--- title: "Shelter Alternatives — Design-Build Firms | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build-firms/shelter-alternatives-pfvwus-pf~436328070 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~436328070.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Shelter Alternatives" category: ["Design-Build Firms"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/8463f7270f01db87_8913-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "701 Progress Street, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060, United States" latitude: 37.2563 longitude: -80.4347 phone: "(540) 951-0358" website: http://shelteralternatives.com rating: 5 review_count: 7 best_of_houzz_awards: 2 followers: 54 last_updated: 2026-08-30 --- # Shelter Alternatives Original Houzz profile: [Shelter Alternatives](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build-firms/shelter-alternatives-pfvwus-pf~436328070) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Design-Build Firms - **Location:** Blacksburg, VA - **Serves:** Roanoke, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Radford, Pearisburg, Merrimac, Fairlawn, Shawsville, Riner, Pembroke, Prices Fork, Floyd, Lafayette, New River, Belspring, Mc Coy, Newport - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (7 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2018–2021), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Recommended on Houzz - 500 Ideabook Saves Custom design-build company. The Shelter Alternatives' team embraces building science with creativity and intention, serving the New River Valley of Virginia since 1988. We are guided by these core values: We do the right thing because we believe. Take responsibility for our actions and our impact on the environment. Stand by all commitments and follow up until it's right. Cultivate trust through clear communications and expectations. Take pride in the details. Embrace creativity, new ideas and growth. Focus on people and planet, not just profit. Foster teamwork and community involvement. Find music in every day – and play it! ### Services Provided - Home Remodeling - Custom Homes - New Home Construction - Kitchen Remodeling - Home Additions - Bathroom Remodeling - Kitchen Design - Bathroom Design - Architectural Design - Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) - Building Design - Guesthouse Design & Construction - Deck Building - Basement Remodeling - House Plans - 3D Rendering - Home Restoration - Energy-Efficient Homes - Garage Building - Universal Design - Basement Design - Custom Home Bars - Green Building - Sustainable Design - Porch Design & Construction - Sunroom Design & Construction - Attic Conversion - Space Planning - Deck Design - Site Planning - Handicap-Accessible Design - Greenhouse Design & Construction - Home Theater Design - Barn Design & Construction - Carport Installation - Staircase Design - Workshop Design & Construction - Dock Design & Construction - Passive Solar Heating & Cooling - Bicycle Storage - Remodeling ### Areas Served - Roanoke - Blacksburg - Christiansburg - Radford - Pearisburg - Merrimac - Fairlawn - Shawsville - Riner - Pembroke - Prices Fork - Floyd - Lafayette - New River - Belspring - Mc Coy - Newport ### Typical Job Cost $100,000 - 700,000 everything from pet door installation to multi-million $ luxury estates. Shelter Alternartives embraces building science with creativity and intention, serving the New River Valley of VA since 1988. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Shelter Alternatives | | Address | 701 Progress Street, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060, United States | | Phone | (540) 951-0358 | | Website | http://shelteralternatives.com | | License Number | Va. Class A Cont. 2701-038441A | | Followers on Houzz | 54 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Shelter Alternatives](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build-firms/shelter-alternatives-pfvwus-pf~436328070) - **Website:** http://shelteralternatives.com - **Phone:** (540) 951-0358 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - 2019 12x NRVHBA Design Excellence Winner, 2018 Best of Houzz - Customer Service, 2017 Virdiant Single Family New Construction Project, 2017 Top 3 High Perf. EarthCraft Homes in VA, 2014 Green Co. of the Year – MCCC, 2012 VSBN Green Innovation Award, 2011 EarthCraft Single Family Project of the Year - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2018–2021), for Service. **Affiliations** - [National Association of Home Builders](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/national-association-of-home-builders-pfvwus-pf~562065019) - [NAHB Certified Green Professional](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/nahb-certified-green-professional-pfvwus-pf~1100930283) - [Building Performance Institute, Inc.](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/building-performance-institute-inc-pfvwus-pf~1991633612) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 7 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### All 7 reviews **★★★★★ — Henry Bass, Sept. 2020** > We needed a skylight replaced, and I knew Shelter Alternatives could do it right. Skylights have a habit of leaking, and after owning our home for 27 years, there were some water spots around the mounting location, mostly from deep snows over the years. Shelter Alternatives kept the plans flexible, waiting for a good-weather day. They notified us the day before starting to confirm our availability, then the crew arrived early and got right to work. We kept costs low by agreeing to cost plus, finishing the interior painting ourselves. The new skylight looks great, including a good match for the roof shingles (we had no spares), and great cleanup of the job inside. The work crew was professional and polite. I have heard others say if you want it done right, use Shelter Alternatives! **★★★★★ — lesa8756, June 2017** > The Shelter team is amazing through the whole new home, renovate, or addition process. Their design teams make the process productive and painless. **★★★★★ — Roger Burnett, April 2017** > Shelter has done two major jobs for us. First in 2015 a modified roof line to cover a rear patio and correct a water intrusion problem (2015). Then in 2016, a complete kitchen remodel, which included changing the layout of the kitchen. Both jobs were professionally done. Supervisor kept us completely informed and the crews they had out were top notch. Shelter Alternatives is my go to remodel firm now and when talking about our next project with Ed, I complimented the previous jobs; he asked if I'd left a review on Houzz. I hadn't, so here it is!! **★★★★★ — Marilyn Rio, March 2017** > Shelter Alternatives did a kitchen remodel for us. We were very pleased. Their attention to detail from the design through the construction was excellent. Communication between Shelter Alternative's staff and the client was easy and professional. We would use them again. **★★★★★ — sanderskw73, Feb. 2017** > Designed and built a home addition for us with perfect results, on time, on budget, with no surprises, and nothing that needed any attention at the end of their one-year warranty...except the shed door did need a small adjustment upward to keep the weather stripping from dragging on the threshold a little too much. They actually phoned us at the end of the warranty to see if we needed anything. We've since used them for replacement windows with the same perfect result. We highly recommend them. **★★★★★ — pattracy54, March 2016** > Ed Tuchler and his team at Shelter built my dream home for me in 2004, and it has more than fulfilled every expectation I had based on what I knew of this company's reputation. Joe Bassett was our designer: he was extremely knowledgeable about building techniques and could not have been more pleasant to work with. The team has also been great about follow-up on minor problems and with advice and service on some maintenance needs. I do recommend them with the maximum enthusiasm every chance I get. **★★★★★ — Velvet Minnick, Aug. 2013** > We have worked with Shelter on two different projects, with the most recent one being the building of our current home. From design to finish, these guys are the best. I would not trust my project with anyone else. They are clearly a leader in this business in our area. ## Selected projects - [PROJECT PORTFOLIOS](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/project-portfolios-pj-vj~5642826) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - Description: An annual selection of photos from our projects. - [CUSTOM HOMES BY SHELTER ALTERNATIVES](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/custom-homes-by-shelter-alternatives-pj-vj~5994777) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 26 - Description: We are a full custom design and custom build firm. There is no typical style when it comes to a Shelter Alternatives home. Durable, Practical and Efficient, We Have Been Building Dreams from Visions for over 30 years in the New River Valley of Virginia. - [BATHROOMS](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bathrooms-pj-vj~2600879) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 26 - [DECKS & PORCHES](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/decks-and-porches-pj-vj~6611752) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 20 - [KITCHENS](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kitchens-pj-vj~6554684) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 13 - [BEFORE & AFTER CATALOG](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/before-and-after-catalog-pj-vj~5709634) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 31 - [1970s Ranch Gets a Facelift](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/1970s-ranch-gets-a-facelift-pj-vj~2645696) - Location: Blacksburg, VA - Photos: 17 - [Age in Place with Style](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/age-in-place-with-style-pj-vj~2645654) - Location: Blacksburg, VA - Photos: 11 - [Artistic Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/artistic-remodel-pj-vj~376805) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - [Basement Makeover](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/basement-makeover-pj-vj~855461) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 13 - Description: We answered our clients need for a bright, colorful and comfortable family space and finished the completely unfinished basement into a favorite spot in the house. - [Basement Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/basement-remodel-pj-vj~6532731) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 13 - [Basement Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/basement-renovation-pj-vj~6512564) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 12 - [Blacksburg Addition Highlights Garden View](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/blacksburg-addition-highlights-garden-view-pj-vj~5875761) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - [Casual Cooperative Workspace](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/casual-cooperative-workspace-pj-vj~2645366) - Location: Blacksburg, VA - Photos: 11 - [Classic Yet Modern Bathroom Update](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/classic-yet-modern-bathroom-update-pj-vj~5477874) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - [Colorful Bath Upgrade](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/colorful-bath-upgrade-pj-vj~848904) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - [Contemporary Cottage](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-cottage-pj-vj~2048916) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - [Custom Contemporary on the Lake](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/custom-contemporary-on-the-lake-pj-vj~1369667) - Location: Blacksburg, VA - Photos: 29 - [Expanded Master Suite heralds fresh, contemporary style](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/expanded-master-suite-heralds-fresh-contemporary-style-pj-vj~5155180) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 12 - [Family Home In the Woods](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/family-home-in-the-woods-pj-vj~849300) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 16 [See all 44 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build-firms/shelter-alternatives-pfvwus-pf~436328070) ## Ideabooks - [stinson layout](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/168142431/list/stinson-layout) — 2 ideas - [fireplace](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/163815485/list/fireplace) — 5 ideas - [tile in entry](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/56617164/list/tile-in-entry) — 18 ideas - [shower and bathtub wet room](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/118849703/list/shower-and-bathtub-wet-room) — 19 ideas - [Outdoor showers](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/111731708/list/outdoor-showers) — 18 ideas - [Braffitt Bath](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/92872855/list/braffitt-bath) — 5 ideas - [Wish List](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75422426/list/wish-list) — 1 idea - [wainscot](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/59298775/list/wainscot) — 6 ideas - [bungalow style](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/57202247/list/bungalow-style) — 4 ideas - [bedrooms](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/49984815/list/bedrooms) — 1 idea [See all 10 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/shelteralternatives) --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-30.*