As a real estate broker, I’ve been around the construction industry for more than two decades. I’ve walked through hundreds of homes under construction, worked alongside countless builders, and heard every kind of building story imaginable. Some projects go exactly as planned. Others become expensive lessons.

That’s why I don’t recommend builders lightly.

I’ve known Ben Higgins and Kevin Fuller since around 2006. During that time, I’ve watched them build custom homes all over Lake James. As a Realtor, I’ve been in many of those homes during construction and after they were completed. Over nearly two decades, I’ve had a front row seat to the quality of their work and the reputation they’ve earned.

When Fletcher Edens and I decided to build The Lake James Team office, hiring Higgins Building Group wasn’t a difficult decision. We had already seen what they could do. Going through the building process ourselves only confirmed what we had observed for years.

Ben Higgins and Kevin Fuller are a rare exception in the construction business. They do what they say they are going to do, within the timeframe they give you, and at the price they tell you it will cost.

That may sound like a basic expectation, but anyone who has built a custom home knows it often isn’t. Construction projects involve hundreds of moving parts, and delays and cost overruns are common. What separates a great builder is how they manage those challenges and communicate with their clients.

Our experience with Higgins Building Group was outstanding.

When Ben and Kevin gave us a schedule, they followed it. When they gave us a budget, they respected it. When they made a commitment, they kept it. We always knew where the project stood, what was happening next, and what to expect. There were no surprises, no finger pointing, and no disappearing acts.

The quality of the craftsmanship speaks for itself, but what impressed Fletcher and me even more was how professionally the entire project was managed. They coordinated subcontractors, solved problems before they became our problems, and kept everything moving. That allowed us to focus on serving our clients instead of worrying about our own project.

What makes this recommendation different is that it isn’t based on a single experience. It’s based on watching Higgins Building Group build homes around Lake James for nearly 20 years and then becoming one of their clients ourselves.

That’s a combination very few people can offer.

If you’re considering building a home around Lake James or anywhere in Western North Carolina, I believe Higgins Building Group should be one of the builders you interview.

Building a custom home is one of the biggest financial decisions most families will ever make. Choosing the right builder is every bit as important as choosing the right lot or the right floor plan.

Based on everything I’ve seen since 2006, and our own experience building The Lake James Team office, I’d hire Ben Higgins and Kevin Fuller again tomorrow.

That’s the highest recommendation I can give.