Life on the Water
Position gathering spaces, windows, porches and decks
to create a natural connection between the home, the
landscape and the lake.
Custom Homes at Smith Mountain Lake
Custom Home Builder at Smith Mountain Lake
Building a custom home at Smith Mountain Lake is about
more than selecting a floor plan. Your property, lake
views, elevation and the way you want to live should all
influence the home you build.
Cooper Contractors brings more than three decades of local
experience to distinctive custom homes throughout the
Smith Mountain Lake area. Every home is approached as an
individual project shaped around its owners and property.
Years Building at Smith Mountain Lake
Custom homes designed around the property, the architecture
and the people who will live there.
and the people who will live there.
Designed for the Property
A Home That Belongs at Smith Mountain Lake
No two Smith Mountain Lake properties are exactly alike.
A wooded hillside overlooking the water presents different
opportunities than a gently sloping lakefront lot.
Elevation, access, natural light and orientation can
influence the foundation, room arrangement, outdoor areas
and relationship between the home and lake.
We believe the house should respond to the property rather
than forcing the property to fit the house.
Whether you are planning a full-time residence, vacation
home or gathering place for several generations, the
architecture should reflect your property and the way your
family intends to use it.
Build for the Site
Every Great Lake Home Starts With the Property
Thoughtful site planning turns the characteristics of your
Smith Mountain Lake property into architectural
opportunities.
- Lake and mountain views
- Property elevation and natural slope
- Waterfront orientation
- Sunlight and room placement
- Covered porches and outdoor living
- Driveway and construction access
- Privacy and neighboring properties
- Indoor and outdoor traffic flow
- Entertaining and gathering spaces
- Long-term comfort and functionality
Designed Around You
A Custom Home for the Way You Live
A truly custom home should not feel like someone else’s
house with different finishes.
It should reflect how you begin the morning, welcome
family, entertain friends, work, relax and enjoy life at
Smith Mountain Lake.
Family and Guests
Create comfortable accommodations and flexible spaces
for children, grandchildren, friends and everyone who
makes time at the lake memorable.
Everyday Comfort
Kitchens, primary suites, home offices, garages and
storage should work as beautifully as the home’s most
visible spaces.
Waterfront Expertise
Lakefront Home Construction
The best lake homes do not simply sit beside the water.
They are designed around it.
Room placement, windows, covered porches, decks and outdoor
gathering areas can all be considered together to capture
desirable views and create a natural relationship between
indoor and outdoor living.
Designed Around Views
Place important rooms and gathering areas where the
home’s relationship with the lake can be enjoyed.
Indoor-Outdoor Flow
Create natural connections between interior living,
covered porches, patios and the surrounding landscape.
Property-Specific Planning
Consider slope, orientation, access and shoreline
relationships as part of the design.
Lake-Living Function
Plan storage, guest areas and practical spaces around
the realities of everyday life beside the water.
Quality From the Ground Up
Craftsmanship You Can See and Quality You Can Trust
Beautiful finishes matter, but the parts of a home you do
not see are just as important as the details you experience
every day.
Quality construction begins before cabinets, flooring and
fixtures are installed. Careful planning, appropriate
materials, experienced trade partners and attention
throughout construction all contribute to the finished
home.
From the structure itself to the final interior and
exterior details, the focus remains on craftsmanship and
lasting enjoyment.
From Vision to Home
The Custom Home Building Process
Every project is different, but careful planning creates
a clear progression from early ideas to finished
construction.
Share Your Vision
Describe your property, architectural ideas, priorities
and how you want to use the home.
Study the Property
Consider terrain, access, orientation, views and the
home’s relationship with its surroundings.
Develop the Plan
Bring design, materials, important features and
construction considerations together.
Build With Care
Coordinate experienced trade partners, materials and
detailed construction decisions.
Welcome Home
Move into a home created around your family, property
and connection with Smith Mountain Lake.
Our Work
See What Cooper Contractors Has Built
One of the best ways to evaluate a custom home builder is
to look closely at the homes the company has actually
completed.
Explore Cooper Contractors projects to see architectural
variety, thoughtful design, interior details and the
craftsmanship that goes into each home.
Local Knowledge Matters
More Than 35 Years at Smith Mountain Lake
Building beside a lake presents opportunities and
challenges that are not always encountered on conventional
residential properties.
Topography can influence the foundation and overall home
design. Waterfront lots require careful planning to make
the most of views and outdoor living. Property access can
affect construction, and local requirements need to be
considered early.
Cooper Contractors has spent more than three decades
building in the Smith Mountain Lake community. That
experience helps the team recognize opportunities,
anticipate concerns and make informed construction
decisions throughout the project.
That local experience extends across the lake area,
including
custom homes in Moneta, VA,
custom homes in Hardy, VA
and
custom homes in Huddleston, VA.
Cooper Contractors can also help lake homeowners with
home remodeling
and
home additions
for existing properties.
Local knowledge. Personal attention. Quality
craftsmanship.
Continue Exploring
Plan Your Smith Mountain Lake Home
Learn more about waterfront construction, explore completed
custom homes and begin a conversation about your property.
Lakefront Home Construction
Learn about building a waterfront home around your
Smith Mountain Lake property, views and way of life.
Custom Home Portfolio
Explore completed Cooper Contractors homes and evaluate
architectural variety, craftsmanship and detail.
Start Your Project
Tell Cooper Contractors about your property, ideas and
plans for a new Smith Mountain Lake home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Custom Home Building at Smith Mountain Lake
How do I choose a custom home builder at Smith Mountain Lake?
Look for demonstrated local experience, completed
projects, construction quality and familiarity with
the sloping and waterfront properties found around
Smith Mountain Lake. Communication and personal
compatibility are also important throughout a
custom-home project.
Which areas around Smith Mountain Lake do you build in?
Our office is in Moneta, and we build custom homes throughout the Smith Mountain Lake area, including Moneta, Hardy and Huddleston. If your property is elsewhere around the lake, give us a call to talk about it.
Is Cooper Contractors licensed and insured?
Yes. Cooper Contractors is a licensed and insured, family-owned company founded by Dennis F. Cooper more than 35 years ago.
Can I use my own architect or custom plans?
If you are working with an architect or developing
custom plans, those plans can become part of the
project conversation. Early builder involvement
may also help identify practical construction
considerations while the design can still be
adjusted.
Who will I work with during construction?
Cooper Contractors is family-owned and operated. Dennis Cooper works on the job site alongside our crew, and Kelli Cooper helps organize the details of the building process, so you work directly with the owners.
Are you a production builder or a custom builder?
We are a custom builder. Rather than repeating the same production plans, we build each home around its owners, its property and the way the family plans to use it.
When should I contact Cooper Contractors?
Earlier is generally better. A conversation during
the planning stage provides an opportunity to
discuss the property, design and construction
considerations before major decisions are
finalized.
Ready to Build Yours?
Let’s Talk About Your Vision
Whether you already own property at Smith Mountain Lake or are
beginning to plan your future home, Cooper Contractors would be
happy to learn what you have in mind.