The Philosophy of Renovation

Join host Jeremy Rivera for a deep dive into the world of residential construction with Alec and Josie Davis, the husband-and-wife team behind H&H Construction in Cookeville, Tennessee. This two-part conversation explores how they’ve built a thriving renovation business focused on relationship over transactions, creativity over cookie-cutter solutions, and preserving the beauty in old homes while bringing them into the modern age. 

Josie shares her unique perspective on what makes home renovations special: “You’re taking something that’s already there and already has flavor. It already has its own embodiment, and you are tweaking it, aesthetically smoothing it out, maybe changing some of the rhythms there in the space, but you’re ultimately still keeping the foundation and the bones the same.”

Discover why she believes the most beautiful spaces happen when you marry older charm with newer aesthetics.

Small Jobs Lead to Big Trust

“To me and Alec, there’s no small job. Every job has an impact to the customer and to the family that’s living in the home.”

Learn how H&H Construction builds long-term client relationships by starting with small repairs—drywall holes, baseboard fixes—and growing trust over time into major kitchen remodels, bathroom transformations, and home additions.

Design Based on Feel, Not Just Function

“How you’re wanting a space to feel should often dictate how you develop this space.”

Josie reveals her signature question for every client: “What do you want it to feel like when you walk in?” This approach moves beyond standard kitchen triangles and bathroom layouts to create truly personalized spaces.

Forever Home vs. Resale Value

The Davis team offers honest consultation about when to invest in customization versus following market standards. “If you’re planning to be there forever, then we really want to customize it to what you’re wanting to feel.”

Favorite Projects: Wet Rooms & Historic Homes

Josie describes her love for wet rooms—bathrooms where the entire space becomes the shower with seamless tile work that’s “almost like artwork.” She also shares stories of renovating homes from the 1930s and 40s, preserving original hardwood floors and historic fireplaces while upgrading everything else.

When NOT to Build an Addition

Josie offers refreshingly honest advice: “Some houses, the way that they’re structured, they’re just perfect the way they are. Sometimes it’s meant to be that way. And so adding onto that changes the feel of that home. I would say, ‘Nah, friend, just go ahead and find a new place that you can grow into.'”

But when an addition IS right? “You get the right contractor and the right budget, and you can do just about anything.”

Sunrooms: Being Outside Without Being Outside

“A sunroom is being outside and enjoying outside without being outside.”

Alec and Josie explain the difference between sunrooms and covered patios, climate-controlled versus non-conditioned spaces, and how they’ve transformed decks, porches, and even sheds into beautiful year-round living areas.

Decks Built for Tennessee’s Terrain

“We’re in Cookeville, Tennessee. There’s a lot of mountain ranges. You can’t have a patio without flat land.”

Alec shares his passion for custom deck designs: “I love anything that’s out of the norm, anything that’s different.” From multi-level decks to grand staircases, fire pits to octagonal designs, discover why decks are the perfect solution for Middle Tennessee’s challenging terrain.

Construction as a Marriage

“Construction is a marriage of a certain form. You’re gonna be spending a lot of time with those people.”

Josie offers candid advice about choosing a contractor: “If you meet us and you don’t want to go get coffee with us, then find a contractor that you really enjoy speaking with.” Learn why relationship matters so much in construction projects that can take months.

The Midsize Advantage

Unlike large corporations with streamlined processes, H&H Construction dedicates time to getting to know each client personally. “We have more time, and we carve out more time to be very specific with the customer themselves.”

Josie reveals she’ll spend hours researching specific kitchen formats or design styles just for one client’s unique vision.

Faith, Family & Business Values

“Alec and I want to talk. We want to pray over your family. We want to meet your children if you’re willing. We want to encourage you in steps of life.”

Discover how the Davis family integrates their faith and values into their business, teaching their children about craftsmanship while treating every client like family.

Key Topics Covered

• Renovation Philosophy – Preserving character while modernizing function
• Kitchen & Bathroom Remodels – Creating vision for homeowners who struggle to see possibilities
• Wet Rooms – Seamless, modern bathroom design
• Home Additions – When to build, when to walk away, and roofline considerations
• Sunroom Construction – Climate-controlled vs. non-conditioned spaces
• Custom Deck Building – Multi-level designs, pergolas, and Tennessee terrain solutions
• Client Relationships – Why “construction is a marriage”
• Forever Home vs. Resale – Tailoring approach to client goals
• Historic Home Restoration – Marrying 1930s-40s charm with modern aesthetics
• Business Values – Faith, family, and honest consultation
• The Midsize Contractor Advantage – Personalization over cookie-cutter solutions

Guest Bios

Alec Davis

Alec Davis is a licensed Tennessee General Contractor (BC-A/r) and certified HVAC technician with over a decade of hands-on experience in residential construction. He founded H&H Construction in 2014, initially focusing on mobile home remodeling before transitioning to full-time residential renovations in 2020.

Alec specializes in transforming old structures into restored beauty, with expertise spanning framing, trim-out, custom deck construction, and complete home systems. He holds an Associate’s degree in Business and is a graduate of the Nashville State Workforce and Community Development Program.

Construction runs in Alec’s blood—passed down through generations—and today, he continues that legacy by teaching his two young children the value of hard work, integrity, and craftsmanship.

Josie Davis

Josie brings the creative vision and design expertise to H&H Construction, spending hours researching specific formats and styles for each client’s unique needs. Her design philosophy centers on how spaces feel rather than just function, asking every client: “What do you want it to feel like when you walk in?”

She handles client relations with a relationship-first approach, dedicating time to truly understand each family’s goals, priorities, and vision for their home. Her commitment to personalization sets H&H apart from large corporations with standardized processes.

Memorable Quotes

On Renovation:

“Renovations are really special because you’re taking something that’s already there and already has flavor. It already has its own embodiment, and you are tweaking it, aesthetically smoothing it out.” — Josie Davis

On Every Job Mattering:

“To me and Alec, there’s no small job. Every job has an impact to the customer and to the family that’s living in the home.” — Josie Davis

On Design Philosophy:

“How you’re wanting a space to feel should often dictate how you develop this space.” — Josie Davis

On Honest Consultation:

“Some houses, the way that they’re structured, they’re just perfect the way they are. Sometimes it’s meant to be that way.” — Josie Davis

On What’s Possible:

“You get the right contractor and the right budget, and you can do just about anything.” — Josie Davis

On Seamless Additions:

“In my opinion, a good addition never feels like an addition. It feels like you’ve successfully continued to walk through the house from start to finish.” — Josie Davis

On Choosing a Contractor:

“Construction is a marriage of a certain form. You’re gonna be spending a lot of time with those people.” — Josie Davis

On Finding the Right Fit:

“If you meet us and you don’t want to go get coffee with us, then find a contractor that you really enjoy speaking with.” — Josie Davis

On Creating Vision:

“A lot of people don’t have vision for space. We help create that vision for people who struggle with seeing their space and what it could be.” — Alec Davis

On Custom Decks:

“I love anything that’s out of the norm, anything that’s different. We’ve done multi-level decks, decks with grand staircases, decks with fire pits within them, octagonal decks.” — Alec Davis

On Core Values:

“At the core of our work is a simple principle: build well, work honestly, and treat every project as if it were our own home.” — Alec Davis

On Client Relationships:

“Alec and I want to talk. We want to pray over your family. We want to meet your children if you’re willing. We want to encourage you in steps of life.” — Josie Davis

Resources & Links

H&H Construction

Website:handhcookevilleremodel.com

Phone: (931) 329-5754

Email:[email protected]

Address: 541 S Willow Ave Suite 101#528, Cookeville, TN 38506

Portfolio:View Their Work

Facebook:H&H Remodels

Service Area: Cookeville, Sparta, Smithville, McMinnville, and all of Middle Tennessee

Services Offered

• Home Renovations & Remodels
• Kitchen Remodeling
• Bathroom Remodeling (including Wet Rooms)
• Home Additions
• Sunroom Construction
• Custom Deck Building
• Electrical Work
• Plumbing
• HVAC Installation & Service
• Drywall & Painting
• Flooring Installation
• Tile Work
• Trim & Finish Carpentry