Allen Ballew GC

10/10/2026

Caveat Emptor - Let the buyer beware. While having the septic connected to our existing system we were informed that the previous homeowner had installed a driveway extension over the top of the septic drain field piping. So now we must modify our existing system. What good is a permit process that allows this to occur. The DPH drawings are pitiful in depicting were the drain field is actually located. That is one of the reasons buyers can’t actually “beware”. Driveway work is exempted from permitting. Contributing to this is the situation when you have a permit process that is missing or inadequate.

10/10/2026

These photos bring back memories of our old office in Chillicothe, Ohio. We worked there for 31 years before relocating to Columbus—and spent a lot of long days there.

Most of our work was for the federal government. We routinely had about eight projects underway in various stages, competing against contractors 10 to 1,000 times our size.

Public works contracting carries a tremendous administrative burden. Our office had 12 legal-size file cabinets, plus three to six banker’s boxes usually being filled or waiting to be filed. Every project required close attention to both the construction and the paperwork. Managing that responsibility became part of how we worked.

Today, our pace is slower, and our overhead is a tiny fraction of what it once was. Our focus has shifted to Design-Build. We create the design using 3D modeling software, develop permit-ready plans from the model, and price the construction from those plans. This helps clients visualize their project and understand what they are getting before construction begins.

Excellence has always been our goal. Decades in the demanding world of government contracting taught us the daily practices needed to pursue it: careful planning, clear documentation, and attention to detail.

We now focus on residential and light commercial.

ALLEN BALLEW General Contractor, LLC
(740) 649-1351

09/06/2026

You wouldn’t ask a grocer, “How much is a bag of groceries?”

The answer depends on what is in the bag—and its quality. One bag might contain economy products; another may contain premium meats and fresh produce. The bags may be the same size, but their value is not.

So why ask what a house costs per square foot before determining what goes into it?

A 2,000-square-foot house may contain approximately 15,000 separately installed components. Its true cost depends on the design, the materials selected, the quality of those materials and the workmanship used to put everything together.

Square-foot pricing can provide a preliminary budget, but it cannot define the finished product.

We design the project, identify its components, establish its quality and price what will actually be built.

Our delivery system addresses this perfectly. We design-build with 3D Modeling for everyone’s benefit. We have open book pricing so you see the value. Both of these houses have the same square footage.

ALLEN BALLEW General Contractor, LLC
Tyrone, GA
PH: (740) 649-1351
EM: [email protected]

09/05/2026

A House Is Not Built by the Square Foot

A square-foot price can be useful for preliminary budgeting—but it is not a properly developed construction price.

A typical 2,000-square-foot house may contain approximately 15,000 separately installed components—or nearly 50,000 individual pieces when fasteners are included. Every board, shingle, electrical device, wire run, plumbing fitting and piece of trim affects the final cost.

That is why we do not price projects “from the hip.”

We measure and model the existing structure, work with the owner to develop the design, and then virtually build the project in 3D. The completed model provides the basis for permit drawings, detailed material quantities, vendor pricing and subcontractor proposals.

Only then do we provide a firm, open-book price.

Square-foot pricing starts with an assumption. Our pricing starts with the actual project.

ALLEN BALLEW General Contractor, LLC
Tyrone, GA
(740) 649-1351

We are a client-focused General Contractor with over 30 years of experience.

09/05/2026

We hope this screen porch addition will be our next build.

Our process began by visiting the property and carefully measuring the existing house. We then created a detailed 3D model of the existing structure so the new porch could be designed to connect accurately and look as though it had always been part of the home.

Working closely with the homeowners, we developed a preliminary design that reflected their goals while incorporating our construction experience. Once that design was approved, we moved into detailed modeling—virtually building the entire addition before construction begins.

This process allows us to identify and resolve potential problems in advance. The completed 3D model also provides the foundation for producing the detailed construction drawings needed to apply for and obtain the building permit.

The model enables us to prepare a detailed quantity survey, obtain accurate vendor pricing and subcontractor proposals, and clearly show the homeowners exactly what is being built.

After pricing is complete, we provide a firm, hard-dollar proposal. Because we use an open-book pricing approach, our clients can see the detailed costs—and ultimately the receipts—for the materials and work included in their project.

The result is a building process based on careful planning, accurate pricing, fewer surprises and clear expectations.

We are convinced this is the best way to build.

Allow us to help you realize your home-improvement dream through our unique design-build process.

ALLEN BALLEW General Contractor, LLC
Tyrone, GA

(740) 649-1351

09/05/2026

We are working on soffits and find that our build has already received an occupancy permit from the Yellow Orb Weavers. You can maybe see one in this photo, but there are about 5 webs with spiders in this view. I really don’t want bugs in the shop so we are taking measures as best we can. I added screen mesh behind the vented soffit in case those holes looked inviting.

We were down to one coil nailer until today. Managed to replace the drive pin in my Metabo coil nailer. The manufacturer no longer made repair part, so got if from aftermarket dealer. I hate opening something up for the first time. I braced myself for a bunch of springs popping out and not knowing where they came from. I did find and download an exploded diagram before opening it up. In the old days I would have either chucked it or sent it off for repair. We try to save money where we can in this economy.

09/02/2026

I like saving money like everyone else. The prices received for entrances like this ranged from $3,500.00 to $ 5,500.00. I have $1,800.00 in this one. We purchased windows and door frame materials and used salvaged doors.

08/31/2026

Base pay ranges from $ 20.00 to $40.00/ HR depending on skill. Incentive/bonus pay as well. Flexible hours. Call (740) 649-1351 or Email [email protected]. We have been in business since 1984.

ALLEN BALLEW General Contractor, LLC
Tyrone, GA

WEB: http://www.abgc.com

08/31/2026

So the router would not reach the back of the mortise; time to go “old school.” One thing you must have for this is a sharp chisel. One of the things my dad taught me was how to chisel out a hinge mortise. Not forgotten.

08/30/2026

We are serious about wood decks. We remedied this 3 level deck in Cherry Log, GA. The posts were resting the wood deck. There was no continuation from deck to deck. It was moving. We design all our projects with 3D modeling to assure accuracy solid design.

ALLEN BALLEW General Contractor, LLC
Tyrone, GA
(740) 649-1351

Call us for the solution.