TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I have worked with Rick Fleming for the past 10 years, both while he was Project Manager at another general contracting firm as well as owner of his own RPF Construction Company. The over 25 projects we have done together have run the full gamut of new construction and renovation, both competitively bid as well as negotiated. Some projects were publicly owned (Karpen Hall at UNCA, Asheville City Schools), some private (several Asheville Savings Bank projects, Penland School Glass Studio), while others were for non-profit organizations (WCQS. WCCJ).

Many of our projects place a great emphasis on pre-construction analysis to determine the best approach to be taken. Rick Fleming has worked well not only with the whole design team but also with client committees. He is honest, shows great integrity and is willing to share with the Owners his budget numbers and thought processes.

In addition to new construction, Rick Fleming and I have extensive experience working together on downtown adaptive reuse projects. Located in the fire district these mixed-use occupancy projects have been especially challenging. Often portions of the building must remain occupied while other areas are being renovated. Knowledge of construction sequencing and communication with the Owner are mandatory to maintaining a safe site with the !east amount of disruption to ongoing businesses. We recently worked together on the Castanea Building, a 27,000 four-story building from the 1920’s. Upper floor utilities had to be worked down through the thriving lower floor retail spaces with the least amol.nt of disruption This project with an extremely tight budget had a lengthy pre-planning phase. It is this kind of up-front work that helped pave the way for an affordable, quality project. Having worked with all of RPF’s crew on various projects, I have found that the job surperintendents as well as the carpenters take pride in their work and produce an extremely high quality, well-crafted product.

Our downtown projects (Castanea Building, Classic Building, Enman’s Furriers, Lark Books. WCQS, Doc Chey s Noodle Shop. 35 Patton Avenue) progressed smoothly also due to Rick Fleming’s familiarity with the permitting and inspections process. Although we hear of horror stories in dealing with the City and the Building Safety Department we have not had that experience. Rick Fleming is to be given credit for this.

Rick will be honest and upfront. Some Contractors will tell you what you want to hear just to land the project. Rick, on the other hand, will paint a very realistic picture both with the time frame and the budget. As a great team player I would highly recommend Rick Fleming for your project. You will not be disappointed. Don’t hesitate to call me if I can provide any further information.

REGARDS
PATTI GLAZER, AIA. Principal
email: info@glazerarchiteclure.com
78112 Patton Avenue Asheville, NC 28801

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I have had the pleasure of working with Rick Fleming and his team at RPF Construction since November, 2004. Rick was referred to me by the developer of a historic building in Asheville in which I had just purchased a unit. The unit was unoccupied and had previously been an art gallery. My objective was to renovate the unit for a seafood restaurant.

Having had a bad experience with a contractor in the past, I was cautious about selecting a contractor for this project. Rick was very patient with my questions and showed a real interest in my success. He was not only concerned about the construction details, but my business goals as well.

He and I both knew that there were several unknowns about the space due to the age of the building. However, his estimate was very close to the actual cost of the renovation. Any changes were carefully explained and signed off on prior to doing the work.

I was very impressed with the crew at RPF Construction. Not only were they professional and talented, they were also very friendly and a pleasure to be around. They performed their work as if they really enjoyed their jobs and took pride in what they did. Any questions or concerns that I had during the project were quickly addressed. If the crew did not know the answer to something, I would hear from Rick.

I could not be more pleased with the end result. The restaurant received the Griffin Award for Interior Commercial Rehabilitation. We have had very few issues since opening, and any issue that we do have is quickly addressed by Rick. I would highly recommend RPF Construction.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

AMY BEARD
Proprietor
The Lobster Trap
35 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801
amy@thelobstertrap.biz