S7, E10: The Homes that Built Hibbs Homes

SEASON SEVEN, EPISODE TEN | TRANSCRIPT

In this episode of The Art of Custom, we close out our "20 Homes for 20 Years" series with a look at the homes that built the builder and the legacy they helped launch.

How It All Began

In 2007, Kim and Jan Hibbs built what would become their family home: a ranch-style design inspired by the architecture they loved in custom home in Park City, Utah.

As the home took shape, it became more personal and purposeful. It quietly evolved into the foundation of something much bigger: the vision that would guide two decades of custom homebuilding and expansion into multiple markets.

From Broadcasting to Building

Kim’s career began in television broadcasting with NBC in St. Louis. When their children were young, Jan earned her real-estate license so she could work part-time while raising their family. Together, they began fixing and flipping homes.

While those flips were successful, they were not fulfilling. They often wanted to invest in better materials and finishes and to “do the right thing” rather than cut corners. But resale values still came down to cost per square foot.

While Kim was still on-air, they joined the St. Louis Home Builders Association, immersed themselves in the world of new construction, and took a chance.
When Kim’s television contract ended just as the business began to take off, they decided to make Hibbs Homes their full-time venture.

Jan’s Early Career

Before founding the company, Jan worked as a bookkeeper for a sports-management firm handling accounts for professional athletes. Once their children reached school age, she and Kim began brainstorming new business ideas during a conversation that happened, fittingly, over a beer at the base of a mountain in Park City.

They decided to start small. With Kim helping after work and their kids often tagging along, they began flipping homes together and the earliest form of what would become a true family business began to take shape.

From Flips to SIPs

Their story shifted when a friend of a friend asked them to build a custom home near where they lived. The project went exceptionally well and led to more referrals.
At the same time, Kim’s contract in broadcasting was expiring. They followed their instincts and took a leap of faith, transitioning full-time into custom homebuilding.

Lessons from the Early Years

Every home brought new challenges and learning experiences. Their very first spec home in Kirkwood revealed an unexpected full foundation during excavation, which was the first of many surprises hidden underground over the next 20 years.

These lessons built their philosophy: each project is an opportunity to problem-solve and guide clients through challenges with patience and integrity.

They also discovered what made them different from other builders - client communication. Many builders avoid fully custom projects because of client complexity, but Hibbs Homes built a team around collaboration and service, ensuring every homeowner felt heard and supported.

Core Values and Culture

“Do the right thing” became the company’s central value. It meant investing in quality, even when it didn’t maximize short-term profit, and standing by ethical decisions when challenges arose.

Rather than striving to be the largest builder, the Hibbs team focused on being the best builder. And it was not long before they became known for craftsmanship, transparency, and a family-first culture that extends to employees and trade partners alike.

Early Ground-Up Projects

After completing several renovations and spec builds, Hibbs Homes began true new-construction projects. A small story-and-a-half home in Kirkwood helped them gain confidence, followed by two landmark builds in the historic Shaw Neighborhood, which were the first new homes constructed there in more than a century.

Those projects required balancing modern performance with historic authenticity and set the tone for how Hibbs Homes would approach design sensitivity in every market.

The Hibbs Family Home

In 2007, the couple started building what was intended to be a spec home in their existing neighborhood. Inspired by the mountain architecture they loved in Utah, the house stood apart from everything around it because of the distinctive, and timeless aesthetic.

During construction, they fell in love with the plan, the lot, and the feel of the home. Mid-build, they decided to keep it. It quickly became the family’s forever home and remains one of the company’s most recognized projects.

The design featured a split-bedroom layout, an open great room with vaulted ceilings, and a two-sided fireplace connecting the living area to a covered patio, which is a space where the family still spends much of their time.

Though originally designed with a clerestory roofline, they removed it to improve energy efficiency, which was an early decision that reflected their growing commitment to high-performance building.

Performance and Innovation

The Hibbs family home became the company’s first full demonstration of its performance-building principles:

• Advanced insulation and air-sealing
• High-efficiency HVAC systems
• Premium windows and roof sheathing
• A modest solar array providing up to four months of zero electric bills each year

This house allowed the team to truly “walk the talk” by living every day in the kind of energy-efficient, durable home they build for clients.

Reflections and What They’d Do Differently

The Hibbs family still loves the home nearly two decades later. Minor updates, like adding a prep kitchen or refreshing bathroom tile are on the wish list, but the layout, comfort, and performance remain ideal.

Even with nearby noise, the airtight construction keeps the interior quiet and peaceful.

A Turning Point for Hibbs Homes

This home marked a shift from building good houses to building great homes that combine performance, comfort, and craftsmanship.

It also reinforced the company’s philosophy that clients should never have to choose between style and efficiency.

The Hibbs' family home continues to appear in marketing and client tours because it perfectly represents the company’s heart and values.

Looking Back on 20 Years

As Kim and Jan reflect on two decades of building, pride and gratitude come through most clearly.

They acknowledge that the journey wasn’t easy, especially because they started during a housing downturn, but each challenge shaped the resilient company Hibbs Homes is today.

Now operating successfully in two markets with a talented, loyal team, the business continues to grow while staying true to its founding principles: family, craftsmanship, and doing the right thing.

As The Art of Custom wraps up its 20 Homes for 20 Years season, it feels only fitting to end where it all began .

This season celebrated not just the houses themselves, but the lessons, values, and relationships behind them.

To all the clients, team members, partners, and listeners who have been part of this journey: thank you.

Here’s to the next 20 homes, the next 20 years, and the stories still to come.

For more information visit www.artofcustompodcast.com or find us on Facebook and LinkedIn as The Art of Custom. Be sure to subscribe to get the latest episodes and please rate and review. The Art of Custom is produced by HugMonster sound with original music by Adam Frick-Verdeen. Thanks for listening.