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Builder/Architect Magazine Cover 
C.R. Walton Construction, Inc.Integrity. Building. Relationships. By Peggy Mishoe Discipline, integrity and knowledge are words that homeowners and business associates often use when they talk about Chris Walton or C. R. Walton Construction, Inc., the company he founded in June 2005. Chris’s life prepared him well for a career as a builder of exquisite custom homes on the Grand Strand. He grew up in the foothills of North Carolina with parents who taught him manners, high morals and respect for everyone. In high school and throughout his college years, he worked summers for Wylie Lee, a successful builder in his hometown and surrounding area. Chris says, “I started out toting boards, as they say, and worked as a carpenter for several years. Wylie was a well-respected contractor who was in high demand. He was very meticulous, methodical, and had high expectations.” Chris graduated from The Citadel in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a willing adherence to the strict discipline and manners that military colleges instill. For 11 years, he was vice-president of Cardinal Development Co., Inc., another successful building company on the Grand Strand. While there, Chris was involved in every facet of the business. During that time, and since founding his own company, Chris has worked on several projects with Felix Ayres of Ayres and Associates Architects. Felix serves on about 20 architectural review boards and Chris serves on one with him. Felix says, “Chris is very diplomatic about his approach to dealing with the sensitive issues.” Felix describes Chris as very organized, systematic and enthusiastic in his approach to construction, very prompt, responsive, open to looking at different ideas, and good at coming up with alternatives that keep the costs down for clients. He adds, “Chris is a family man. He’s a church man. I think he’s a well-rounded individual. He’s cut from a good grain of cloth, so to speak, and I think that means a lot when you’re a contractor.” 
Felix says the education and discipline that Chris acquired at The Citadel has carried over into his construction business and personal life and will take him far in an industry where he has already built a good reputation. He adds, “I would not hesitate to recommend Chris to my clients.”Bruce and Marsie Hubbard are glad Felix recommended Chris to them. While their home was being built in DeBordieu, they went about their lives in Winston-Salem, N.C. While working in real estate and real estate development for about 30 years, Bruce has dealt with many builders. He says, “I don’t feel any concern whatsoever. I have to tell you it’s been a delightful experience. I’m very pleased with the construction as well as the information I receive on a daily basis. Chris is a gentleman and a good businessman. He builds a quality home.” Chris communicated with the Hubbards mostly by telephone and he sent them email photos of their home during different stages. Chris says, “It’s really easy for me to communicate with folks out of town. Not being able to personally keep an eye on the project can be somewhat intimidating for an out of town owner. I understand that concern and make a special effort to keep them up to date with digital pictures, emails and regular progress reports.” Chris and his wife, Cindy, have three daughters, Madison, Callie and Rebekah. Cindy is an artist and beautiful examples of her art hang in their home. She helps with the company’s administrative tasks, bookkeeping, and enjoys assisting clients with decorating decisions. Chris says, “She’s a great asset for my homeowners to work with.” “Cindy had some great ideas and some good insight,” homeowner Rick Eason said while C.R. Walton Construction, Inc. was building a home in Bellwood Landing for him and his wife, Trea. “It’s been a great process. Every schedule has been kept,” he said. 
Bobby Rabon went through the home construction process several times in Florence with other builders before he purchased one of Chris’s homes in the early construction stages in Surfside Beach for a vacation home. He says, “Chris is a businessman. He does quality work. He doesn’t believe in cutting corners. He listens to you. They were actually some of the best people I’ve ever worked with. If I pointed something out, they took care of it. If I could get Chris to build my next one, I’d love to.”The Waltons are active members of Belin Memorial United Methodist Church where Chris teaches Sunday School. He earned his Eagle Scout badge as a boy and has served as scoutmaster of Troop 396 at Belin, where he still assists when needed. He says, “The scouting program has always been a tender spot for me.” Chris is a strong believer in scouting’s ability to assist with positive character development of today’s youth who will, in turn, be tomorrow’s leaders. Homeowners Jimmy and Patti Yahnis met Chris while their son was in Troop 396. Patti says, “Chris has definitely got a sense of integrity, good morals and honesty, all the good scouting morals.” Their home in Wachesaw Plantation was completed in August of 2004 and is the first one Jimmy and Patti have built. The Yahnis’s had been planning and designing their home for several years. She says, “I had plenty of time to think about it because this is my dream home.” Chris and a team of highly competent and experienced supervisors and subcontractors worked closely with several artisans that Patti chose to create various features. She says, “They were very friendly and accommodating. I got what I wanted.” Pawleys Island Mayor Bill Otis and his wife, Alice, built two homes and had others remodeled before their oceanfront home was constructed in Pawleys. Henry Boykin of Camden, S.C. was the architect who designed the home, where they’ve lived since December 2004. Alice says, “We have never had such a good experience. We could not have asked any more of our builder. It turned out to be just what we wanted.” She adds, “We just absolutely adored Chris. I’ve raised two sons who are just about Chris’ age and I would take him on as a third son. He was so competent, thorough and courteous at all times. He was wonderful.” 
C.R. Walton Construction builds homes in numerous communities, including DeBordieu, and Bellwood Landing, on the beachfront and on other private sites. It also builds in Collins Creek Landing, where Chris chose to build his family home. From a community boat dock there, he has access to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Waccamaw River, where his family enjoys spending time together on their pontoon boat.“I’ve been in his home and it is beautiful,” said Mitch Bistyga of New York. Chris is working with Mitch on a planned development district in Surfside Beach named Palmetto Cove; one of two planned development districts in Surfside that Chris is involved in. The other is The Palms. Mitch found Chris to be very knowledgeable, young and energetic, a man who knows a lot of people, knows his way around, knows the building codes and is very respected. Mitch says, “He’s a gentleman and a good businessman. The homes that he builds are quality. He seems to do everything well.” Everyone who deals with Chris knows that he loves the building business, where each day brings something new. Builders earn their reputations not only from the opinions of homeowners who have been through the building process with them and live in the homes they’ve built, but also by the businesses that supply them. Chris has a sterling reputation on both fronts. 
Cindy Hardwick, credit manager of the Grand Strand market for Builders Firstsource, says, “Chris Walton has been a long standing customer of Builders Firsesource since 2003. In this business, where professionalism, integrity, knowledge and work ethic are very hard to find, Chris rates high in all areas. Our company is proud to have a business association with Chris and his company.”When C.R. Walton Construction builds your home, you can be proud, not only of your home, but also of the character, professionalism and respect shown by the people who build it. Chris and his staff have the discipline, integrity and knowledge to make your building experience pleasant and your home a showplace created from your wishes. |
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C. R. Walton |
© 2008 C. R. Walton Construction Inc.
