About James & Co.
A Chattanooga construction company built on craftsmanship
James & Co. specializes in custom homes, remodels, handcrafted kitchens and cabinetry, and heritage restoration, bringing detail, care, and refinement to homes throughout Chattanooga and the surrounding communities.
James Kellaghan
Our team is led by James Kellaghan, a craftsman trained in Ireland on heritage-listed homes, stone churches, and 12th-century European castles. After nearly a decade leading landmark restorations in Sydney, James brought his trade to Tennessee in 2020, making Chattanooga home with his young family.
We provide a highly personalized building experience for homeowners who value quality materials, thoughtful design, and exquisite workmanship, choosing to work across only a select number of projects each year. This lets us stay hands-on through every stage, from the first conversation and planning through to the final touches, so your project receives the time, attention, and craftsmanship it deserves.
Every project James takes on, he takes on personally. You will not be handed off to someone you have never met. You work directly with James, alongside the same small team of craftsmen and trusted Chattanooga specialists who deliver every James & Co. build.
The James & Co. difference
Decades of global experience, applied locally
Over thirty years across four continents, shaped by work on 12th-century castles and heritage-listed homes. That depth matters in complex work, where older homes and custom builds demand absolute precision and there is no room to hide behind the finish.
Built in-house, with trusted local specialists
Our cabinetry and finish carpentry are crafted and installed by our own team for consistency at every stage. When specialist trades are needed, we work with a small circle of trusted Chattanooga professionals we have built long-term relationships with.
Fully licensed, properly managed, fully insured
James & Co. is a licensed Chattanooga and Tennessee contractor, with every project correctly permitted, fully insured, and managed with attention from start to finish, so you always know where your project stands.
A 15-year workmanship warranty
We stand behind our work long after the project is complete. Every build carries a 15-year workmanship warranty, because when something is built with this level of care, it should last, and it should be backed.
From first conversation to final handover
The conversation
Everything starts with sitting down together. We listen to how you live, what you want the space to feel like, and your rough timeline before anything is drawn.
Design & scope
We build a detailed scope and budget around what you actually want, working from your plans or helping you bring an architect and designer on board.
Built by our team
Cabinetry and finish carpentry are crafted and installed in-house, with a small circle of trusted Chattanooga trades for specialist work. One point of contact throughout.
Handover & warranty
Delivered on budget and finished to a standard built to last. Every project carries a 15-year workmanship warranty, because work done this carefully should be backed.
The standard behind every build
- Old buildings are worth saving
- Good craftsmanship is worth investing in
- A home is often the biggest investment people make, and it deserves to be treated that way
- Clear communication matters just as much as construction
- What you see finished is only as strong as what sits beneath it
- And above all, the conversation always comes first
Serving Chattanooga's finest neighborhoods
Based in Chattanooga and working across Hamilton County, with a focus on the estates and historic homes where craftsmanship matters most.
Lookout Mountain
37350Historic estates and architect-driven remodels, with many homes valued well into seven figures. Brow Road, Fleetwood Drive, and the Fairyland area are where we do some of our most detailed work.
Signal Mountain
37377Large family estates and whole-house renovations and additions. We work across Scenic Highway, Signal Point Road, and the wider Fairmount ridge.
Riverview
37405One of Chattanooga's most established old-money neighborhoods, near the country club. Minnekahda Place, Forest Avenue, and Riverview Road are full of homes built to be kept for generations.
North Chattanooga
37405Executive homes within walking distance of downtown, with strong demand for luxury kitchen remodels and additions along Mississippi Avenue, Forest Avenue, and Tremont Street.
Black Creek
37419Golf-course estates and new luxury construction, where high-end cabinetry and outdoor-living projects come to life along Black Creek Club Drive and River Gorge Drive.
Council Fire & Mountain Shadows
37421Gated, golf-course living along Council Fire Drive and Mountain Shadows Drive, built for homeowners who expect estate-level finishes.