Bob (Robert) Blauner is known throughout WNC (Western North Carolina) by County Building Inspectors & Code Officials as “HONEST BOB.”
Why: because Bob builds his projects for Hearthstone Construction solid. Unlike some Builders, rather than cheapening construction materials, he often UPGRADES them. For instance, recently on a project in Sapphire, instead of installing 15/32″ square-edge roof sheathing he installed 19/32″ roof sheathing T&G (Tongue & Groove) because he knew it would make for a better, more durable roof.
Bob has a quiet, patient, focused demeanor about him. He lets other people talk first about their needs and listens well, often taking notes on a yellow pad, that he keeps in his construction pickup, so he knows what to order at building material stores for his projects.
Bob has spent the last 17 years in WNC, building projects both Custom Mountain Residential and Commercial. Before that: 8 years in Florida and before that: 8 years in the Chicago area, always with a focus in construction. That’s 33 years in construction business, including everything from being a laborer, to hard-working carpenter, to Project Manager for Hearthstone Construction, where he is also co-owner. And being co-owner, he has a vested in interest in making his clients happy and keeping them happy.
Bob says: “You do that by building their Custom Mountain Home swiftly, but properly, using the best Subcontractors you can find and quality materials, but with an eye toward durable value.”
Bob’s grandfather was a strong businessman, building an empire in the technology of the time. Bob learned business lessons from him and applied that to his own life. The 300+ construction projects ($30M+ construction value) that Bob has worked on during his life also have hammered him into the wise Construction Professional he is today. So much so, that prior to joining Hearthstone, other WNC Contractors hired him as their Foreman, running construction crews all over these mountains, building the most difficult projects imaginable. He was worked and managed the construction of health care, commercial and residential projects. His knowledge of these multiple types of construction allow him to solve any jobsite condition. He’s the Building AnswerMan.
Bob also hires and manages the crews working for Hearthstone on their projects and also orders the materials from quality building suppliers to keep Hearthstone projects moving swiftly. He believes in the mainstream : “Just In Time” on-site material delivery philosophy, which the best construction managers adhere to these days. It means: you do not over-burden the jobsite with everything from Day 1. Rather, you have new deliveries of materials as the previous stockpiles begin to run low, so that there is room on-site to work and maneuver large, heavy construction vehicles like cranes, dumptrucks and concrete trucks.
Bob’s philosophy for building Custom Mountain Homes:
“Listen to the Owners & Architects tell you what’s important to them, follow the drawings and specs, organize your crews & materials; get it done right.”