Building on Experience

   When entrepreneur David Redshaw founded Buenavante Homes, Inc. in Bonita Springs in 2005, he brought with him more than 25 years of experience in the building industry. Redshaw started Buenavante’s sister company, Macon Inc. of SW Florida, a structural concrete and shell contractor, in 1996 and then established Buenavante Homes, Inc. on the same solid foundation.
   “David’s background has always been entrepreneurial in nature and he has a strong physical presence in our everyday field operations,” stated Michael Hartz, vice president of Buenavante Homes, Inc. “David has assembled a team of construction industry professionals, each with a proven track record in the building industry of Southwest Florida.”
   Hartz, who serves as a liaison between the customers, estimators and subcontractors, added that the management team at Buenavante Homes has more than 100 years of combined experience and a desire to provide customers with the best building experience possible. He attributes the company’s prosperity to its sister company, Macon, Inc. of SW Florida.
   “Macon, Inc. of SW Florida plays an important role in our success and our ability to meet our customers’ goals. Buenavante Homes’ access to Macon’s 200 employees provides us with the manpower generally not found with any other custom builder.”
   In addition to Hartz, who “develops and grows the custom home and remodeling operations,” and President David Redshaw, other major players at Buenavante Homes include CFO Stephen Cashion, as well as subcontractors like Preferred Air, Solutions Enterprise, JAG Tile, Macon Inc. of SW Florida, Rice Insulation, Bay Electric, MCR, and Cape Coral Plumbing. The company’s suppliers, all of whom have had long relationships with members of the Buenavante team, are Stock Supply, Naples Lumber, Raymond Building Supply, and Rinker Hughs.
   When it comes to clients’ model home preferences, Hartz pointed out that the company focuses more on custom homes and remodeling, “So clients will come to us with plans.” But, he said, if a client doesn’t have a plan of his or her own, Buenavante Homes does offer three models they have developed, which are ready to be built on the client’s lot.
   “We will also help them develop a plan of their own and assist them through the selections and permitting
process,” said Hartz.
   In the new home and remodel projects that Buenavante Homes is working on, the most popular items seem to be luxury items, Hartz explained. “Granite countertops, marble, stone or wood flooring, high-end appliances, and wood cabinets are most requested. Clients want their homes to say something about them.”
   He added that the company was also starting to see
clients focus on the materials that go into their homes. “Clients are better informed about the many options they have. This is largely due, in part, to the access of information on the Internet.” By surfing the Web, Hartz said, clients can select appliances, plumbing fixtures, cabinetry, millworks, and many other items. What used to take several days driving around town now can be done in one afternoon.
   In addition to finding selections on-line, clients also learn more about building products, Hartz said. They search for answers to questions like, “Which windows are better insulated and can best withstand hurricaneforce wind?” “What systems are available to provide cleaner air in our home?” and, “What high-tech system will keep our home secure while providing wireless access to the Internet?”
   Prices of homes built by Buenavante Homes range from $700,000 to $1.2 million (lots not included). And, according to Hartz, the company now has access to several companies that provide impact-resistant windows and doors, not to mention hurricane-proof roofing products. “The increased demand for these products has made them more reasonably priced,” he said.
   In the future, Buenavante Homes will continue to focus on Naples, Bonita Springs and Fort Myers for custom homes and remodeling. “In late 2006,” Hartz added, “we plan to also offer our services to homeowners in the Punta Gorda area.”

BUENAVANTE HOMES
24311 Production Circle
Bonita Springs, FL 34135
239 949-6400
www.buenavantehomes.com

Written by Andrea G. Rollin