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Barrett Design + Build

Renovations and additions,
built by a builder.

Kitchens, major renovations, and detached garages and carriage houses with living space above. Designed and built by the same family that has built luxury homes in McLean, Great Falls, and Arlington since 1987, and led day to day by Brad Chamberlin. Most projects start around $150K.

Design and construction under one roofClass A Virginia contractorOne accountable teamFamily-led
1987
Building since
150+
Luxury homes built
$150K+
Where most projects start
1
Team, design to done
What We Build

Three ways we
improve your home.

We keep the scope focused so every project gets senior attention and a team that has done it many times.

01

Garages, Carriage Houses & ADUs

Detached garages with finished living space above: guest suites, home offices, studios, or in-law quarters. Architecture that matches the main house.

02

Kitchens

Full kitchen renovations with custom cabinetry, layout changes, structural work, and the mechanical upgrades a great kitchen needs.

03

Major Renovations & Additions

Kitchen with family room, mudroom, or primary suite. Whole-floor renovations and additions that change how the home lives.

Two-car carriage house with living space above
Garages & Carriage Houses

More space,
without moving.

A detached garage with a finished suite above it gives you parking, storage, and a whole new room for guests, family, or work, on the lot you already love.

Designed to belong. Rooflines, materials, and trim that match the main house, so it looks like it was always there.
Real living space. Kitchenette, full bath, HVAC, and finishes at the same standard as the main home.
We handle the approvals. Zoning, setbacks, and permitting for your jurisdiction are part of our process. Rules differ by county and lot, so we confirm what is allowed on your property before you commit.
One team, one price path. Site work, foundation, framing, and finishes under a single contract.
Three-car carriage house with cupola Three-car farmhouse-style garage Three-car garage at twilight Interior of a finished carriage house suite
Kitchens & Major Renovations

Renovate the way
you actually live.

The best kitchens are rarely just kitchens. Opening a wall, adding a mudroom, or connecting to the family room changes how the whole house works. We plan the full scope up front so the project is done once and done right.

Plan the whole scope. Kitchen, family room, mudroom, and primary suite are designed together instead of piecemeal.
Builder-level detail. Structural, mechanical, and finish decisions are made by the people who build custom homes every day.
Primary suites and baths. Spa-quality baths with the tile, stone, and fixtures to match.
A clear path. Defined scope, scheduled milestones, and one point of contact from design through punch list.
Custom kitchen with walnut island and white cabinetry
Custom kitchen detail Kitchen island and cabinetry Primary bath with freestanding tub Double vanity with gold mirrors
Renovate or Rebuild?

An honest answer,
whichever way it points.

Because we also build custom homes and buy lots, we have no reason to push you toward the bigger project. If a renovation is the right call, we will say so. If the house is better replaced, we will say that too.

Good bones

Renovate

The house is sound and the location is right. A focused renovation or addition gets you what you need for far less than starting over.

Outgrown the house

Build New

When the renovation scope approaches the cost of a new home, a custom build on your lot may be the better investment.

Talk to us about a custom home →

Ready to move on

Sell the Lot

If the land is worth more than the house, we buy directly, as-is and confidentially.

Request a confidential offer →

Brad Chamberlin, Barrett Design + Build
Your Point of Contact

Led by
Brad Chamberlin.

Brad leads Barrett Design + Build as VP of Field Operations, with more than 12 years of experience in residential renovation and remodeling. When you call, you reach the family. When your project is underway, Brad is on the job.

Barrett is a Class A licensed Virginia contractor (No. 2705019839) and a fourth-generation Northern Virginia building family.

How It Works

From first call
to final walkthrough.

Conversation

We meet at the house, listen to how you live, and talk through scope, budget, and timing.

Design & Pricing

Plans, selections, and a clear price path, with zoning and permitting reviewed up front.

Build

Our team builds it, with scheduled milestones and one point of contact throughout.

Walkthrough

A detailed final walkthrough and punch list before we call it done.

Common Questions

Good questions.

What size projects do you take on?+
Most projects start around $150K, and we are open to the right project below that. We focus on garages and carriage houses, kitchens, and larger renovations and additions, which lets us give each one senior attention.
Can I add living space above a detached garage?+
Often, yes. What is allowed depends on your county, lot size, setbacks, and zoning. We review these before you commit to anything so you know what is possible on your property.
Do you handle design as well as construction?+
Yes. We coordinate architecture, interior selections, and construction as one team, so design decisions are made with real construction costs in view.
Can I live in the house during the work?+
Garage and carriage-house projects are separate from the main house, so most families stay put. For kitchens and larger renovations, we plan phasing and temporary arrangements with you up front.
How long does a project take?+
It depends on scope, design, and permitting. We give you a realistic schedule with milestones once the scope is defined, rather than a guess on the first call.
Should I renovate or build new?+
Sometimes a renovation is the better value and sometimes a new home is. Because we do both, we will give you an honest comparison for your property.
Start a Project

Tell us what
you're picturing.

A member of the Barrett Design + Build team will review it personally and get back to you within one business day.

Prefer to talk?

Start Your Project

No obligation. We respond within one business day.

Call UsFree Consultation