MK Builders provides a complete building experience
As an advertising sales executive, Matt Karl, owner of MK Builders, didn’t plan to be in the construction business. After he and his wife Laura built their first home on an acreage in Lincoln, he received requests to do the same from family members and even neighbors just driving by. Eleven years later, he has left advertising sales behind and now builds 35 custom homes per year, primarily in rural developments.
This past summer he built a home featured in the 2014 Street of Dreams located in the South Hamptons development in Gretna. With a stone exterior and dark stained knotty alder wood throughout the interior, the home has a Colorado rustic chic look, which matches the wooded lot surrounding it. There are six bedrooms and five bathrooms in the 4,400 square foot, one and a half story home that includes a finished basement and vaulted-ceiling loft that overlooks the tops of the trees outside.
“We designed this home so a family can grow into the house,” Matt said. In addition to the master bedroom on the main level, there is a second bedroom on the main level tucked away that can be used as a nursery, office, or guest room. Laundry is also on the main level as well as a second laundry room upstairs. The lower level features a full island that overlooks the theater area. “We wanted to give the basement a full kitchen for informal entertaining, and just like upstairs, everyone likes to gather around the island.”
Jenn Haeg with Deeb Realty, who represents MK Builders, describes the home as “comfortable luxury” and said every aspect of it was built smart. “The home is beautiful, but you’re not afraid to live in it,” she said. “All of it flows together and is usable without any dead space.” She said it’s meant for a modern lifestyle with architectural focal points, such as the decorative hood over the gas range and the knotty alder doors, which Matt installed himself. “He’s definitely a craftsman,” she said.
In fact, Matt knows how to do every part of a home build himself, from pouring a foundation to installing an HVAC system. And he works with clients from the ground up. “We’re more than just a building management company,” he said. “We do everything in-house so our customers don’t feel stressed during the process.” This includes complete design services from his wife Laura, at no extra charge. “I give our customers guidance on everything from floor plans and exterior elevation to cabinetry and lighting,” she said. “It doesn’t matter how many hours an appointment takes, I’ll be there with them to help make it a smooth process.”
Every aspect of their build is intended to make the customers feel comfortable. Haeg said MK Builders provides a transparent build process that includes a tracking schedule, which can be accessed via computer or mobile phone app so customers know everything the builder does. “It helps keep phone calls and mistakes to a minimum, giving everyone involved peace of mind.”
As a result of MK Builders specializing in rural properties, Matt said they know how to efficiently design a house specific to conditions that you don’t find in the city. “All weather elements are amplified in the countryside,” he said. “So our homes need to be efficient with no air flow gaps and be able to stand up to extreme heat, cold, and wind.”
Due to the success MK Builders has had in Lincoln, Matt said that over the next 24 months they plan to expand and open a second office in Omaha that would include an in-house design studio. Even though most of their customers are not first-time homeowners, Matt wants to give them a complete home building experience. “We don’t want customers to feel alone in the process,” he said. “We want to be partners and help them with every step along the way.”
For more information
contact Jenn Haeg, Deeb Realty,
at 402.885.3145
