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Low Maintenance

Building a low-maintenance home takes a lot of thought, experience, and a dedication to doing things right. Just because a builder says he uses “hardie siding”, doesn’t mean that he will build you a low-maintenance home. We have worked for years to put together the right recipe with a combination of products, vendors, and specific application practices that create the perfect solution for our clients. Enjoy the posts below to see our promises turn into action.

Financial Smarts – Part 2

Financial Smarts – Part 2

Financial Smarts - Part 2 What Loan Is Right For Me?   Once you’ve been approved to receive a new loan to build your custom home, the next step is to determine the best loan for your needs. Choose the right loan for your custom home so as not to build beyond...

Financial Smarts – Part 1

Financial Smarts – Part 1

Should you peruse the Sunday papers looking for the best deal or stop by your neighborhood bank to see their rates? Do you need a mortgage lender or a mortgage broker? When it comes to finding the right home financing plan, it’s really all about dollars and sense.

Best in American Living Awards

Best in American Living Awards

Best in American Living Awards Living Stone Design + Build Takes Home 4 Awards in 2024 We are thrilled and humbled to share our recent success at the Best in American Living Awards (BALA). Winning not just one, but four prestigious awards is a testament to our shared...

2023 Custom Home Builder of the Year

2023 Custom Home Builder of the Year

Custom Home Builder of the Year Sean Sullivan Named National Association of Home Builders Custom Home Builder of the Year 2023 LAS VEGAS, NV - In a momentous occasion for Living Stone Design + Build, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) proudly awarded...

What About Storage?

What About Storage?

What About Storage? The Importance of Adequate Storage in Home Design   If you are like most Americans, you accumulate stuff. Stuff takes up space, sometimes a lot of space. Our builders understand the need for great storage spaces. We know How Stuff...

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff Manage Your Expectations During the Building Process   A few years ago, Richard Carlson wrote a book titled, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff— and It’s All Small Stuff.Let your builder provide you a perfect custom home blueprint.Perspective...

Excellence or Perfection?

Excellence or Perfection?

Excellence or Perfection? Manage the Balance Between Expectations and Reality   People build custom homes. People are not perfect. It doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t expect excellence.A competent builder will leave you fulfilled in your custom home.Reality...

How Many Bids Should I Get for My New Home?

How Many Bids Should I Get for My New Home?

I’m not advocating you only interview one or two builders, but I am suggesting you narrow your search down to one or two builders. When I know there are many builders competing for the same job (especially if the job doesn’t have a clear, defined focus), I decide to put my limited time and energy where I can be most effective.

Is Your Title Insurance Policy Up To Date?

Is Your Title Insurance Policy Up To Date?

Is Your Title Insurance Policy Up To Date? Ensuring Adequate Coverage Congratulations, you’ve just completed building your beautiful new home! Now it’s time to consider your title insurance. Understand the Importance of Title Insurance   Title insurance provides...

How to Maximize Your Valuable Investment

How to Maximize Your Valuable Investment

How to Maximize Your Valuable Investment Protect Your New Home Investment   Building a custom home is a bit like buying a new car, right? In terms of maintenance, we think so.Happy couple access their forever homeMaintenance is Key   You know how you...

Choosing the Right Builder

Choosing the Right Builder

Choosing the Right Builder Choosing the right builder is the single most important decision you will make for your custom home. It is well worth your time to learn what questions to ask builders, and what red flags to look out for.Written by: Sean SullivanTop...

How Important is Indoor Air Quality?

How Important is Indoor Air Quality?

Green Certifications Part 2 (Read part 1 here) Homebuyers today are increasingly concerned about the indoor air quality of their homes. Issues like mold, radon, carbon monoxide and toxic chemicals have received greater attention than ever as poor indoor air quality...

Should I Go Green?

Should I Go Green?

Green Certifications Part 1 (Read part 2 here) Today many builders and home buyers are concerned about preserving the environment. With increased attention on the condition of our planet, “green building” has become a sought after choice for homeowners, especially in...

Resources for Radon-Resistant Construction

Resources for Radon-Resistant Construction

How to Ensure Your Home is Radon-ResistantRadon is a naturally occurring odorless, colorless gas and is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, and the second leading cause of lung cancer overall. Nearly 1 out of 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have...

Radon Infographics

Radon Infographics

All About RadonDid you know radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and the leading cause among non-smokers? It's odorless and colorless too, so testing is the only way to find out if your home has radon. Below you will find some information that can help...

Sean’s Why

Sean’s Why

My Why by Sean SullivanSean Sullivan shares insight into the driving force that's kept our company on track through the years of growth from the ground up.My Why by Sean SullivanSean Sullivan shares insight into the driving force that's kept our company on track...

Eight Principles of a Healthy Home

Eight Principles of a Healthy Home

Keep it DRY Damp homes provide an environment for dust mites, roaches, rodents and molds. All of these can cause or worsen asthma. In addition, moisture can damage the building materials in your home. Keep it CLEAN Clean homes reduce pest infestation and exposures to...

This House Smells -The Dangers and Opportunities that IAQ Present in Homebuilding

This House Smells -The Dangers and Opportunities that IAQ Present in Homebuilding

“This house smells…different than the rest. Actually, it doesn’t really have a smell?!” said Mrs. Lee as she walked into the Parade of Homes entry I was manning last year. Mrs. Lee, like many other visitors in years past, noticed what most builders are missing across the country, the fact that IAQ is important.

I had the privilege, two years ago, of sitting in a research lab think tank with seven other top builders from across the nation. The question was posed to us “What is the greatest concern that you have about the homes that you are building today”? Each builder at the table said that they were concerned about building homes so tight that they might be poisoning the people that move into them. When they got to me, I was dumbfounded by their answers and had to ask my own question, “Are you using a rater”?

Local Asheville Builder Named by NAHB as Certified Green Professional of the Year

Local Asheville Builder Named by NAHB as Certified Green Professional of the Year


January 10, 2017

The National Association of Home Builders last night honored 12 individuals who have excelled in teaching NAHB education courses and for their professionalism as NAHB educational designation holders as the Educators and Designees of the Year. The awards were given during the 2017 International Builders‘ Show® held this week in Orlando, Fla.

“These home building industry professionals definitely ‘walk the walk,’” said 2016 NAHB Education Chair William L. Shaw, Jr., GMR, CGR, GMB, CAPS and CGP, a Houston remodeler and NAHB instructor. “These leaders don’t just talk about the importance of education. They also work to stay current and even ahead of industry trends so they can set an example for the home builders, remodelers and other industry professionals who make up our great Federation.”

Project Wins National Green Building Award

Project Wins National Green Building Award

Black Mountain, NC, Living Stone Design + Build project, “Rhodo Reno”, is the overall winner for the Best Renovation in the 2017 National Green Building Awards by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

“The NAHB Green Awards represent the best of the best in green building practices and advocacy efforts, and this year’s group of winners is particularly impressive,” said NAHB Chairman Rick Judson, a home builder from Charlotte, N.C. “The demand for green building is growing exponentially, and these honorees are a great example of what can be accomplished in terms of sustainable and energy-efficient building practices.”