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MacDonald Home Construction
Creating Breathtaking Homes in the Mountains
By Jessica Klarp
Prepare yourself to be impressed because “Rocky Top,” with its
sweeping valley views, massive timber-supported rooms and expansive
decking on all three levels, is nothing short of breathtaking.
Master builder Russ Rumsey, owner and president of Sapphire
Valley-based MacDonald Home Construction, designed this more than
8,000-square-foot dream lodge as the ultimate mountain home.
Situated on four acres at the top of Chestnut Mountain at 4,100 feet
above sea level, the luxurious home is the ideal getaway for
entertaining, be it family reunion, corporate retreat or holiday
escape. Rocky Top, now on the market, is just one of hundreds of
magnificent homes built by Rumsey over the years.
Rocky Top is the perfect example of the quality and precision that
have made MacDonald Home Construction so successful. But as any
builder knows, there is more to the equation of success than
building a quality home. Being responsive to customers’ needs,
offering them sound advice, and following up with service can breed
loyalty for years to come. A good part of what makes MacDonald Home
Construction customers so devoted is Rumsey’s commitment to build a
high-end quality home while saving customers as much money as
possible and offering clients a host of services.
Keeping costs down is accomplished in a variety of ways. “We are a
design/build company,” Rumsey said in his typical plainspoken
manner. “We are most successful when we establish a relationship
with our customers before the property is bought because there are
issues unique to each property that, it they aren’t careful, can
create much additional cost.” At no cost, MacDonald Home
Construction will evaluate your lot and discuss your needs prior to
creating a plan and bidding on the job. Once Rumsey takes on a job,
efficiency and communication are his greatest allies in building
homes of the highest quality. |
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Rumsey says his company can save
people thousands of dollars by creating a preliminary plan rather
than complete architectural drawings. “Many people spend too much
money on architectural plans, only to discover that the house is way
out of their budget,” “Rumsey said. “We like to do a complete
package that starts by targeting their budget and includes
preliminary plans and a site assessment with our on-staff civil
engineer. From there I can bid on the home. Typically, we can
complete a bid within three days of completing the preliminary
drawings.”
Like the spectacular Rocky Top, many of the company’s designs follow
an Arts and Crafts/Mission style, which incorporate rock and wood to
create a perfect mountain lodge. This style appeals to the many
MacDonald Home Construction flatlander clients who reside out of
town and want a high-elevation escape. The open floor plans include
features such a stacked stone fireplaces, cantilevered
tongue-in-groove ceilings, rough log beamery, laurel railings, wood
floors, luxury kitchens and bathrooms, all illuminated by natural
light pouring through the many windows which also give access to the
unparalleled views.
Each project, like each client, is unique. Rumsey demands that the
service and quality are consistent whether he is building a vacation
home on a half acre or creating a $2 million retirement retreat on
20 acres. Regardless of size, most projects can be completed within
eight to 10 months.
Because most of the clients live out of town, they are not present
for the majority of the construction. Turning over a project of the
magnitude takes trust. Rumsey makes sure that a solid level of
communication is established at initial meetings and continues the
exchange of ideas and information about the project’s progress
throughout the process. These new clients can have confidence in the
MacDonald Home Construction program because of the number of
satisfied home-owners now happily living in the area and their
willingness to share their experience with new clients. |
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“When you take care of customers
eight to 10 years down the road,” Rumsey said, “I think that speaks
more than your actions when you are building the home under
contract.” A great example of this commitment was shown when a past
client’s home suffered storm damage from the recent hurricanes.
“They were in such a terrible state of affairs with roof, ceiling
and water damage,” he recalled. “They were overwhelmed when the
whole crew showed up. We worked with their insurance company and got
them back up and running long before anyone else in the community.”
Since 1993, Rumsey has been building in the Cashiers, Highlands,
Lake Toxaway and Lake Glenville area, but his career stretches back
to 1973, when he built his reputation as a quality home builder in
Florida. Like many Floridians, the lure of the mountains eventually
became so great that vacations weren’t enough and he moved his
family to the area. Now his daughters, Barbie and Jennie, work by
his side.
“Because this is a family business, the girls have a greater
interest in taking care of the clients and developing a relationship
with them,” Rumsey said with a note of pride in his voice. “People
call and ask for them. They take care of certain issues that I don’t
need to get involved with. It’s a fun thing.”
In addition to residential construction, Rumsey has recently
completed a three-building commercial complex totaling 20,000 square
feet. The Village Square of Sapphire Valley houses the MacDonald
Home Construction office. A neighbor in the 18-business complex is a
designer Shirley Insoft, who was a satisfied MacDonald Home
Construction client and now, does design and consultation work for
Rumsey and for many of his clients.
“Our business is a referral business,” Rumsey said. “We are
committed to taking care of our customers long after the house is
completed. We have built a relationship based on trust. I want to
take care of their needs. And I know in the long term, a happy
customer makes for a successful business.”
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Articles |
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MacDonald
Home Construction proudly serves the
North Carolina mountain communities
of:
Cashiers, Highlands, Toxaway,
Sapphire Valley, Glenville and Bear
Lake Reserve
Allow
MacDonald Home Construction to
design and build your new
Mountain Home
or select from one of our
many designs and floor plans.
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