Relationships matter

Bob has worked with the same subcontractors for 15 years. "That's very unusual," he says. "They know exactly what we think, exactly what we want."

Such long-term relationships help when, as in the case of the Pressley family, the job requires modification of a plan. Tammy and Blaine Pressley were second-time clients building a home in east Asheville with a bonus room over the garage, but needed a custom stairway so it would not be necessary to walk through their daughter's bedroom to get to the bonus room. Bob Spear made it happen.

"He did a lot of those types of things to make it work for us," says Tammy. "We were totally pleased."