E Custom Homes Builder in Spring Branch & the Bulverde area of Central Texas.

Always Accommodating
Always Satisfying

A mingling of Mediterranean elegance and Southwestern charm, the spacious, two-story model home of custom homebuilders, Bryan and Tammy Smith, blends beautifully into the surrounding Hill Country. Located in River Crossing, an upscale development off Highway46, the luxurious retreat built by E Custom Homes affords a breathtaking view of the rolling limestone terrain, accented by arroyos, canyons, and spring-fed streams.

All it took for Bryan and Tammy Smith to embrace a future in custom homebuilding was their hands-on renovation and sale of a farmhouse in Seguin. It sparked a passion for building that one might say was already in their blood, since both came from families who were part of the home construction industry.

Encouraged by their first successful venture in real estate, they purchased 14 acres of rugged land in Garden Ridge. Although people laughed at way they thought was folly to buy raw land in the middle of nowhere, with the help of a contractor friend they proceeded to design and build a beautiful colonial house that overlooked the Hill Country.

After living there for three years, a buyer made them an offer they couldn't refuse.

It was at this point in their lives that they decided to pursue their future in the homebuilding industry. Bryan's experience in consumer finance and Tammy's many years as a real estate appraiser and mortgage banker gave them an excellent foundation from which to start. Realizing that they needed experience and other skills as well, Bryan joined a custom homebuilding firm as an understudy.

"It was a terrific learning experience," Bryan declares. "I already had the financial background and knew how to run budgets. I applied this knowledge at the next level by managing the company form budgets to construction. And, I was able to learn the daily ins and outs of running job sites."

One valuable experience he acquired was the knowledge of the specific wants and needs of homebuyers from all over the country. "I learned what builders were offering people on the east and west coasts, and the Midwest. These people were expecting more from builders in our area. I knew that if I were to make them happy, I would have to be the builder who exceeds their expectations," he says.

"That was our focus going into this business," Tammy chimes in. "We do everything possible to satisfy our clients. Period."

"When I was working for the custom homebuilder, I felt that more things could have been done to make the client happy, but which weren't being done." Bryan recalls. "It made me realize that the profit margin is not as important as making my clients happy. I strongly believe that it's these happy, very satisfied clients who will pave my road to success."

"That's right," Tammy adds. "For instance, we're building a house for a client across thestreet and they keep calling Bryan 'The Accommodator' because he's so accommodating. If a client asks for something within reason, we never say we can't do it. We say: WHY NOT accommodate them and make them happy."

Their distinctive company name - E Custom Homes - was prompted by the response people gave to the question: What do you expect when you build a custom home? They counted at least 15 words beginning with the letter "E" - such as exceptional, elegance, exquisite, enjoyable, exciting, exclusive, and experience.

"We also add the word expectations," notes Tammy, "because we always strive to exceed each client's expectations."

The company slogan - Simply Inviting - not only refers to the houses they build, but alsoto Bryan and Tammy's warmth and responsiveness. "We're a small company and we intend to stay that way so we can always provide our clients personal attention and an imitated feel."

Married for 12 years, Bryan and Tammy make a dynamite team. Bryan handles all the budgeting, scheduling, and daily construction visits. "We're not a company that has superintendents running every job site and where the only time the builder goes out there if there's a problem," he declares. "I'm on the site from start to finish - coordinating, double checking, the plans versus the client's needs, inspecting all work that's done, and exactly the way they want it before proceeding.

"For example, I won't insulate or sheet rock until we walk that house together and I know the client is satisfied the electrical is right, all their phones are in the right place, and so on."

Meanwhile, Tammy handles marketing, architectural and interior design, banking and all the loan packages. "That's a huge thing." Notes Bryan. "The client can sit down with her and the architect, and talk about design and then suddenly ask questions about construction lending and loan products. She can answer that in a snap. It comforts the client to know she has a comprehensive knowledge of the building industry and that she can tell them anything theywant to know."

E Custom Homes is building luxury homes throughout the Hill Country, and is presently building in River Crossing (model home), Mountain Springs, the Crossing at Spring Creek, and Vintage Oaks (model home coming soon). Home prices range from $350,000 to $750,000.

Bryan and Tammy stress that each homeowner received the same personal attention regardless of the home's price. "It doesn't affect our relationship if I'm building you a $350,000 house and someone else a $750,000 house," Bryan says. "You get just as much personal attention as I give to the client with the most expensive house."

Along with the truly gracious environment carved amidst thewild, rugged Hill Country, E Custom Homes offers clients homes featuring impressive architectural designs and detailed Old World craftsmanship. Custom features abound, too. For example, E Custom Homes has engineers design and inspect the framing and all-steel reinforced concrete foundation on every house to assure enhanced structural integrity. LP Tech Shield roof decking, the Blown-In-Blanket-System (BIBS) insulation, double-paned and tinted windows, and heating and a/c systems that exceed recommended SEER ratings provide exceptional high-energyefficiency. Pest control tubes built in the exterior walls provide a pest-free environment.

The Vanguard MANABLOC manifold water distribution system, the most efficient water management technology on the market, equalizes water pressure, uses less water, conserves more energy, and provides easy on/off control from within the home. And, all homes are equipped with enhanced security and structured wiring for  today's technology.

"We take exceptional pride in the quality and craftsmanship of our homes," states Tammy,"and the complete satisfaction of our client. Through the whole process we are partners with our clients and are with them every step of the way - education, coordinating, AND accommodation."