Creative Home Building by McConnell Custom Homes embodies more than 30 years of craftsmanship, family values, and client-focused excellence
For more than three decades, Creative Home Building by McConnell Custom Homes (MCH) has built its reputation on the simple philosophy that every project should be crafted with the same care, quality, and attention to detail as if it were being built for their own family. Founded by Kirk McConnell in 1993, the family-owned company has become a trusted name in custom luxury homes throughout the Atlanta region, earning recognition for its commitment to exceptional craftsmanship, personalized service, and lasting value.
Alongside its renowned custom homebuilding and remodeling services, MCH also delivers high-quality commercial construction, bringing the same family-centered values and uncompromising standards to businesses seeking thoughtfully designed, expertly built spaces. Recognized as Forsyth County News’ Number One Builder year after year, with a reputable network of new and repeat clients, the company’s mission remains unchanged – creating homes and commercial properties that are sound investments, built to serve clients for years to come.
As MCH enters its newest growth chapter, Kirk has proudly welcomed his two children – son Trey McConnell and daughter Trevor McConnell – into the business. Trey oversees the company’s Atlanta projects, while Trevor leads the company’s Nashville expansion, combining her background in marketing, design, and residential construction to deliver thoughtfully executed custom homes. Modern Home Builders sits down with Trey to dive deeper into the business’ Atlanta operations, while taking a closer look at the factors driving its 33-year success.
“My father started this business in the early 1990s. We started out doing small projects and quickly evolved into the full custom homebuilder that we are today,” Trey begins. “Like many businesses, we grew from humble beginnings; we were actually a coffee and donut shop before this.
“My father is still involved in the business today, building in Fernandina Beach, Florida,” he says. “I began working for a different spec builder to understand the industry before working with my father, which I have been now for around 11 years. I now build here in North Atlanta, specifically around Lake Lanier in Georgia.”
Team-first culture
Building alongside his father gave Trey a firsthand understanding of what it takes to create custom homes while maintaining the values the company was founded on. Now leading projects in North Atlanta, he has developed his own client-focused approach rooted in transparency, education, and collaboration. For Trey, a successful build begins long before construction starts, with clear expectations and a shared vision between builder and homeowner.
“For the most part, I’m a one-man show for this area – much like my father in Fernandina Beach,” he elaborates. “At the beginning of the process, I really try to home in on what, in a perfect world, the client’s home would look like, and how much we’d have spent upon completion. I’ll really send my clients on an education exercise so that they truly understand the processes and associated costs. Once we get through that, we’re on the same team; the client knows what they’re up against in 2026. I like to take the training wheels off my clients and let them go ride.
“The most important thing about the way we try to do business is that we create an environment where we’re a team: I’m going to be as transparent with you as I possibly can, and I expect the same honesty back. That’s how a good builder-client relationship works. Most of the time, a client walks into our office with their own house plan and says: ‘this is what I want’. It’s then my job to adapt what they want and turn it into reality – within their budget. That’s the art and magic of the business. I’ve also got a list of architects that I recommend depending on the level of the project. Budget is really important – the question I always ask is: ‘Are we building a Toyota Camry or a Maserati?’.”
Stress-free construction
While establishing a clear vision and realistic budget lays the foundation for a successful project, Trey notes that the real test comes once construction is underway. Turning plans into reality requires constant decision-making, careful cost management, and guiding clients through what can be an emotional process. Currently building within the $1m-3m market, with ambitions of moving into the $5m-10m market, it’s this balancing act, he says, that defines custom homebuilding today.
“In 2026, the biggest challenge for any builder is budget. Anybody can put sticks and bricks together, but the magic of the craft is putting everything together at a certain price to your customers’ expectations,” Trey explains. “I always joke with my clients that they can think of me as not just their builder, but a psychologist. Building a home is a very stressful process, but managing that is part of the job too. Few people have the luxury of building a custom home in their lifetime; there’s going to be question marks along the way, but it’ll all work out fine in the end.”
Trust and transparency
For Trey, successfully managing the pressures of a custom build is as much about technical expertise as it is about earning and maintaining trust. While budgets, timelines, and unexpected challenges are inevitable, he believes lasting success comes from the relationships built throughout the process – a philosophy that continues to shape the company’s reputation and future.
“In terms of continued success, I’m a firm believer that, as long as we continue to create a premium product and remain transparent and honest to our clients, we’ll continue to be successful. It’s that mindset that I think sets us apart from others. I always tell people that you want to shop for a builder in the same way you’d shop for your husband; you need to be able to trust this person 100 percent,” Trey reveals.
As MCH looks to the future, the company remains firmly rooted in the principles that have guided it since 1993. With a second generation now helping to lead the business, MCH is combining decades of experience with a forward-looking vision, expanding its geographic reach while continuing to deliver the personalized service and exceptional craftsmanship that have defined its reputation for more than 30 years. For Trey, the formula for sustained success is straightforward: build quality homes, foster lasting relationships, and approach every project with integrity, craftsmanship, and an unwavering commitment to every client. It is this unwavering focus on trust and excellence that positions MCH to continue shaping distinctive homes – and enduring client partnerships – for many more generations to come.
