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Bold Statement: Experience Counts

When you choose a custom home builder, you’re not just selecting a construction company — you’re trusting someone with your vision, your investment, and your future home. At Collins Design-Build, we take that responsibility seriously. And that begins with the experience and leadership of our founder, Chad Collins.

A Builder With Deep Roots in North Carolina

My name is Chad Collins, and I’ve been immersed in North Carolina’s residential construction industry for over two decades. I founded Collins Design-Build, Inc. with one mission: to build architecturally distinct, enduring homes that reflect the people who live in them — and the land they’re built on.

I bring a hands-on perspective to every project. I’m a licensed General Contractor (Unlimited), a licensed Home Inspector (former Board Member), a  Accredited Master Builder, a Master Certified Green Professional (MCGP), and a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS). I’ve had the privilege of designing and building homes for a wide range of families — from young couples starting out, to retirees building their forever home.

Industry Leadership and Education

Beyond the home site, I’ve worked hard to elevate the profession of home building throughout the state. I serve as a Trustee on the Board of the North Carolina Builder Institute (NCBI) and am an instructor for the Continuing Education classes that help raise the standard of excellence for other licensed builders in our industry. I’ve also written and taught courses that are now part of the state’s builder certification curriculum.

This gives me a unique perspective — not only do I build homes, I help shape how North Carolina builds homes.

Award-Winning, Accessibility-Focused Design

I’m especially proud to say that Collins Design-Build has been honored six years in a row with the Best Aging or Accessibility Residential Home in North Carolina by the North Carolina Home Builders Association’s STARS Awards. These homes go beyond trend — they are thoughtfully crafted for safety, independence, and long-term comfort.

That kind of recognition is not just a trophy on the shelf. It’s a reflection of the care we put into every detail, and the trust our clients place in us.

Looking Ahead

Whether you’re building your first home, your dream home, or a home that will grow with your family for decades to come, my team and I are ready to walk with you every step of the way — from the first sketch to the final walk-through.

If you’re thinking about building in the Triangle or surrounding areas, I invite you to explore our portfolio and reach out. Let’s talk about how my experience can help bring your vision to life.

Ready to build?
Visit our portfolio or contact us to schedule a consultation.

Chad & Emilee Collins

An unlimited licensed general contractor, as well as, a licensed home inspector, Hillsborough NC custom home builder Chad Collins transforms clients’ dreams into elegant, fashionable, timeless homes while maintaining a reputation for skilled craftsmanship, superior quality, and incomparable client service. Collins Design-Build is consistently ranked by the Triangle Business Journal as one of the top custom home builders in the Triangle.

Chad’s commitment to excellence has earned Collins Design-Build numerous top industry awards, including the National Certified Green Professional Builder of the Year, the Durham, Orange & Chatham Counties Home Builder of the Year, and twice awarded the coveted Triangle Sales and Marketing Council’s MAME Building Company of the Year. Chad is one of fewer than 50 Accredited Master Builders in the state of North Carolina.

From the outset of his career, Chad quickly impressed others with his professionalism, integrity, and astute operations management skills. While in high school and college, Chad worked part time with home improvement retailers and building material suppliers, which opened opportunities to work for regional and national home builders throughout much of the 1990s. Chad capitalized on these experiences with local and regional builders to acquire considerable industry knowledge and to forge strong relationships.

Earlier in his career, Chad served as a team leader to local and regional production home builders, distinguishing him by developing processes, tools, and quality-driven teams that improved ROI, cut annual costs, reduced project completion time, and decreased attrition. As a result, Chad advanced increasingly through management positions. Evidence of his talent for coaching and leading teams is that several of his team members and craftsmen he developed relationships with decades ago continue to work with him to this day.

Following that success, Chad was recruited by a national builder opening operations in the Triangle, and he played an important role in helping the company establish operations with a market presence in the region. His efforts in closing over $6,000,000 in custom homes in a single year earned Chad the 2001 Builder of the Year award.

Chad has earned the highest designations available, such as Accredited Master Builder, Master Certified Green Professional, and Aging-in-Place Specialist. Among other industry recognition’s, Collins Design-Build has earned multiple Best Green Built Home NCHBA STARS Awards, Major Renovation Awards and the rare Parade of Homes GOLD Perfect Score Award.

Prior to being elected as the President of the Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange & Chatham Counties, serving over 600 members, Chad was nominated to a five-year term with the North Carolina Home Builders Association as Regional Vice President; serving the largest territory region in the nation. Chad was elected as the Board of Directors President of the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce 2019 and 2020 where he led efforts to increase membership by 15% during a pandemic.

Throughout his career, he has served on various boards of directors and has earned numerous top awards for membership recruitment from the Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange, and Chatham Counties; the North Carolina Home Builders Association; the National Association of Home Builders; the Triangle Community Coalition; and the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce. In 2018 North Carolina Governor appointed Chad to the North Carolina Home Inspectors Licensing Board as Treasurer.

Chad is honored to be an approved speaker for the National Association of Home Builders. Chad has written and taught several courses on green building, as well as, project management to fellow general contractors across the Southern United States. He has instructed for Duke University’s OLLI Continuing Education Program, serving as the Aging-in-Place Specialist. The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors recognizes Chad as an approved Continuing Education Instructor.

For more information and how Hillsborough NC Collins Design-Build may serve you please connect with us through the following:

• Home Building / Remodeling / Additions / Consultations:

Collins Design-Build, Inc.   www.collinsdesignbuild.com

• To find a lot or land / Buy or sell existing Real Estate:

Brooke Fulford, REALTOR  Contact: 252-294-8899 / brooke@westandwoodall.com

• To learn more about Aging In Place or how to make your existing home accessible:

Planning Tomorrow  www.planningtomorrow.com

• Have your existing home painted by our award winning professionals:

Acento Painting, LLC  www.acentopainting.com

Categorized in: Custom Homes

This post was written by Collins Design Build