With award-winning detail, Emerich Custom Build designs and delivers bespoke dream homes
Owner and founder of Emerich Custom Build, Stefan Emerich, has been around home construction his entire life. Having worked alongside his father for many years, he went on to establish his own business in 2022. Built on a wealth of experience, the company is now a leading provider of bespoke homebuilding services. From luxury houses to country ranch properties, each Emerich Custom Build home carries forward a long lineage of quality craftsmanship and customer service excellence.
The company’s story begins with father and son, as Stefan begins: “My father moved here from Romania, and the family joined him when I was seven years old. He was a master craftsman, especially when it came to stucco detailing. He worked as one of the top contractors in Romania and brought his skill set over to the US.
“He specialized in trim work and did a lot of intricate detailing for home construction projects. Someone with his skill level was hard to come by, and he soon ended up opening his very own firm. Growing up, I remember the weekends and summers I would spend working with my dad. During that time, I developed a love for homes.
“Upon finishing my college degree, I joined the family business and worked there for around 15 years. It was very hands-on, like everything we did. Of course, we had a team of employees, but we worked alongside them. Everyone was in it together.
“I gained experience in a lot of different areas. I developed a knack for different types of finishes, including stucco, concrete, and concrete decks. We also did a lot of interior plastering and moulding – I remember crafting domes and other high-end pieces for the luxury homes we’d contracted.
“Eventually, the time came when I wanted to strike out on my own. My father retired – and I took all the valuable experience he provided with me. In 2022, I founded Emerich Custom Build, and we’ve been building homes ever since.”
Insight and control
Starting out with smaller homes and renovation projects, Emerich Custom Build soon emerged as one of Georgia’s foremost custom homebuilders. Stefan achieved rapid growth through a strategic five-year plan, which pushed the company to higher price points and wider client bases.
“We always had a set goal to work toward. Our mission was to begin operating in the luxury market as soon as possible. We did some remodelling and smaller custom properties, but my heart has always been in design.
“Working on speculative homes means I can design and build the project from the ground up. I like the independence that comes with these kinds of homes. Nobody tells me what to do, I can find my vision and really see it through. It’s great,” Stefan enthuses.
Luxury homebuilding is a competitive market, and Emerich Custom Build works hard to set itself apart. Keeping the company focused on only one or two homes a year allows Stefan and his team to consistently deliver only the very best.
“Being selective about the projects we take on allows us greater insight and control. It allows me to oversee the entire process, from the designing stage all the way through to construction and completion.
“Having worked in the industry for a long time, I know the dangers of taking on too many projects at once. On previous sites, I’ve seen junior employees take on too much responsibility, and can overlook some of the details. It’s no-one’s fault, it all comes down to experience. But that’s why I keep my projects streamlined, so every home benefits from skilled oversight.”
Luxury elements
This dedication to detail has secured industry-wide acclaim for Emerich Custom Build. As the winners of the 2024 Golden Obie Award, Stefan and
his team have been recognized for
their outstanding achievement in the home-building industry. Stefan discusses their victory and what it means for the business: “It really was a turning point for us. The award came from one of our smaller projects, where we included luxury detailing at an affordable price point.
“We had been working on a small-scale modern-style property. The site was around 3400 square feet, and I really wanted to push myself when it came to the design. I included a lot of designer features, built with high-quality materials that are usually very difficult to find in this price point.
“We ended up using casement windows by Sierra Pacific, and we finished the interior off with some high-end cabinetry that was a mix of painted maple wood and white oak. The unique wood mixture was complemented by venetian plaster walls and arched doorways throughout the home, and smaller details such as designer faucets and light fixtures.
“We managed to complete the project within budget, all while including these luxury elements. The different material blends were inspired by the work I used to do with my father. In a way, that property really encapsulated all my years of experience, as well as my love of design.”
As Emerich Custom Build moves into the future, its focus will remain squarely on delivering skilled craftsmanship and unmatched quality. Driven to work on only the very best high-end homes, Stefan and his team are bolstered by recent successes and decades of experience.
As Stefan concludes: “I want to continue designing and building beautiful homes. I have four girls, and as they get older, I’d like to introduce them to the business, as my father did with me. It’s impossible to know what the future holds, but I have the lessons my father taught me, and a future generation waiting in the wings. I can’t wait to see what’s next.”