When John Ratley and Justin Farrell opened Rooster General Contractors in July of 2023, they had one goal in mind: turn houses into better homes with zero guesswork. It seems like a lofty ambition. After all, what is perfect for one family’s home may not translate to another. But this is exactly the challenge that keeps Justin and John going. Justin grew up in a creative environment, with two parents who were involved in architecture. When Justin met John, a man who spent over a decade learning various trades in construction, it seemed like the perfect fit. Justin brings creativity to projects, while John ensures integrity in their work at each stage of construction.
So, how do they make homes better for the families that reside in them? These days, Justin finds that many families benefit from “integrated flex-spaces.”
Justin explains, “Integrated flex-space makes it so that with careful planning and master craftsmanship, a single room can serve two or more purposes. For example, a mud room may double as a pool house and a party room. Or better yet, an office might transform into a comfortable guest bedroom.
“For many families, studios, gyms, and home offices are common starting points for these projects. A family of three becomes a family of four, or work-from-home parents need a flexible space where they can transition from home to work and vice versa. Rooster General Contractors is the perfect fit for these kinds of projects because we don't rely on outside sources to provide solutions for unique design problems. Our team has both the design and trade background needed to solve any problem that our customers face.”
With families often having to decide between perfection and price when purchasing a new home, renovating may be the best option to love where you live. For John and Justin, the first step is ensuring clear priorities for the space.
Justin continues, “Planning takes much longer than construction in most cases. Projects that get rushed through design tend to spend significantly more time in construction than projects that are more thoroughly planned.”
This is one reason Rooster General Contractors likes to utilize a “construction narrative” when planning their projects. A construction narrative is essentially the story of the project from inception to completion. These written documents offer a holistic view of what the project aims to achieve, detailing everything from design motivations to the steps required to realize the envisioned outcome. This narrative acts as a bridge, turning a homeowner’s dreams into tangible, actionable plans by a general contractor. When John and Justin consult with families, they use the narrative to ensure their projects are streamlined and transparent.
One such project required making use of existing space to welcome loved ones back home—a dining room that transitions into a guest bedroom suite. Under both time and budget constraints, the Rooster team got down to the basic needs of the design. A rough draft blueprint and two revisions later, a source of stress became a source of joy—and right on time.
Ready to make your home fit your life? Meet John and Justin at www.roostergc.com or by calling 214.843.0292.
Integrated flex-space makes it so that with careful planning and master craftsmanship, a single room can serve two or more purposes.