How family-owned Georgia builder, Richardson Housing Group, creates lasting communities
In 1973, Allen Richardson began building homes in suburban Atlanta, initially focusing on just one or two homes at a time. More than five decades later, his son Mark and daughter Angie lead a company that now delivers around 75 homes each year, has surpassed the 5000 home milestone, and has earned the Best of Gwinnett Home Builder award for 20 consecutive years. Although Richardson Housing Group (RHG) provides outstanding customer service, high-quality craftsmanship, and meticulous attention to detail, it isn’t the biggest name in Georgia real estate – and that is entirely by design.
“We like to distinguish ourselves from the national builders,” explains President and CEO Mark Richardson. “We’re building homes consistently, and we have good trade partners who work with us home after home. We’ve developed strong, long-term relationships with them, and we believe that helps keep our quality control up and our pricing consistent.”
Headquartered in Lawrenceville, Georgia, the company’s mid-sized, family-owned structure has proved to be its greatest competitive advantage. While national builders often face high subcontractor turnover, and many custom builders hire new crews for each project, Richardson Housing Group relies on a stable, familiar team, many of whom have worked with the company for decades, ensuring consistent, high-quality results.
Building exclusively in the Greater Gwinnett area, the group focuses on locations offering convenient access to jobs and retail, with many sites located closer to Atlanta rather than on the rural fringes of the county. Specializing in spec homes, RHG builds planned communities rather than custom homes and has expanded its townhome offerings in recent years to meet changing market demand.
Vice President of Construction Matt Powell explains how the company manages multiple jobs without compromising quality. “Typically, we build homes in only two subdivisions at a time,” he notes. “We keep them close, with most within five to ten minutes of each other, so we’re not driving an hour between sites. At any given time, we usually have four or five active developments at various stages.”
Evolving with the market
The company’s current flagship project is Fern Parc, a gated community of 75 townhomes in Norcross, Georgia. Offering two- and three-story units ranging from 1900 to 2200 square feet with three to five bedrooms, the model home is open and sales are underway, highlighting the firm’s ongoing commitment to attainable, well-located housing.
Following Fern Parc, RHG is beginning work on a larger and more diverse development, Villages at Bethesda in Lawrenceville. Mark describes the upcoming project: “Villages at Bethesda will offer both si-gle-family homes and townhomes, with front- and rear-entry options, two- and three-story layouts, and basement units. Streets are paved, and vertical construction is expected to begin later in 2026.”
Design Coordinator Karen Blevons has worked alongside Mark and Matt for ten years and plays a central role in ensuring RHG’s homes remain current and fresh. She tracks design trends closely and implements strategic updates with each new community. “For the past few years, white and grays have been the popular shades in interior design,” she explains. “However, we’re now moving back into shades of brown and taupe, more natural colors and materials such as wood. We always want to give homeowners a little something extra.”
Mark adds: “Karen updates at least one interior design element with each new neighborhood, so we’re constantly evolving with the market. Starting a new project at least every year gives us the flexibility to adjust, and that’s very important.”
Beyond design, Richardson Housing Group provides homeowners with added peace of mind through the 2 10 Home Buyers Warranty, one of the most widely recognized warranty programs in the industry. “We’ve always offered a ten year structural warranty,” Mark says. “Partnering with 2 10 over the past six years has allowed us to deliver even greater confidence and protection for our buyers.”
Longstanding relationships
Having operated successfully for over 50 years, Matt credits much of RHG’s longevity to its loyal partners. “Our relationships with our subcontractors and vendors have been integral,” he says. “We’re very loyal, and we have longstanding relationships with these individuals and companies, which results in greater efficiency in both time and materials.”
Mark agrees and adds that the company’s size has allowed it to adapt through multiple market cycles. “Atlanta has seen incredible growth over the last 50 years, so that’s been a contributing factor,” he says. “But being small enough to remain flexible and adjust to the market along the way has been vital.”
The loyalty that defines RHG’s trade relationships also shapes its internal culture. “We consider ourselves a family-flexible company,” Mark says. “We want employees to be able to attend their kids’ ball games, for example. We don’t want them to feel tied to the office, because work life balance is essential. The fact that we have numerous staff who have been with us for so long means we must be doing something right!”
In addition to its focus on employees and trade partners, the company extends its commitment to the community through the Richardson Family Foundation, established in 2021. The foundation supports Heirborn Ministries, Building Babies’ Brains, and various local charities by organizing fundraising events and participating in community events.
Looking ahead, Mark sees major opportunities in land development and expanding the company’s acquisitions of future properties. “It’s a slow process getting through the entitlements, but we would love to be at a point where we control more land to complement the building side of the business,” he shares. “That way, we can continue focusing on remarkable locations and strong price points.”
For now, the group’s priority is clear: delivering attainable housing in the best locations at prices that meet buyers’ needs. “We want our homes to stand the test of time,” Mark concludes. “High quality, comfortable homes in top notch locations that represent a smart investment.”