Why a hands-on, personal approach is key to EDK Design-Build’s ongoing success
With more than one hundred years of combined experience, EDK Design-Build (EDK) is a locally owned, custom home builder specializing in building luxury residences in the Triangle area of North Carolina. Across the communities of North Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Wake Forest, and other communities within the Triangle Area, EDK has established a strong portfolio, including homes in prestigious communities like Carolina Crossings, The Preserve at Jordan Lake, Montreaux, Waterstone, and Grand Highland Estates.
Averaging six houses and renovations per year, EDK’s projects include custom homes, spec homes, and full house renovations or additions. As a full-service custom home builder with projects ranging between $2 million and $3 million, the company can assist clients with securing the right lot and then design their dream home while considering topography and outdoor elements, believing that house placement and rotation are key to optimal outcomes.
Believing that a home is an opportunity for the owners to express their creativity, founders Eric Kidd and Elmer Dixon are personally involved in the entire process from design selections to final completion, building trust to reassure clients throughout the homebuilding journey. Alongside Eric and Elmer, Dan Kidd and Allison Lynch complete the EDK team as Head Field Superintendent and Design and Selection Coordinator, respectively.
Personal relationships
With more than 35 years of experience in manufacturing and almost 20 years of experience in producing millwork products for homebuilders across the Triangle area, Dan’s role is key to maintaining EDK’s strong reputation for quality and attention to detail. Allison, on the other hand, brings to the table over ten years of experience in the kitchen and bathroom industry, as well as architectural design. Assisting clients with selections, scheduling, and budgeting, Allison’s goal is to bring visions to life from both aesthetic and functional perspectives.
Eric joins us to elaborate on the company’s evolution, projects, and team mentality. “Our hands-on, personal touch is one of the things that separates us from the competition,” he begins. “With a simple company structure, clients interact with our small team, made up of myself, Elmer, Allison, and Dan, which fosters personal builder-client interactions.
“As a ‘small shop’, we complete projects quickly with an average building timeframe of eight months once we break ground, but we draw on an extensive network of subcontractors and suppliers to gain required resources. Our close relationships with architects and engineers mean our design timeframe averages around two months, and once plans are final, we aim to complete permitting in around two-to-three months.”
Eye for detail
In terms of experience, the team boasts a rich history and more than 100 years of combined experience in millwork design and manufacturing, building supplies, and cabinetry design. “We design and build across a wide range of architectural styles as demonstrated by our website photo gallery,” Eric explains. “Some of the chief concerns with Architectural Review Board’s that we commonly work with, are diversity in architectural style, use of materials, and color pallet, to assure home buyers that there are not two houses the same or even close within a given neighborhood.
“With custom builds, each home we build is an expression of our client’s desires, tastes, and lifestyle preferences. We work with several architects who each have their own approach to design, so for each home we align with an architect who captures our clients’ desires to design their dream home.
“Our experiences have helped us develop a keen eye for detail and we thrive on details from the ground up,” he adds. “We take pride in every detail from clearing lots and starting foundations to ensuring sharp corners, straight lines, and impeccable interior finishes. We use high-end appliances, lighting and plumbing, and Sonos brand sound systems throughout a given house. Our typical back porch includes stone or tile floor, a fireplace, outdoor kitchen, built-in infrared heaters, and motorized retractable screens to enable luxury outdoor living.”
Turning to current projects, Eric highlights Grand Highland Estates (GHE) in Wake Forest. Positioned in a heavily forested area with rolling hills and open meadows, GHE is a gated community providing homeowners with not only beautiful homes but also a sense of privacy and security. “GHE is comprised of 66 lots ranging in size from one-to-two acres, as well as plenty of shopping, dining, and recreation facilities within eight miles from the community,” Eric elaborates. “The site is also located within the Wake County School District with North Forest Pines Elementary, Wakefield Middle School, and Wakefield Highschool all within a 15-minute drive. 
Stunning projects
“Lot 13 GHE, otherwise known as 1621 Legacy Ridge Lane, is very special for a long list of reasons. At the top of that list are stunning views from the rear porch and patio, full basement with home theater, personal gym, full kitchen, full bath, large recreation room, and an abundance of walk-in storage. Seven full baths, four bedrooms, and two studies that double as bedrooms, each with their own ensuite bathrooms, are also compelling reasons to view this one-of-a-kind home. However, a three-car garage, huge primary suite with two walk-in closets, and a chef’s dream kitchen are quite possibly the biggest attractions of this home. Also, in GHE, Lot 58 is about 75 percent complete as of March, 2025. Lot 18 will likely start by summer of 2025, which is projected to list for $3 million or higher.”
Known for its impeccable project organization and delivery, MHB is keen to understand why this approach plays an important role in EDK’s success. “A clean and organized job site reflects how we build,” Eric states. “When people see our job sites, they immediately understand that we care about quality control, which is the most important attribute of a home builder other than concern for job site safety.
“A clean and organized job site also makes for a safer job site. Subcontractors and suppliers respond better to ‘order’ than they do ‘chaos’. Chaos only promotes negative vibes and a lack of attention to detail, while an orderly job site encourages people to do their best work.”
Brand building
In 2025, EDK expects to sell lots 13 and 58 on GHE, including a $3-million lot home with approved designs already in place as well as take on new presales in the GHE community. Further afield, Eric concludes: “Allison is placing special emphasis on our social media presence in 2025 with a new and improved presence on several platforms. We plan to continue our current trajectory of building approximately six estate homes and renovations per year that average over $2 million. While we’ll continue to build spec homes and presales in the Triangle Area, we remain available for suitable opportunities to build on clients’ lot or land.”
With Elmer Dixon and Eric Kidd at the helm, supported by Dan Kidd and Allison Lynch, EDK is sure to continue exceeding expectations and delivering dream homes across the Triangle area of North Carolina.