A no-HOA estate lot between Wake Forest and Zebulon, a Newport Beach–inspired exterior, and a first-floor primary suite for $1,100,000. That is the home East Coast Construction put on the 2026 Parade of Homes.
East Coast Construction is a Youngsville general contractor led by CEO Grant Johnson. It builds custom homes, spec homes, and pre-sales, designs its own plans, and also takes on remodels, light commercial work, and consulting. Its 2026 entry, Shepherd’s Manor at 3800 Peaceful Creek Trail in Chapel Creek, appears on both the Franklin County Parade of Homes and the Triangle Parade of Homes.
This guide covers what the company documents and what a buyer should get in writing before the deposit.
Who Is East Coast Construction?
East Coast Construction is a general contractor based in Youngsville, North Carolina. Its website says it handles residential and light commercial construction, high-end renovations and additions, custom whole-house remodels, new-home construction, and select commercial projects.
Leadership and location
The company’s website names Grant Johnson, CEO, and says its mission is “to provide the highest-quality workmanship possible.” The Franklin County Home Builders Association lists East Coast Construction as a builder member at 1339 Bethlehem Church Road in Youngsville. The 2026 Franklin County Parade guide lists the website as ecoastc.com and the phone number as (919) 600-0287.
The company does not publish a founding year, a count of completed homes, a staff roster, or a license number. Confirm the contracting entity and its general contractor license with the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors.
Name check: “East Coast Construction” is a common business name. This page covers the Youngsville, NC company at ecoastc.com only.
Where East Coast Construction builds
The company says it serves Raleigh and surrounding cities and towns. Its documented new-home work is in Chapel Creek, a no-HOA estate enclave with a zebulon address. The Parade guide describes Shepherd’s Manor as “conveniently located between Wake Forest and Zebulon,” with access to Highway 64 and Raleigh. See our wake-forest and raleigh guides for the surrounding market.
Communities where East Coast Construction builds
East Coast Construction builds in these communities, based on our team’s own knowledge of the builder’s work. Ask the builder which have homesites open today before you plan around one.
- Chapel Creek, Zebulon
- Beaver Creek, Middlesex
What Does East Coast Construction Build?
East Coast Construction builds custom homes, spec homes, and pre-sale homes, and it designs in-house. The Parade guide credits the architectural design of Shepherd’s Manor to East Coast Construction itself.
| Buyer question | What the public record shows |
|---|---|
| Residential services | Custom homes, spec builds, pre-sales, remodeling projects. |
| Design services | Planning and engineering, interior design and selections, renderings. |
| Other lines | Commercial upfit, entrance monuments, mail kiosks, playgrounds, pocket parks, consulting, inspection services, and equipment rentals. |
| 2026 Parade price | $1,100,000 for Shepherd’s Manor, 3,627 sq ft. |
| Prior Chapel Creek sale | 3801 Peaceful Creek Trail closed at $909,005 (secondary source, see below). |
| Published price list or warranty | Neither appears on the website. |
That service list is wider than most home builders publish. Commercial upfits, subdivision amenities, and equipment rental sit alongside custom homes. Ask how many new homes the company has under construction at once and who supervises yours.
The 2026 Parade home: Shepherd’s Manor
Shepherd’s Manor is entry 9 in the 2026 Franklin County Parade of Homes and also appears on the 2026 Triangle Parade of Homes. The Franklin County Parade guide lists:
- 3800 Peaceful Creek Trail, Zebulon, in Chapel Creek
- $1,100,000
- 3,627 square feet, four bedrooms, 3.5 baths
- A homesite with no HOA
- A first-floor primary suite with a soaking tub, walk-in shower, dual vanities, and walk-in closet
- A two-story family room with a gas fireplace
- A kitchen with a large center island, coffee and bar area, and adjoining dining
- Three bedrooms upstairs, a recreation room, flexible bonus space, and an overlook to the family room
- Covered front and rear porches and a two-car garage
The Triangle Parade entry describes the design as inspired by “Newport Beach coastal architecture.” The rendering shows gambrel dormers and shingle siding. The listing agent is Amy Winstead of Lot and Home.
An earlier Chapel Creek home
A Jim Allen Group MLS record (secondary source) shows 3801 Peaceful Creek Trail, marketed as a “Stunning Modern Prairie Style Home to be built in beautiful Chapel Creek by East Coast Construction.” It closed at $909,005 for 3,357 square feet, three bedrooms, 3.5 baths, on 1.03 acres, with a 2025 year built. Two homes on the same street in two different styles suggest the company does not build one plan on repeat.
How Does the East Coast Construction Process Work?
East Coast Construction publishes a two-phase design-build process on its website.
Design and planning phase
- Initial consultation: goals, use of space, inspiration, and overall vision.
- Preliminary design and project cost range: a first design and an estimated cost range.
- Design partnership agreement: a contract covering budget, timing, and selection deadlines.
- Existing conditions and design alternatives.
- Design revisions and materials selection.
- Final design approval.
- Construction contract: cost, timing, and construction phases.
Construction phase
- Project initiation.
- Ongoing construction updates.
- Project completion.
- Completed project consultation: feedback and questions.
The structure is sound. Signing a design agreement before the construction contract gives you a priced design before you commit to the build. Two notes. The process page was written for remodels as much as new homes; it mentions protecting floors and removing unwanted materials. And the summary text under both phases is still template placeholder copy. Ask for the new-construction version of the process in writing.
What Should You Verify Before Signing With East Coast Construction?
Before signing with East Coast Construction, verify the license, the design agreement, the warranty, and the land.
Confirm the license and entity
Get the exact legal name on the contract and check its license and limitation with the NC Licensing Board for General Contractors. Ask for certificates of general liability and workers’ compensation coverage, and a lien-waiver process for every draw.
Read the design partnership agreement closely
The company’s process puts a paid or binding design agreement ahead of the construction contract. Ask what it costs, who owns the plans if you do not build with them, and whether the design fee is credited to construction.
Get the warranty document
The East Coast Construction website does not describe a warranty. Ask for the written warranty, its coverage periods, and the claim process. Compare it using our home builder warranty guide.
Understand the land in Chapel Creek
Chapel Creek homesites have no HOA, which means fewer rules and no shared maintenance. Ask about well, septic, driveway, and drainage costs, and whether they are in the price. Our North Carolina septic guide and land-buying guide explain what to check.
Ask for references and finished examples
The website shows project photos but does not name the homes or publish testimonials. Ask for addresses of completed homes you can drive past and two or three owners you can call. Ask about final cost against contract, change-order pricing, and punch-list response.
Know who represents you
The listing agent on Shepherd’s Manor represents the seller. Read why the builder’s agent is not your agent before you negotiate.
How Does East Coast Construction Compare With Other Building Options?
East Coast Construction offers three ways in: a finished spec home, a pre-sale where you pick finishes during construction, or a ground-up custom build.
| Path | When you commit | What you control | Price certainty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spec home | Near or after completion | Little | Highest |
| Pre-sale | During construction | Finishes and some layout | Moderate |
| Custom design-build | Before design | Nearly everything | Develops with design |
Our spec vs. pre-sale guide covers the trade-offs in more detail.
Who Is a Strong Fit for East Coast Construction?
East Coast Construction fits a buyer who wants a distinctive design on an acre or more of no-HOA land within reach of Wake Forest and Raleigh, with a budget near $900,000 to $1.1 million based on its documented Chapel Creek homes.
The strongest candidates usually have:
- a preference for in-house design over buying a stock plan;
- a lot in hand, or interest in the remaining estate-lot communities east of Wake Forest;
- time for a structured design phase before construction pricing;
- their own agent and attorney on the contract.
It is a weaker fit for buyers who want a long public track record to read online before the first meeting. The company’s website does not publish one, so you will build that file yourself through references.
Final Thoughts About East Coast Construction From Tim Clarke
East Coast Construction has two documented Chapel Creek homes in two very different styles: a modern prairie home that closed at $909,005 and a coastal-inspired Parade home listed at $1.1 million. It designs in-house and lays out a real design-to-contract sequence. Those are good signs.
What the public record does not show yet is a history. No founding year, no count of homes, no warranty terms, and no testimonials. None of that is disqualifying. It means the due diligence falls on you.
I have spent 17+ years in Triangle real estate. When a builder’s online record is thin, the buyer’s best tools are the contract and the references. Get the design agreement terms, the license, the insurance certificates, the warranty, and three past clients before you sign anything.
Our team builds and sells, and we represent the buyer. If East Coast Construction is on your list, bring us the proposal and the lot. We will compare the number against the Chapel Creek sales and tell you what is missing. Call (919) 355-8462 to set up a review or a tour.
Sources
- https://ecoastc.com/
- https://ecoastc.com/about/
- https://ecoastc.com/services/residential/
- https://ecoastc.com/design-build-process/
- https://members.franklincountyhba.com/member-directory/Details/east-coast-construction-4953203
- https://www.triangleparade.com/companies/east-coast-construction
- https://www.triangleparade.com/entries/1178
- https://franklincountyhba.com/parade-of-homes/
- https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/2621/2026/09/2026-Parade-Map-compressed.jpg (2026 Franklin County Parade map and entry list)
- https://issuu.com/circamagazine/docs/2026_franklin_county_parade_of_homes_guide (2026 Franklin County Parade of Homes guide, page 28)
- https://www.jimallen.com/homes/3801-Peaceful-Creek-Trail-Zebulon-NC-27597/232f4ef50f5f268693d904afdcdcbdcd (secondary source: MLS record for 3801 Peaceful Creek Trail)
- Tim M. Clarke Team field knowledge, October 2026 (community list confirmed by Tim M. Clarke)
