A Marvelous Milestone Home

12/11/2025 Sofia Feeney

Homes by Dickerson spent the past 50 years redefining what it means to build a custom home in the Carolinas. In 1975, Homes by Dickerson was founded by Louis Dickerson. Today, they continue to be one of the largest privately owned homebuilders with a team of more than 70 professionals building across four divisions in the Carolinas. Their accolades span over 200 Triangle Parade of Homes entries and awards, multiple MAME honors and recognition from the National Home Builders Association.

A Half-century of Evolution

In their debut year of building, Homes by Dickerson earned their first Wake County Parade of Homes award. Their building philosophy began with the core principles of service, design, commitment, quality, craftsmanship and flexibility.While they grew their leadership remained intentional about protecting this dedication.

In the 1990s, the owner, Linwood Strickland, wrote a strategic business plan to guide future growth, by establishing a Client Care department and publishing the HBD Client Care Manual. This plan prioritized builder accountability and the eventual integration of in-house design services, setting the foundation for their exceptional custom homebuilding experience.

Today, the company is led by an exceptional award-winning team of architects and professional interior designers who showcase their artistry and technical expertise. As a custom builder, their philosophy is to never build the same home twice. While it is only a one word distinction, custom is at the core of everything they do.

“We specialize in building high-quality, energy-efficient homes that are tailored to our client’s specific needs and preferences,” said Jon Showalter, Chief Operating Officer.

One of their greatest strengths is having award-winning design professionals in-house. Their Lead Architectural Designer, Billy Small, brings more than fifteen years of residential experience and a passion for crafting unique and elegant homes. In addition to an in-house architectural team, their interior design team is equally remarkable. Their interior creativity is applauded each year during the Parade of Homes, introducing new ideas and setting trends for the industry. As a custom homebuilder, Homes by Dickerson understands the importance of employing a collaborative and innovative team. As each residence is thoughtfully designed to a client’s lifestyle, a team must be able bring these ideas to life throughout all stages of design.

Their impact

In 2009, Homes by Dickerson decided to step into a new path, by making high-performance green building a core part of their identity. Today, every residence is crafted with long-term comfort, health and sustainability in mind. They have more homes certified by the National Green Building Standard than any other builder in the country.

Their building ethos extends to their community impact. In 2011, Homes by Dickerson built the Duke Children’s Miracle Home.This project connects with Duke Children’s Hospital families with a safe and comfortable place to stay. In 2023, Homes by Dickerson partnered with the Raleigh Dream Center to build two homes for their Community of Hope project. These homes support the Dream Center Discipleship Program, a year-long residential initiative that provides men and women recovering from substance abuse with housing, education, mentorship and a safe, structured environment, all at no cost to participants. Brant Chesson, CEO and President, reflected on how Homes by Dickerson provides more than shelter to their communities. Over the past 50 years, the company’s impact on the economy stems from their loyalty to employees, subcontractors and vendors. “We’ve always had a strong brand in the community,” said Chesson. “I think that holds us accountable to make sure they’re proud of what we’re doing.”

Jubilee House

Homes by Dickerson describes their project, the Jubilee House, as a celebration in architectural form, a homage to craftsmanship, innovation and the artistry of custom homebuilding. “The journey of creating this home captures the essence of who we are as a company, shaped by persistence, collaboration and care from beginning to end,” said Chesson.

This one-of-a-kind residence features four bedrooms, four-full-bathrooms and two-half bathrooms. This grandiose flexing of building capabilities includes anything a custom builder’s heart could desire. The home is complemented by a private stone courtyard with an outdoor fireplace, a sparkling pool with a waterfall fire feature and a kitchen illuminated by dramatic skylights. The marvelous mastery of design also extends to a luxurious primary suite with sauna, custom closet, private laundry and coffee bar. “It’s important that it stands the test of time, but is also ready for today’s buyer,” said Small. The project implements every, ‘what if’ idea a custom homebuilder faces and elegantly delivers. The Jubilee House is both a showpiece of design excellence and a tribute to five decades of custom homebuilding.