Listing the best professionals, tradespeople, facilities, stores & others in the WNC mountains, on one website, to assist you with your Mountain Projects:

 

The MPDT (Mountain Project Dream Team) webpage is simple: below is a list of some of the best professionals, tradespeople and other companies that can help you accomplish your Mountain Project. Scroll down the list until you find the type of Mountain Pro You’re looking for, then click on their contact information to get to their website and/or phone number. This website is intended as a 3rd party public information service to help you achieve your objectives. Anytime you are new to an area or are frustrated with not being able to find the right people for a project, you wonder where you can find the contacts you need to get the job done.   This is it.

Below you will find one of each of the best there are in the mountains: Architect, Real Estate Broker, Real Estate Attorney, CPA, Bank, General Contractor, Computer Maker, Furniture, HVAC subcontractor, Carpenter, Electrician, Photographer, Plumber, and others. So start scrolling and clicking to find those who can help you get your Mountain Project expedited for you. Some of the companies below have a nationwide practice, while others are limited to a particular County in western North Carolina (in particular: Jackson, Macon, Transylvania & Buncombe Counties)

 

MOUNTAIN PROJECT DREAM TEAM LISTINGS

 

ARCHITECT
HOME ARCHITECTS®
Email: Rand@HomeArchitects.com
Website:http://www.homearchitects.com 
828-269-9046
(National Architectural practice).  Home office based in Sapphire, NC.  Specializes in programming, site planning, design, construction documents,  and management of custom single family mountain home architecture projects for their clients.  Also known globally for timber frame & log construction design capabilities ( dozens of custom homes throughout the USA, Jurassic Park, Universal Studios Orlando,  Youth Camp Wilderness Facilities, Ranches, Family Compounds).
Architect licensed in NC and other states across the USA.
Winner of 10 architectural residential design awards during the last 3 years.  Presenter to NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) national conference on “Aging in Place: Accessible Friendly Residential Architecture.”  Asked to speak at 2019 FL global conference as an expert on HouseWrap.  Wall Street Journal identifies firm as a specialist in residential Family Compounds. All work done on computers for accuracy.  Also offers 3D  near-photo-realistic video animations of the exterior & interior of their projects.  Senior staff Architect is also a licensed Home Inspector, which provides him with special insights into what makes homes rot, leak and otherwise fall into disrepair.  He takes these lessons learned and designs company projects to avoid these issues.

BANK
United Community Bank, Cashiers (and other locations), NC
Cashiers office: 828-743-6830
UCB has the lowest fees for accounts in the entire region, and outstanding service, including one of the best, if not the best electronic account management services (free).   Some accounts for certain customers have no check printing charge (most do) for minimal amount.  Tellers make deposits in a friendly manner, often including preparing deposit slips, to make life easier for their customers.  Customer service is very helpful.  Loans are available for various  needs at competitive rates.
Corporate offices are in Blairsville, GA.  Offices are throughout GA, NC, TN, SC, with billions of $ in various accounts.
UCB is ranked by Forbes 2018 as one of the Best Banks in America.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution calls UCB one of the Top Work Places 2017.
Charleston Business also ranks UCB as one of the Top Work Places 2017.
Locals in the Cashiers, NC area have quickly found that, when comparing fees on customer accounts, UCB has the lowest charges (often zero) of any other bank in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains.
COMPUTER MAKER- SOFTWARE PROVIDER-COMPUTER REPAIR
Plateau Pro
Alan Rhew
Sapphire, NC
828-482-9837
Alan Rhew is a multi-talented professional, which is why he and his company is listed more than once in this directory.  He creates and assembles computers from scratch to suit his customer’s needs.   He also goes to his clients’ offices and homes and fixes any problems with their computers and software, including downloading the latest versions and making sure they work properly.  Let’s repeat part of that again: Mr. Rhew actually MAKES custom computers to suit his clients’ needs, using standard components from reliable companies like Intel and Fractal.  He can make your computer for less than you can buy it elsewhere and maintain it, so you don’t have to risk damage shipping your computer elsewhere for repairs.
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CONCRETE, FOUNDATION, MASONRY SUBCONTRACTOR

(coming soon)

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CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
Jennings Building Supply
Sapphire, NC Office
Chip Dyches, Contractor Sales
Website: https://jenningswnc.com/

828-743-3684 (Sapphire, NC store)
2897 US Highway 64, Sapphire, NC 28774
Jennings has stores throughout western NC.  Not only do they sell building materials for homes and commercial construction, they have 20+ sales staff that are knowledgeable about what they sell.  They can advise you what the best materials are for your project.  And they answer their phone and return emails and phone calls (unlike many others).  They install some items (garage doors, glass shower enclosures) and stand behind what they sell and return to the jobsite to fix issues if necessary.  Don’t get the run-around some other suppliers give you.  Use Jennings as your source for quality materials.
Note: even though they mention a “Design Center”, they really don’t design your home.  They have a few people that can advise you on tile selection and cabinetry layout.  They really do Not design your house.  You’re better off hiring an Architect for that.

 

 

CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
Eric Moody, CPA
Email: emoody@ericmoodycpa.com
Website: http://www.ericmoodycpa.com/home
828-231-8926
Serves clients throughout NC.  Home office in Asheville, NC.  Eric was formerly one of the Senior Associates at a national CPA firm in Asheville.  He made the decision to increase his focus on his clients by starting his own company several years ago.  Clients report saving many times in their taxes what he charges for his company’s services, making him an exceptional value.  Soft spoken, knowledgeable and efficient is how he is described by his happy clients.  One client reported that a State audit Eric handled for him ended 2-1/2 hours after it began, when the auditor announced that he couldn’t find anything wrong anywhere.

 

ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR

John McDowell
828-421-1803
Mr. McDowell does everything himself, and he’s highly experienced as a Licensed Electrician.  He returns phone calls and text messages.  He is a polite and knowledgeable Electrician.

 

FOOD
INGLES GROCERY STORES
Cashiers, Mills River and other select locations throughout NC and SC.  In addition to featuring organic food options, Ingles also has an Ingles card which lets you obtain lower pricing at no additional charge, and gets you up to $0.25/gallon off on Ingles gas pumps.  And the food courts at Ingles are amazing, especially the Mills River facility which is the way all future grocery stores should be planned.  It’s like a Disney ride.

FURNITURE
Lily Scott, furniture consultant
Carolina Furniture Concepts
Email:  LilyScott@123cfc.com
Website: www.CarolinaFurnitureConcepts.com
407-454-0807
This dealer lets you custom order your furniture with your own choice of fabrics, leather and other finishes.  Top quality, discounted prices.
Giant showroom in Arden, NC.

GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Coming Soon.

 

HANDYMAN
Tony Ortiz
Franklin, NC
828-342-4431
Tony has a “gang of 12”, with various associates that can install tile, paint, rough framing, finish framing, door installation, demolition, tree trimming and removal, siding installation,  all types of landscaping, deck installation, trimwork, home maintenance and many other types of services.  Very reliable.  Returns phone calls and text messages.  Willing to quote fixed prices.


HVAC SUBCONTRACTOR
Franklin Sheet Metal (just changed name to Fox Fire)
Email: info@franklinsheetmetal.com
Website: https://www.franklinsm.com/
828-524-2821
Residential & Commercial heating, ventilating & air-conditioning.  Serves Jackson, Macon & western Transylvania counties.
This HVAC subcontractor is so honest, fair, reasonable and busy, that it can be difficult to obtain their services at times.  Best to schedule work ahead of schedule.  Good people doing good work.  In business for 62 years.

 

PAVER
Miller Paving, LLC
Brian Miller
828-329-7773
Don’t trust ANY other paver.  Brian will return your phone calls and text messages and provide you with the best price for quality work.  Very trustworthy, unlike most other local pavers, none of whom return messages of any kind and who charge you much more for their materials and work.

 

PHOTOGRAPHER
Plateau Pro
Alan Rhew
Sapphire, NC
828-482-9837
Email: info@plateaupro.com
Website: https://plateaupro.com/
Alan Rhew is a multi-talented professional and photographer.  He has state of the art quality cameras, including aerial drones with cameras and video creating equipment.  Local Real Estate Brokers rely on Mr. Rhew to take quality photos and aerial flight imagery to help them market their home and land listings.  Alan is a dependable professional.

 

PLUMBER
Cruz Plumbing
Armando Cruz, Christian Fuentes.
828-808-2668
Probably the best Licensed Plumber in all of western North Carolina.  The ONLY plumber in the area that actually returns phone call and text messages.  Highly reliable, reasonable and capable.  Don’t trust any other Plumber.

 

REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY
Ed Henson, Attorney
Email: EdHenson@Frontier.com
828-743-2453
This long-time resident and real estate lawyer closes & records dozens of real estate transactions every year in western NC.  Business office located in downtown Cashiers, NC in Chestnut Square near the Crossroads of US Hwy 64 and SR 107.
Many local real estate brokers have found Ed and his staff to be reliable resources during the challenges of closing a real estate transaction and having it recorded at the County offices.
Mr. Henson’s practice is mainly in Jackson, Macon & Transylvania Counties, however, his state license permits him to handle real estate transactions throughout the State of NC.

REAL ESTATE BROKER
Merry Soellner, RSPS, Real Estate Broker
Email:  MerryProperty@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.cashiershomesforsale.com
828-399-1580
(the entire state of North Carolina, with practice focused on Jackson, Macon & Transylvania Counties).  Specializes in properties, homes and businesses in Cashiers, Highlands, Lake Toxaway, Glenville, Sapphire.  Merry’s is in the top 6% of Real Estate Brokers in “The Plateau” region.  Merry is noted as one of the nicest people in Cashiers, who always greets her Clients with a smile and a positive can-do attitude.
Real Estate Broker licensed in NC.
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SEPTIC SYSTEMS
Cooper Septic Tank Service
Manuel Cooper
828-586-2222
Service area: Cashier, Highlands, Sapphire, Lake Toxaway, Glenville, Cullowhee, Sylva, and other local areas.
Merry Soellner, RSPS, Cashiers Real Estate Broker said: “Manuel has helped my clients with some ancient septic systems in need of retrofits.  His knowledge is respected by the County Environmental Health Department.  My husband and I even had Manuel install the new septic system for our new dream home in Sapphire.  If you want a good value for septic systems, you can’t do better than Mr. Cooper.”
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 SURVEYOR
Aaron Garrett, PLS
Aaron Garrett Land Surveying, PC
Email: aaron@garrettlandsurveying.com

Website: garrettlandsurveying.com
828-421-4919
Aaron has proven himself as a capable Licensed NC Surveyor.  He performs property boundary surveys for land owners, Real Estate Brokers, Architects, Contractors, Engineers and others.  He also is adept at creating construction layout surveys with his robotic laser guided GPS equipment to result in perfect foundation and wall layouts for correct construction from the ground up.  Aaron works in Jackson County, Macon County and other nearby areas.  His office is based in Franklin, NC, and is the continuation of the 40-year practice of Roy J. Tucker, PLS.
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.VETERINARIAN
Highlands Cashiers Animal Clinic
Dr. Amy Patterson, DVM, Licensed Veterinarian
Email:  (soon)
Website: https://highlands-cashiersanimalclinic.com/

828-526-5206
(practice area: mainly Cashiers & Highlands, NC)
Dr. Patterson is equipped to handle general care for small animals, mainly dogs & cats, including emergency/urgent care.  The practice has an emergency after-hours phone number.  Care for other types of animals: the office with direct you to the best care possible for your type of pet/animal.
Dr. Patterson allows Owners to be with their pets during treatment to help the pet better cope with the surroundings and help avoid separation anxiety.
The practice has been in successful operation for more than 30 years.