With craftsmanship at its core, Virginia Builders is expanding with careful consideration
When Modern Home Builders last spoke to Joey Amuial and Luke Kinser, founders and managing members of Virginia Builders, in early 2023, the company had just begun construction of Woodford Estates, a community of luxury, single-family homes in Chesapeake, Virginia. With plots ranging from 15,000-to-18,000 square feet, the community offers a range of customizable features, including additional rooms, storage space, walk-in closets, and vaulted ceilings.
Just over one year later, we’re keen to catch up with Luke to hear how the Woodford Estates project is progressing, as well as any other updates or developments. “Virginia Builders has certainly grown since we last spoke; phase one of Woodford Estates is in its final stages and construction on phase two has just started,” Luke begins. “The community is zoned for Hickory schools, some of the best in the region, making it a truly family-friendly neighborhood.
“Residents can enjoy strolling down the sidewalk, gathering at the communal gazebo, or watching their children play in the park. With a large pond and several walking trails, Woodford Estates is the ideal location for people who love being outdoors. The community’s inhabitants can relax in the peace and quiet of large lots while enjoying the convenience of modern benefits like public utilities and nearby restaurants and shopping facilities.
Dream designs
“Envision a remarkable, uniquely crafted, single-family home with an extensive yard, featuring top-of-the-line customizable features with up to seven bedrooms across three stories. Other customizable options include a two-to-three car garage with options for detached garages, pre-finished Hardie® Plank Siding exteriors, first-floor owners suite, gourmet kitchens, rear covered porches, and even an optional in-law suite. Whatever a client’s style preferences, we can turn a vision into reality by incorporating elements of modern farmhouse, craftsman, mid-century modern, traditional, or colonial revival.
“We are also currently building on the Eastern Shore in the prestigious Bay Creek and Tower Hill communities,” he continues. “Tower Hill Estates is located near Cape Charles, just a stroll away from Main Street where shopping, culinary delights, and evening entertainment come together. Aside from the sandy beaches of Cape Charles, the spacious sites also offer convenient access to Virginia Beach, Norfolk International Airport, and major interstate routes.
“In Bay Creek, on the other hand, we will be building our newest cottage plans in Bayside Village. These smaller homes will have all the amenities of our typical floor plans, but in an efficient layout that is perfect for clients looking to downsize or as a second vacation home.
“Finally, in Muirfield, clients can find larger homesites with some of the most spectacular coastal views in the entire Southeast region,” Luke adds. “Within an exciting new enclave is a collection of stunning homes, featuring pastoral settings on a tranquil pond, a dramatic golf course, and lake views.”
Alongside developing these communities, Virginia Builders is continuing to deliver custom builds across Chesapeake, Virginia Beach Oceanfront, Sandbridge, Cape Charles, North Hampton County, and Machipongo. “We were approached by two clients in 2022 to build a custom ranch plan in the Bay Creek community,” Luke explains. “Over the course of a year, we collaborated to create a beautiful, modern, farmhouse style ranch plan.
“Also, this fall, we were approached by a client looking to build their dream vacation home in Machipongo in the Eastern Shore. We reviewed the design, and while
the client was content with the initial proposal, we thought our in-house design team could make improvements. So, using the original design as a foundation, we came up with a gorgeous coastal ranch design that both the client and the team at Virginia Builders are incredibly proud of.”
Thinking outside the box
To facilitate its broad portfolio, Virginia Builders boasts impressive in-house capabilities. “We have to consider the scale of each individual home to account for the necessary time and resources,” Luke explains. “Some homes simply require more time than others. However, we’ve developed a platform that allows our staff to apply the same systems and processes to every build, whether it’s a 1000-square-foot cottage or a 7000-square-foot custom home.
“Our in-house design team works to allow all our clients to customize their home regardless of the price range. We feel that all clients should be given the opportunity to make their home unique to their needs, lifestyle, and preferences. By using the latest design software and our own design center, we can provide solutions while effectively managing client expectations.”
Turning to the issues currently facing the homebuilding industry, Luke says: “We are working around labor shortages by educating our customers on build times and schedules ahead of them signing a contract. We’re also working diligently with different areas to provide more affordable housing, and our partnerships with local governments are key to making this happen. However, with high land costs, we’re forced to think outside the box to break or redesign restrictive barriers like density that are making home ownership increasingly difficult to obtain.”
Creating communities
Luke is optimistic about the future of Virginia Builders but is wary of growing beyond the company’s ability to deliver on its customer-centric promises. “Growth will never be at the expense of doing a good job; while our goal is always to grow, we must maintain the consistency and quality we have become known for across both our projects and client communications. We are currently growing our custom market and expanding into North Carolina.
“Rather than rapidly expanding into a huge production builder, we aim to expand slowly and continue to meet our clients’ expectations,” Luke concludes. “We understand that nothing is perfect, but we strive to build the best possible home and over deliver on our commitments. Our biggest reward is hearing from our satisfied customers. It’s amazing to be part of creating a community, and there’s nothing better than seeing families enjoying the facilities we’ve delivered.”