Forty+ Answers,
one page.

Trust In Him. The name came to founder Steve McKenzie just before TIH’s soft opening in 1997. Read the full story →

TIH Homes has been operating since 1997 — nearly 30 years. Founder Steve McKenzie has been working in construction since 1975.

Yes. A TIH manager walks foundations, framing, mechanicals, and the final QA on every TIH home. The TIH closing representative leads the homeowner-handbook session at closing on every build, and Renee personally leads every buyer through interior selections.

Over 2,000 homes across North Georgia since 1997.

No. TIH builds for buyers of every background. Faith informs how we operate; it doesn’t gatekeep who we work with.

Six to nine months from when the permit is pulled. Slab-foundation builds tend toward the shorter end of the range; full-basement builds and heavily wooded or sloped lots tend toward the longer end. We give you a realistic timeline at the free land evaluation.

TIH’s 18-stage construction manual covers the full build, from site prep through the final orientation. See the full 18-stage breakdown →

A two-hour education in your finished home led by a TIH manager. Front-to-kitchen route, every system explained. Read the orientation story →

Yes. Formal orientations at framing, mechanical rough-in, and pre-drywall. Other visits welcome with notice.

Changes are tracked in writing, priced, and signed before any work proceeds. We don’t surprise anyone with bills. Some changes are easy mid-build; others are practically impossible — we’ll tell you which is which.

At every TIH closing for almost 25 years, a Bible with a handwritten note inside the front cover is presented at the closing table. The tradition was Renee’s idea. Read more →

Cherokee County millage rates and assessed values change each year, but most buyers can budget roughly 0.85–1.1% of the home’s sale price per year for combined county and school taxes. Lake Arrowhead carries the same county rate plus the community’s own assessments. We’ll walk you through the exact current numbers for your lot before closing.

It depends entirely on the community. Build on Your Own Lot properties typically have no HOA. Master-planned communities like Lake Arrowhead carry annual HOA dues plus amenity assessments. We’ll give you the current dues for any community we’re building in so you can underwrite the full monthly cost — not just the mortgage.

You do, but we tell you exactly who to call and when. Electric, water/sewer or well/septic, gas, internet, and trash — each provider has its own setup process and timing. The handbook includes the relevant account numbers and provider contacts so the first day in your new home isn’t spent on hold.

The plan-sheet feature list is the standard package. Buyers commonly upgrade cabinets, countertops, flooring, lighting, plumbing fixtures, and exterior finishes during the selections appointment with Renee. We price every upgrade in writing before any of it ships, so the budget never moves without your approval.

Every change has its own cutoff tied to when it gets installed. Plan changes need to land before permitting. Electrical and plumbing rough-in changes need to land before insulation. Finish changes (paint, fixtures, hardware) have the longest runway — usually right up until trim. We tell you the exact deadline for each category at the start of the build so there are no surprises.

TIH provides the standard one-year Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (HBA) workmanship warranty on the home — covering structural, functional, and mechanical issues, but not cosmetic items. Manufacturer warranties cover appliances and major systems. Everything is consolidated into your closing-day handbook, and a TIH manager’s mobile number is in the binder. The company that builds the home is the company that supports it.

If your land is paid off (or close to it), a construction lender treats the land equity as your down payment. In many cases, $0 cash out of pocket beyond closing. See the full financing guide →

We need to evaluate buildability first — slope, drainage, utility access, easements, zoning. The land walk is free. We tell you what’s possible before any contract.

Common in rural North Georgia. We handle perc testing, septic design, and installation as part of the BOL package. Cost varies by soil; we quote it after the site walk.

No. We handle clearing, grading, driveway, septic or sewer, well or water tap, and electrical service.

Yes. We have a collection of recent plans plus a legacy archive. Or design from scratch. Browse plans →

Pricing for a semi-custom or custom home in Cherokee County and surrounding North Georgia typically runs $200 to $350 per square foot, including land and builder margin. The midpoint is a realistic planning number for most semi-custom builds; the upper end applies when finishes, lot complexity, or architectural detail push the budget higher. Build on Your Own Lot projects start from $400K+. Construction prices in the Southeast jumped roughly $25 per square foot during COVID and have not come back down. Try the cost calculator for a realistic ballpark.

Because there’s no such thing as an exact price for a custom home before we’ve seen the lot. We publish realistic ranges and tier starting points; we deliver a true number after the site walk and plan conversation.

30 days standard. Material price changes — especially lumber and steel — can shift quotes, so we lock the number when the contract is signed.

Both, depending on the contract. Most TIH contracts use allowances for selections (cabinets, fixtures, finishes) so you can choose during the build without re-pricing the whole project.

Our preferred financing partner for Build on Your Own Lot construction loans. Local underwriting, faster decisions, real people on the phone. More on the financing guide →

No. We refer buyers there because they handle BOL well, but you can use any lender that does construction loans. We work with whichever lender you choose.

A single loan that funds the build, then automatically converts to a regular mortgage when the home is finished. One closing, one set of fees. The standard for custom home construction.

For BOL with paid-off land: often $0 beyond closing costs. For master-planned community builds: typically 10–20% of the project cost. Your lender confirms based on credit and project.

Twelve cities across Cherokee, Pickens, Gilmer, Fannin, Bartow, Forsyth, and northern Cobb counties. See the full service-area map →

Sometimes. If your lot is within 45 miles of Canton, call us. Outside that, we’ll tell you honestly whether we’re the right fit.

No. TIH is licensed in Georgia only.

The standard one-year Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (HBA) workmanship warranty on the home — covering structural, functional, and mechanical issues, but explicitly not cosmetic items. Manufacturer warranties cover appliances, roofing, and major systems. A TIH manager’s mobile number is in your closing packet — the company that builds the home is the company that supports it.

Buyer feedback consistently calls this out. Typical response: within a week of the issue being reported. Often within a day or two for urgent items.

Yes. The TIH leadership stays in touch with clients from twenty-plus years ago — dinners, referrals, second builds. The relationship doesn’t end at closing.