Photos by Sarah Browning
When Brad Weber and his wife, Becky, set their sights on building a new home in Holliday Farms, they didn’t have to research who to hire because they had already built three homes with Randy Shaffer Custom Homes and Renovations and could not have been more pleased.
“Randy is by far the best builder we’ve ever worked with,” says Weber, who appreciated how present and attentive Shaffer was throughout the building process.
“He met with us or spoke with us every week during our build,” Weber says. “Whenever I called him with a question, he’d pick up the phone or text me back within minutes. He never made us feel like we were just a number. He truly cares about his customers and the quality of his work.”
Hard work, integrity and commitment to quality are all values that were instilled in Randy Shaffer at an early age as he watched his father construct homes.
“Dad taught me that showing up and doing what you say you’re going to do was very important, as was being honest with the homeowners and vendors,” says Shaffer. “That’s the only way to build trust and reputation that lasts.”
Shaffer knows that building a home is a big expense and that the process can be stressful. To help alleviate that stress, he remains a steady hand throughout the build, listening intently, offering solid advice and ensuring the end result is something that everyone is proud of.
Randy Shaffer Custom Homes and Renovations, serving Hamilton County and the surrounding counties of Indianapolis, has been building luxury homes since 1985. Through the years he has built a stable of loyal customers like the Webers and Karl and Barbara Ahlrichs, who first hired the company 15 years ago to build their home. Karl Ahlrichs describes working with Shaffer and his team as a seamless experience.
“They took the time to understand our vision, turning our ideas into a home that perfectly balances elegance, coziness and brightness,” says Ahlrichs. “Their personal and collaborative approach made us feel heard and valued, and at no time did we feel overwhelmed by our choices, which has been a problem when working with other builders. Every detail of the finished home reflected our preferences.”
A significant advantage to hiring Shaffer is his hands-on experience in the industry. He knows what it takes to build a house, not just in theory, but in practice. That kind of experience provides him with a deeper understanding of every part of the process. From the carpentry to the electrical work, he proactively anticipates and solves problems before they occur. Such was the case for the Ahlrichs, when Karl shared an idea he had about how a door should swing in the pantry.
“Randy listened patiently to my idea, and said he could do what I was describing but that the outcome wouldn’t be good,” Ahlrichs says.
Shaffer explained how the trim, which was not yet installed, would interfere with the opening of the door. He offered an alternative solution that would achieve the same goal without interfering with the use of the shelving in the pantry.
“He solved the problem before anything was built,” Ahlrichs says. “Wisdom is wonderful.”
Plus, Shaffer has lots of great ideas of his own. For example, in the Ahlrichs home, he suggested transforming the “dead space” under the stairs into a play area for children.
“This was not in our original plans but has been a significant part of the kiddos’ lives,” Ahlrichs says. “Our children and grandchildren love the welcoming character of what we built with Randy.”
In 2018 Scot Pollard and his wife, Dawn, had Randy Shaffer build their home in The Village of West Clay, because in their previous home he had done an amazing job remodeling their primary bath and raising some doorways to accommodate Pollard’s height.
“We knew Randy was a pleasure to work with and cared so much about making our vision [a reality],” says Pollard.
Shaffer has built various styles of homes precisely because he’s focused on each client’s interests.
“Every home is different; that’s part of the fun,” says Shaffer, who is currently working on two completely different projects. One is an English farmhouse while the other is a sleek modern design.
“I love the variety because it keeps things interesting,” Shaffer says. “The goal is to create something that feels right for the people who are going to live there.”
The Pollards certainly are pleased.
“Randy and his team did not disappoint,” Pollard says. “We couldn’t be more pleased with our custom home. It’s definitely a statement home in the Village.”
The Ahlrichs were impressed by the way Shaffer kept to the budget.
“Adding features, expanding the floor plan and making the home even better than the drawing on paper can be tempting,” Ahlrichs says. “While all of this happened, with Randy’s guidance, our home came in only 2% over the agreed budget at the start of the project.”
During his career, Shaffer has been recognized for his superior work in the field. For instance, in 2004 he won Builder of the Year at The Village of West Clay. In addition, Builders Association of Greater Indiana awarded the Shaffer the People’s Choice Award at the 2018 Home-A-Rama in Chatham Hills and again in 2024 at the Home-A-Rama in Promontory.
He’s building another home in Chatham Hills for the 2025 Home-A-Rama in September that features a unique Japanese shou sugi ban siding, a burnt siding on the exterior of the house. It is proudly built with the support of trusted vendors he has worked with over the years, including Phantom Screens, Stone Center of Indiana, McComb Windows & Doors of Central Indiana, Indy Custom Stone, Jack Laurie Group, D&D Mouldings and Millwork, Raber Construction, and Weber Concrete Construction.
“The thoughtful design and quality construction have created a functional and inviting space,” Ahlrichs says. “My wife and I are both cooks, and the chef’s kitchen has been the center of many family gatherings and great meals. Natural light fills the rooms, and the cozy ambiance makes every day special. Living in our new home has been an absolute joy.”
For more information about Randy Shaffer Custom Homes and Renovations, call 317-702-3467, email randy@randyshafferhomes.com, find them on social media outlets, or visit randyshafferhomes.com.
