Member Comments: Our just-purchased home didn't have the "feel" or character of an Asheville mountain home. We knew we wanted more natural materials like stone and wood to warm it up, and match our existing artwork and furniture. In addition, the porch had to pass a rigorous review by the HOA, and the builders needed the ability to draw up the plans necessary for the review. We had several remodeling contractors submit bids. None was able to provide plans that would pass the HOA review. On a whim, I visited the offices of Judd Builders at the Dingle Creek strip mall on south Hendersonville Road. I knew these folks built custom high end homes, and had little hope they would have any interest in this more modest job. Debbie Judd was very welcoming, and I soon got a call from her husband, John, Sr., who expressed interest in bidding the job. He and his son, John, Jr., showed up with an architect in tow, looked things over and shortly submitted a bid. They got the job. The plans passed the HOA review, but while we waited for that review, the Judd's built a magnificent natural stone fireplace in our living room that completely changed the character of the home. We knew then that we had chosen our builder well. Our experience with Judd Builders has been very positive. They have been responsive and flexible. Their crews are professional, friendly, and they clean up thoroughly at the end of the day. That's important when you are basically living with the work crews day after day. The only problem was that our choice of a tile floor for the porch meant winter weather delayed the completion until we had a series of warmer days in early spring. No remodeling job comes without surprises, but it has been worth it as the final product turned out even better than we had hoped. This level of quality doesn't come from the lowest bidder. We knew that going in. But you get what you pay for, and we wanted high quality without wasting our money, and that is what we received. I would highly recommend Judd Builders to anyone looking for a builder who can deliver a product that will enhance the long term value of your home. Here is their e-mail address:
[email protected]Description of Work: Description of Work: We wanted to build a high quality screened-in porch in our eight-year-old house. We wanted the build quality to match the interior of the home, with natural stone fireplace, tile floor, insulated ceiling, etc., and with the added possibility that the porch could some day morph into a fully enclosed sun room. In addition we wanted to replace a modest gas log fireplace in the family room with a natural stone, floor to ceiling, "make a statement" fireplace, complete with stone hearth and natural wood mantle. This would match the fireplace to be built on the porch. The Judd's built the living room fireplace before we moved in, while we waited for the Home Owner's Association (HOA), to approve the porch plans. This was a four-day job using natural stone facing on the existing walls. The results are spectacular, and their bid was the lower of the two we received. The Judd's provided the architect who drew up the porch plans that we needed to pass the HOA review. While not cheap, the plans also kept the surprises to a minimum, as we all agreed on how much of what materials would be needed, so the bid was very accurate, except when we initiated change orders, or other circumstances changed. The Judd's are general contractors, but they have their regular crews that work on all their jobs: Carpentry, electrical, plumbing, roofing, stone masons, fireplace specialists, propane and natural gas installers, painters, you name it. This job had to pass structural, electrical, and gas inspections, so having licensed professionals doing the work is a good thing. We met all of these crews (some more than once), and had very good experiences with them. Judd Builders have key vendors for doors, windows, and hardware, lighting and fans, tile and stone, etc., and they help their customers make intelligent choices. For area newcomers, this was very important.