've got to admit," beams Cook, "I'm still very proud of the fact that we moved the homeowners in one day ahead of that original schedule. The work here is of a very high quality. Yet, the final week before the move-in date was the smoothest I've seen for a project of this size. Our punch list was amazingly short. Exquisite quality, ahead of schedule, with virtually no punch list? If you know anything about construction you know this was a feat."

"I'm beginning to think the 'J' in DJ stands for 'Jude'" laughs Meredith Richardson, a general contractor familiar with Dowling's work over the past decade. "He's the patron saint of complicated projects." When pushed to elaborate on why Dowling succeeds where others fail, Richardson explains, "Seriously, Dan has a unique ability to understand all the players in this business. It's like sitting down to play cards with someone who knows what's in everybody else's hand. Sometimes I think it all starts with his mechanical abilities the guy just flat-out knows how to build. Any trade. Any material. He knows the products and the processes involved inside out.

"But other times I think it all starts with his ability to read and write it's not so much traditional book knowledge or his Harvard education, but the ability to organize ideas, conduct research to build on his knowledge, and then to communicate and successfully execute the ideas. The video footage he compiled is a classic example of how he brings together so many complicated ideas. When you sit down to watch the videos, it all looks so straightforward. He's a tremendous builder because he can build a tremendous team."

As the happy Atherton couple settle into their long-awaited home, they reflect on what Dowling's help meant to them. "We really love him a lot, and we owe him a huge debt of gratitude. He gave us back our home. He gave us back our dreams. Just look at the photos-- we love the results."