Chattanooga, Tennessee

Thoughtful spaces, made to last.

New construction, additions and renovations, built hands-on from planning through completion.

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View Our Work
Start a Project
Start a Project

New Construction

•

Additions

•

Renovations

•

Custom Homes

•

Timber Framing

•

Chattanooga, TN

•

New Construction • Additions • Renovations • Custom Homes • Timber Framing • Chattanooga, TN • 

Who we are

Craftsmanship with practical design.

At Dovetail Builders, we focus on thoughtful, well-built spaces that are made to last. Founded by Joe Gruss, Dovetail Builders brings more than 20 years of experience in residential and commercial construction, with a hands-on approach to every project from planning through completion.

Joe Gruss

Founder, Dovetail Builders

A man with brown hair smiling outdoors, wearing a light-colored, striped, button-down shirt, with a blurred background of yellow grass, trees, and a partly cloudy sky.
More about us
Construction of a wooden pavilion in a wooded area, with workers and tools present.

20+

Years of construction experience

4

Core services, from new builds to timber frames

2

Sectors, residential and commercial

1

Point of contact, start to finish

Selected work

Recent projects

View full portfolio
View full portfolio 
What we build

From new builds to one-of-a-kind work.

New Construction

Our focus. Custom homes, townhomes and commercial buildings, taken from an empty lot to move-in ready.

Outline icon of a house with a chimney, depicted in white lines on a black background.

Additions

More room that looks like it was always there, tied cleanly into the existing structure, roofline and finishes.

Outline icon of a house with a check mark in a circle next to it.

Renovations

Kitchens, baths and whole-home remodels that call for creativity, problem-solving and attention to detail.

Icon of a house with a wrench, a screwdriver, a gear, and a flame inside, representing home maintenance or repair services.

Custom & Timber Frame

Studios, pavilions and unique builds, including traditional timber framing with hand-cut joinery.

Icon of a house with a paint roller inside.
A house under construction with green sheathing and a pitched roof, partially built, next to other completed houses in a neighborhood with a blue sky. 
How we work

Collaborative and straightforward.

One builder, involved from the first conversation to the final walkthrough.

  • Construction workers are building a foundation for a new structure in a residential backyard. There is a yellow mini excavator labeled 'New Holland' on the right, and wooden framing around the construction area. Some workers are welding, and others are working with tools. A white fence separates the yard from neighboring houses, and several cars are parked nearby.

    Plan

    Talk it through

    We start with your ideas, your site and your budget, and help figure out the best path forward.

  • Three men building a wooden structure outdoors in a wooded area. The structure has vertical and horizontal beams, with two ladders and construction tools nearby.

    Build

    Hands-on on site

    Joe stays involved day to day, with clear communication so you always know where things stand.

  • Modern kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite countertop island, black herringbone backsplash, and pendant lighting, with a bowl of green apples on the island.

    Finish

    Made to last

    Solid work and careful finishing, so the space feels right for the people using it.

A large graphic of two brown quotation marks facing away from each other.

We draw a lot of inspiration from the outdoors and the character of the region around us.

Dovetail Builders, Chattanooga
Contact us

Have a project in mind? We’d love to hear about it.

Whether you’re planning a new build, renovation, or addition, we’re happy to talk through ideas and help figure out the best path forward.

Start a Project
Start a Project
434 806 9962
434 806 9962

joe@builddovetail.com

Chattanooga, Tennessee