IT IS INDICATIVE OF THE CALIBER OF DESIGN, EXECUTION AND CLIENT RELATIONS THAT Crowebuilt Homes not only was invited to join the Southern Living Custom Builder Network (SLCBN) but that the magazine asked founder Evan Crowe to be a member of its board.

Established in 2016, and based in Cartersville, Georgia, the firm embodies those indispensable characteristics of a top-notch builder: organization, communication, problem-solving, anticipation and, above all, trust.

“It’s also about respecting everyone on the jobsite, from top to bottom,” says Crowe.

The company’s latest project, among its most ambitious, called on all these attributes, including the capacity to think ahead like a chess master.

The 11,400-square-foot modern French country home represented a somewhat larger project than is customary for Crowe. But he and his firm relished the challenge, moving from concept to completion in 16 months.

Apart from the usual high-end features and accoutrements, the finished product sports five bedrooms and seven-and-a-half baths, as well as a gym and wine cellar.

“It’s a home designed for entertaining, relaxing and recharging, with large rooms and high ceilings, a living room with a large linear fireplace that connects to a kitchen with two islands and an amazing bar,” says Crowe. “The bar has two 10-foot-tall bifold steel doors leading to the outdoor living space and pool. The home also has thoughtfully designed bedrooms and baths, with the master bath done in Calacatta Gold and white oak accents. In the basement, there is a spa featuring a steam shower and cold plunge.

Visitors to the home are struck immediately by a more than impressive, elegantly architectural foyer dominated by an open-riser staircase.

The firm’s clients had already hired an architect and had acquired a good set of concept drawings. “We then were able to coordinate with the architect (Caldwell Cline Architects) and the designer (Lori May Interiors) they hired to provide construction input on the final plans,” says Crowe. “We don’t want any details left for interpretation.”

His clients bought the property with the intent of tearing down the existing structure and building from the ground up—all of which required CroweBuilt Homes to make certain all preliminary bases were covered.

“Like any project, you will need a site plan that meets all the requirements of the local municipality. We are also required to get a rodent letter from a pest company to ensure there isn’t a family of rodents that would flee to a neighboring property. We also have to get an asbestos letter to ensure it is safe to demolish,” Crowe explains. “We then install our erosion control measures, like any site work job, and have our site work contractor tear the home down and haul the debris away. We generally separate concrete from wood and other materials to save money on hauling due to weight.”

On any project, Crowe says attention to detail is of paramount importance once actual construction begins. “It is the most important factor,” he notes. “You have to see the detail, understand how it is built, and anticipate how previous tasks prepare for a detail to be built and how that detail will finish out with the trade or task that comes after.”

His company is dedicated to making the building process as enjoyable as the finished product. “This is accomplished by respecting our clients, figuring out what they truly value, communicating well, staying organized and going the extra mile,” he says. “Building is stressful, so we try and find ways to lighten the mood, smile often and be someone our clients trust and enjoy.”

To that end, the process begins with prospective clients filling out an “onboarding form” on the company website, where they are able to share not only an overall vision but specific ideas and preferences. This is followed by a face-to-face introductory meeting, where client and company determine if they are a good fit. It allows CroweBuilt Homes to identify expectations and challenges early on.

Next, the team sets a scope for the project, which includes pricing and timeline estimates. An initial deposit gets the ball rolling. With a budget determined, the client arranges financing and permits are obtained.

Construction usually requires 10 to 16 months. Clients are updated and involved throughout, not least in deciding on the fine details and finishing touches that make a dream home come alive. Last comes a final walkthrough to guarantee everything is in place exactly as envisioned.

Prior management experience with Woodland Asset Management overseeing residential development projects helped prepare Crowe for running a construction company. This, by understanding the ever-changing nature of construction. “You have to be ready to pivot at any moment,” says Crowe. “You have to know how to communicate and solve problems. We operated with a great deal of freedom, and all of us had a strong drive and work ethic, so working long hours, problem-solving and working with people comes naturally.”

No surprise, then, that Crowe and his staff were approached by the Southern Living Custom Builder Network to be a part of its prestigious association. “They reached out and invited us to the program around 2018,” Crowe says. “We have been part of a Builder 10 group within the SLCBN for a few years, and I have been on the board for about a year and a half.”

In addition to being the mother of their two children and a former nurse, Crowe’s wife, Ellany, also serves as the company’s marketing director. The principal staff also includes project managers Wes Riffe and Leon Payne.

The firm also is a member of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and the group purchasing organization Custom Builders USA (CBUSA). The latter combines “the buying power of independent homebuilders to negotiate better pricing, rebates and terms with manufacturers and suppliers,” enabling companies like CroweBuilt to access savings for their clients.

At CroweBuilt Homes, the classical attribute of craftsmanship is more than a mere buzzword. It’s a way of life. The company creates unique dwellings for Metro Atlanta clients and equally rewarding experiences.