The Art of Custom

What separates custom home builds that go smoothly from the ones that don't? Almost always, it comes down to what happened before the first shovel hit the ground. In the Season 9 premiere, Kim Hibbs and Melody Meiners break down the pre-construction services agreement (PSA): what it is, why you can't skip it, and why your budget isn't real until you have land. They also walk through what a builder...

Gets you plans permit-ready and prepare for a smooth build. The preconstruction finish line is in sight! It's almost go time, and we're going through those last checkmarks on your custom build to-do list. Today we're going to explore those last steps for permitting and site prep before you begin turning dirt. Learn the process that kick starts the first construction step.  And join us next season...

Luxury isn't about the amount you spend or square footage, and value engineering is the key to getting the most out of your space and spend... In this episode of The Art of Custom, we break down the process of value engineering, which helps you design strategically to stay within your investment goals without sacrificing quality or style.  Learn how to balance your wants, needs and wishes with exp...

Your budget sets the bar for your project, here's how to help your builder nail it.  Estimating and budgeting are among the most stressful parts of building a custom home. Hibbs Luxury Homes estimators Alexa Wagasky and Kathleen Arvin explain why cost per square foot is misleading, how allowances and soft costs work, and how to avoid budget surprises so you can build with confidence and clarity.

Your dream home should look great and live even better! Architect Chris Campbell of Walk Your Plans St. Louis joins us to discuss how walking your floor plan at full scale can transform the design process. Learn how to avoid “I wish” regrets, balance square footage with vision, and make confident design choices before construction begins.

Custom home building takes a team. In this episode, Kim and Melody explain why your builder, architect, and designer are the “dream team” for a smooth build. Learn when to bring them in, how they collaborate, and why choosing the right team early helps you avoid costly mistakes and design with confidence. *** Follow along this season as we guide you through every step of the pre-construction proce...

Not all land is created equal. Hibbs Homes’ Chris Pedigo joins us to reveal the hidden costs and red flags of lot selection. From topography and utilities to setbacks and HOA rules, learn how to avoid surprises and choose the right lot for your dream home. Follow along this season as we guide you through every step of the pre-construction process! Subscribe and don’t miss an episode so you have th...

Every successful custom home starts with a clear plan. And the very first step in that plan is defining your goals, vision and timeline.   This season of The Art of Custom is focused on all of the steps in the preconstruction process to ensure your dream home comes to life in the smoothest, most rewarding way possible.    We are kicking things off by helping you ask the questions to clarify what y...

In this episode of "The Art of Custom," we close out our journey of 20 homes for 20 years by exploring the homes that built the builder and the legacy they launched. Join us as we delve into the stories behind the Hibbs Family Home and the first Hibbs custom home. Hear from Kim and Jan Hibbs about the challenges, inspiration, and values that have shaped the company over the last two decades. 

We are taking a deep dive into the world of building homes that are expertly crafted around the people who inhabit them. From homes fine-tuned to the nuances of sensory needs to designing homes that embrace multigenerational living, we uncover the elements that define the way we live in our homes. We explore two unique homes: one designed to cater to sensory needs, offering a sanctuary that balanc...

In today's episode we journey to the luxury resort communities of Park City, Utah, where the breathtaking landscapes of Sky Ridge and Tuhaye where our clients are taking elevated living to new heights. We delve into the art, science and challenges of building luxury custom homes in these coveted resort communities, where the foundation of every project is trust, communication, and a vision as vast...

In this episode, we step inside two breathtaking estate-style homes that blend classic European architecture with modern luxury living. From the sun-warmed clay tile roof and creamy stucco of a Spanish revival home to the refined symmetry and cast stone facade of a French Georgian estate, these two home are timeless in their design and bold in beauty. Chris Peidgo joins us to share the stories beh...

Building a home in an area known for it’s charm and character is a challenge. But with the right team in place, you can build something that fits right in with a 100-year-old home but has the performance, comfort, and durability of today’s cutting edge new builds. We are continuing our season of twenty houses for twenty years by looking back at two projects that were designed and built in the hist...

We've all heard the buzz around tariffs in the construction world. There's been a lot of chatter and it can feel pretty overwhelming. Homeowners are scratching their heads, not knowing how these tariffs might shake up their plans for 2025. Join us for this quick bonus episode as we clear the air on what's real and what's just noise when it comes to construction costs and tariffs. Plot twist: it mi...

In today's episode, we continue our walk through 20 Houses for 20 Year by taking a deep dive into the world of design with a discussion on two distinct yet timeless styles: Modern Mountain and Modern Farmhouse. To start the conversation, we chat with Utah client Elizabeth Sayer, who shares her family's journey building dream home in Park City. From tackling snowy driveways to finding that perfect...

We’re revisiting two groundbreaking projects that left a lasting impact not just on our company, but on the global home-building community. First, we sit down with homeowners David and Thuy Smith to reflect on their decade of living in Active House USA, a cutting-edge, energy-efficient home completed in 2013. They share insights on how the home has performed over the years, the surprises they enco...

Home is a life changing concept. And over the last two decades we’ve had the honor of bringing home to so many amazing and deserving people. To celebrate this, we’re looking back on a few projects that have meant so much to not only our team, but to those who home has meant something more. For our next stop on our tour of 20 Homes for 20 Years, we explore some of the Hibbs Gives projects that we h...

From the International Builders Show, the Hibbs Homes team gives a housing market update. From what’s happening with pricing to how the existing home inventory & land will impact building in 2025. 

In this episode of The Art of Custom, we’re diving into the world of midcentury modern architecture - a style that was far from the midwestern mold when these two award-winning homes were built. We sit down with Barbara Bolk to discuss the vision behind her Wildwood, MO home and revisit an insightful conversation with Amy DeSart, who shares her experience designing and building a midcentury modern...

We are back with a new season! To celebrate twenty years building dream homes, this season we are taking you through twenty projects that have shaped our approach to building. Learn about the process and get inspired for your build with houses one & two - dreams that were larger than life that turned into homes our clients love! Join us on our home building journey!

Curious about the ever-changing world of construction financing? In this special bonus episode, we sit down with friend of the show, Trisha McConkey, to talk about the latest in lending. From insights on recent announcements from the Fed to predictions on what may be coming - Trisha and Kim dig in and give you the dirt on how to decide when is the right time to start your build. Your dream home aw...

Too hot, too cold, or just right? Your comfort at home relies on having the right HVAC and air handling systems in place. And when you're building your home, knowing that options are available and what to consider goes a long way in making sure your home is comfortable and high performing. In this episode, we're talking all things HVAC with Brad Hill from Hill & Mehr Heating & Air Conditio...

In this episode, we sit down with a seasoned expert who has made it his mission to make the custom building process better for clients and builders. Duayne Pearce of D Pearce Constructions in Brisbane, Australia joins the show to talk about the best practices for custom home building and how he is making dream homes a reality in the land down under!

Excavation and pouring foundation might seem like the most straightforward step of the home building process, but there are different approaches. And the way your builder handles your foundation and excavation can impact the comfort, durability, performance - and pricing! In this episode we discuss the process and how you can make your foundation as high-performing as the rest of your home. For sh...

How many times have you thought about building your dream home and noticed it is in a spot far-far way from home? Distance doesn't have to make that dream seem unreachable - you just need the right tools to manage a long-distance relationship with your dream home building team! In this episode, we talk with Kelly Day who is building her home in Park City, UT with our Hibbs Luxury Homes team - all...