Discovery Builders merges a legacy of quality with forward-thinking innovation throughout Southern Indiana
For more than three decades, Discovery Builders has helped shape neighborhoods across Southern Indiana with thoughtfully designed homes, exceptional craftsmanship, and a client-centric approach. Founded in 1992 by David Bauer and Don Naville, the locally owned and operated company has built a reputation for quality, integrity, and lasting value. Today, Discovery Builders constructs more than 60 homes each year, offering custom, semi-custom, and move-in-ready residences that range from well-designed starter homes to luxury estate properties – all while maintaining the personalized experience that has defined the company since day one.
“In more than 30 years of building, the market, technology, and buyer expectations have changed, but our commitment to integrity, transparency, and craftsmanship has not,” begins Alexis Ammon, Director of Sales and Marketing at Discovery Builders. “We’ve evolved from paper-based plans and handshake updates to a much more systemized process that uses structured project management, digital communication, and higher-performing, more efficient homes, while keeping it very personal, and relationship-driven. Our approach blends the efficiencies of proven floor plans with the personalization today’s buyers expect. We offer curated home designs that have been refined over time and then allow buyers to personalize structural options and finish selections within those frameworks. For build‑on‑your‑lot clients, we bring the same disciplined process, so homeowners get the individuality of a custom build with the systems and support of an established builder.
“One of the things that truly sets us apart is that our ownership and leadership are local and deeply rooted in Southern Indiana,” she affirms. “David has spent more than three decades as a broker, owner, and active real estate agent in this market, and spent years working daily with the buyer demographic we’re building for. Because we live here, work here, and are invested in this community long-term, every decision we make – whether it’s a floor plan, a neighborhood layout, or a price point – is filtered through the lens of ‘would we be proud to drive through this community in ten or 20 years, and would we recommend it to our own friends and family?’”
Strategic philosophy
As the daughter of co-founder David Bauer, Alexis’ leadership style is rooted in the same passion and entrepreneurial spirit on which her father built the business.
“As the founder’s daughter, stepping into the next generation of leadership, I see my role as both a steward of what has already been built and a catalyst for what comes next. I have a great deal of respect for the time, effort, and perseverance it has taken for David and co-founder Don Naville to build a reputable company over more than 30 years, and for the way they’ve led with integrity, quality, and a commitment to serving this community,” Alexis reveals.
“I’m very aware that it is not easy to start, run, sustain, and grow a business over decades, especially in a local market where your reputation truly matters. Because of that, I feel a deep responsibility to honor the strong foundation they’ve created with homeowners, realtors, trade partners, and the broader community, and to continue building a company culture that is high integrity, life‑giving, and community‑minded.
“At the same time, it’s exciting to bring a newer, more digital perspective into the business,” she says. “I’m focused on leveraging tools like digital marketing, social media, and technology‑driven processes to make the building experience more transparent, collaborative, and convenient for today’s buyers. But for me, the technology can never replace the heart of what we do: being an approachable, locally owned neighborhood builder that treats people with respect and keeps communication warm, personal, and human.”
This strategic philosophy – blending human passion and expertise with technological innovation – influences every aspect of Discovery Builders’ operations as it continues to grow. When working at such a high volume, having the right, robust process in place is critical in upholding the company’s high standards of quality and client trust.
“Producing more than 60 homes a year across Southern Indiana requires us to be extremely intentional about operations,” Alexis elaborates. “One of our biggest priorities is consistent quality standards. We maintain defined specifications, trusted trade partners, and regular site checks so every home, regardless of price point, meets the same quality expectations. We lean on structured communication through tools like Buildertrend, email, and scheduled check-ins, to keep buyers, sales, and field teams aligned at each stage.
“Additionally, coordinating trades and inspections is critical at this volume; strong relationships with subcontractors and suppliers allow us to keep timelines realistic while still accommodating the unique needs of each project. Most importantly, we prioritize transparency around pricing, selections, and timelines, because long-term reputation in a tight-knit region like Southern Indiana is built on word of mouth and trust.”
Building relationships
As Discovery Builders looks to the future, its vision remains firmly rooted in the values that have guided the company since 1992. By combining decades of experience with forward-thinking innovation, the team continues to deliver homes that reflect the evolving needs of today’s buyers without losing sight of the craftsmanship, integrity, and personal relationships that have earned the trust of Southern Indiana homeowners for more than 30 years. Whether building a first home, a forever home, or an entire neighborhood, Discovery Builders remains committed to creating places where families can thrive and communities can flourish for generations to come.
“Looking five years ahead, success for Discovery Builders means steady, sustainable growth – not just building more homes, but building better, smarter, and with deeper roots in the communities we serve,” Alexis says. “We envision expanding our presence in key submarkets of Southern Indiana, thoughtfully adding new neighborhoods and product lines while continuing to refine our processes and client experience. Just as importantly, we want our team, trade partners, and past clients to feel proud to be associated with Discovery Builders and confident recommending us to the next generation of homeowners.
“Staying locally owned keeps us anchored in long-term thinking in a way that’s very different from an out-of-town or investor-driven model,” Alexis concludes. “We have no intention of leaving this market; our goal is to keep reinvesting in it and to leave Southern Indiana better than we found it through the homes and neighborhoods we build. That’s why so many of our homeowners come back to build again or send us their friends and family: we’re building relationships and communities, not just houses.”