YOUR HOME MAGAZINE | 1312 | YOUR HOME MAGAZINE

Over the last 10 to 15 years design-build companies have

become very popular in the construction industry. Because

of the convenience, flexibility, and the ease of use it provides

people building or remodeling a home, it is the perfect option

for those with busy schedules or who don’t want to work with

multiple companies as they build or improve their home.

The term “design-build” refers to a company that offers a

collaborative approach, focused on delivering the most value

to a client. These companies have become a one-stop shop

where one firm coordinates the entire process from the

initial plans to the interior design choices. Quality design-

build firms provide all the services that an architect, interior

designer, and general contractor can provide.

The Kingons have positioned their company Kingon

Homes and Remodeling as the premier design-build firm

in Southwest Florida, working with clients in new home

construction, renovation, remodeling, and refreshing. “We

have built a team of highly skilled professionals who are

very customer service minded. Our company unites the

firm and the client in a partnership, working to create an

aesthetically pleasing project that is well designed, on time,

and on budget,” explains Ken Kingon.

Donna O’Neill and her family chose to use a design-build

firm for a variety of reasons. Because they were seasonal

residents during the renovation of their home, using Kingon

Homes and Remodeling allowed them to have one point of

contact. “The whole process was just so easy,” says O’Neill.

“We loved the fact that everything we needed to complete

this project was under one roof. And they just got it – our

vision, our wants and needs, it was so easy to work with Ann,

Ken, and the team.”

Along with ease of use, design-build companies reduce the risk

associated with many building and remodeling projects. The uncertainty

surrounding quotes and the hidden costs that often pop up during the

building phase are virtually eliminated since the project design and

budget are developed together. “When we bought the home, we were

living out of state and weren’t able to be there to supervise the job day

in and day out. From the initial design through the completion we felt

they were looking out for us. For example, when we added the new

garage, we needed to find matching pavers. They searched everywhere

for them and discovered they had been discontinued. Instead of

suggesting we redo the entire driveway, Ann came up with the idea to

take the pavers they needed out of the center of the driveway and fill in

the area with a beautiful design. That idea alone saved us thousands of

dollars and it looks great,” says O’Neill.

Our company unites the firm and the client in a partnership, working to create an aesthetically pleasing project that is well designed, on

time, and on budget.

your dream homeCREATINGwith Kingon Homes and Remodeling

The new garage addition at the O’Neill home

seamlessly blends with the original house. Kingon

Homes and Remodeling was committed to making the

addition look like the original home, something both

the O’Neill family and their neighbors appreciated.

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14 | YOUR HOME MAGAZINE

in having a dinning room table that her mother had passed down to her incorporated into the home. “This piece was very important to me. Ann,

Ken and the team were so accommodating, and basically built the dinning room around this table. They didn’t push me in a direction I wasn’t

comfortable with, they worked with me to create a solution that met my needs,” she explains. “There was never a time I felt like the process

of building our home had become cold and impersonal, and after building several homes before this one, I would recommend a design-build

firm without hesitation.”

The process of building or remodeling a home can be a stressful one. It is the sanctuary that is going to shelter the people you love the most and

is a very personal reflection of you. Choosing a design-build company mitigates the stress, ensures there will be limited budget surprises, and as

the homeowner, you have an advocate to help navigate the sometimes tricky aspects of creating your dream home.

(LEFT) The O’Neills chose to redo and refresh the built-ins and ceiling detail in family room. They also wanted to enlarge their mitered glass nook which involved

re-engineering the support system because of the second floor above. (RIGHT) Wanting their style reflected in architectural details, colors, and finishes, the

Blauvelts choose a transitional look for their home. Clean lines and well-executed neutrals keep their new kitchen open and bright.

The Blauvelts wanted a feeling of spaciousness upon entering the home. Treasured pieces of furniture passed down from family needed to fit in the overall

scheme of the home, especially in the dinning room. The whole room was built to house the beautiful, antique table.

For the Blauvelt family, using a design-build firm was important because they needed a company with an in-depth knowledge of construction

costs. Since square foot pricing can be a very dangerous tool to use, they liked the fact that one company was responsible for the design,

budget, and construction of their home.

“For us it was a reassuring to know that the whole process was happening under one roof with a team of experts whose goal was to exceed

our expectations,” explains Valerie Blauvelt.

After spending three and a half years looking for a home they loved in Southwest Florida, the Blauvelts happened to cross paths with Kingon

Homes and Remodeling while visiting a community. “Ann was at a model home they had built, and as I walked inside I was struck with the

craftsmanship and attention to detail. From the placement of a door to the paint on the wall, the whole home was a testament to great design,

and I wanted that team to build our home,” says Blauvelt.

For the Blauvelts the personal relationship they could develop with their design-build company was also attractive. Like the O’Neills, they

enjoyed the higher level of accountability that came through working with Kingon homes. “We had a trusted advisor working with us each

step of the way, and felt that individual contractors or companies wouldn’t be able to slip unnecessary charges or items in without them

noticing,” comments Blauvelt.

The Blauvelts also enjoyed working with a design-build company because they were seen as a respected team member. Their ideas and requests

were always taken seriously and Kingon Homes and Remodeling did their best to accommodate their wishes. Valerie was specifically interested