Calvert Custom Homes
Based in the Lake Oconee area, Calvert Custom Homes builds one-of-a-kind, exceptional custom homes for those who demand high quality and craftsmanship, and who prefer to work directly with the company’s owner. Anyone who has had a home built knows that selecting the right builder is very important. In fact, that decision can determine the success of the finished product and the clients’ happiness with their home for years to come.
David Calvert is the right choice for clients wanting true custom-home building at Lake Oconee. Working with him means that clients are partnering with not just the owner but a master craftsman. Born and raised in Putnam County, Georgia, David believes that clients expect the best in personal service so he limits new-home construction projects to four to six homes each year. That strategy allows Calvert Custom Homes to focus on providing outstanding customer service and quality workmanship while building the custom home on time and on budget.
David has well-established, strong relationships with the top suppliers and subcontractors in demand around the lake so he and his team can maintain high standards with attention to detail. That dedication means that each home is a true custom creation.
A graduate of the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in engineering, David has more than 20 years of experience in the building industry in the Lake Oconee area. In 2001 he co-founded Calvert and White Custom Homes, LLC, and when he became the sole owner in 2018, he changed the name to Calvert Custom Homes, LLC, a decision that reinforces his long-term commitment to the business.
David’s life-long passion for quality craftsmanship is the foundation of his company’s success. “I have had a passion for building things ever since I was a small child helping my father build cabinets, furniture, and even houses. I seemed to always have some type of woodworking project going on in the shop. I think that background developed the love I have to take a concept or idea and bring it to life with my hands.”
That love for “building things” and an appreciation for quality work has translated to David’s policy of offering customers personalized, hands-on supervision of all construction activities. “I strive to create the perfect luxury custom home that caters to the client’s individual needs and tastes,” he says. “At Calvert Custom Homes we build homes of distinction and relationships for life.”
David’s dedication to building quality homes while developing outstanding partnerships with clients rings true when you hear what his clients have to say:
“There is a lot of blood, sweat and tears that go into tearing down a house (including the foundation) and building a brand new one. At the end of all of it…we consider David our friend, not just our builder. He has tremendous integrity and he is honest to the core. David is a craftman…not a businessman trying to cut corners.”
“As seasoned home builders, we wanted to work with a company that was well organized, timely, responsive with communications, and professional. Open, honest and organized, David had the integrity we were looking for as well as the experience to back up his remarkable portfolio. Known for precision and crisp finishes, he had an eye for the small details that spoke volumes.”
“David gives you a calendar with deadlines marked for the homeowner to follow, when to pick out windows, tiles, colors, stonework, appliances. Takes away so much stress.”
“Whenever we had ideas we were not sure how to implement, David and his team made them happen. We always felt our happiness was David’s top priority.”
Q&A with David Calvert
Who instilled in you the passion for building homes?
My father was a perfectionist and he instilled that trait in me—that if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing it right. Even if it means taking more time, more effort, and in his words ‘more pain.’ I put that same effort in any project I do, whether it’s a custom home, renovation, or just a simple porch addition. I enjoy getting to meet new people from all walks of life and helping them bring their dream home to life. I have been blessed to work in a profession that allows me to make a living at something I have a passion and love for.
What advice do you give customers who are building their first custom home?
I think if at all possible, it is important to talk with a builder before you purchase your lot. A builder can help make sure your lot is conducive to building the type of house on it that will fit your lifestyle. It is also important to talk to several of the builder’s past customers and ask how their experience went. Building a home is very much like a marriage. Even though the build process may last only nine to 12 months, the relationship with your builder should last for as long as you own your house.
What new-home or renovation project stands out to you as exemplary and why?
I think several renovations I have done stand out more to me. There is something extraordinary about taking an older home and creating a more modern design out of it. When you are building a new home it’s fairly easy to be able to picture the end result, but a renovation is like a caterpillar transformed into a butterfly.
What do you consider the classic home design elements that will be around for years to come?
The element of open-floor spaces is one that I believe will be around forever. Thirty or forty years ago the idea of having a kitchen, dining, and living area all in one would not have even been considered. But here in the south, we know everyone gathers in the kitchen so why not make the living and dining areas part of it!
Since you’ve had your own company, what is the most challenging project you’ve ever worked on and how did you overcome that challenge?
All custom homes and renovations come with challenges, some more difficult than others, but open and honest communication along with dedication to doing whatever it takes to get the job done is what gets you through a challenge.
In working with a variety of customers throughout the years, what has been the key lesson you’ve learned that has contributed to your success?
Always treat people the way you would want to be treated is something I have always tried to live by. I think most customers appreciate the hard work and effort my company puts into their project to make building a home an enjoyable and exciting process.
Are there new design trends that you’re seeing in the building industry?
The design of a new custom home depends a lot on the client’s style preferences and lifestyle needs. What we’re seeing is an increased desire for clean, simple lines and less clutter. For many people, that trend translates to a more comfortable environment created by the floorplan, interior design, exterior house style or a combination of those factors. Sometimes the simplest forms provide the backdrop for a warm, elegant home.
