A classic brick two story house isn't just a place to live; it’s a declaration. It speaks to strength, permanence, and a kind of timeless style that never fades. For families in Fayetteville and Lumberton, choosing this design is more than an aesthetic choice—it's a savvy investment in both financial security and a lasting family legacy. At South Eastern General Contractors (SEGC), we've spent over 21 years helping families build these legacies, and this guide shares the actionable insights we've gained along the way.

The Enduring Legacy of a Brick Home

Picture a home that tells a story of quality from the moment you see it. That's the real promise of building with brick, a material that has proven its mettle for centuries. From grand Colonials to sleek modern designs, the brick two-story home is a true cornerstone of American neighborhoods, symbolizing a commitment to building something that will stand for generations.

Here at SEGC, we believe we're building legacies, not just structures. With over 21+ years of proven results in communities like Fayetteville and Lumberton, we know your home is the foundation for your family’s future. It’s why we so often recommend brick; it offers a rare combination of brute strength and surprising design flexibility.

Why Brick Stands the Test of Time

The magnetic pull of brick goes far beyond its classic good looks. Historically, it was the go-to material for its sheer resilience and natural insulating properties. Even today, techniques like double-brick construction—popular since the early 1900s—are prized for creating homes that are stronger, quieter, and tougher against severe weather. That’s a massive plus here in our North Carolina climate.

While it does require a greater investment upfront, homeowners consistently choose it for the long-term comfort and security it brings. You can dive deeper into its history in this helpful guide to house construction.

"Building a home is one of the most significant investments a family will make. Our job is to honor that trust by using materials and methods that ensure the home is safe, beautiful, and valuable for decades to come. Brick delivers on all fronts." – [SEGC Leadership Name/Title – Placeholder]

As a Native American-owned firm with 8(a) and HUBZone certifications, our dedication to quality and community is part of who we are. We've seen firsthand in Fayetteville and Lumberton how a well-built brick home becomes a source of pride and a cherished family asset. It's more than just walls and a roof—it's a smart decision that pays you back in peace of mind for years.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about building a brick two-story house, from picking an architectural style to understanding what happens on the job site. Let’s get started on creating a home that truly reflects your vision and values.

Finding Your Perfect Architectural Style

A brick two story house isn't just one thing. It’s a blank canvas, ready to be shaped into a home that tells your family’s story. The style you land on says a lot about you—whether you’re drawn to timeless tradition or lean more toward clean, modern lines. Here at SEGC, we’ve spent over 21 years in Fayetteville and Lumberton helping families find the architectural language that speaks to them. It’s about making sure the final home is a true reflection of their dreams.

Let's walk through some of the most popular styles and see how the right brick can make all the difference. Think of it like matching a personality to a home; each one has its own vibe.

Classic Elegance: The Colonial and Georgian Styles

Close your eyes and picture a classic, stately brick home. Chances are, you're picturing a Colonial or Georgian design. These styles are all about satisfying symmetry, perfectly balanced windows, and a grand central entryway that just says, "Welcome." They give off a feeling of history, order, and a quiet sort of confidence.

For a classic Georgian we built in Fayetteville, the family wanted a look of established grace. We went with a traditional red brick and a crisp, white mortar. That sharp contrast really made the home’s perfect proportions pop.

As a Native American-owned firm, we know a thing or two about legacy. A Colonial or Georgian brick home is the architectural version of a family heirloom—it's strong, beautiful, and built to be passed down with pride for generations.

These styles are a fantastic fit for families who appreciate traditional layouts and a formal, yet incredibly welcoming, first impression. There's something inherently calming and solid about the balanced design; it’s a visual promise of the stability you’ll find inside.

Old-World Charm: The Tudor Revival

If you're a sucker for storybook charm and romantic details, the Tudor style might just steal your heart. Known for their steeply pitched roofs, decorative half-timbering, and magnificent chimneys, Tudor homes look like they've been plucked right out of the English countryside. The brickwork is absolutely key to nailing that cozy, historic feel.

A Tudor-inspired brick two story house often plays with:

• Irregular Brick Patterns: Masons might get creative, mixing patterns or using "tumbled" bricks with soft, worn edges to give the home an instantly aged look.
• Darker Mortar: Forget the bright contrast of a Georgian. Tudors often use darker mortar to create a more rustic, blended appearance that feels grounded.
• Mixed Materials: The brick is rarely alone. It's often paired with stone accents, stucco, and dark wood timbers to create a rich, layered texture you can't help but touch.

This style is perfect for anyone who wants a home that’s brimming with unique character and a touch of whimsy. It’s a design that really celebrates detailed craftsmanship.

Clean and Contemporary: The Modern Brick Home

Think brick is just for traditionalists? Think again. Modern architecture has fully embraced brick for its raw texture, clean lines, and earthy honesty. A modern brick home does away with all the decorative frills, opting instead for bold geometric shapes, huge windows, and a minimalist vibe. Here, the brick isn't just part of the design—it is the design.

On a recent project near Lumberton, we used a long, slender "Roman" brick in a cool grey. By laying it in a simple, uniform stack, we created a sleek, horizontal look that highlighted the home's contemporary form. We finished it off with dark metal window frames and a minimalist roofline for a sophisticated, understated effect. As an 8(a) and HUBZone certified builder, we bring that same level of precision and quality to every style, ensuring even the most modern designs are built to last.

Brick Two Story House Style Comparison

Choosing a style can feel overwhelming, so we've put together a quick comparison to help you see the key differences at a glance. This table breaks down what makes each style unique, from its defining features to the types of brick that bring it to life.

At the end of the day, the right style is simply the one that feels like you. Our job is to listen to your vision and then use our expertise to translate it into a home that stands as a testament to your legacy. Ready to build yours? Let’s start the conversation.

So, Why Is Brick a Smarter Long-Term Play?

Sure, a brick two story house has that timeless curb appeal everyone loves, but its real superpower is what's happening behind the scenes. Choosing brick isn't just a design choice; it's a savvy financial move that pays you back for a lifetime. Think of it less like an expense and more like the bedrock of your family's comfort, safety, and financial future.

At SEGC, we're not just building houses; we're building legacies. As an 8(a) and HUBZone certified firm, our mission is to create structures that stand strong for generations. With over 21 years of proven results right here in Fayetteville and Lumberton, we’ve seen it firsthand: brick homes simply win in the long run. And trust us, it’s about more than just looking good.

The Secret to Comfort and Lower Bills

Ever heard of thermal mass? It’s one of brick’s most impressive tricks. Picture your home's brick walls as a sort of energy piggy bank. During those sweltering North Carolina summers, the brick soaks up the sun's heat all day and releases it slowly after the sun goes down. This keeps your home naturally cooler, giving your AC a much-needed break.

When winter rolls around, it does the exact opposite. Your home's cozy warmth gets stored in the brick instead of escaping into the cold. This natural climate control translates directly into lower energy bills, month after month. It's a quiet, consistent saving that really adds up over the years. Want to get into the nitty-gritty? You can find more details in our complete guide to building superior brick houses in NC.

Your Own Personal Fortress of Peace

Beyond the wallet-friendly benefits, a brick home wraps you in a bubble of peace and quiet. The sheer density of brick is an amazing soundproofer. Suddenly, the neighbor’s early-morning lawnmower and the noisy street traffic just fade into the background. It’s like having a built-in "do not disturb" sign.

That same density makes brick a champion of fire safety. It's non-combustible, which can give your family precious extra time in an emergency. It's a level of protection and peace of mind you really can't put a price tag on.

"We built our brick home with SEGC just outside Fayetteville. When Hurricane Matthew hit, we saw neighbors dealing with siding damage and wind noise. Our home was quiet and solid as a rock. That's when we truly understood we hadn't just built a house, we had built a shelter." – Satisfied SEGC Client, Fayetteville, NC

This is exactly why we're such big believers in brick. It's a material that stares down high winds, driving rain, and whatever else Mother Nature throws at it, keeping your family and your investment safe.

A Legacy That Practically Takes Care of Itself

Let’s be honest: nobody loves constant home maintenance. A brick home is about as low-maintenance as it gets.

• It won't rot, dent, or fade in the sun.
• You can put away your paintbrush because it never needs painting.
• Pests like termites just aren't interested.

This incredible durability is why brick has been a go-to building material for centuries. Today, it’s more relevant than ever, as construction shifts toward multi-story homes that need to be long-lasting, energy-efficient, and quiet.

While your solid brick home is the ultimate long-term asset, you can always boost its value and comfort with other smarter home upgrades like plantation shutters. In the end, choosing brick is about building a legacy, not just a structure—a core value that drives every single project we take on as a Native American-owned company.

How to Budget for Your Brick Home Project

Let's pull back the curtain on the numbers, shall we? When you start dreaming about a brick two-story house, the conversation almost always kicks off with a quick guess on the price per square foot. Honestly, that’s like trying to navigate a cross-country road trip with a crayon sketch on a napkin—it’s missing all the important details. A real, trustworthy budget goes way beyond that, and our goal is to empower you to understand the key factors.

Here at South Eastern General Contractors (SEGC), we've been walking families in Fayetteville, Lumberton, and beyond through this exact process for over 21+ years. As a Native American-owned firm, our entire approach is built on trust, and that starts with being completely open about the money. We want you to feel confident, not confused.

Beyond Square Footage: What Really Drives the Cost?

Think of your budget as a recipe. The final cost isn't just about the size of the cake; it's about the quality and complexity of the ingredients you choose. A rock-solid budget looks at everything from the ground up.

So, what are these big-ticket items? We always break it down into four main drivers:

• The Brick Itself: You’d be surprised by the variety. A standard red brick is one thing, but a handmade, reclaimed, or a sleek, thin "Roman" style brick is a whole different ballgame. The color, texture, and where it comes from all nudge the price tag.
• Design Complexity: A simple, clean rectangular home is always going to be the most budget-friendly option. Start adding intricate angles, multiple rooflines, dramatic arches, or custom masonry patterns, and you’re adding time and highly skilled labor to the mix.
• Local Labor Rates: Finding a true craftsman—an expert mason—is key. The cost for that talent varies by region. We tap into our deep local roots in the Fayetteville and Lumberton areas to bring in the best pros at fair rates, so you get top-tier work without the sticker shock.
• Site Prep: What’s the canvas we’re working with? Clearing trees, leveling the property, and making sure the drainage is perfect are all day-one costs. We factor these in from the very beginning so there are no surprises.

The Upfront Cost vs. a Lifetime of Value

One of the first questions we always get is how brick stacks up against materials like vinyl or fiber cement siding. Let's be straight: yes, a brick exterior is a bigger investment right out of the gate. But this is where you have to put on your long-term thinking cap.

Building with brick is the classic definition of paying a little more now to save a whole lot more later.

For a deeper dive into all the pieces that make up a home's final price, check out our guide on the true cost of building a custom home. It'll help you see the complete picture, not just one part of it.

We don't just quote a price; we build a financial plan. Our process, backed by our 8(a) and HUBZone certifications, ensures every client understands the long-term value of their investment. A brick home pays dividends for decades in energy savings and near-zero maintenance.

When you start adding up the money you'll save on heating and cooling bills every single year (thanks, thermal mass!), plus the money you'll never spend on painting, rot repair, or pest control, the math becomes pretty obvious. This isn't just a house. It's a high-performing asset that practically takes care of itself and secures your family's legacy for generations. That’s the SEGC promise.

Your Homebuilding Journey From Start to Finish

Turning a set of blueprints into a stunning brick two-story house is a bit like a carefully choreographed dance. It’s a mix of skill, perfect timing, and a whole lot of communication. This is the part where the dream starts to feel real, and we know that for many of our clients in Fayetteville and Lumberton, it’s both exciting and a little intimidating. Our job is to pull back the curtain and show you exactly how it all comes together.

As a Native American-owned firm with 21+ years of proven results, we’ve built our entire process on total transparency. We want you to feel connected to every step of the journey, from an empty patch of dirt to the welcome mat at your front door. Let’s walk through the major phases of construction so you can see how our hands-on management keeps your dream home right on track.

This visual breaks down the three core phases of construction—from getting the ground ready to framing the house and adding all the beautiful finishing touches.

You can see how each stage logically builds on the one before it. It’s a methodical process, and getting it right is the secret to a high-quality build that lasts.

Laying the Groundwork

Everything, and I mean everything, starts with the land. Before a single brick shows up, our crew gets to work meticulously preparing the site. This means clearing the property, grading the soil to ensure water drains away from your home (a hugely important step!), and staking out the exact footprint. It’s all about precision here—get this wrong, and nothing else matters.

Next up is the foundation, which is literally the bedrock of your family’s legacy. A brick home is heavy, so its foundation has to be exceptionally strong. We pour a reinforced concrete foundation that’s engineered to handle that weight for generations, creating a solid platform for the rest of the build. This is one of those critical moments where our commitment to quality, backed by our 8(a) and HUBZone certifications, really makes a difference.

From Skeleton to Skin

Once the foundation has cured, the fun really begins. Your home starts to take shape as the wooden frame goes up, outlining every room, floor, and the roofline. This is a genuinely thrilling milestone—it’s the first time you can walk through the “skeleton” of your house and get a true feel for the space and flow.

Then, the artistry kicks in. Our master masons arrive to lay the brick, wrapping the wooden frame in a strong, beautiful skin. This isn't just construction; it’s a time-honored craft. Each brick is carefully placed, leveled, and mortared to create the exact patterns and textures we designed together. Behind the scenes, our project managers are master coordinators, juggling material deliveries and crew schedules to keep things moving forward, even when the weather doesn't cooperate.

A project we recently finished in Fayetteville ran into a week of surprise spring storms right when we were supposed to start the masonry. Instead of just waiting it out, our project manager pivoted. He had the crews shift to interior rough-in work, so we didn't lose a single day on the schedule. That’s the kind of proactive problem-solving that keeps your project on time and on budget.

Global Trends and Local Quality

People all over the world want homes that are built to last, and it's a trend that’s not going away. Global construction reports show a steady demand for new homes. While some regions are still catching up, the U.S. has a strong focus on building with energy-efficient materials. For a deeper dive, you can review the 2024 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction. At SEGC, we bring the best of both worlds together—the timeless strength of brick and the latest in modern building science—to create a home that’s as smart as it is solid.

During this final stretch, your input on selections like windows, roofing, and other exterior details is key. We make this process easy and enjoyable. You can learn more about how we guide you through every choice in our overview of the SEGC custom home building process. Our promise is a smooth, transparent path from the first shovel of dirt to the incredible moment we finally hand you the keys.

Common Questions About Building With Brick

So, you're thinking about building a brick two story house? Great choice. But you've probably got a few questions floating around. After more than two decades building homes here in Fayetteville and Lumberton, we've heard them all. At SEGC, we want to pull back the curtain and give you the real answers.

We're a Native American-owned firm, and that means trust and transparency are baked into everything we do. An informed homeowner is a happy homeowner, and we're here to make sure you have all the facts.

Is a Full Brick House Really That Much More Expensive?

Let's be upfront: yes, a full brick home costs more at the start than a brick veneer. You're dealing with more material and a beefier foundation to hold all that weight. Plus, it takes true artisans—skilled masons—to lay it all perfectly.

But here's the thing you have to consider: the long game. That initial investment pays you back year after year in lower energy bills, incredible soundproofing (seriously, you'll wonder where the neighborhood noise went), and a structure that laughs at storm warnings. We help our clients look at the total cost of ownership, because you're not just building a house; you're building a legacy.

How Much of a Headache is Brick Maintenance?

Hardly any at all. This is where brick really shines. Forget about painting, scraping, and worrying about the rot that plagues wood siding. And those pesky termites we get around here? They can’t do a thing to brick. It's a true set-it-and-forget-it material.

About the only thing you'll ever need to do is glance over the mortar joints every few decades to check for any tiny cracks. Compare that to the constant upkeep of other materials, and you’ll see that a brick home practically takes care of itself.

Can You Add Onto a Brick House Down the Road?

Absolutely, and people do it all the time as their families grow. The trick is making the new brickwork blend seamlessly with the old, so it looks like it was there from day one. That takes a skilled mason who can match the brick, the mortar color, and the laying style.

Our team has handled countless additions on brick homes all over the Fayetteville area. We're fanatics about getting the details right so the new space enhances your home’s character, rather than looking like an afterthought.

"As an 8(a) and HUBZone certified contractor, our promise is simple: uncompromising quality. Whether we're building from scratch or adding a new wing, we know that every single brick is a building block for your family's future. We do it right the first time, every time."

Are Brick Homes a Smart Choice for the North Carolina Climate?

You bet they are. Brick is practically tailor-made for North Carolina weather. Its natural thermal mass is a game-changer—it helps keep your home cooler during our sweltering summers and cozier on those chilly winter days. That translates directly to savings on your energy bills.

Even better, brick stands up to the worst our climate can throw at it. It resists moisture, isn't bothered by pests, and handles the high winds from summer storms and hurricanes with ease. It's a tough-as-nails choice that will protect your family and your investment for generations.

Ready to build a legacy that lasts? The team at South Eastern General Contractors has over 21 years of proven results in building exceptional custom homes. Let's start the conversation about your vision today. Visit our website to learn more.