Appalachian Contracting Services

Appalachian Contracting Services is a trusted general contractor based in Dahlonega, Georgia, specializing in custom home building, renovations, additions, and light commercial construction throughout North Georgia. Founded in 1988, the company is known for high-quality craftsmanship, sustainable building practices, and strong client relationships. Appalachian Contracting is an EarthCraft-certified builder committed to energy-efficient and environmentally responsible construction.

Two names sit behind the 1988 start date. Jim and Nancy Combs founded the company in Dahlonega, Jim running the building side and Nancy the books and back office. Jim remains with the firm as vice president. Beau Hughes joined in 2019, having come up through residential remodeling and carpentry before moving into commercial construction project management, and now serves as owner and president. He is a University of North Georgia graduate, a 2024 UNG 20 Under 40 honoree, and a member of Remodelers Advantage, a peer network for remodelers and home builders.

The EarthCraft credential belongs to Beau personally, and it sits alongside a Georgia state licence for residential and light commercial contracting. The firm’s building approach draws on the principles set out in A Pretty Good House, focusing on five specifics: air tightness, insulation levels, window quality, moisture control and mechanical system efficiency.

Because the same team designs and builds, decisions on floor plans, materials, finishes and mechanical systems are coordinated from the outset rather than handed between firms.

The office team is small and long-tenured. Renee Conaway has managed the business side since 2015, drafting contracts and handling bookkeeping and plumbing service scheduling. Project manager Joe Michaelsen started in 1999 as a labourer and worked up, adding Marvin Windows certified installer status and Navien and Rinnai tankless water heater certifications; he leads kitchen and bath remodels, deck builds and restaurant build-outs. Tyler Kropp joined in 2024 from a background in semi-custom home building, siding and roofing. Kelanah Allen, project coordinator and designer, holds a B.S. in interior design and architecture and works on aging-in-place and universal design.

Projects move through six stages: consultation, contract, planning and design, construction, final walk-through, and finishing touches. During construction, clients use a customer portal to track progress, review documents and manage project finances.

The office is at 487 Morrison Moore Pkwy W in Dahlonega, open Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm. Project sizes range from a bathroom refresh to a full custom build.