About Us

Arlene Dean Homes specializes in custom new home construction, green building, and residential remodeling in Decatur, Georgia, and other Atlanta neighborhoods. Arlene started building in Oakhurst, a thriving community in Decatur GA, in 1999. Arlene and the team members demonstrate a steadfast commitment to homeowners and the community. The unique mother-daughter general contractor team, Arlene Dean and Leslie Dean Petosa are hands-on, visiting each job site daily to ensure smooth progress and quickly address any concerns. They bring a detailed eye and proactive approach to each project and work directly with both the client and the clients’ preferred architect to tailor every aspect of the home to suit each clients’ preferences. You know what you want your house to look like and what features you need to work with your lifestyle, and Arlene Dean and team members take every detail into account.

Arlene Dean Homes’ extensive portfolio shows a range in scope and style. Craftsman renovations honor their original architecture, while new homes reflect a refreshing blend of contemporary prairie, farmhouse, and mid-century designs. By choosing the most desirable neighborhoods, the right design professionals, top-notch contractors, and quality materials, Arlene and Leslie provide uncommon value relative to comparably priced homes.

Our Team

In addition to Arlene herself, who built her first house in 1976 and started remodeling in the 1980s, other Arlene Dean Homes team members also bring deep knowledge and expertise to each project.

• Arlene’s daughter, Leslie Dean Petosa, a fellow general contractor, has been learning the ins and outs of the business and working with her mother, Arlene Dean, for 10 years in preparation for taking the reigns in the future. Leslie obtained her general contractor license in January of 2017.
• Michael Eubanks, the site supervisor, has a background in facilities management and 30 years of framing experience, many with Arlene Dean. He has managed crews and been at the heart of our clients’ home construction, from whole-house ground-up framing, installation of siding, windows, and doors, to the detailed fabrication of exterior design elements and arts and crafts features.

Arlene is happy to work with clients’ selected architects and designers on custom projects. When possible, she partners with the following design professionals:

• Architect and green-building consultant, Eric Rawlings, AIA, LEED AP of Rawlings Design, has collaborated with Arlene Dean since 2002, which facilitates a streamlined architectural plan process and quick troubleshooting.
• Award-winning Jeremy Jones of Jones Design Associates guides clients through the design process, working within budget to plan the space and select trims and finishes that will embody the clients’ vision for their home.

Arlene also maintains long-standing relationships with vetted and proven subcontractors, experts in their fields, to ensure consistent accountability and quality.

Our Services

As a custom residential builder, a Member of National Green Building Standard, and a Certified Earthcraft Builder, Arlene Dean provides a continuum of services for all stages and scopes of building:

 

• Site identification — working with local, knowledgeable real estate professionals to find the right property
• Design coordination — collaborating with the architect and interior design team
• Project management — visiting the job site daily, coordinating schedules, and staying on top of budgets
• New construction — ground-up building in new and established neighborhoods
• Whole house renovation — updating and re-envisioning spaces for evolving lifestyles
• Home additions — complementing an existing home and surroundings

• Arlene and the team are fantastic. We would build again with Arlene without hesitation. She is practical, efficient, timely, and treats you like family. We never once had to question the quality of the work or if something was done correctly. In the year we built with Arlene, we had a baby, changed medical practices, sold a house, built a house, and finished up my last step of medical boards. Building the house was the easiest part!

• In the world of contracting and homebuilding the outcome of the project is nearly always directly related to the leadership of the builder and/or General Contractor. Working for Arlene Dean Homes and her building team has been one of those rare combinations when 40 yrs of experience and creativity come together perfectly. It has been our privilege to be part of Arlene’s building team.

• The project was complete six months ago – ahead of schedule and under budget – and we are still overjoyed with the results. The work was of excellent quality and we received good advice on the design and execution of the project.

• Arlene’s vision for our community has helped transform our streets and communities to what they are today through her craftsmanship and attention to detail.  It is such a pleasure to work with her and watch her creations come to life.

• Being an architect and interior designer I am naturally very particular, and I chose Arlene Dean to build my Decatur home. I have been in the home design business for over 35 years and have never, in all that time, worked with a finer builder. Arlene was able to take my custom hand drawn plans and build exactly what I designed in under 6 months. The fact that the whole process was a total pleasure was the icing on the cake.

• Arlene is a conscientious builder who not only obtains high quality products and services on behalf of her clients, but she shares her savings with them as well. Many builders will purchase our systems at cost and then substantially mark up that price to the homeowner. Arlene operates differently. She sees the value and benefit of our systems and wants her homeowners and buyers to have great water, so she works with everyone to make it happen.

• “Having Arlene Dean as our builder was a very positive experience. At our request, she guided us continuously so we could stay within our budget; and she gave us invaluable personal assistance with every selection. We couldn’t be prouder of our new home.”

• “Since Arlene Dean began buying building materials from us, she has made it clear that quality comes first. She’s also a savvy purchaser who takes advantage of value pricing, which she passes along to homeowners.”

• “Arlene Dean builds relationships that result in custom homes of uncommon value, and we’re honored that she chose us to help make those dreams come true for so many of our friends and neighbors.”

• This was our first experience with home construction and it was a great pleasure working with Arlene Dean and her team. Their honest and direct communication kept our project moving smoothly and on schedule. All of our questions, concerns and requested modifications received immediate attention. They always acted with integrity and made adjustments and corrections to ensure that everything was done right. Their commitment to quality was evident throughout the building process. Arlene really helped us create a beautiful home.

• Working with Arlene Dean is always a pleasure. With an eye for aesthetics and a depth of construction knowledge, she carefully considers the parameters of each property and its surroundings in order to maximize every advantage. Whether remodels or brand new constructions, her homes stand beautifully on their own while splendidly coexisting among the preexisting houses in the neighborhood.

Green Building

Arlene Dean delivers the building expertise and product knowledge to construct an eco–friendly home as well as to implement the environmental options that best accommodate a client’s lifestyle goals. Expansive choices range from energy–saving building materials and efficient appliances to water collection and native plant conservation.

The list below is not exhaustive; please contact Arlene Dean Homes for professional consultation.

Framing Advanced framing techniques Engineered wood (LVL’s, Advantech, I–Beams, I–Joists) Exterior Siding CertainTeed siding Brick LifeSpan exterior trim Energy Conservation Energy Star rated windows — low E with argon gas Broad overhangs (controling solar heat gain) Clerestory windows (maximizing natural light) Passive solar Energy–efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs Programmable thermostats (duel systems upstairs and down) Tech Shield roof decking Foam insulation House wrap

Environmental/Personal Health Options Native plantings Formaldehyde free plywood Low VOC (volatile organic compound) paints & stains Rot resistant decking materials IPE FSC certified wood products Hepa air filtration systems Whole house water filtration systems

Recycling Recycled drywall On–site construction recycling Recycled glass tile Water Conservation Low flow plumbing fixtures Rainwater collection Rain gardens Efficient Appliances Tankless gas water heaters Energy Star appliances High efficiency furnace and AC systems (13 Seer 98%)