Our mission is to transform the construction experience by prioritizing collaboration, transparency, and client satisfaction. We strive to deliver projects that not only meet but exceed expectations, fostering long-term relationships built on trust and mutual respect.
At C. Merrill Construction, we believe that exceptional results stem from unwavering commitment, clear communication, and genuine partnerships. Since our inception in 2011, we’ve grown from a one-man operation into a trusted general contractor serving clients across Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Our team of over 15 professionals brings diverse expertise to every project, ensuring that each build reflects our core values of integrity, accountability, and excellence.
Founded in 2011, C. Merrill Construction began as a one-man operation focused on negotiated renovations. Over the years, we’ve grown into a 15+ person team with deep expertise across commercial and public-sector markets—including education, healthcare, municipal, industrial, and retail.
Licensed in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, CMC has grown its expertise across a range of industries, including commercial, industrial, healthcare, hospitality, retail, and education.
We are responsible for our actions, the quality of what we produce, and the outcomes of our decisions.
We prioritize the needs of our clients, subcontractors, and project team above our own.
We do what is right, to everyone, all the time.
We embrace challenges as an opportunity for refined solutions.
Progress starts with me, delivering before the deadline, staying focused and driving the pace together.
C. Merrill Construction is a commercial construction firm with a dedicated team of 13 professionals, including 7 superintendents and 6 office staff members. Founded in 2011 by Chris Merrill, CMC is built on hands-on leadership and an unwavering commitment to quality, safety, and client satisfaction. Our people make the difference. We hire experienced professionals who lead with integrity and pride—because every successful build starts with a strong, aligned team.
Chris Merrill is the President and Owner of C. Merrill Construction, LLC. He began his academic journey at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, where he earned an Associate of Science in Business, before going on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Construction from Georgia Southern University. Before establishing C. Merrill Construction, Mr. Merrill served as the Co-Owner and Vice President of Lavender and Associates, Inc. in Statesboro, GA, from April 1993 to July 2011. He is a licensed contractor in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and holds numerous industry certifications. Recognized as the region's leading Design-Build contractor, Mr. Merrill is deeply engaged in all phases of the building process, including programming, schematic design, budget and cost analysis, site development, and project closeout documentation.
Chris Merrill is the President and Owner of C. Merrill Construction, LLC. He began his academic journey at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, where he earned an Associate of Science in Business, before going on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Construction from Georgia Southern University. Before establishing C. Merrill Construction, Mr. Merrill served as the Co-Owner and Vice President of Lavender and Associates, Inc. in Statesboro, GA, from April 1993 to July 2011. He is a licensed contractor in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and holds numerous industry certifications. Recognized as the region's leading Design-Build contractor, Mr. Merrill is deeply engaged in all phases of the building process, including programming, schematic design, budget and cost analysis, site development, and project closeout documentation.
Christi Ballagh earned her Associate’s Degree in Business Management from Ogeechee Technical College in 2014. The following year, she began her career in construction as an Administrative Assistant at Dabbs-Williams General Contractors, where she also supported project managers and the CFO. During her time there, she gained hands-on experience with project management through Procore and developed a strong foundation in construction accounting. In February 2020, Christi joined C. Merrill Construction as an Assistant Project Manager, where she played a key role in launching Procore as the company’s project management platform just a few months later. Following the departure of the company’s CFO at the end of 2022, Christi stepped into the role of Controller in January 2023, bringing with her a unique blend of administrative, project management, and accounting expertise.
Chase Merrill, a 2017 Auburn University graduate, grew up immersed in the industry through his father, Chris. He worked with Lavender and Associates and C. Merrill Construction on specialty crews like framing, concrete, survey, layout, landscaping, and commercial labor. While in college, he interned as an Assistant Project Manager at Rabren General Contracting, gaining hands-on experience in a corporate setting. His roles at C. Merrill and Rabren provided expertise in document control, site management, scheduling, project controls, cash flows, owner/architect relations, project delivery, and quality control.
Cody Hovis is a dedicated construction management professional who earned his Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Georgia Southern University in 2020. He currently serves as a valued team member at C. Merrill Construction, where he has worked for the past six months. Before joining C. Merrill Construction, Cody gained over ten years of experience in custom carpentry and residential construction, building deep industry knowledge and strong technical skills. Throughout his career—both in the office and on-site—he has emphasized clear communication, attention to detail, adherence to timelines, and strong relationships with clients, contractors, and team members. His focus on productivity and delivering high-quality results makes him a key asset to any construction project.
We partner closely with clients to deliver engineered spaces that not only meet functional requirements but exceed performance expectations.
Learn MoreOur design-build approach transforms traditional construction by integrating design and construction services under a single, collaborative umbrella.
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With a strong presence in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, CMC has successfully completed over 100 projects across various sectors, including education, healthcare, municipal, and commercial developments.
View portfolioAt CMC, excellence isn’t just a goal—it’s a standard. We invest in the latest technologies and methodologies to enhance efficiency and quality. Our team undergoes regular training to stay abreast of industry advancements, ensuring that we bring innovative solutions to every project.
