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POWER LIST HONOREES


 

 

The home builders featured in this Power List are doing their part in making the housing inventory more equitable. Power List honorees are chosen in a purely subjective process by researching our home builders list and the internet, and is by no means scientific.

 

 


 

Ivie J. Kirk Jr

Saussy Burbank

Title: VP, General Manager Charleston
Years in the home building industry: 41

How have you adapted to the supply chain shortage affecting your industry?
We have had to become much more proactive in our ordering and purchasing process, such as ordering certain items (windows, cabinets, etc) many weeks earlier than we have done so in the past. To date, it has worked acceptably well, but we have had a few hiccups….

What has been the biggest change in home design due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
More buyers seem to be interested in home-based offices, so we find ourselves turning the smaller bedrooms into potential "work from home" spaces. Not difficult to adapt to, but the house is certainly fulfilling more purposes than in years past.

What do you think the new home sales market will look like in five years?
Coastal markets such as ours will always have a place and tend to be one of the first areas to heat up and the last areas to cool down. Hard to imagine there being too much difference in the Charleston area, as it is such a preferred area to live and work.

What is the hottest trend in home building in South Carolina right now?
We are having great success with our larger porches, and our double porch product. Likely part of the newer "live/work from home" change we are seeing along with a return to old-time "get to know the neighbors", and community involvement

What room/space is your favorite in your own home, and why?
Family room. My wife is a crafter and has taken over every other space in the house. I get the family room, and about 10 square feet of our bedroom. Everything else seems to be hers….not really sure how that happened….


 

Tony Thompson

RSU/ACC3D Builders

Title: President
Years in the home building industry: 42

How have you adapted to the supply chain shortage affecting your industry?
Proper planning and dealing with suppliers can deliver within an acceptable time. Keeping up with the orders from the manufacturers allowing for orders to not be delayed and try to find the product that will fulfill our needs. Communication and follow-through with suppliers are paramount to getting a product in a time frame that is promised. Aligning ourselves with the most consistent suppliers and manufacturers that are making every effort to keep their promises get our product to us. And always keeping us in the communication loop. Always asking our suppliers to shoot straight with us because that’s what we want to do for our customers. As soon as we’re informed there might be a problem we go to our customer and discuss a Plan B and Plan C. Again, constant communication with quick action if we are let down with a delivery we try to negotiate with our supplier and being straightforward with changing product and/or supplier. We still have our issues with the supply chain and we deal with them head-on with all parties involved in order to soften delays. Good clear solid communication and plan for the delays. Align with the best and communicate. That’s the best we can do.

What has been the biggest change in home design due to the COVID-19 pandemic? 
Utilization of existing space. We are seeing larger kitchens, multi-functional rooms such as spare bedrooms being used as offices and guest bedrooms. Increase in outdoor living spaces and more play areas for the children 

What do you think the new home sales market will look like in five years?
More density, more working from home. Common gathering places within the neighborhood. Better security for the younger generations as well as the Baby Boomers. People settling in with good-income jobs instead of job hopping like we’re seeing now.

If you weren’t in the accounting industry, what would you be doing as a career?
If I was not in the accounting industry I would probably be in the legal industry. I studied criminal justice in college and have always enjoyed the investigative nature of the legal profession. I also enjoy the research and work that goes into building a case or defending one.


Don Chapman AIA, CMB

Chapman Design Group, Inc./ Icon Construction of SC, LLC

Title: President/Member
Years in the home building industry: 29 Years/18 Years

How have you adapted to the supply chain shortage affecting your industry?
By preordering or using alternate products as well as keeping clients aware of delay notices.

What has been the biggest change in home design due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Increased request from clients to incorporate additional luxury amenities and features into the project. (ie: Spa-like Bathrooms, Touchless fixtures, Backup Generators, Theaters, Wine Rooms, Outdoor Kitchens and Fireplaces, Swimming Pools & Spas)

What do you think the new home sales market will look like in five years?
For SC… very positive. This is primarily due to the continued migration of people moving to our way.

What is the hottest trend in home building in South Carolina right now?
Covered Outdoor Living Spaces, Back Kitchens and Luxury Showers

What room/space is your favorite in your own home, and why?
It would be our covered rooftop deck and outdoor kitchen, comfortable lounge chairs, fire table and TV it makes the perfect year round space for watching a game, eating or gathering with friends all while enjoying fantastic views of Lake Hartwell.


Will Herring

Hunter Quinn Homes, LLC

Title: President and CEO
Years in the home building industry: 20

How have you adapted to the supply chain shortage affecting your industry?
It’s important for any business to have the ability to respond and adjust as needed, but it became even more critical during the pandemic’s chaos. The supply chain’s ever-changing environment of shortages, delays and price increases required us to be nimbler. Our procurement team relied on the strength of their relationships with our suppliers, tradespeople and partners to work through the issues. Throughout Hunter Quinn Homes, the past efforts to strengthen relationships paid off. In turn, they communicated well with the rest of the Hunter Quinn Homes team so we could focus on maintaining a positive customer experience. That’s a real challenge when so many conditions shift in a very short time. We adjusted our sales and marketing strategy so that our homebuyers would not be burdened with the worries of delays and price increases. We worked hard to make this process as effortless and enjoyable as possible. 

What has been the biggest change in home design due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Home design is always evolving to keep pace with lifestyle changes. COVID put some features on the fast track. The open floor plan, for example, has been popular because it promotes connection and togetherness. During COVID, people realized that so much open space wasn’t conducive to emerging priorities, like working or studying from home. They needed private space, even if it was merely for enjoying some quiet time. We accommodated the changing wish list by reworking some of our floor plans to offer a dedicated home office and flexible spaces, like a bonus room or loft.

What do you think the new home sales market will look like in five years?
The future is where we need to be looking right now. The media keeps comparing where we are today to where we were 12 months ago. That’s not a fair or even realistic comparison. The COVID period was as far from a normal market as you can get. Looking ahead, short term, we certainly have some headwinds to overcome. We operate in beautiful and desirable locations, and I hope to see the new home sales more closely resemble pre-COVID velocity longer term. People have come to appreciate the value of new construction and I expect that to be an ongoing factor. We work to stay on top of changing needs, new technology and construction methods, even the locations that will be desirable for future homebuyers.

What is the hottest trend in home building in South Carolina right now?
We’re experiencing an increased demand for purpose-built, single-family homes for rent.

What room/space is your favorite in your own home and why?
My favorite home space isn’t actually inside my home. It’s my backyard. I love the outdoors. The most relaxing spot and enjoyable place for me to spend time with my family.


Stan O’Brien

Paradime Construction, Inc

Title: President and CEO
Years in the home building industry: 24.5

How have you adapted to the supply chain shortage affecting your industry?
Bottom line is bigger lead times. With the main ones like Cabinets and Windows, we needed to order those the day we bought the building permit. There is also the issue of ‘discontinued items’ or ‘backorder items’. Clients would need to scramble to find a substitute that would be suitable. For the most part clients understood the battle we were dealing with.

What has been the biggest change in home design due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Most common answer would be home office and duel home offices. This shift to being forced and able to work from home has changed many peoples lives. Spaces in the home that can be quite away from the noise is a must. Also, multigenerational homes are becoming even more prevalent.

What do you think the new home sales market will look like in five years?
I would say a little less tame than what we have seen in the last 2 years but still brisk. With the southeast being a magnet for the rest of the country, we should remain in a good housing market for a while.

What is the hottest trend in home building in South Carolina right now?
Downsizing. I don’t see many people increasing the size of their homes right now. Energy efficiency, less maintenance, and no wasted or unused space is what everyone seems to be wanting right now. The cost of everything is going up and clients are being mindful of what they are spending their money on.

What room/space is your favorite in your own home, and why?
Too funny, my garage. I am not one to sit and read a book or play on a device. In my down time, I like to turn some wrenches or tinker with building something (small, not a home).


Lindsay Nevin

The Flyway Companies

Title: CEO
Years in the home building industry: 14

How have you adapted to the supply chain shortage affecting your industry?
Better planning and coordination with owners, architects, subcontractors and suppliers. The sooner we can insert ourselves in the process the better. Many owners wait until design is finished to bring in a contractor. We discourage this in order to better assist the project team for a successful build. The earlier we can be brought in the more value we can add.

What has been the biggest change in home design due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Owners and architects have had to tweak their designs based on what materials they can physically receive in a timely manner. Windows, for example, have had extremely long lead times since the pandemic. We’ve had several clients adjust their window package and/or overall design to account for this.

What do you think the new home sales market will look like in five years?
New homes sale will be rebounding from the downturn we are entering. The lag in market timing from the current interest rate bumps will be felt over the next 12-24 months.

What is the hottest trend in home building in South Carolina right now?
Homeowners are leaning into their own specific tastes for finishes. They are gravitating towards a bolder approach rather than “playing it safe” with a more timeless look.

What room/space is your favorite in your own home, and why?
My favorite room is my home office. This is a space where I can be productive, but I can also relax. In recent years home offices have been even more important as working from home has become more common place.


Susan L. Ford

Bennett Hofford Construction – Charleston, LLC

Title: Principal since 2009
Years in the home building industry: 4 6

How have you adapted to the supply chain shortage affecting your industry?
We order earlier than in previous years based on market supply, generally starting with Window/Door packages, Trusses, Steel Beams, Appliances, Cabinetry layouts as soon as we initiate contracts.

What has been the biggest change in home design due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
The challenge of creating beautiful multi-function spaces to meet needs for working from home with families. Additionally, adjusting plans to manage supply chain shortages with revisions or alternative products.

What do you think the new home sales market will look like in five years?
We build in the luxury resort home market and look forward to continued demand.

What is the hottest trend in home building in South Carolina right now?
Outdoor Living spaces with connection to interior Kitchen/ Living/ Dining on a more elevated scale.

What room/space is your favorite in your own home, and why?
Kitchen/Den/Dining Rooms with connection to additional outdoor dining, porches, garden and fire elements.


Michael Raby

Raby Construction Company

Title: President
Years in the home building industry 25 years

How have you adapted to the supply chain shortage affecting your industry?
By focusing on long range planning and adapting to and implementing quick schedule changes around the available materials, deliveries, and long lead items.

What has been the biggest change in home design due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
The floor plans seem to be migrating toward more open floor plans, open spaces, and outdoor amenities .

What do you think the new home sales market will look like in five years?
The housing market will continue to look different in the regional market. Specifically in our region, the demand for lots is thriving. The regional disparities may become more significant.

What is the hottest trend in home building in South Carolina right now?
Multi-Family seems to be a major upward trend in the Carolinas. The number of units has increased dramatically.

What room/space is your favorite in your own home, and why?
The open kitchen, dining, family room layout that is centrally located. It is a great gathering place for family and guests and promotes a relaxing atmosphere for interaction.


McLain Manning

Longfield Residential

Title: Principal
Years in the home building industry: 25

How have you adapted to the supply chain shortage affecting your industry?
In some ways, our niche market in the custom, high-end home building product already had us primed for dealing with materials that are more difficult to source. We have been fortunate to have close longstanding relationships with our vendors and suppliers which translated to open and fluid communication as conditions were changing rapidly. More of our focus became working proactively with our clients on the planning and design phase to select items that would be available within the necessary time frames to complete projects on time.

What has been the biggest change in home design due to the COVID-19 pandemic? 
We continue to see a sustained interest in homeowners making the most of the footprint they have through extensive investments in transitional outdoor living areas, accessory dwelling units and home office space. The inward-looking impulse of the pandemic has motivated homeowners to envision spaces that can delight and sustain their families through the years and life events, with more expansive, bold and comprehensive concepts than we might have seen prior to 2020. The notion of “we only live once and should do our best to live commodiously” is evident in the completeness of our clientele’s scope and finishings.

What do you think the new home sales market will look like in five years?
I believe that generally, the new home supply shortage will continue for the near to mid future due to various factors including labor, supply, and various cost increases. Luckily, our business is driven by local market/ submarket trends which remain favorable in the near term.

What is the hottest trend in home building in South Carolina right now?
As a builder, I am more focused on the types of projects than designer trends, so I would say there are two trends emerging: 

1.) People are no longer hesitant to build or add-on in their neighborhood and be at the top of the market. They want to be in desirable locations and around the neighbors they enjoy

 2.) The other trend is designing homes for the long-haul with concepts that accommodate aging in place such as no step shower entries or master suites on the first floor.

What room/space is your favorite in your own home, and why?
During the pandemic we renovated the kitchen, which was an old turn of the century farmer’s wife kitchen replete with orange vinyl countertops and a tiny office nook hung with an old yellow dial phone. There were old pine cabinets as far as the eye could see with space to store as many pots and jars as a country cook could collect. We were on a budget with this project and craved simplicity and function as well as deterrents to collecting things, so we opted for open acia floating shelving on the walls with white cabinets below and acia butcher block wood for the counters. We replaced the hardwood floors and opened the entry way into the family room and painted the walls and cabinets semi-gloss creamy white Sherwin Williams. Our favorite feature is the framed in 5’ x 7’ pantry with shelving enclosed by a barn door made from left over pecky cypress scraps. Now, the blue sky and verdant out-of-doors greet us through the windows framed in the white simplicity of the new farm kitchen.


Edward Terry

Crescent Homes

Title: CEO/ Owner
Years in the home building industry:22

How have you adapted to the supply chain shortage affecting your industry?
We have adapted to supply chain shortages by limiting SKU’s in certain product categories. We want our customers to still have choices but also want to ensure that doesn’t get in the way of supply chain and build times. We have also had to diversify our supply base to have multiple points of sourcing.

What has been the biggest change in home design due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
The need for flex spaces to better serve those who need space to work or school from home.

What do you think the new home sales market will look like in five years?
We hope in five years the housing market has fully recovered to a pre-pandemic normal which would include stabilized home prices, normalized demand, less annual price appreciation and a more reliable supply chain.

What is the hottest trend in home building in South Carolina right now?
Price is the ultimate amenity. While shiplap, brass fixtures, quartz countertops and thoughtful floor plans continue to trend, sales prices ultimately drive buying decisions.

What room/space is your favorite in your own home, and why?
My favorite room in my house is the great room, which is open to the kitchen, dining room and screen porch. It truly is the nucleus of my home is the natural gathering spot for friends and family.