BOLD Construction: Building Homes — and Relationships

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

By Tyria Bourda
Correspondent

Located in the heart of Chapel Hill, BOLD Construction is a custom home builder focused not only on creating dream homes, but also on cultivating meaningful relationships with its clients.

The company was founded in the late 1990s by owner and visionary Chris Ehrenfeld, who began framing houses to raise capital for the new business. In 2003, Ehrenfeld was joined by co-owner and integrator Jason Dell, and the partnership has helped shape BOLD Construction into one of Chatham and Orange counties’ premier construction firms for more than 25 years.

Since its inception, the company has helped clients build and renovate homes across Chapel Hill, Pittsboro, and Hillsborough. BOLD also offers a wide range of services, including whole-home remodeling, accessory dwelling units, kitchen and bathroom renovations, and addition projects such as pool houses, sunrooms, luxury kitchens, and garage expansions.

TLR spoke with Dell about the company’s growth and how recent demographic shifts — particularly families relocating to Chapel Hill and Pittsboro — have influenced its operations.

“A lot of the families relocating here are looking for a fresh start and a better way of living, but the last thing they want is a building process that drains them,” Dell said. “Many have demanding careers, kids, and full lives, and they need a team they can trust to manage the details.”

Dell said the company has strengthened its systems and communication processes in response to this influx.

“We guide clients confidently even when they’re building from out of state,” he said. “That means a clear decision timeline, more planning upfront, and consistent updates during construction. We use tools like BuilderTrend for transparency, but the bigger difference is that clients have one accountable team managing the process, so they don’t feel like they’re chasing updates or coordinating vendors.”

Financial clarity and client confidence

Dell noted that prospective homeowners should understand how pricing models work before beginning construction, because costs can change midway through a project.

“If allowances are low or the scope is poorly defined, the homeowner may be forced to assume the risk,” he said.

BOLD follows a fixed-price model, which requires the builder to define the scope, confirm selections, develop a detailed plan, and commit to a total project cost before construction begins.

“That’s how we operate at BOLD, because we believe financial clarity is one of the best ways to protect a client’s peace of mind,” Dell said.

His second recommendation for homeowners: evaluate how organized a builder is before signing.

“Ask them to walk you through their process step by step,” he said. “Ask who you’ll hear from day to day, how often you’ll get updates, and what happens if you want to make a change. If a builder can explain those things clearly and calmly at the beginning, the experience is much more likely to feel steady throughout.”

BOLD’s design-build process

BOLD’s design-build model follows a structured project lifecycle:

• Discovery meeting
• Design agreement
• Architectural design development and pricing proposal
• Final proposal
• Selections and pre-construction
• Construction
• Final walk-through and celebration

Community focus and giving back

Dell said BOLD distinguishes itself through its disciplined approach and emphasis on predictability.

“We’re a fixed-price builder, we have a proven design-build process, and we take accountability for the entire journey from the initial conversations through the final details,” he said. “Our clients are often busy, high-performing people. They want a home they’re proud of, but they also want their time and peace protected while it’s being built. That’s what we work hard to deliver.”

Beyond construction, BOLD maintains an active community presence through its nonprofit, the BOLD Foundation. A portion of each project supports local charitable initiatives.

“One of the programs that means the most to us is our annual Holiday Cheer initiative,” Dell said. “Each holiday season, the foundation supports local families by providing gifts from their wish lists and essential winter items like coats, gloves, boots, and blankets. It’s something our team cares about deeply and looks forward to every year.”

BOLD leadership is also engaged in regional nonprofit and civic work, including service with the Chatham Education Foundation, Chatham Habitat for Humanity, Chatham Economic Development, University Presbyterian Church, and the Central Carolina Community College Foundation, where Ehrenfeld serves as board president.

New residential developments underway

Dell said the company is currently developing several smaller custom-home communities in Chapel Hill and Pittsboro, including Grace Hope Reserve, Noble Reserve, and Gallant Reserve.

“We also have a few larger developments in the works that will provide additional housing opportunities, such as Valiant Reserve, Hamlets Reserve, and Intrepid Reserve,” he said.

Tyria McCray-Bourda is a story-driven journalist whose work has previously appeared in The Carolinian newspaper in Raleigh. Attaining a bachelor’s degree in communication from Southern New Hampshire University, she has the distinction of having interviewed President Joe Biden when he was a candidate on the campaign trail, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris. This reporter can be reached at: Information@TheLocalReporter.press