Abernathy Jim Construction in Oklahoma City: General Contractor for Residential Remodels and Additions

Abernathy Jim Construction is a licensed residential general contractor based in Oklahoma City that handles kitchen and bathroom remodels, room additions, and structural repairs for homeowners across the metro area. The business operates as a single-owner firm rather than a large multi-crew operation, which shapes both its availability windows and the hands-on involvement homeowners receive during projects.

What the contractor actually does

Jim Abernathy holds an Oklahoma Construction Industries Board license for general contracting and takes on projects ranging from $8,000 kitchen updates to $75,000+ whole-home additions. The firm does not specialize in commercial work, new construction, or large multifamily projects. Most jobs involve permit-required work in kitchens, bathrooms, decks, and room expansions where structural or electrical changes demand licensed oversight. The contractor handles permitting, code inspections, and subcontractor coordination in-house rather than leaving those tasks to homeowners.

Services and pricing structure

Abernathy Jim Construction quotes projects on a fixed-price basis after a site visit and scope walk-through. Kitchen remodels in Oklahoma City typically range from $12,000 for a modest cabinet-and-countertop refresh to $40,000 for layouts that include new plumbing, electrical, and appliance installation. Bathroom work starts around $8,000 for tile and fixture updates and reaches $25,000 for a full gut-and-rebuild with new vanities, tile work, and ventilation. Room additions run $80 to $120 per square foot depending on foundation type, insulation, and finish materials. The contractor does not charge hourly labor rates; instead, he provides a single estimate that covers materials, labor, and overhead. There is no estimate fee. A 30 percent deposit is required at signing, with remaining draws tied to inspection milestones (framing, rough-in, final). Verify current pricing by phone, as material costs fluctuate.

How it compares to other Oklahoma City general contractors

Abernathy Jim Construction differs from larger firms like Ideal Construction and Turner Construction in scale and availability. Turner handles commercial, hospitality, and large-scale residential work and maintains waiting lists of 8 to 12 weeks. Ideal operates multiple crews and can absorb larger or concurrent projects but often assigns a project manager rather than the owner. Abernathy is the sole active contractor on most jobs, which means fewer crew changes and direct communication but also slower turnaround if the homeowner's timeline requires two concurrent projects. For homeowners who prioritize consistent contact with decision-makers and who can tolerate a 4 to 8-week timeline, Abernathy's model works well. For those needing rapid completion or multiple simultaneous jobs, larger firms are a better fit. Mid-size outfits like Bridgeport Builders offer a middle ground: they maintain two to three crews and charge slightly higher markups than single-owner operations but faster scheduling than Ideal or Turner.

Who it suits and who it does not

This contractor is a strong match for homeowners planning a single, well-scoped kitchen, bathroom, or addition project who value direct communication with the person making decisions on site. It suits people comfortable with a 4 to 8-week timeline and who want to avoid the overhead costs associated with large firms. It does not suit homeowners needing multiple simultaneous projects, those with extremely tight deadlines, or those seeking to hire a designer-builder package where the contractor also manages architectural drawings. It also does not serve commercial, industrial, or new-construction clients.

The first visit and estimate process

The contractor schedules a site visit within one week of initial contact. He walks the space with the homeowner, takes photos and measurements, asks about material preferences (flooring, cabinet style, tile color), and discusses timeline. He does not require a deposit at this stage. The estimate typically arrives within three to five business days. If the homeowner accepts, a one-page contract is signed, the 30 percent deposit is collected, and a start date is confirmed. The contractor handles all permitting paperwork; the homeowner does not submit documents to the City of Oklahoma City Building Services. Once work begins, Abernathy calls or texts daily to report progress and flag any hidden issues (rotten framing, plumbing surprises) before they inflate the final bill.

Hours, location, and contact details

Abernathy Jim Construction operates Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with occasional weekend work for finish tasks. The business does not maintain a public office; all communication happens by phone or email. Work trucks are typically on-site; the homeowner's driveway serves as the staging area. Verify hours and current scheduling by calling before requesting an estimate, as availability shifts with project load.

A licensed Oklahoma City contractor who takes on one kitchen or bath remodel at a time and stays present through completion is rare enough to deserve consideration if you value direct communication over rapid scheduling.