Reliable Built Homes

By Patti Richter

 

Wooded hills and streams attract homebuyers to north Georgia. These areas include deer, turkey, and other wildlife. Adding mountain views to this mix could be a homeowner’s dream. One local builder found such a spot on the north end of Canton — Bridle Ridge.

Dan Jape, owner of Reliable Built Homes, is the developer and builder of this new subdivision located approximately six miles west of Riverstone Parkway, just off Land Road from Highway 140. The 82 acres of rolling hills feature 26 estate-sized properties on 2-7 acres, with 5 acres of community green space. This scenic setting combined with the curb appeal of the custom homes in Bridle Ridge is very inviting.

Reliable Reputation
Forty-two years ago, Jape founded Reliable Heating & Air to offer heating and cooling services to residents in north Georgia. Paying attention to customer needs and providing top quality service at competitive pricing made Reliable the largest residential service company of its type in North America, “employing over 400 factory-certified technicians,” according to Jape. The company later added plumbing, electrical, and all mechanical services to meet customers’ needs.

“Being fair and honest and doing what was wanted at the time promised brought rapid growth. Word of mouth fueled the need to expand,” Jape says.

By the early 1980s, Reliable was installing HVAC systems in new homes in the rapidly growing metro Atlanta housing market. Later, the company began to specialize in correcting poorly installed systems in other new homes — fixing issues such as high humidity, air quality, and airflow problems.

Jape’s experience in the home performance field eventually led him to use his expertise to build new homes. He made a commitment to do it better from the beginning.

“I wanted to offer the same value I was known for on the mechanical side of things to the whole home,” explains Jape.

In 2017, Jape’s son, Daniel, took over Reliable Heating & Air’s operations. Jape then acquired three subdivisions across the metro area and began searching for the perfect building partner who shared his goal of giving homebuyers houses of distinction. He found Chaz Cook.

“We’d known of each other through work connections,” Jape says. “And I noticed his homes stood out in the crowd.”

Essentially Custom Homes
Cook, a third-generation home builder, learned all about residential construction from his father and grandfather, gaining their 50 years of experience. Cook Homes is well known for quality and architectural detail.

“It takes good people to build a quality home. We have a long-term relationship with some of the finest craftsmen and subcontractors available,” says Cook, who serves as the boots-on-the-ground construction manager at Bridle Ridge, while he and Jape share the role of quality control.

In early 2020, after completing the Lost Creek subdivision and the Glen Ivy townhome complex, Jape and Cook set their sights on Bridle Ridge. Their first five homes sold before completion.

“Bridle Ridge is able to give customers acreage at the same price as small lots available from others in the area,”
Cook says.

There are plenty of builders around Atlanta, but Reliable Built Homes claims several distinctions.

“Flexibility sets us apart from the rest. We will customize a home on the fly with great results,” says Cook.

While other builders feature limited choices in both plans and options, Jape says, “We’ll use our plan or yours. We’re currently building with other plans for two customers.” He adds that they’ll also build for an individual outside of Bridle Ridge, “anywhere in the area, from start to finish, beginning with the architect.”

Bridle Ridge homes feature custom interior and exterior trim with architectural details at prices other builders don’t offer. Reliable Built offers barrel and coffered ceilings, wainscotting, and scrolled trim and roof edges.

“We’re also one of the few builders that include custom-built, solid wood cabinetry, and no two homes are the same.” Jape says.

The Right Questions To Ask
According to Jape, those who desire a newly built home often ask the wrong questions.

He advises homebuyers, “Don’t just ask how much it costs. Instead, ask better questions. Ask what is standard and what is included versus an upgrade. Ask what materials are used. Ask how well-built and efficient the homes are. All our homes include super high efficiency HVAC and plumbing systems from Reliable Heating & Air, and they feature high-end inclusions — million-dollar-home amenities.”

Another thing potential buyers typically want to know is how long the construction will take. Cook, who personally works with Bridle Ridge homebuyers on every detail, says to expect seven to nine months from start to finish. “That’s longer than five to six months with tract home builders who offer no flexibility,” Cook says.

For more information or to tour available lots in Bridle Ridge, contact real estate agent Laura Baker at 678-896-1360 or visit BridleRidgeCanton.com.