FOUNDED IN 2015 BY SCOTT UNDERWOOD AND ALAN HOWARD, BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA-based Centennial Homes has been making its mark with custom designs that are visually charming, impeccably crafted and one of a kind.
“Whether its traditional or contemporary, formal or informal, each home is steeped with serious architectural ambition and genuine originality,” notes Underwood.
One of the keys to the company’s success is approaching each project as if it were a 5-star resort. “Our team of experienced homebuilders, designers and craftsmen work collaboratively to bring our clients’ visions to life, ensuring every aspect of the home is tailored to their personal taste and preferences,” he says. “We incorporate a lot of amenities that you would have at a resort. Nearly every home has a swimming pool, and now we are putting in a lot of saunas. It makes perfect sense, especially in the lake homes where people want to relax and recharge.”
With strong ties throughout the Birmingham metro area and the premier communities of Lake Martin, several affiliations with professional organizations and numerous honors and awards, Centennial Homes has been able to cement a solid reputation for delivering world-class residences.
“I think the thing that I am most proud of is that our customers are our raving fans and the vast majority of our business comes from referrals. The fact that people have enjoyed working with us, and they refer us to people they know, is the biggest compliment a builder can receive,” says Underwood, who also points out that the firm is an approved builder for Russell Lands, the developer for The Heritage on Lake Martin, which includes the Wicker Point Golf Club.
“A lot of clients are very proud of their homes, and many of them have allowed us to bring our potential clients to see their houses, and we are very flattered,” Underwood says. “One of the things that we are never going to do is push our style on anyone, but if they ask our opinions, we will give them; it gives them a great resource.”
Considered a boutique firm, Centennial Homes has little turnover and has been using the same contractors for decades, which makes it seem almost like family. “The guy who is painting and doing the drywall has been working with us more than 25 years, and we have a long track record with our stone and brick mason. It feels like they are part of our company,” says Underwood.
As far as employees, Centennial Homes has four project managers, an interior designer and a handful of staff members. Project managers are on-site at each project daily, and the company’s founders also keep on top of every project. With an average of about 10 houses under construction at any given time, the company has a steady workflow, but Underwood notes: “We can always find the time to work with new clients. We have been at this for a long time, and we enjoy the process from beginning to end.”
The founders, who first worked together in 1999, have different areas of expertise, and the company plays to their strengths. Howard is a whiz when it comes to technical issues, while Underwood loves designing. “Alan is very technically oriented,” says Underwood. “As far as design goes, he doesn’t want to be involved. Some of the things that he is greatly skilled at are not my assets. We stay in our lanes, and it works seamlessly.”
The earlier a potential customer contacts the firm, the better for the process. “If someone is thinking about building a home, we are happy to walk the property with them—we want to get involved right then,” Underwood says. “That is the perfect time to help them figure out how to lay out the house, how to site the house, and a lot of other considerations they might not think of. This is the point of the process when a lot of the questions get answered, such as does the house need a basement? There are so many decisions that are tethered to the parcel of land that is chosen. We do several walk-throughs: We do our framing walks, and we do another walk with clients when it’s time to do the electrical and plumbing. We can have an electrical plan and a plumbing plan because everything works on a piece of paper, but it’s not always practical when you are standing in the space. And it needs to make sense to the client—that’s why I tell people that we do this every day; we are here as a resource for you. This is also when we get to know the clients. It’s always about doing our best to fulfill their dreams. It’s about building the perfect home for them. It’s not about us. We look for ways to say yes, not no.”
While the business isn’t seasonal, Underwood says the winter is a great time to be thinking about building a home. “You will clearly see what the view corridors on the property are, and you will definitely see things on the lakes that you wouldn’t see during summer,” he notes.
One of the added services that Centennial Homes offers is an in-house designer who does 3-D presentations of the proposed kitchens and bathrooms. “This really allows clients to get exactly what they want and to see what everything will look like before work begins,” says Underwood. “Customers love seeing the plans come to life, and it’s during this period where potential problems can be addressed before they occur.”
The company’s homes range from $1 million to $7 million with square footage from 3,200 square feet to a whopping 10,000 square feet. “We have found most of our clients like fixed prices with allowances for the quality of appliances and the types of windows, etc.,” says Underwood. “We put together the budgets, and if we miss our budget, that’s on us, not the client. I think it has given a lot of people peace of mind. If they decide to go over on some things, it’s a conscious decision.”
Merry Leach of RealtySouth often works with clients who are considering homes with Centennial Homes. “People don’t want a cookie-cutter house,” she says. “They don’t want to go two doors down and see their floor plan with different colors. They don’t build the same home twice, and that’s part of the design process that makes it so desirable.”
For Underwood and Howard—the company’s goals are simple and attainable. “We think a home is more than just a place to live—it’s a reflection of the owner’s aspirations, their lifestyle and their dreams,” Underwood says. “We are dedicated to crafting spaces that are as unique as the individuals and families who live in them.” *
Ellen Uribe is an award-winning journalist and a communications expert. She is a sought-after speaker, participating as a moderator and panelist at numerous industry events, conferences and broadcast outlets. She has contributed to Vanity Fair, Palm Beach Life, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Women’s Wear Daily and Time Magazine.
