Trehel

What Trehel does

Trehel Corporation is a privately-held general contractor founded in 1982 by Neal Workman and headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina. The firm delivers preconstruction services, design-build, Construction Management at Risk (CMAR), and a partnering delivery method to commercial, institutional, faith-based, healthcare, education, municipal, industrial, multi-family, adaptive reuse, nonprofit, and (via the Trehel Tailored Homes division) luxury residential clients across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. The company reports more than 1,700 completed projects totaling over $2.2 billion in regional economic impact, with marquee projects including the $49 million Seneca Middle School, a $47.8 million Walhalla High School campus, and a $14 million Greenville Drive renovation delivered ahead of a five-month deadline.

The firm operates three business units: the core commercial construction division, TrehelCARE (a service division handling maintenance and small projects up to $250,000), and Trehel Tailored Homes (luxury residential launched in 2024). Underlying technology is operational rather than proprietary: Trehel uses Procore construction management software for project communication, Building Information Modeling (BIM) for material takeoffs and 3D logistics planning, and LEED/WELL-certified delivery frameworks; there is no disclosed proprietary platform, API, or AI/ML capability. The branded 'Better Building Process' integrates preconstruction, design-build, and CMAR approaches around value engineering and open-book cost transparency.

Trehel's go-to-market is enterprise field sales organized around 'Discovery Sessions' with senior leadership and project managers embedded in the sales process, generating 85%+ of revenue from repeat clients. Revenue is generated through project-based professional services contracts (custom quotes per project) with a multi-year maintenance contract layer via TrehelCARE. The company is family- and employee-owned following founder Neal Workman's original $4,000 capitalization; CEO Will Huss has led the firm since 2007, with President/COO Keith Poole assuming operational leadership in 2020 and equity partnership in 2023. There is no external PE/VC backing, no parent company, and no disclosed revenue figures.

Name

Trehel

Legal name

Trehel Corporation

Website

https://trehel.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Trehel Corporation is a privately-held general contractor founded in 1982 and based in Greenville, SC, delivering preconstruction, design-build, construction management at risk, and maintenance services across 9 verticals in SC, NC, and GA, with a new luxury residential division.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Construction Services

NAICS

Nonresidential Building Construction (2362), Specialty Trade Contractors (238)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Nonresidential Bldgs (1540), General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520)

akta.pro primary industry

Residential General Contracting (New Build) (IMAFAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Residential Interior Fit-Out (Multi-Family & High-End) (IMAFANAE)

Keywords

• Commercial construction services
• Design-build construction
• Construction management at risk
• Preconstruction services
• General contracting services

Headquarters

HQ city

Greenville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. General Construction Services: Full-service general contracting including preconstruction, design-build, construction management at risk (CMAR), and partnering delivery methods for commercial, institutional, and residential projects.
2. TrehelCARE Building Maintenance: Commercial building maintenance and small projects division providing construction, maintenance, and renovation services for small to mid-sized projects valued up to $250,000.
3. Trehel Tailored Homes: Custom luxury homebuilding and high-end home renovations in Greenville, SC and Western North Carolina.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Trehel Corporation is a privately-held general contractor that provides commercial construction services across nine market segments (Commercial, Faith-Based, Industrial, Multi-Family, Healthcare, Education, Municipal, Adaptive Reuse, and Nonprofit) using four primary delivery methods: Preconstruction, Design-Build, Construction Management at Risk (CMAR), and Partnering. The company serves clients in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia, with 1,700+ completed projects and $2.2+ billion in economic growth since 1982. Two specialized divisions operate alongside core commercial work: TrehelCARE handles commercial maintenance and small projects up to $250,000, and Trehel Tailored Homes builds custom luxury residences in Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina.

Product overview

Trehel Corporation is a privately-held general contractor offering a portfolio of construction services across 9 market segments: Commercial, Faith-Based, Industrial, Multi-Family, Healthcare, Education, Municipal, Adaptive Reuse, and Nonprofit. The company provides three primary delivery methods: Preconstruction Services, Design-Build Services, and Construction Management at Risk (CMAR), supplemented by a Partnering approach. Trehel operates two divisions: the core commercial construction division serving the Carolinas and Georgia, and Trehel Tailored Homes for luxury custom residential builds. A Commercial Service Division called TrehelCARE handles maintenance and small projects up to $250,000. The company utilizes Building Information Modeling (BIM), 3D logistics planning, and integrated project delivery approaches across all service offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Preconstruction Services Expert preconstruction services for commercial and institutional clients, including cost modeling, project phasing plans, detailed logistical strategies, constructability reviews, CPM scheduling, and Building Information Modeling (BIM) for material quantity takeoffs and 3D logistics planning.
• Design-Build Services Single-source design-build delivery integrating architect and contractor, with conceptual design, preconstruction, scheduling, and project management tied closely together for optimum client value.
• CM at Risk (Construction Management at Risk) Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery method where Trehel acts as consultant during preconstruction and contractor during project completion, guaranteeing cost early and managing each phase.
• Partnering Hybrid delivery method uniting owner, contractor, and design team as a collaborative unit before construction begins, emphasizing qualifications, relationships, and shared project goals over traditional low-bid approaches.
• TrehelCARE Commercial Service Division providing building maintenance and small projects up to $250,000, including commercial upfits, renovations in occupied spaces, door/trim/hardware installation, metal framing, drywall, commercial flooring, and painting.
• Trehel Tailored Homes Luxury custom residential home builder offering high-end home renovations and expansions in Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina, focusing on personalized design-build experiences.
• Commercial Construction Services Full-service commercial construction including preconstruction planning, site development, ground-up construction, project management, budget development, quality assurance, and post-construction services for office buildings, retail, hospitality, and financial institutions.
• Faith-Based Construction Services Construction services for worship facilities, sanctuaries, youth facilities, education buildings, and community spaces for various denominations including evangelical churches, traditional chapels, and modern worship centers.
• Industrial Construction & Warehouse Services Warehouse and industrial construction for advanced materials, aerospace, automotive, energy technology, fashion textiles, fluid control, mining, plastics, power generation, print/paper, and distribution industries.
• Multi-Family Construction Services Multi-family development including urban apartments, senior living, townhomes, condominiums, and mixed-use developments with innovative design and sustainable building practices.
• Healthcare Construction Services Healthcare facility construction for individual providers, physician practices, healthcare systems, and medical agencies including medical offices, hospitals, and facilities designed for WELL Building Standard certification.
• Educational Building Construction Services Construction services for K-12 and higher education including classrooms, laboratories, theaters, dining halls, student housing, and career/technology centers using Design-Build and CMAR delivery methods.
• Municipal Construction Services Government and public facilities construction for federal, state, and municipal agencies including government buildings, libraries, police/fire stations, recreation centers, and public works projects.
• Adaptive Reuse Construction Services Transformation of historic buildings into new usable spaces including rehabilitation, modernization, and restoration while preserving original character, with projects including a National Trust for Historic Preservation Award.
• Nonprofit Facilities Construction Construction services for nonprofit organizations including centers for arts, science, regional history, community projects, homeless shelters, and facilities serving underprivileged populations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85%+ of annual revenue from repeat clients
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• JE Dunn Construction: Top-tier national general contractor with significant Southeast regional presence, providing design-build and CMAR services across healthcare, education, commercial, and multifamily — overlapping heavily with Trehel's target markets.
• Gilbane Building Company: Large privately-held national general contractor with deep education, healthcare, and public-sector practices that compete for the same institutional work Trehel pursues in the Southeast.
• McCarthy Building Companies: National employee-owned general contractor with strong healthcare, education, and commercial practices. Competes for larger institutional projects in the Carolinas and represents the scale-up path for a firm of Trehel's profile.
• Messer/Balfour Beatty (Balfour Beatty US): National general contractor with substantial Carolinas/Georgia operations serving commercial, healthcare, education, and multi-family clients. Larger and more diversified than Trehel, but directly competing for similar bid opportunities.

Direct peers

• Frampton Construction: Charleston, SC-based regional general contractor focused on industrial, commercial, and healthcare construction in the Southeast. Comparable in size and customer profile to Trehel, with significant overlap in Carolinas geographies.
• Choate Construction Company: Atlanta-based regional general contractor with strong Carolinas/Georgia presence delivering commercial, healthcare, education, and multi-family projects via design-build and CMAR. Closest direct comparable to Trehel in size, geography, and delivery model.
• Brasfield & Gorrie: Birmingham, AL-headquartered general contractor with a major Southeast U.S. footprint serving commercial, healthcare, education, industrial, and multi-family clients. Comparable in service mix and region, though meaningfully larger in scale.
• Holder Construction Company: Atlanta-based general contractor specializing in commercial, corporate, healthcare, and higher education projects, with extensive Carolinas/Georgia activity. Operates with design-build and CMAR delivery methods closely aligned to Trehel's offerings.
• Vannoy Construction: North Carolina-based regional general contractor providing design-build, CM-at-risk, and general contracting across commercial, healthcare, education, and senior living in the Carolinas. Direct competitor in the same Triad-to-Upstate corridor Trehel serves.

Emerging players

• Robins & Morton: Alabama-based general contractor with growing Southeast presence focused on healthcare, education, and senior living construction. Comparable size and vertical mix to Trehel, with a strong reputation in healthcare delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/trehelcorp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/trehel-corporation
• Instagraminstagram.com/trehelcorp
• Facebookfacebook.com/TrehelCorporation

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Trehel