--- title: "Mountain House Plans — Home Builders | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/home-builders/mountain-house-plans-pfvwus-pf~471298737 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~471298737.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Mountain House Plans" category: ["Home Builders"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/6133fe35050b486b_2797-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "PO Box 446, Murphy, North Carolina 28906, United States" latitude: 35.1312 longitude: -84.0388 phone: "(828) 357-4691" website: http://www.goodhomeplanning.com/ rating: 5 review_count: 4 followers: 43 last_updated: 2026-08-24 --- # Mountain House Plans > Murphy's Local Custom Home Designing and Planning Expert Original Houzz profile: [Mountain House Plans](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/home-builders/mountain-house-plans-pfvwus-pf~471298737) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Home Builders - **Location:** Murphy, NC - **Serves:** Sapphire, Andrews, Murphy, Highlands, Cashiers, Marble, Glenville, Blairsville, Blue Ridge, Brasstown, Culberson, Warne - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (4 reviews) ## About ### Houzz Badges - Houzz Pro Software User - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - 250 Ideabook Saves - Responds Quickly ### Business highlights - Responds Quickly I design and plan so your builder can build a better home that fits your needs, your property, & your budget. Everyone wants an energy efficient home, but few know where to begin. And its not solar panels. Why? Because there are many other ways to make a home energy efficient, ways that cost much less, and save much more. We should use what is best for your unique home, your building site, your wishes and needs, and of course, your budget. ENERGY SAVING STRATEGY \#1: CONTROLLING SUNSHINE. Designing the home to absorb more sunshine in the winter, and less in the summer. What a difference this makes, both in energy efficiency, and comfort! All year long! And often without raising costs. In fact I usually design to REDUCE costs! That's because while I am designing for the sun, I am also thinking about how to make the home easier to build. ENERGY SAVING STRATEGY \#2: IMPROVING THE INSULATION. Not to bore you with all the little details, but most homes have way too many heat leaks. Every one we plug improves the house, and these leaks can cause problems with moisture and mold. And how much does this step cost? Usually very little, but by now the home is so much easier to heat and cool that it can have a smaller system which might save more cost. ENERGY SAVING STRATEGY \#3: REDUCING ENERGY CONSUMPTION. Usually the most energy is used heating, cooling, water heating, laundering, and cooking, in that order. We can consider which appliances save enough energy to justify their cost. THESE THREE STRATEGIES WORK! Planning this way can make your home much more efficient for about the same cost. At this point we can plan for solar panels, and you won't need as many to cover your needs because your house won't use as much energy. More efficieny for less cost. YES, I LOVE MY WORK. Helping people be more efficient for less cost. And more accessible, less maintenance, and better planned for their needs. WHAT I DO: Energy efficient mountain homes to fit your needs, your budget, and your property. Houzz has assigned me to the category "Architects." It used to be Architects and Designers. I am a Designer, qualified to plan new homes and remodeling projects according to the building codes, which I have been doing since the 1980's. ### Services Provided - Custom Homes - Home Remodeling - Home Extensions - Energy-Efficient Homes - House Plans - Floor Plans - Universal Design - Sustainable Design - Site Planning - Historic Building Conservation - Drafting - Handicap-Accessible Design - Passive Solar Heating & Cooling - Basement Design - Bathroom Design - Building Design - Architectural Drawings - Green Home Design - Remodeling Design - Tiny House Design ### Areas Served - Sapphire - Andrews - Murphy - Highlands - Cashiers - Marble - Glenville - Blairsville - Blue Ridge - Brasstown - Culberson - Warne ### Typical Job Cost A percentage of the construction budget. I prefer to be more precise about this after getting to know about your project. Then I provide a proposal with my fee schedule in writing. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Mountain House Plans | | Address | PO Box 446, Murphy, North Carolina 28906, United States | | Phone | (828) 357-4691 | | Website | http://www.goodhomeplanning.com/ | | Followers on Houzz | 43 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/MountainHousePlans - X (Twitter) — https://twitter.com/rmaccrea1 - Blog — http://www.goodhomeplanning.htm ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Mountain House Plans](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/home-builders/mountain-house-plans-pfvwus-pf~471298737) - **Website:** http://www.goodhomeplanning.com/ - **Phone:** (828) 357-4691 ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 4 reviews** ### All 4 reviews **★★★★★ — Lisa Turner, July 2017** > When my husband and I purchased a fantastic mountain top lot in Hayesville, North Carolina, we went on a search for an innovative and highly experienced designer. We found it – Richard MacCrea. Richard was able to address three critical needs for this project. > > 1\. The site was extremely steep and difficult. The home was precisely designed to fit the site, which reduced excavation and construction costs. > 2\. Most of the common methods for making this home energy efficient were not practical because of the building site. We wanted energy efficiency, but we did not want to pay extra for it. The design included the methods that worked best and cost the least. The plan included better windows and spray foam insulation to keep out the drafts from high altitude winds. A sealed and insulated crawlspace kept the drafts out of the floor and provided extra storage. We discovered that heating and cooling was very inexpensive once we moved in because of the design. > 3\. The home was also designed for the spectacular, high altitude view. The views from this design are exquisite and breathtaking. See pictures. > > We were very pleased with Richard’s professionalism, knowledge, and reasonable pricing. He also delivered on schedule. If we had it all to do over again we would not change a thing! Perfect in every respect. **★★★★★ — Peter Longdyke, July 2017** > We are very pleased with Richard MacCrea's design for our home as well as the finished product. We faced several challenges, one of which was that the home as designed originally was too long to fit on our land without being way too close to the road. Richard was able to come through with a design plan that only sacrificed a little outside work space and still made good use of passive solar design, i.e. The house is still one room wide so we get sun in all rooms accept laundry and bathrooms. When the building inspectors didn't understand if some of the innovative things used,like laminate I beams would carry the weight of the roof, or the spray foam insulation was adequate for our insulation needs, Richard came quickly to show them specs and research proving these were more than adequate, even superior to normal options. Time has proved Richard was right. Our electric bill, which is heat, air, and all appliances is in the 120's in summer and has never reached 200 in winter since the back wall is underground to about 5 feet or so. Our house has a Frank Loyd Wright style, shed roof, and tall windows, so even though the back is largely underground, this home has far more sun and light than the average home. Also, because our parents were aging, Richard was able to design this home with no steps on the outside, just a long ramp which looks like a natural part of the design, not "handicapped accessible". Also all doors in the house are 36" wide, both showers are walk in, no steps or high tubs to climb into. Because of budget constraints we had to sacrifice some finishes Richard had originally designed. Specifically the house wide tile floors, which were to be part of the mass which would absorb heat during the day and give it off at night. We had to settle for laminate flooring in some rooms just to save money. However, because of good southern exposure, excellent spray foam insulation, as well as rigid insulation all around the perimeter of the slab so cold wouldn't transfer to the slab making for very cold floors, as I mentioned before, the home is very economical to heat and cool. Richard was accommodating about these changes for budget reasons realizing that solar panels and other things could be added later when more money was available. All in all we are very happy with our home as well as Richard's efforts to help us and accommodate our needs and desires. **Comment from Mountain House Plans:** > This home was a fun challenge. Creating a plan that respected the needs of my clients, fit on a small, sloping lot, and without going over budget was the challenge. But my clients also had an artistic sense. They wanted a special home. With more challenges often come better designs. This home is featured here: https://www.houzz.com/projects/2442163/a-passive-solar-house-for-a-couple-and-their-elderly-parents **★★★★★ — susan fredriksen, June 2017** > I worked with Richard on designing the house I currently live in in Murphy, NC. It is unique and very energy efficient. Richard is extremely knowledgable, works to place and site the house to the land and is more than willing to either come up with plans on his own or to have the clients be as involved as they want (my husband and I were very involved). Altho he has strong personal ideas, he will design the house you want. He was more than generous with his time and is easy to work with as well. Our house was built around 2009. His prices for the design were more than fair. > He also does home inspection work and did this for me last year (2016) and again was professional and thorough. I would like to build another home and there is no doubt that Richard would be the go to person. **Comment from Mountain House Plans:** > What made this project special was the freedom to use my imagination. Susan wanted a home that was unique and efficient. Bright colors, natural materials, and designed for her cats, featured here: https://www.houzz.com/projects/2442042/small-modern-passive-solar-home-for-my-clients-and-their-cats **★★★★★ — Roberta Regnery, May 2017** > It was great working with Richard - he has unbounded enthusiasm for creating environmentally healthy homes which use as little on-grid energy as possible. His creative ideas regarding passive solar heating meshed right in with my less-educated desires. The end result is an Energy Star certified home with passive solar heating and active solar water heating .... and it looks good too!!!! **Comment from Mountain House Plans:** > I enjoyed working with you on this home, Roberta. The challenge was to design something that was extremely energy efficient but also met the requirements of the neighborhood architectural review board. They wanted your home to be traditional and rustic to go with the other houses. I like that this house proves that any style home can be green. I love that it fit your needs and your beautiful property so well. Your home is featured on this page: https://www.houzz.com/projects/2442753/extreme-energy-efficiency-in-a-craftsman-style-mountain-home ## Selected projects - [A house on a mountain for two pilots](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/a-house-on-a-mountain-for-two-pilots-pj-vj~2798595) - Location: Hayesville, NC - Photos: 3 - [Modern, Passive Solar Home for a Steep Mountain Lot](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-passive-solar-home-for-a-steep-mountain-lot-pj-vj~995001) - Location: Blairsville, GA - Photos: 8 - Description: My first passive solar home, designed to fit the client's sloping mountain property In the Southern Appalachian town of Blairsville, GA - [A Tiny Mountain Cabin](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/a-tiny-mountain-cabin-pj-vj~2442146) - Location: Murphy, NC - Photos: 9 - Description: A tiny, 460 square foot passive solar house for 4, built into the earth. It costs $100 a year to run the heat pump for the heating and cooling. - [Extreme Energy Efficiency in a Craftsman-Style Mountain Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/extreme-energy-efficiency-in-a-craftsman-style-mountain-home-pj-vj~2442753) - Location: Cullowhee, NC - Photos: 15 - Description: The client's comments are found here: https://www.houzz.com/viewReview/837570/Mountain-House-Plans-review - [A Passive Solar House for a Couple and Their Elderly Parents](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/a-passive-solar-house-for-a-couple-and-their-elderly-parents-pj-vj~2442163) - Location: Murphy, NC - Photos: 14 - Description: The challenge was to fit this home on a small, steep lot. The clients needed their home to have private space for their elderly parents, and the budget was limited. Earth against the north walls, and lots of glass on the south side made the home more comfortable, bright, and energy efficient. Incorporating a concrete ramp made the home accessible. A long, narrow plan fit this home on the steep lot. - [One of the Most Efficient Homes I Have Designed](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/one-of-the-most-efficient-homes-i-have-designed-pj-vj~2442619) - Location: Murphy, NC - Photos: 7 - [Small, Modern, Passive Solar Home for my clients and their cats](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/small-modern-passive-solar-home-for-my-clients-and-their-cats-pj-vj~2442042) - Location: Murphy, NC - Photos: 9 - Description: An unusual house for unique clients that became good friends Designed for their mountain property, their needs, and their cats The client's review: https://www.houzz.com/viewReview/865845/Mountain-House-Plans-review - [A Home for a Mountain Lake](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/a-home-for-a-mountain-lake-pj-vj~7261904) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 23 - Description: I love designing energy efficiency into my projects. But these clients did not want a modern looking home. Perfect, because this home proves that any style home can be efficient. Analyzing the energy costs show that we succeeded. There are 3884 square feet of insulated space to heat and cool. The heating should cost about $1000 per year, the cooling about $75 per year. The house is 3000 feet above sea level. The coldest winter temperature is about -5°F. The hottest summer temperature is about 90… - [New Orleans in Hayesville North Carolina](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/new-orleans-in-hayesville-north-carolina-pj-vj~4610639) - Location: Hayesville, NC - Photos: 15 - Description: Today we sign the agreements to design for someone I have worked with before. Now her life is different. She wants to move where she can walk to work and recreation. She kept talking about a shot gun house she used to have in New Orleans. I am going to balance between the New Orleans style and the homes in the subdivision. A smaller, simpler home than the one I planned for her years ago: https://www.houzz.com/projects/2442042/small-modern-passive-solar-home-for-my-clients-and-their-cats - [A home for a home schooled family](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/a-home-for-a-home-schooled-family-pj-vj~2844231) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 1 - Description: Home schooling a lot of children requires a more versatile home. There are several areas to do school work that also double for other purposes. The piano area was planned for good acoustics. But the clients want this home to be extremely energy efficient without raising the budget. A two story solarium could provide enough heat to keep the house warm. We found a good site on their steep property that faces south, while keeping excavation costs down. And there will be some space for raised bed ve… - [Energy Efficient Spec Home on a Tiny Budget](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/energy-efficient-spec-home-on-a-tiny-budget-pj-vj~2838824) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - Description: Designed to have the most and cost the least. Accessibility: There are not enough accessible homes in our area. This home was planned for wheelchair access without extra cost, and without looking like a nursing home. Energy Efficiency: If the porch faces south, this home will be heated by the winter sun. Spray foam insulation keeps the house comfortable. It also surrounds the entire heating and cooling system to increase efficiency. Affordability: Most homebuyers in our area are retired. This ho… [See all 11 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/home-builders/mountain-house-plans-pfvwus-pf~471298737) ## Video - [Company video](https://player.vimeo.com/external/840723216.m3u8?s=54a0c2ef2059cfef9e8048371635edb0482c4b5a&oauth2_token_id=1384357804) ## Frequently Asked Questions **Do you build fully custom homes?** Yes, I specialize in designing and planning fully custom homes. My approach is to listen carefully to your unique needs, property challenges, and budget to create a home that truly improves your life and is tailored specifically for you. **Do you build new homes from the ground up?** Yes, I design and plan new homes from the ground up, focusing on creating detailed architectural drawings and floor plans. My expertise ensures your new home is thoughtfully designed to fit your property, budget, and specific needs before construction begins. **Do you build specialty homes such as tiny or container homes?** Yes, I have experience designing specialty homes, including tiny homes. For example, I designed an experimental passive solar tiny home in Murphy, North Carolina. My focus is on creating efficient and personalized designs for unique living spaces. **Do you assist with lot selection or site evaluation?** Yes, I absolutely assist with site evaluation and planning. My expertise includes designing for difficult sites, especially steep mountain slopes, to ensure your home connects beautifully with the property, often reducing costs and increasing comfort. **Do you offer energy-efficient or sustainable home construction?** Absolutely! Energy efficiency and sustainable design are core to my philosophy. I specialize in strategies like passive solar design, optimizing insulation, and smart energy consumption planning to create homes that are comfortable, cost-effective, and environmentally conscious. I focus on what works best for each project. *FAQ content may be generated based on the Pro's Houzz profile and website.* ## Ideabooks - [Alt](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/94736110/list/alt) — 21 ideas - [Pantry Cabinets](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/88545295/list/pantry-cabinets) — 22 ideas - [Garage](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/77992542/list/garage) — 26 ideas - [Outside Private](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/72191690/list/outside-private) — 49 ideas - [Entries](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/81877320/list/entries) — 16 ideas - [Stairs](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/82426783/list/stairs) — 7 ideas - [Lighting](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/77992063/list/lighting) — 70 ideas - [Office](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/72226101/list/office) — 104 ideas - [Baths](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/73750311/list/baths) — 78 ideas - [Lines](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/72494536/list/lines) — 32 ideas - [Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/74980518/list/kitchen) — 124 ideas - [Homes](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/78609899/list/homes) — 52 ideas - [Sleeping](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/72629024/list/sleeping) — 48 ideas - [Dining](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/72494298/list/dining) — 41 ideas - [Small living](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/72574746/list/small-living) — 143 ideas - [Materials](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/79382618/list/materials) — 20 ideas [See all 16 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/rmaccrea) ## Community Q&A **Q: How many beds/baths are in this plan?** *(in Photo Questions)* Love this design and planning to build on a mountain lot. Love the metal/wood combination and the lower floor in the ground. A: Thanks for the question. That home was designed years ago. If I remember correctly, it had 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. But keep in mind that this home was a specific design to fit my clients' needs, budget, and property. I have found the most efficient way to build a home is a custom design to fit those 3 requirements. So, no 2 homes have the same plan. One of the features of this home is its extreme energy efficiency. Even in the cool Appalachian Mountains, the heat almost never runs. By designing for the 3 requirements, we were able to increase the efficiency without increasing the cost. For example, the glass on this side faces the warm winter sunshine. The earth against the north side keeps the house warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. The combination of these 2 features made this home extremely efficient. But since designing this home, I have learned more techniques that provide greater efficiency with less cost. **Q: POLL: Would you buy a house where a major crime occurred?** *(in Polls)* We've been talking about whether or not people would buy a house that was purported to be haunted, and an interesting tangent came up. The conundrum of having been the scene of a crime. Would you buy a house that had been the scene of a major crime? A: I agree with @susan Fredrickson . Most crimes in houses are related to design and construction. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-24.*