Building a custom home in the Blue Ridge Mountains is an experience unlike any other. You imagine waking up to the mist rolling over the ridges or hosting family dinners with a sunset backdrop that looks like a postcard. But for many homeowners arriving in Buncombe County, that dream quickly hits a technical wall. You find a lot you love, but then you’re told it needs a specific septic system. You hire a grader, but the slope is more aggressive than anticipated. Suddenly, you’re managing three different companies, and you haven’t even seen a floor plan yet.
The frustration is real. In Western North Carolina, the land doesn’t always want to cooperate. Managing a real estate agent, a site engineer, and a builder simultaneously often leads to communication gaps and “budget creep” that can sour the excitement of your new home. You didn’t move to the mountains to become a full-time project manager; you moved here for the peace that comes with mountain living.
At Ruckle Construction & Realty Inc., we believe the building process should be just as rewarding as the final result. We’ve spent over 25 years refining a “One-Stop” approach that solves the local vendor fatigue. By integrating real estate, site preparation, and master craftsmanship under one roof, we ensure that your vision remains intact from the first land search to the day we hand you the keys.
Key Takeaways:
- Single Accountability: We handle everything from finding the lot (real estate) to installing septic systems and grading, ensuring no detail is lost between vendors.
- Owner-Led Service: Skip and Brigitte Ruckle stay personally involved in every project, treating clients like neighbors, not just numbers.
- Mountain Terrain Expertise: Specialized knowledge in septic installation and grading is essential for the technical demands of WNC topography.
- Design-Build Integration: We customize floor plans to fit both your lifestyle and the specific constraints of your mountain lot.
The Hidden Complexity of Building in Western North Carolina
Most people think of custom home building as a series of design choices—kitchen cabinets, flooring types, and window placements. However, in Asheville and the surrounding counties of Haywood, Henderson, and Yancey, the true foundation of your home is established long before the first frame is raised. The Blue Ridge Mountains present unique challenges: steep slopes, rocky terrain, and the necessity of private septic and well systems.
When these elements are handled by separate, disconnected vendors, the risk of error increases. A real estate agent might sell you a lot that is prohibitively expensive to grade. A grader might not coordinate perfectly with the builder’s foundation requirements. This fragmented approach is why many projects in our region go over budget before the walls are even up. It’s not just about building a house; it’s about mastering the land it sits on.
The Power of the “One-Stop” Design-Build Solution
We decided early on that the only way to truly protect our clients was to take control of the entire process. Skip and Brigitte Ruckle are both licensed general contractors and licensed real estate brokers. This dual expertise allows us to serve as your guide through the entire lifecycle of the project.
When you work with a custom home builder in Asheville NC who also understands real estate and site engineering, you gain a massive technical advantage. We can evaluate a piece of land through the eyes of a builder before you buy it. We can tell you if the septic system installation in Asheville for that specific lot will be straightforward or require complex engineering. Because we are licensed septic installers ourselves, we handle the grading, wells, and septic systems in-house. This removes the middleman and keeps your budget exactly where it belongs.
Visualizing the Ruckle Construction Process
We want you to feel comfortable every step of the way. Here is how we turn a vision into a mountain sanctuary:
- Initial Discovery: Our relationship starts with a consultation to discuss your dreams and parameters. We don’t just talk about rooms; we talk about how you want to live.
- Land Acquisition & Feasibility: If you don’t have land, we utilize our association with Coldwell Banker King to find the perfect spot. We assess the site feasibility immediately, looking at slope and soil.
- Design Phase: Whether modifying one of our plans or starting from scratch, we shape the functionality of the home to meet your criteria.
- Site Preparation: This is where our expertise shines. We clear, grade, and install the necessary septic and well systems ourselves.
- The Build: Skip and Brigitte lead a dedicated team to bring the structure to life with high-quality craftsmanship.
- Orientation & Keys: We conduct a final orientation to ensure you understand every system in your new home, from the hardwood floors to the septic maintenance.
A Lifestyle Defined by Craftsmanship and Trust
The result of this integrated process is more than just a building; it’s a home that reflects your vision without the typical construction scars. We’ve seen firsthand how a personal relationship transforms the experience. We get to know our clients on a first-name basis, from first-time buyers to those building their forever retirement retreats.
Our clients often tell us that the attention to detail is what sets us apart. One homeowner who built with us during the height of the pandemic noted, “From the day we broke ground until I moved in 6 and a half months later, Ruckle Construction was guiding me step by step… I felt like I was the only client they had”. That level of focus is only possible when the owners of the company are on-site and invested in the outcome. Another client shared that Skip was “skillful and a bit too nice,” making the entire process a “treat” rather than a trial.
Your Next Step
If you’re ready to stop managing vendors and start building your legacy, we’re ready to help. Whether you’re in the early stages of a land search or have your plans ready to go, let’s have a conversation about how we can make your Asheville build a reality.
[Schedule Your Free Consultation with Ruckle Construction & Realty Inc.]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to build a custom home in Asheville? While every project is unique, we work with budgets ranging from $500,000 to over $2.5 million. Our goal is always to provide competitive pricing by managing high-cost site work in-house to avoid the “surprises” that usually drive up the price of mountain construction.
How long does the typical mountain building process take? Most custom builds in the WNC area range from 10 to 18 months from concept to completion, depending on complexity. However, we focus on efficiency; we once completed a custom build in just 6.5 months during the pandemic by maintaining tight control over all phases.
Can you help me find land if I’m relocating from out of state? Yes, Skip and Brigitte are both licensed real estate brokers and can lead you through the land acquisition process via their association with Coldwell Banker King. We provide site feasibility assessments during the search to ensure you don’t buy a lot with hidden construction hurdles.
What areas of Western North Carolina do you serve? We primarily serve Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, and Yancey counties. Whether you are looking for a lot in West Asheville or a secluded ridge in Leicester, we have the local permits and equipment to handle the project.
Why do I need a builder who is also a licensed septic installer? In WNC, site prep is often the most expensive and unpredictable part of the build. Having a builder who is a licensed septic installer means we don’t have to wait for outside contractors to grade your lot or install systems, which keeps your timeline moving and your costs transparent.
Do you offer any warranties on your new homes? Yes, we stand behind our work with a one-year guarantee on every build we do. We believe in building relationships that last long after we hand over the keys.
About the Author
The Ruckle Construction Editorial Team is led by Skip and Brigitte Ruckle, who bring combined industry experience dating back to 1994. As licensed general contractors, real estate brokers, and septic installers, the team specializes in the technical and aesthetic demands of Western North Carolina’s mountain terrain. Based in Leicester and serving the greater Asheville region—including Buncombe and Henderson counties—Ruckle Construction & Realty Inc. has successfully completed numerous custom homes ranging from modern mountain retreats to traditional family estates. Skip and Brigitte are active members of the Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains and are dedicated to a “first-name basis” service model that prioritizes honesty and craftsmanship in every build.