structure.
The shelter had to be brought in and set before framing even began. Once the foundation and floor system were in place, the steel unit was installed, anchored, and secured, and the rest of the house was built around it.
It’s designed to hold four to five people during a storm. Like a lot of the work we do, it’s not something that stands out visually. But it’s something that matters when it needs to.
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This house was built differently on purpose.
From the beginning, energy efficiency and performance were a priority for the homeowner. That meant going beyond standard construction methods and making intentional decisions about how the house would function long term.
The building envelope was designed to be airtight and watertight, while still allowing the home to breathe properly. Insulation was done with cellulose fiber, not just for efficiency, but for its environmental benefits and sound dampening qualities.
When you tighten a house this much, ventilation matters. That’s where systems like a high-efficiency HVAC setup and an ERV (energy recovery ventilator) come in, bringing in fresh air while maintaining interior conditions.
We also incorporated details you don’t typically see in this area, like a vapor diffusion port in the attic to release heat and moisture without letting anything back in.
Inside the home, sound control was just as important. In certain rooms, we installed double layers of 5/8" drywall with a damping compound between them, allowing the walls to absorb vibration instead of transferring it. Paired with impact-rated windows, it creates a noticeably quieter space.
Most of this work isn’t visible once the house is finished. But it’s what makes the home more comfortable, more efficient, and better to live in every day.
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Skip lap decking or sheathing is what made roofs breathe in older homes: One-by-six boards spaced apart, tar paper on top, and enough air movement to keep things from rotting out.
When we pulled the old shingles on this project, that's exactly what we found: original skip lap decking / sheathing with wide gaps and cracks throughout. It had good history, but not a good foundation for a modern roof.
We installed new sheathing across the full deck, paying particular attention to the outriggers at the soffits where the structure needed solid backing. Then new shingles, tight timeline, weather moving in.
The old system worked for what it was. The new one is built for the next 30 years.
#nashvillecontractor #nashvilleconstruction #nashvillehomeremodel #nashvillefinishwork #nashvillecarpentry #nashvillehomerenovation #artisanbuildconstruct #eastnashville
This project wasn’t just about building a space, but it was about understanding how the space would actually be used.
For a working art gallery, that meant practical decisions, like installing plywood-backed walls so artwork can be hung, moved, and reinstalled easily without damaging the structure. It also meant rethinking familiar materials.
The floors are a good example. Instead of defaulting to a standard finish, we worked with the client to develop a high-polish concrete floor that gives the space a refined, almost terrazzo-like feel, while still being durable and appropriate for the environment.
Thank you @ziehersmith for trusting us with your space!
#nashvillecontractor #nashvilleconstruction #nashvillehomeremodel #nashvillefinishwork #nashvillecarpentry #nashvillehomerenovation #artisanbuildconstruct
This was a fully custom sauna build with red light therapy, infrared units, custom louvers, and a 500-pound illuminated salt wall.
The designer brought the vision: salt blocks, backlit by LEDs, integrated into a functioning sauna. From there, it was on us to engineer the execution.
We milled Spanish cedar and built individual removable capsules for each salt block. We installed plexiglass backing and sourced specialty salt-compatible caulking. We designed ventilation pathways so the red light and infrared units could operate without overheating. We used fire-resistant framing, rock wool insulation, reflective barriers, and waterproof membranes under the floor.
We are proud of taking the designers ideas and bringing them to life.
#nashvillecontractor #nashvilleconstruction #nashvillehomeremodel #nashvillefinishwork #nashvillecarpentry #nashvillehomerenovation #artisanbuildconstruct
Building this gallery wasn’t just about construction, it was about navigating the process with our client.
There was permitting, inspections, city timelines, and all of it comes with variables. Some approvals take two weeks, while others take eight. Inspectors have different standards and requirements change.
That’s where clear expectations matter. From the beginning, we worked with the client to build a realistic timeline, plan for potential delays, and stay flexible when things shifted. When code requirements changed, like having to add an additional bathroom, we adjusted quickly and kept the project moving forward.
The same approach applied to budgeting. We had open conversations about where to invest and where to pull back, so the client could prioritize what mattered most without feeling pressure.
At the end of the day, the goal is simple: clear communication, no surprises, and a finished space delivered when it needs to be.
Thank you @ziehersmith for trusting us with your space!
#nashvillecontractor #nashvilleconstruction #nashvillehomeremodel #nashvillefinishwork #nashvillecarpentry #nashvillehomerenovation #artisanbuildconstruct
Matching 100-year-old floors isn’t simple.
The original heart pine in this home has lived a full life, decades of sun exposure, wear, oxidation, and natural color change. You can’t just drop in new boards and expect them to blend.
We sourced Honduran pine to get the right depth and character, then custom-mixed stain samples, three separate attempts, before landing on the final match.
Board by board, we worked to make the transition feel natural. Not new. Not obvious. Just continuous.
That’s the challenge with historic homes. You’re not installing materials, you’re integrating into history. And when it’s done right, you shouldn’t be able to tell where old stops and new begins.
#nashvillecontractor #nashvilleconstruction #nashvillehomeremodel #nashvillefinishwork #nashvillecarpentry #nashvillehomerenovation #artisanbuildconstruct #eastnashville
