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Nov 29, 2021

Built Right Homes: The custom lifestyle builder that builds it right the first time

Cheryl Ricer

Photography By

M.KAT Photography
Kevin and Lisa Lapinski, owners of Built Right Homes, came to the Lowcountry in 2007 with a long-term goal of owning and operating their own business building custom homes. However, that long-term goal quickly evolved into a short-term reality as the couple opened Built Right Homes in December of 2008.

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A bunk room was a must-have and this one is specially thought out. With oversized bunks, the homeowners’ grandchildren will sleep here comfortably for years to come.

Initially, the couple focused on acclimating themselves to their new location and getting to know the people in the industry. Kevin worked side by side with contractors and learned about the area and the people he would later handpick for his own team.

Built Right Homes takes pride in the quality craftsmanship built into each of their custom homes. With expertise that comes from a career that spans upwards of 25 years and a motto of “Small enough to listen; big enough to deliver,” Built Right is intent on providing the highest quality homes with a comfortable build process.

The family room with retractable doors affords both an incredible view of the greenscape and access to the back porch and outdoors. The open floor plan seamlessly connects the kitchen and living space by incorporating a navy blue sectional that perfectly matches the kitchen island and dramatic hood.

“Kevin is the sticks and bricks of our business,” said wife Lisa. “He is truly the most hands-on builder I have ever known, and he loves working closely with his crews and our clients.”

A native of Atlanta, Kevin worked for more than 12 years on the front lines developing the construction department, overseeing quality control, generating estimates, reviewing architectural plans, and managing the customer care department for a large home builder for whom he built upwards of 7,000 homes. Now he uses his 25 years of combined experience to oversee every detail of each Built Right project ensuring customers’ expectations are not only met but exceeded. Kevin’s workmanship and ability are respected among his trade partners on every jobsite.

Defined by ample space to move around, this gourmet cook’s kitchen offers professional-grade appliances as well as 39-inch counters, floor-to-ceiling cabinet space, a coffee/wine bar, and distinctive pendant lighting. The navy blue island and hood are a striking contrast to the vivid white kitchen.

“We build to meet our clients desired lifestyle,” Kevin said, “with dedicated attention to detail in the planning stages to create a fun and exciting experience.”

Lisa, on the other hand, brings the client’s vision to life by making sure each design selection reflects a seamless aesthetic and effortlessly supports the lifestyle of the family who will live there. Lisa spent 17 years of her working career as a sales analyst for BP, covering territories in Georgia and the Carolinas. And though she enjoyed her work, something was missing: an outlet for her creativity. With Kevin at Built Right, Lisa’s passion for design inspires her. She uses her artistic touch to make every home a unique statement that tells the homeowner’s story and allows the personality of the family to shine.

Nineteenth century Nepalese doors invite guests into the bourbon room, a “must-have” for this couple who originally hails from Kentucky.

“Kevin and I believe that it is the simple things in life that matter the most,” Lisa said, “and coming home every day to a place where you and your family are comfortable and happy is important.”

At Built Right, the client always comes first, and each employee understands that building a client’s dream home or renovating their current one should not be stressful. In fact, they believe that it should be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences in life.

“There will always be obstacles to overcome,” Kevin said, “especially in today’s environment with delays in the supply chain, labor shortages, etc. However, we really make sure we have open communication with our clients. We also understand that everyone has concerns in the build process, from simply revisiting design selections to adjusting their budget.
At Built Right, they work through the entire process prior to construction. The staff will create selections based on your budget, individual tastes, and lifestyle.

“We truly do care about our clients, and we listen to their dreams as well as their concerns,” Lisa said. For example, many of our clients are moving into smaller homes than they previously lived in, and I remind them, ‘You’re not downsizing—you are not losing anything. At this stage of your life, you are RIGHT sizing. You are turning a page so that you can look forward to your future.’”

Kevin and Lisa are also great with clients who may not know exactly what they want in their home, because they make listening a priority in the build process. By asking questions and offering up ideas, their clients can then make critical decisions.

“We are not building a production home,” Lisa said, “but a custom home, starting from—in many cases—a completely blank canvas. We ask questions like, ‘What are some of the things you do every day? What is your desired view from your windows? How much of your budget do you want to go towards maximizing a view? Do you have pets, children, or grandchildren? Do you enjoy entertaining?’ These kinds of considerations render a home truly custom where the personality of the family is infused into every design choice.

Recently, the Lapinskis built a home for Lonny and Glenda Satterly, another Lowcountry couple who, like Kevin and Lisa, work side by side. The Satterlys came to Hilton Head with the desire to downsize from a 30-acre estate in Kentucky.

Kevin Lapinski, Glenda Satterly, Lonny Satterly, and Lisa Lapinski. The Lapinskis, owners of Built Right Homes, and the Satterlys, agents for the Joan Kelly Group at Keller Williams Real Estate, collaborated on the Satterlys new home in Indigo Run.

When the Satterlys first discovered the lot where their new home now resides, it was completely wooded and its potential was hidden, so they brought a ladder out to the property, climbed it to the elevation that the first floor of the home would be.

“We saw the huge oaks through the pines, the two lagoons, and the green space afforded by the golf course. Plus, on three sides there are no neighbors,” Lonny said. “One of our friends connected us to Matt Mitchell, the COO at Built Right Homes, and he served as the supervisor of our project.”

A sliding barn door separates the upstairs guest room from the bunk room in this unique set up. The Satterlys look forward to family visits where they’ll enjoy sleepovers with the grandkids in the bunk room.

The Satterlys brought their vision, ideas, and “must-haves” to the Lapinskis, and the two couples began to collaborate on several distinct features of their new home. For example, the Satterlys wanted to incorporate some key elements and pieces of furniture into the home design, including large Nepalese doors from the 1800s and heirloom hutches that belonged to each of the Satterlys’ grandmothers. The Built Right team created showcase spaces for these special items.

As agents for The Joan Kelly Group at Keller Williams Real Estate, the idea of a home office where the Satterlys could efficiently work together was an integral part of their design. “Not only did we need ample desk space and room to move around,” Lonny said, “we wanted our office to afford us a large window to fill the room with natural light and provide a great view.”

The Satterly’s dining room exudes a Charleston vibe with brick columns that frame the room.

Another unique detail is in the kitchen. “We are both very tall people,” Glenda said, “and I love to cook, so it was important that our counters allow me to spend time in my kitchen without wrecking my posture and my lower back.” Where a normal counter height is 36 inches, the Satterly’s counters are 39 inches and provide the level of comfort the couple desired.

Overall, the Satterlys describe their Built Right experience as fantastic: “The Lapinskis are great people to work with. Their attention to detail and ability to coordinate with their trade partners and crews is unmatched. Even though we were building during the pandemic, they were still able to pull it together and keep everyone on the job. The husband-and-wife team were easy to work with, good listeners, extremely organized, and willing to assist with the design selections of our home. Their process is seamless and budget-driven. We highly recommend Built Right Homes.”

In the master bath, every detail and surface reflects subtle luxury and glamour from the exquisite lighting choices to the cool Quartzite countertop accents, smooth travertine tile, and sparkling crystal knobs and pulls. 

An important cornerstone of the Built Right philosophy is that the most important home they build is your home. Built Right provides a hands-on approach from conception to completion of your home, which includes in-house design and the all-important element of stress-management. “We are a team,” Kevin said. “We do it together.”

Built Right constructs custom homes in and around the Lowcountry, including the Bluffton/Hilton Head areas in many of the most sought-after communities such as Palmetto Bluff, Colleton River, Hampton Hall, Indigo Run, and others within Beaufort County. Visit builtrighthomesbluffton.com for more information.

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