Unquenchable Passion

Written By: Deena Bouknight | Issue: June 2023

Charlie Crawford thought he was hanging up his custom home builder hat when he moved his family to Cashiers from Virginia permanently in 2020.

His family bought a beautiful 40-acre horse farm, and he planned to just continue remotely steering his successful, nationwide environmental business.

However, observing some shoddy renovation work at the farm, he was motivated to complete the project himself. In doing so, he also recognized that he was still far too passionate about the creative outlet building always provided. Thus, he started Crawford Construction Custom Home Builders and now has a full plate of renovation, remodel, and custom home projects.

Hands-on craftsmanship is in Crawford’s blood. His grandfather was a builder, one uncle was a contractor turned architect, and two other uncles were stone masons.

“I worked as a mason’s helper and general carpenter in both high school and college,” he says. “After graduating college with history and environmental science degrees, I worked in the construction industry while finding my footing in the AEC (Architects/Engineers/Consultants) industry. Within a few years, I started both an environmental consulting and engineering firm as well as a general construction company.”

For the next 30 years, Crawford focused on those two businesses. As the environmental company successfully expanded its footprint and service lines across the country, Crawford stepped away from daily operations. His current focus and passion are custom construction on the Plateau.

Crawford said, “When we moved to Cashiers, I promised my wife I would retire from building, so I really had no intention of doing this again. But I just had the itch to get back into it. I’m very passionate about it and have always loved it, and I am able to do it now out of pure enjoyment.”

After getting the green light from his wife, Crawford started a third company, a new construction firm serving the Cashiers/Highlands and surrounding areas. Crawford Construction offers “just about everything” where residential building is concerned. “We have our own employees, cabinet shop, project manager – and I’m actively involved in project planning, management and completion and serve as the main point of contact for clients. Very hands on.”

He has both custom homes and full-house remodels in Lonesome Valley, Chinquapin, Silver Run, Cedar Hill, Wade Hampton, Pilot’s Knob, Lake Glenville, and Highlands.

Charlie Crawford

Although Charlie pointed out that their social life helped get him involved locally, he noted that the firm’s success helped him “plug even more into the community.”

He and his wife also are entrenched in the community and still have two of their five children at home.