Consulting services for home builders looking for a competitive edge.
The role of design in custom home building and production is often misunderstood. Many builders approach design as an order taker planning the aesthetic elements of a client’s home. When builders fail to consider the strategic role design should play in the overall planning, they misjudge price points, under leverage or over-inflate option programs, and ultimately leave money on the table. When design is not integrated into operational processes, it causes miscommunication, delayed selections or change orders, and extended build times.
Carteret LLC is on a mission to show builders how design operations can be an engine for strategic, profitable growth. We provide comprehensive 1:1 consulting services in the areas of design, operations, and strategic marketing. Our work helps builders across the United States clarify their go-to-market strategy, product positioning, and operational processes. Design is a critical bridge between client expectations and the practical operations of constructing their home. When handled correctly, it can transform your business.
About Carteret
Meet the team
Kristi Paganini, CID
Principal, Design and Architecture
As a former senior leader in production and custom home building, Kristi is passionate about optimizing design operations to bring greater value to home builders and their clients. She believes design is far more than just aesthetics and that most builders rarely understand its potential to drive greater margins and operational efficiencies. To unlock this value, builders need holistic go-to-market approaches that clearly identify target buyer profiles, product positioning, and operational strategy. Kristi works directly with builders who want to increase absorption, efficiency, and profitability.
Kristi has 20+ years of experience in custom and production home building and has been a key member of executive management teams. While the Vice President of Product Development and Design Studio Operations at Christopherson Homes, she tripled option revenue by launching a second division. Kristi managed 14 direct and indirect reports in design and architecture functions and has held several homebuyer-facing roles throughout her career. This experience provides her with unique insights on how to optimize the selection process while also delivering superior homebuyer satisfaction.
Kristi is a certified interior designer and has deep experience overseeing the development of architectural plans for commercial, residential, and multi-family buildings. In previous roles, she successfully grew design operations to three new markets and supported overall growth from 5 people to 100+ and a $20M+ company valuation.