Geoff Bennett Testimonial

We have worked with Cook Bonner Ebeling for the last two years building our custom dream home. We would recommend them without hesitation as they bring intangibles to the table whose value cannot be understated.

It took us a year to find the perfect lot on James Island. As a result, we wanted to find the best builder possible. We interviewed many and did the regular background checks regarding craftmanship, value and reputation based on finished product. In this process, we would find that Cook Bonner Ebeling distinguished themselves immediately with a prompt response and interaction relative to other builders.

Within two days of inquiry, we were seated with David Ebeling, one of the principals, and Devon Adams, the selections coordinator who we would later refer to as the “fixer”. Even though our project was modest by their standards, we were met with a genuine interest in achieving our goals and engaged with the firm immediately.

The firm suggested architects and interior designers to interview not only based on our budget but also those whom they felt would match our personality. With their acumen, it was a matter of weeks and we had built a symbiotic team that had all worked together before, which was priceless as the project progressed.

While we had plenty of ideas about what we wanted our house to look like, we had to navigate the covenants of a very strict HOA. Fortunately, the firm had negotiated this HOA several times already. Their expertise combined with our architect’s skill allowed us to draw up a house that made us very happy. All the members of the team met with us many times and never once blanched at our basic questions and limited understanding of building logistics.

Devon was present for all of our selections helping keep us on budget and also coordinated with our interior designer to make sure she was in the loop as well. The firm was aware of our allowances and guided us accordingly. As a result, we were able to save money that we could apply to other aesthetics of the house like coffered ceilings and wainscoted walls.

The build took roughly a year during which we were always welcome on site and our litany of questions never seemed to be too much for the supervisors. We were able to reach them via text or phone and this close interaction undoubtedly saved us from numerous expensive change orders as we were able to talk though the building stages before they were implemented. The supervisors clearly knew what they were doing and their expertise was unquestionable.

Before we knew it we had our house! Even though final construction was complete supervisors were over promptly to address any concerns. The firm even went out of their way to help us to qualify for certain insurance certifications that allowed us to gain coverage from highly rated companies that otherwise would not have engaged with us.

As to the intangibles I mentioned above, I would describe them as trust, accessibility and responsiveness. We really felt like the firm wanted our project to succeed and they understood it was more than just our house but something we had been aspiring towards for years.

I suspect you will be able to find competitors who will build for less, supervisors that will promise to build faster, and selections coordinators asserting to have the cutting edge in design. And, while this is true, I promise you will not find a better overall value in Charleston than Cook Bonner Ebeling when you consider everything else they bring to the table. Have a conversation with them about your custom home, you will see what I mean right away.

-Geoff Bennett