Custom Carpentry
Staircases, built-ins, trim and millwork made for the house.
Special projects · Sumner County & Greater NashvilleSpecial Projects cabins, staircases and one-off builds
The requests that fit no category: cabins in the woods, a staircase built as a centerpiece, a timber-frame pavilion, a Victorian porch brought back. Planned in detail and built by a licensed general contractor.
- BBB Accredited A+ rating · zero complaints
- Licensed & Insured TN Contractor License #79477
- 25+ Years in the Trades Led by owner Jonathon Wilkinson
- 5.0 Client Rating 16 verified reviews on HomeAdvisor
- Locally Owned Cottontown · Sumner County, TN
Outside the usual list
When the project has no template
Some of the most rewarding work JACCO takes on has no tidy service name. A cabin with reclaimed timber beams and a sleeping loft. A staircase that becomes the first thing guests notice. A covered deck framed in heavy timber, or a farmhouse double porch restored with turned spindles and Victorian brackets. Projects like these share one trait: there is no plan to copy, so every detail has to be thought through, drawn and agreed before materials are ordered.
That is where a builder with broad experience earns his keep. Jonathon took his first job out of high school with a family that built homes from the ground up and learned every stage, from framing to finishing. He brings that range to work that mixes structure, carpentry and finishes in unusual ways. A cabin needs foundations, framing, windows, plumbing and cabinetry; a timber pavilion needs joinery and a roof; a restoration needs patience with what is already there.
Every special project still runs through the same five-stage process: a written bid, a schedule, the build, a punch list and a formal close. What changes is the planning time up front. If your idea leans toward a backyard cottage, our guest house and ADU work covers the details, and if it is mostly woodwork, our custom carpentry page shows more of what that looks like.
Special project scope
The kinds of work we call special
If a project calls for a builder’s judgment more than a standard plan, it belongs here. These are the kinds of requests we welcome.
- Cabins and small guest structures
- Feature staircases and custom railings
- Timber-frame pavilions and covered decks
- Historic porch and balcony restoration
- Sleeping lofts with handcrafted railings
- Reclaimed beams and salvaged materials
- Outbuildings such as well houses
- Pergolas with decorative brackets
Recent work
Cabins, stairs, timber and restoration
Four very different JACCO projects: cabins in the woods, a staircase with metal balusters, a timber-frame covered deck and a restored farmhouse porch.
Why JACCO
How one-off projects stay on track
Decisions drawn before they are built
Unusual projects raise unusual questions. Beam sizes, railing details, window placement and finish materials are resolved on paper first, so the build never stalls while someone figures it out on site.
Long-lead materials ordered early
Reclaimed beams, custom metalwork and specialty windows can take time to find or fabricate. We identify those items during the bid and order them before the schedule depends on their arrival.
A builder who knows every stage
Jonathon’s background runs from framing through finish carpentry, so the person planning your project understands how each stage affects the next and stays involved from the first sketch to the punch list.
“Jonathon and his crew installed railings for the front steps and the back deck and also stained them to match existing wood beams.”
- Stage 1Bid
Site visit, measurements and a written bid tied to a clear scope of work.
- Stages 2 and 3Schedule · Build
Selections settled, materials lined up, a detailed schedule, and a protected, clean home while we build.
- Stages 4 and 5Punch list · Close
We walk the finished work with you and close the project when every item on the list is done.
What counts as a special project?
Anything that does not fit neatly into a remodel, an addition or a deck. Examples in our gallery include cabins with reclaimed timber beams and a sleeping loft, a feature staircase, a timber-frame covered deck and a restored Victorian double porch. If other contractors have called your idea unusual, it is worth a conversation; we will tell you honestly whether it suits what we do.
Can you build from our own drawings or a designer’s plans?
Yes. Many special projects begin with a sketch, a photo or a full set of plans from an architect or designer. We review the drawings for buildability and cost, raise questions before the bid is final and price the work from that scope. If all you have is an idea, we can help shape it into something buildable and coordinate any engineering or design it requires.
How do you price a project that has never been built before?
Carefully, and in writing. We break the project into its parts, such as foundation, framing, roofing, windows, carpentry and finishes, and price each one against the drawings and the materials you choose. Where something cannot be known until work begins, like the condition of an old porch beneath its paint, the bid says so and explains how it will be handled.
Do you use reclaimed or salvaged materials?
Where they suit the project, yes. Reclaimed beams, salvaged trim and existing materials worth keeping bring character a new board cannot match. They also take extra work: salvaged wood has to be checked for soundness, old fasteners and insects, and sizes vary from piece to piece. We discuss sourcing, cost and lead time during the bid so the material fits the schedule.
Related services
ADUs & Guest Houses
Backyard cottages, cabins and in-law suites, from the ground up.
Residential Construction
New structures and major rebuilds for single-family homes.
Outdoor Living
Covered porches, fireplaces, decks and rooms without walls.
Start the conversation
Tell us about your project.
Jonathon will follow up personally to schedule a visit. The first consultation is complimentary.