Building Around a View — and Around Trust

People often ask me what makes a custom home different from any other home. My answer has never changed.

It isn’t the square footage, the finishes, or even the craftsmanship, although those things certainly matter. What makes a custom home special is that every project begins with someone else’s dream, and my job is to understand that dream before we ever pour the foundation.

Back in 2010, I met a gentleman named Mitch who had just retired after thirty-eight years as a U.S. Army Special Forces Command Sergeant Major. We spent some time walking his property, talking about the home he had already designed and where it should sit on the land. During that conversation he pointed toward Mount Spokane and said, “I want to wake up every morning looking at that.”

At that moment, I knew what this project was really about.

The mountain wasn’t simply part of the scenery. It was the reason he had chosen that property in the first place. My responsibility wasn’t just to build the home he had designed. It was to make sure that every important space in that home celebrated the view he had worked so hard to enjoy during retirement.

Listening Before Building

One lesson I’ve learned after building homes for many years is that homeowners don’t always tell you exactly what they want. More often, they tell you what’s important to them, and it’s my job to listen carefully enough to understand what they’re really saying.

For Mitch, the view of Mount Spokane became the guiding principle for the entire project. Once I understood that, so many other decisions became easier. The orientation of the home, the placement of the great room, the outdoor living spaces, and even how guests would experience the home as they entered all needed to support that original vision.

Those aren’t decisions you’ll find on a blueprint. They’re decisions that come from experience, careful planning, and taking the time to understand the people you’re building for.

Building a Home From Miles Away

One of the unique challenges with this project was that Mitch wasn’t able to visit the jobsite very often. Rather than waiting until he could return, we relied on FaceTime to stay connected throughout construction.

I’d walk through the home with my phone, showing him the progress and discussing the dozens of little decisions that come up during every custom build. We’d talk about trim details, window placement, lighting, finishes, and countless other items that seem small in the moment but have a lasting impact on how a home feels once it’s finished.

Those conversations were never rushed. My goal wasn’t simply to keep construction moving forward. I wanted Mitch to feel like he was part of every important decision, even when he was hundreds of miles away.

Technology made those conversations possible, but communication built the trust that allowed the project to move forward with confidence.

The Decisions You Never See

Every custom home reaches a point where the plans stop providing all the answers. That’s when experience takes over.

Throughout construction, I found myself going back to that very first conversation on the property. Every time a decision came up, I’d ask myself the same questions. Does this make the view better? Does this room feel connected to the landscape? Is this something Mitch will appreciate every morning when he sits down with his first cup of coffee?

Most homeowners never see those decisions being made. They simply move into a home that feels right, without realizing how many small choices contributed to that feeling. In my experience, that’s where a custom builder earns a homeowner’s trust—not by following the plans exactly, but by understanding the purpose behind them.

Competing With the Best

As construction came to an end, I brought in an interior designer to help coordinate the colors, textures, finishes, and furnishings. We wanted every detail to complement the craftsmanship of the home and create a finished product that felt warm, timeless, and inviting.

I believed we had built something truly special, so I entered the home into the Spokane Home Builders Association Fall Festival of Homes. Like any builder, I wanted to see how our work measured up against some of the best craftsmen in the region.

The results were beyond anything I expected.

That home earned Best Master Suite, Best Landscaping, and award after award throughout the competition. By the end of the festival, we had received virtually every major honor presented that year. It was an incredible feeling because those awards came from people who understood the amount of planning, coordination, and craftsmanship required to build a home at that level.

As proud as I was of those accomplishments, they’re not what I remember most about that project.

A Moment I’ll Never Forget

Months had passed since I had last seen Mitch in person. When he finally returned to see the completed home, there were no judges, photographers, or crowds standing nearby. It was simply a homeowner walking through the house he had dreamed about for years.

After spending a few minutes taking everything in, he walked over, gave me a big hug, and started crying.

Then he looked at me and said, “This is the nicest home I’ve ever owned.”

I’ve received awards over the years, and I’m grateful for every one of them because they represent the hard work of our entire team. But that moment meant something entirely different. It reminded me that we’re not just building houses. We’re helping people create the place where they’ll celebrate birthdays, welcome grandchildren, enjoy retirement, and make memories for decades to come.

No trophy can compete with knowing you’ve exceeded a homeowner’s expectations in that way.

That’s Why I Still Love Building Custom Homes

Every family I work with has a different vision for what home means to them. Some are building a place to raise their children. Others are creating the retirement home they’ve spent a lifetime working toward. Whatever the dream happens to be, my job is to understand it, communicate throughout the process, and build a home that reflects the life they imagine living there.

When I think back on this project today, I certainly remember the awards. I’m proud of what we accomplished and grateful for the recognition we received from the Spokane Home Builders Association.

What I remember even more clearly, though, is standing beside a retired Command Sergeant Major as he looked out toward Mount Spokane from the home we had built together. Watching him realize that his vision had become reality is something I’ll never forget.

That’s what custom home building has always meant to me. I would love to talk with you about your project, contact us today.