Designing the Future

 Displaying unparalleled workmanship with the client forming the foundation of the custom home journey

New construction is in demand as we near the end of the first fiscal quarter of 2025. As homebuyers look for the best custom home options and increasingly expect to be involved in the overall building process, constructing a home built from the ground up with the flexibility to incorporate a personal design flare is more than possible in today’s competitive housing market.

With a slew of custom home builders vying for clients, only an enviable few are leaders by design. Bringing over 40 years of luxury home-building experience to the custom home design table, Divco Custom Homes remains a cut above the competition and a step ahead in the future design journey.

Meticulously building homes with exquisite custom finishes and exceptional design charm, this leading custom home builder has much to be proud of. Divco Custom Homes also has a tremendous portfolio of work to cater to the desires of even the most discerning homeowner, as well as the processes in place to guarantee a flawless and seamless design partnership.

 From in-house to new house

As Dave Chernin, Executive Director of Design and Business Development begins, “I first began with Divco three years ago. I have a background in resort and mixed-use, multi-family architecture work throughout the United States and the Caribbean.”

“Upon joining Divco one of the the things that I wanted to try to accomplish was to create a turnkey solution for our clients and what that entailed was being able to not only do the conceptual architecture design, but the interior design as well. Then we go through the permitting process which allows us, on the construction side of the company, to build the home,” he continues.

Chernin points out that by expertly offering all the elements that go into custom home design from the ground up under one roof, Divco Custom Homes can walk a potential client through the design journey in-house.

“This is a unique approach in the industry,” Chernin states.

“People are very impressed with that. We are very nimble and very quick in how we design the custom home.”

If the project is deemed feasible, Chernin explains, Divco does not charge its clients for the conceptual architectural design. This represents several thousands in savings that they would encounter if they approached an architect.

Chernin highlights that the client is brought alongside the team from design conception to receiving the keys to a new home, with every step carefully managed and facilitated for an efficient and fluid workflow.

Divco Custom Home’s services include permitting, architectural design services, exterior landscaping, interior design, and finishes, as well as a hands-on selection of products taking into account the discussed budget and client wishlist without relying on third-party contractors, interior designers and architects.

Another unique feature that Divco can offer its clients relates to the technology and software the company has integrated into its overall design process.

“We bring a higher level of experience for the client. We have been able to do this through a series of software programs with virtually immersive 3D.”

“We can design a home, fully exterior and interior, as if it is built and then we have a set of viewing goggles that a client can put on and they can walk through their home,” Chernin enthusiastically describes.

When the client is able to see something in 3d, Chernin insists, there is another level of understanding. Then they are able to virtually walk through the future home which often provides an unparalleled experience that is invaluable for Divco’s clients in the design process.

Chernin also draws attention to Divco Custom Home’s liaison service and use of fixed contracts.

“A liaison is assigned to each client and we have several liaisons in the company. They will sit down with the client and then discuss, whether with me or the interior designer, what things they may want to change.

Chernin explains that the liaison is then tasked to take this information directly to the subcontractors to go over pricing. Once the pricing is finalized it is submitted to the owner. If pricing is agreed upon, it is written into the company’s fixed contract and is reflected ultimately in the build.

 Designing lasting relationships

While Chernin has designed a multitude of custom homes since joining the team, owner and CEO of Divco Custom Homes, Steven Kauffman has also been behind the construction of countless homes since taking the reins of the company over 40 years ago.

From the company’s inception, Chernin points out, Kauffman has brought an unwavering vision and dedication to the customer experience that has sealed the leading position that Divco Custom Homes enjoys today.

Placing a special emphasis on interactions with the client, as well as with Divco Custom Home’s valued subcontractors, some of whom have been working with the company for decades, Kauffman knows that at the heart of his business is the client’s happiness with their new home.

A house is not a transaction, Chernin relays, but rather the end product of a journey that binds the homebuyer with Divco Custom Home’s caring team.

Chernin emphasizes that Divco’s foundation is based on the principle that the home-building process is a relationship-based business.

“Relationships are the most important thing to me. My father was a developer and the first thing he taught me was that our business is about relationships and not about anything else.”

“I become very close with our clients and they become not only friends, a lot of times they become family,” he insists.

By viewing the business in this light, Divco Custom Homes has built up a solid referral network as it continues to build second and third homes for past clients, as well as for their family and friends.

This relationship model extends to the company’s valued sub-contractors.

“Most of our subs have been with us for 20 to 35 years, and we have a very good relationship with them. We are nimble and the subs respond to us when we need them to.”

 Designing winning builds

Focusing on two areas in Florida that encompass Marco Island and the Naples area right through to Fort Myers, Divco Homes is wowing its clients with top design choices and architectural expertise. The company manages to build an impressive number of homes per year. Although the vast majority of the homes that Divco builds are on land purchased by future homeowners, some work stems from land purchased by the company.

“Just recently we found some property that we ended up buying. We are developing three large grand estate lots, 110 wide by 330 deep. Those lots already have two clients who are taking them on, while on the third lot, we are doing our newest model that I’m designing called the Solara which is an incredible home,” Chernin outlines.

 Building into the future

Contentrating on new technology and a ramped-up marketing plan, Divco Homes is well poised to take on ambitious projects and pivot to the changes in the building sector.

“I think one of the things we try to do is put our money in new technology and also continue with our advertising push,” Chernin relays.

“We do 3D modeling, we use Rivet, we use ArchiCAD. Both of those software platforms allow us to do construction models which provide us with the ability to create hyper-realistic renderings.”

As to what lies ahead, Chernin reflects carefully.

He also adds “We would like to continue to do new, more innovative architecture for our clients.”

“We have a passion for what we do. We are in the fortunate position of designing something that somebody is going to ultimately live in and end up creating some of the best memories of their lives.”

“It fuels the work that we do,” he concludes.

AT A GLANCE

Who: Divco Custom Homes
What: A leading custom homes builder that integrates expert architectural expertise and leading technology in the design-build process
Where: South Florida. USA
Website: www.divcohomes.com