Find top-rated Pros in your area

Enter a zip code and get matched to businesses near you.

Shelter Alternatives, Inc.

General Remodeling, Kitchen and Bath Remodeling, Garage and Shed Building,

About us

We are Custom Designers and Builders in the New River Valley adding creativity, energy efficiency, and value to our client's custom homes, additions, and remodeling projects since 1988. Shelter Alternatives, Inc. general contracting team provides residential building and custom design work through our office in downtown Blacksburg, and on your site. Our staff of approximately 24 provides drafting, estimating, jobsite supervision, carpentry, labor, bookkeeping, selections coordination, and energy testing services. We subcontract some specific trades like roofing and plumbing to trusted professional colleagues.

Business highlights

36 years of trusted experience

Services we offer

We offer client education in building science, site analysis, concept drawings, custom design, drafting, 3-D computer modeling, turn-key project management, skilled craftsmanship in homebuilding trades, consulting, creative minds and strong backs, interior selections assistance, energy auditing, building envelope sealing, detailed insulation, geothermal and solar energy solutions, decades of commitment to customer service and community improvement.

Services we don't offer

We are a home building and designing business, not a charity. We do not offer emergency shelter, homelessness assistance, or temporoary shelter for the homeless; these services are provided by the New River Family Shelter at 540-382-6188. We do not offer pre-built homes or lots for sale.

Amenities

Warranties
Yes


Accepted payment methods

Check

Photos of past projects

Reviews

4.69 Reviews
Number of StarsImage of DistributionNumber of Ratings
5
67%
4
33%
3
0%
2
0%
1
0%


Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
4.6
value
3.9
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
4.8
punctuality
4.9
Showing 1-9 of 9 reviews

Karen I.
08/2017
5.0
remodeling
  + -1 more
Excellent company. I have used them multiple times and been very pleased each time.
Description of Work: contractor
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
Yes, I recommend this pro

Susan H.
04/2016
4.0
home remodeling
  + -1 more
While they were very professional some of the workmanship was not. Someone in this organization should learn to calk. All of the calking has had to be redone by another contractor. One of the subs put his foot through the ceiling. The company subcontracted most of the work. It only acted as the general contractor and charged an outrageous amount for this minimal service.
Description of Work: complete renovation of bathroom

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
3.0
value
2.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

$39,000

Deanne E.
07/2014
5.0
remodeling
  + -1 more
Working with Shelter Alternatives was a dream. Everyone on the staff was knowledgeable, professional, courteous and prompt. The new cabinets were the biggest single expenditure. One of the staffers went with us to meet the cabinet maker, walked us through the selection process, explained our options in terms of quality and cost. Same with the lighting and plumbing. The work started as scheduled in spite of bad weather and was completed in just over three weeks, which we're told is amazing for a kitchen remodel. The workers always arrived on time, always left on time and were polite and patient with our questions about the work as it progressed. They cleaned up as they went. We did the painting ourselves to save money, and the Shelter foreman was especially helpful in suggesting the best paint to buy and the most efficient way to do the job. Shelter cost a bit more than the estimates we had from other contractors, but just by a few hundred dollars. We thought that extra investment was well worth the company's outstanding service and the confidence we had that the job would be done right. We also liked that the company reused materials whenever possible. In our case, they were able to save the crown molding, door frames and baseboards, and where new trim was used, they matched it to the existing. We can't imagine how a kitchen remodel could have gone more smoothly. We are thrilled with the results.
Description of Work: Complete kitchen remodel. Removed old cabinets and flooring, replaced with new materials throughout. Replaced ceiling and one wall. Installed propane line for new gas range. Installed recessed lighting in ceiling and under cabinets. Modified plumbing for new sink.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$29,000

Karen I.
12/2013
4.0
garage builders, remodeling
  + 0 more
We intended for the carport to be a simple structure, but due to the side we needed a foundation. Well, it sort of grew from there. While the carport was more involved than I had anticipated, the final product is very nice and a much welcome addition. It blends well with the house, does not look like a rough shed, yet is very functional.
Description of Work: Built a carport

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
3.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
4.0
punctuality
4.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$30,000

Deanne E.
09/2013
5.0
remodeling
  + -1 more
Because this was a remodel of an older home, there were surprises along the way, such as plumbing and wiring issues. The contractor handled everything with great courtesy, promptness and professionalism. We had a glass brick partition installed in the new bathroom, and it took awhile to get the job done to our satisfaction, but the company couldn't have been more gracious and polite about coming back several times to redo and inspect the work. We have had a couple of problems since--for instance, some of the tile in the new shower buckled. They had the subcontractor here within a couple of days to replace it free of charge, and it's good now. One service we especially liked was, after we settled on a budget, someone from the company went with us to various vendors look at fixtures and would tell us if something we liked was over our budget. It was like having a personal shopping assistant. We also liked that the foreman would tell us daily how we could speed along the process. For instance, she would say, and quot;If you can get this wall painted tonight, we can start on the cabinets first thing tomorrow.and quot; We felt very much like partners in the process, and that made the results especially satisfying. One thing about Shelter Alternatives is they are a bit more expensive than other contractors in the area. However, for the extra money you get personalized service. We appreciated that and are considering having this company do a kitchen remodel for us later this year.
Description of Work: converted an old bathroom and bedroom into a master suite with walk-in, two-person shower; added bathroom windows; replaced carpet on first floor with hardwood flooring; upgraded wiring throughout; converted a coat closet to a front-door entry area.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$35,000

Gertrud M.
07/2013
5.0
remodeling
  + -1 more
Everything went very well. We were very satisfied with them.
Description of Work: They installed a new door with framing.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$1,000

Alan G.
06/2013
5.0
garage builders, home remodeling
  + 0 more
We discussed specifics but I thought they're a little high on the price. We're still considering them for work in the future.
Description of Work: Shelter Alternatives, Inc. did an estimate for the remodeling of my kitchen and garage.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
4.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro

Valarie K. R.
04/2013
5.0
basement remodeling
  + -1 more
They figured out an ingenious way to insulate it. Also, there was always a little bit of water trickling in. Shelter figured out a way to dig trenches to keep the water away. They also were creative enough to make the room beautiful that used to be a hole.
Description of Work: We used them to seal our basement and cellar. Our home is very old and when it was built there was no technology to insulate it.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro

Victor W.
02/2012
4.0
home builders, decks, remodeling
  + 1 more
They came well-referred and well-prepared. I would use their services again in the future if needed.
Description of Work: This company added an addition to our house.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
4.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$120,000

    Contact information

    P.O. Box 355, Blacksburg, VA 24063

    www.shelteralternatives.com

    Service hours

    Monday:
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Tuesday:
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Wednesday:
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Thursday:
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Friday:
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

    Licensing

    Insured

    Eco-friendly Accreditations

    LEED Accredited Professional
    No
    Energy Star Partner
    Yes
    EPA Lead-Safe Certified
    Yes
    Use Green Products or Work Practices
    Yes
    State Contractor License Requirements

    All statements concerning insurance, licenses, and bonds are informational only, and are self-reported. Since insurance, licenses and bonds can expire and can be cancelled, homeowners should always check such information for themselves. To find more licensing information for your state, visit our State Contractor License Requirements page.

    *Contact business to see additional licenses.


    Service Categories

    General Remodeling,
    Kitchen and Bath Remodeling,
    Garage and Shed Building,
    Basement Remodeling,
    Homebuilders,
    Decks and Porches,
    Architects

    FAQ

    Shelter Alternatives, Inc. is currently rated 4.6 overall out of 5.

    Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

    Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

    Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

    Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

    Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

    Shelter Alternatives, Inc. accepts the following forms of payment: Check
    No, Shelter Alternatives, Inc. does not offer free project estimates.
    Yes, Shelter Alternatives, Inc. offers eco-friendly accreditations.
    No, Shelter Alternatives, Inc. does not offer a senior discount.
    No, Shelter Alternatives, Inc. does not offer emergency services.
    Yes, Shelter Alternatives, Inc. offers warranties.
    Shelter Alternatives, Inc. offers the following services: We offer client education in building science, site analysis, concept drawings, custom design, drafting, 3-D computer modeling, turn-key project management, skilled craftsmanship in homebuilding trades, consulting, creative minds and strong backs, interior selections assistance, energy auditing, building envelope sealing, detailed insulation, geothermal and solar energy solutions, decades of commitment to customer service and community improvement.
    We are a home building and designing business, not a charity. We do not offer emergency shelter, homelessness assistance, or temporoary shelter for the homeless; these services are provided by the New River Family Shelter at 540-382-6188. We do not offer pre-built homes or lots for sale.

    Contact information

    P.O. Box 355, Blacksburg, VA 24063

    www.shelteralternatives.com

    Service hours

    Monday:
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Tuesday:
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Wednesday:
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Thursday:
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Friday:
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM