by Christy Heitger-Ewing / photos by Adam Gibson and The Home Aesthetic
Kent Shaffer Homes, a third-generation family-run business, has a stellar reputation in the Indianapolis community. They are known for building exceptional quality homes in desirable neighborhoods, utilizing experienced craftsmen & high-quality materials, and providing personal and informative customer service that goes above and beyond. It all began in 1956 when Robert Shaffer started a home construction business, which he ran for a quarter of a century. When he passed the torch to his son it became Kent Shaffer Homes.
Kent has been running the business now for 35 years, having built more than 250 industry-recognized premiere homes in the area. Kent’s daughter, Kristen Shaffer, began her apprenticeship with the company when she was just five years old, accompanying her dad to job sites. By 10 years old, she was helping him clean up job sites, and by 16 years, she was assisting in the office. She officially joined Kent Shaffer Homes in 2006. A graduate of Purdue University’s renowned Construction Management Program, Kristen has become an integral part of the Kent Shaffer Homes team.
“I love this business and the strong connections I make with our clients,” says Kristen. While big production home builders can rapidly crank out houses, they cannot offer the same personalized care and daily contact with each of their clients that Kristen and Kent do. Erecting just 5-10 homes a year, they purposefully remain a small company that is fiercely devoted to their clients’ needs.
“We’re on the job site every day, walking homeowners through the process every step of the way,” says Kristen. When snafus arise, clients don’t have to weave their way through a sea of supervisors to get answers because Kristen and Kent are the center point of contact and promptly correct any issues or concerns.
“The most important thing is to be upfront and honest with customers,” says Kristen. “With hundreds of different subcontractors working the job site on a daily basis, it has to be managed properly and efficiently.”
She notes that the most rewarding part of her career is when clients come back to build with them a second or third time.
“It’s also neat that we’ve been in the business long enough that we have clients who refer their children to us,” says Kristen. “That has happened quite a few times, and it makes me really proud to know that people trust us with their kids. There’s no greater compliment!”
A member of the Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis and National Association of Home Builders, Kent Shaffer Homes has been involved in home shows for more than three decades. Next year one of their homes will be featured in the 2020 Home-a-Rama in Zionsville’s Holliday Farms. A lot draw was held recently, and building will begin in Holliday Farms starting in November.
Last year Kent Shaffer Homes was awarded the People’s Choice honor for the magnificent modern farmhouse they built for the 2018 Home-a-Rama that was located in Westfield’s Chatham Hills. The 6,800 sq. ft. beauty features large picture windows in the living room that offer a stunning view of the Pete Dye-designed golf course. It also has a spacious chef’s kitchen that opens up into the living and dining rooms, as well as a walk-out basement and patio that extends from the master bedroom to the main outdoor living space.
“Our goal is to partner with clients to create peaceful homes that entice owners to slow down and nourish their souls,” says Kristen. That’s certainly what enticed Andre and Erica Porter to purchase the home.
Though the pair were looking to build a more rustic farmhouse-type home in Chatham Hills, when they toured the Home-a-Rama house, their plans changed. They absolutely fell in love with the style and structure, and the huge windows across the back that allowed natural light to pour in sealed the deal.
“We decided there was no need for us to build because it would have been very difficult to match what Kent Shaffer Homes had already done with this place,” says Andre, who felt that the layout of the home wholly suited their family’s needs.
“This home has perfect spaces for the three kids to spread out,” says Andre, noting that there is not only a fully finished basement with space for entertaining but also an expansive playroom.
“The boys basically have the upstairs wing to themselves and Erica and I hang out on the first floor when we want privacy,” says Andre. As for working with Kent and Kristen, the Porters couldn’t have been more pleased.
“They were very candid and transparent throughout the entire process and have been very responsive to all of our needs,” says Andre.
When it comes to dialing in on the features homeowners are looking for, these days Kristen says that people crave open floor plans with a dining, great room, and kitchen all in one central space.
“They are going away from larger homes and wanting more functional spaces – not wasted rooms,” she says. Smart home automation and energy efficient homes are also on people’s radar.
“Building is starting to incorporate a lot more technology,” explains Kristen, who regularly enrolls in online classes to stay well-informed on the latest building trends, technology tools, and options in energy efficiency. “I want us to stay up-to-date with the latest and greatest building techniques.”
As for the Porters, they couldn’t be happier to live in what Andre calls “the number one home in town.”
“We love living here,” he says. “We look forward to growing and raising our family in this home.”
For more information on building your custom home in the picturesque Holliday Farms community with Kent Shaffer Homes, visit kentshafferhomes.com.
