In Chapel Hill and old Durham, the house you want often already exists. It is an older house on a street of big trees, and it needs a builder who can add space without wrecking what made it worth buying. When no house fits, you need a builder who can put a new one on a wooded lot.
Long Developers does both. Owner and builder Beau Long founded the company in 2013, and its portfolio runs from new homes in the Stephens Ridge neighborhood to a historic remodel and addition in Chapel Hill’s Gimghoul neighborhood, with project galleries from Hope Valley, Duke Park, Watts Hillandale and Mt Bolus along the way.
The website is a photo portfolio, light on written detail. This guide covers what the record shows, which projects are new construction, and what to confirm before you sign.
Who Is Long Developers?
Long Developers is a custom and spec home builder and whole-house remodeler based in Chapel Hill. Its About page describes the company in one line: “Custom & Spec Home Builder | Whole House Remodeler | Fine Craftsmanship.”
The company says Beau Long established Long Developers in 2013 and has “since formed a highly talented and enthusiastic team sharing his passion for quality craftsmanship,” with “a collaborative approach with the utmost attention to detail.” Beau is listed as Owner & Builder. The company phone is (919) 259-3895.
Long Developers is listed as a builder member in the 2025 Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County directory, with a Chapel Hill address.
Who it works with
The Gimghoul project page credits the design to Phil Szostak, with Long Developers as builder. The Springhill page, an ipe deck, credits metalwork to Rick of Storybook Metal Fabrications and says the company works with “a few of Chapel Hill’s finest craftsman.” Ask who would design your house.
Where Does Long Developers Build?
Long Developers’ Selected Works name the neighborhoods, though most galleries carry no written description. Where the site gives a location, it is Chapel Hill or Durham:
- Stephens Ridge: two galleries, Lot 01 and Lot 09. The Lot 09 page says it is “1 of 3 homes built by Long Developers in the Stephens Ridge neighborhood.”
- Meadowbrook: described as a “Custom build in Chapel Hill, NC.”
- Gimghoul, Chapel Hill: a historic remodel and addition known as the Sisters’ House.
- Springhill, Chapel Hill: an ipe deck.
- Hope Valley: the page is titled “Durham Custom Home Builder.”
- Duke Park, Durham: two galleries.
- Watts Hillandale, Mt Bolus, Preston and Carolina Forest: photo galleries with no description.
Together they place Long’s work in Chapel Hill and Durham. The site does not say which galleries are new homes and which are remodels, apart from those noted above.
What Does Long Developers Build?
Long Developers builds custom homes and spec homes, and remodels existing houses. The documented new construction is in Stephens Ridge and Meadowbrook. The Gimghoul and Springhill pages are renovation and outdoor work.
| Buyer question | What the public record shows |
|---|---|
| State contractor license | L.72914 (Long Developers, LLC): Building classification, unlimited license limit, active through Dec. 31, 2026 per the NC Licensing Board for General Contractors, checked Oct. 14, 2026 |
| Founded | 2013, by Beau Long |
| Services | Custom homes, spec homes, whole-house remodels |
| Documented new homes | Three homes in Stephens Ridge (per the Lot 09 page); a custom build in Meadowbrook, Chapel Hill |
| Documented remodels | Historic remodel and addition in Gimghoul, designed by Phil Szostak |
| Award signal | The Lot 01 Stephens Ridge gallery is titled “Parade of Homes Gold”; no year or category is given |
| Published pricing | None |
| Warranty | Not published on the website |
The Gimghoul project
The Gimghoul page gives the most detail on the site. It describes a historic Chapel Hill house where the design refreshed original components of the home and kept its cottage charm inside a modern floor plan, and notes the house shows best in spring “amongst the blooming flower gardens.” For a buyer weighing a renovation in one of Chapel Hill’s historic districts, this is the project to ask about.
The Parade signal
The Lot 01 Stephens Ridge gallery carries the page title “Parade of Homes Gold.” The site does not say which Parade, which year or which category. Ask Long Developers for the award record, and confirm it with the organizing HBA.
How Does Building With Long Developers Work?
Long Developers does not publish a step-by-step process. Its Contact page asks prospective clients to share three things up front:
- Your timeline.
- Your budget.
- A brief explanation of what you are “inspired to build.”
That request tells you how the first conversation will go. Come with a budget range and a lot, or at least a target neighborhood, and ask whether the house would be a custom build with your architect, a design Long brings, or one of its spec homes.
What Should You Verify Before Signing With Long Developers?
Before signing with Long Developers, verify which past projects were new homes, who designs, how the contract is priced, and what the warranty covers. Our guides to finding a Triangle builder and why the builder’s agent works for the builder explain how to keep someone on your side.
Sort new builds from remodels
Ask for a list of completed new homes with addresses, sizes and completion years. The Selected Works page mixes new construction and renovation without labels.
Confirm the license and the entity
The website does not publish a license number or legal entity name. Match the company name and license on your contract to the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors.
Ask about the Parade award
Confirm the year, the Parade and the category for the “Parade of Homes Gold” Stephens Ridge home.
Understand historic district rules
If your project is in a Chapel Hill or Durham historic district, exterior changes can need approval before permits. Ask Long how it has handled that review on past projects, including Gimghoul.
Get the warranty in writing
The website does not describe a warranty. Ask for the written terms on new construction and on remodel work, which are often different, and compare them with our home-builder warranty guide.
Check the lot
Wooded infill lots in Chapel Hill and Durham can carry steep grades, tree rules and stormwater limits. Our guide to designing for infill covers what shapes the house before design begins.
How Does Long Developers Compare With Other Building Options?
Long Developers is a small Chapel Hill builder that works on both new homes and established houses, which gives buyers in older neighborhoods two paths with one company.
| Option | Best for | Design | Track record visible online | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Developers new build | A new home on a Chapel Hill or Durham lot | Outside architect or builder-led | Photo galleries | Buyers who want a local craftsman builder |
| Long Developers renovation | Adding to a historic or older house | Outside architect, such as on Gimghoul | Photo galleries | Buyers who love their street but not their floor plan |
| Larger custom builder | Bigger new homes, more process | Varies | Extensive | Buyers who want a long published portfolio |
| Resale in the same neighborhood | Speed | Done | Not applicable | Buyers who accept an older house as-is |
Who Is a Strong Fit for Long Developers?
Long Developers fits a buyer who wants craftsmanship in an established Chapel Hill or Durham neighborhood, whether that means a new house or a careful addition to an old one.
The strongest candidates usually:
- are looking in Chapel Hill or central Durham neighborhoods;
- own, or are buying, an older home they want to expand or restore;
- want a builder who works with architects and specialty trades;
- prefer direct contact with the owner and builder;
- will confirm the license, warranty and award record before signing.
It is a weaker fit for buyers who want published pricing, a large plan library, or a subdivision with amenities.
Final Thoughts About Long Developers From Tim Clarke
Long Developers has a portfolio that reads like a map of the places people want to live around Chapel Hill and Durham: Gimghoul, Hope Valley, Duke Park, Watts Hillandale. Three homes in Stephens Ridge and a Gimghoul restoration with a named architect show a builder comfortable with both new construction and old houses.
The website leaves out most of the details, so ask. Get a list of completed new homes, confirm the Parade award, and read the warranty for the type of work you are hiring.
I have spent 17+ years in Triangle real estate. Our team builds as well as sells, so we can tell you whether an older house is worth expanding or whether the lot is worth more with a new one.
If Long Developers is on your list, call us at (919) 355-8462. We’ll represent you from the first site visit to the final walkthrough.
Sources
- https://www.longdevelopers.com/
- https://www.longdevelopers.com/about
- https://www.longdevelopers.com/contact
- https://www.longdevelopers.com/stephens-ridge (Lot 09 Stephens Ridge)
- https://www.longdevelopers.com/lot-01-stephens-ridge
- https://www.longdevelopers.com/053204149098 (Meadowbrook)
- https://www.longdevelopers.com/gimghoul-in-progress
- https://www.longdevelopers.com/springhill
- https://www.longdevelopers.com/hope-valley
- https://www.longdevelopers.com/duke-park
- https://www.longdevelopers.com/wattshillandale
- https://www.longdevelopers.com/mtbolus
- https://www.longdevelopers.com/prestonwood (Preston)
- https://www.longdevelopers.com/865004006353 (Carolina Forest)
- 2025 HBA Raleigh-Wake County builder-member directory (print)
- https://portal.nclbgc.org/Public/Search (NC Licensing Board for General Contractors, license L.72914)
