These days, the vast majority of his custom clients come to Yoder with a set of plans that still need to be fleshed out in detail. He most enjoys walking through a home as it is being framed, helping the homeowner visualize the special touches that will make his home unique.

"Some of the smallest details make all the difference in the world," Yoder says.

On the lake home of Bill and Donna Eskridge, the second he has built for the family, he suggested making a simple framed opening in the shape of an elliptical radius arch.

"It would never have occurred to me to do that, or to put soffit lighting over the island in the kitchen, but I just love both of those details," Donna says.

In order to complete 10 to 12 custom projects a year, Yoder is helped tremendously by Mike Lewis as well as Gio Urso, two employees who can "carry a home from the drywall stage, detail it to completion and work very well with the homeowners."

In addition to these key employees, Yoder also gives credit to his lineup of experienced, skillful and loyal subcontractors.
"Builders get the credit for everything," he says, "but a lot of it should go back to the subs."

His wide-ranging experience in several trades means that Yoder appreciates what his subs go through to do a good job. Likewise, he knows if someone is trying to slip inferior work past him.

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