Taking risks is something Charles (Chuck) Powell knows alot about. He started CkC Custom on little more than themoney in his savings account and his wife’s encouragement andinsistence. It’s not like he was a complete novice though. Powellwas born in to the building and construction industry and hisfather set him to work digging foundations, laying cement andframing out houses when he was old enough to hold a hammer.
After Powell completed college, he took what he learnt fromhis father and moved into working for a nationally recognizedbuilder. He worked his way up the corporate ladder from Superintendentto Construction Manager. During that time he movedto Austin and bought his first home. His company then askedhim to relocate to San Antonio, which he was glad to do.
During this time of transition, Powell met Kristal, a lovelybrunette from the Valley region. She moved to San Antonio andthey bought their first home in The Vineyards. “It was strange,”confesses Powell, “the other home owners didn’t really like us.They thought we were too young and in a way an ‘undesirable’element.” Residents’ opinions would soon change for the betterthough. In March 2002, after many months of debate, andKristal’s encouragement, Powell decided to risk everything andstrike out on his own. “I owned two rent houses, but they wereempty at the time. I had $50K in savings and I cashed in my401(k). We had enough to live on for a few months while I triedto find a bank to finance me, and pay attorney fees to create myown company.” Suddenly Powell turns his intense blue eyes onKristal, “I don’t think I ever told you this, but before we got ourfirst contract we were down to $100 in the check book.”
Powell took a chance and it paid off. “I was fortunate to finda banker who believed in me. I have faced age discriminationalmost my entire life. Every banker I talked to would look atmy age before looking at my business plan and flat–out turn medown.” One bank, The Bank of Texas, was different. Powell sawthe bank was constructing a new building and went and talkedto the bank manager, Jim Harlan. Immediately Harlan said yeswhere all the others said no. Since then he has formed such agreat relationship with the bank that CkC Custom Homes havetheir offices on the bank’s second floor.
With no prospects in sight though, Powell called a friend,“‘Hey. Can I build you a house?’ I asked him, He said yes! We haven’t looked back since.” It was during this time he noticedthere were eight empty lots in The Vineyard, all on his street. “Webought all eight lots, and built custom homes. Suddenly our neighborsloved us because we increased their property values withthe kind of homes wewere putting up.”
This germinatedan idea in Powell’smind. “Why notbuild where we live?”Kristal explains. “Wewant our clients toknow that we believeso much in thearea they’re buildingin that we live theretoo; that we’re alsoinvested in that community.”
So why chooseCkC Custom Homeswhen there are somany builders outthere? “Let me tellyou why,” Powell exclaims,face lightingup, “Because we will build your house on time and on budget.I deal personally with the vendors, the suppliers, and theclient.” Powell realized that if he paid his contractors more,and supervised the jobs himself, he got better quality workfrom his sub–contractors. “Staying hands–on with the guysreally helps,” Powell says.
The Powell’s are a true team as Kristal handles the designand aesthetics of the home. Through three rounds ofconsultations she helps the homeowner select the highestpossible product for the best price. “Kristal knows how tofind a deal,” Powell says of his wife proudly. Kristal juggles thisalong with their eight–month old daughter, London. “I love whatI do,” she says modestly, and it is apparent from looking aroundtheir house that she has an eye for design.
No two CkC Custom Homes are the same, although somedesign elements from one home may be carried to another if aclient sees something he or she likes. Powell also stays abreast oftrends and ensures his homes are built to the highest standardsin the industry. It has paid off as in 2006 and 2007 he won the“Best Custom One–of–a–kind Home” award by GSABA (GreaterSan Antonio Builder’s Association).
There are several things clients appreciate about ahome that was built by CkC Custom Homes. First of allthe home is built from top materials, and built right thefirst time. Secondly, the materials used for the homehelp reduce maintenance costs and thirdly, a CkC CustomHome can appreciate in value by 15% by the timeit is completed. “One of my customers built a homeand then was transferred. He never even had a chanceto move in! But he sold it for 15% more than he paid forit.” Powell says.
Powell has metwith such greatsuccess becausehe is upfront andhonest with hisvendors, his contractorsand hisclients. “I don’thide what I makefrom a job. I takea percentage, soif the client hasto change streamin the middleand downsize,he knows mypercentage staysthe same, but Iwill make less onthe project.”
As the phonerings for the umpteenth time, Powell smiles. “It might be busy,but we wouldn’t have it any other way,” as he gets up to supervisethe construction crew who are working in the front garden.“Things are good,” echoes Kristal, “We are blessed. The Lord haslooked after us.”
