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Builder Profile
builders as far as quality. They were more concerned with
volume and output.”
Moehle’s focus on quality over quantity has always set his company
apart. KM’s staff has grown significantly since its inception in order
to meet the high demands of a growing client base. “We have over
450 combined years of experience,” said Moehle. “We’ve put together
a one-stop-shop, turnkey service for our clients. We’ve acquired
more and more trades over the years and brought all our design
work in house.” Despite all the growth, KM has remained a highly
rated business with the feel of a small, family-owned operation. “I’m
very proud of our culture,” said Moehle. “Many employees have said
this is the best company they’ve worked for. We’re very careful about
who we bring on in order to maintain that atmosphere.” Moehle
believes there is no type of remodeling job that KM can’t do well.
“The more complex the project, the more we stand out.”
KM is production-oriented to satisfy the needs of their clients,
and their scheduling and procedures are extremely thorough.
The process for a prospective client begins at the home site with
an initial consultation. Moehle still tries to make it to as many
of these first meetings as he can, saying it’s his favorite part of
the process. “We work to give them as much information as
possible and understand their needs. We come up with design
solutions, budget parameters, and a design agreement.” KM
offers the security of a money-back guarantee on their designs
if the project ends up exceeding the client’s budge. After the
initial consultation, one of KM’s architectural designers creates
a comprehensive scope of the work for the project, and the
entire design team visits the site for a complete survey. All
existing conditions are recorded and all measurements, as well
as hundreds of photos, are taken. Design and development
meetings follow, with the client’s continued input and final say,
and an interior designer finalizes all selections.
Before construction begins, a menu-priced budget is presented
with everything broken out separately. “We show all our costs,
and we show our own overhead and profit as well,” said Moehle.
“Multiple options are given to allow clients to fully customize the
design. I think that’s very unique in the industry.” The project’s
start and completion dates are also decided on, and the client is
presented with a highly-detailed project schedule. This customer-
service model has made for many happy clients. About one-third
of KM’s business has consistently come from repeat customers,
and another third is from referrals.
So where does a company like KM Builders go from here? As a
design-build remodeler, the two entities of design and build will
always be intrinsically linked at KM, but according to Moehle,
they’re working to make the design side of their business more
distinct and separate from the construction side. “We want to
be noted as an architectural and design firm as much as we are
a builder.”
And what is Keith Moehle’s personal favorite room of the
house? “Definitely the kitchen. There’s typically more beauty
per square inch in that room than in any other. A lot of
creativity can be incorporated into the kitchen. Plus, it’s
where I get to eat and prepare food. It’s really the hub of
our homes.”
To hear more from Mr. Moehle, be sure to tune in to his show
every Saturday.