Expertise You Can Trust
Born and raised in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Ben Kepner developed his interest in woodworking early—at age eight.
“My dad had all these tools in the basement. I remember thinking, ‘I want to run that table saw.’” Although he didn’t actually run that saw himself until much later, he loved working on building and home repair projects with his dad, Mel, and with his grandfather, Dave, who was a spec draftsman with a local architectural firm.
Fast forward twenty years, and Ben is now building custom homes, retirement cottages, additions and custom cabinetry all across central Pennsylvania. He thrives on two things: interpreting his clients’ vision for their homes and the challenge of “solving the puzzle” through the building process.
At a time when many of us have lowered our expectations with regard to quality and customer service, Ben has made it his mission to exceed expectations in both areas. “You shouldn’t have to settle when it comes to your home. You should expect your contractor to listen to you, create what you want and make it better than you’d even hoped.”
That’s what Kepner’s Woodcraft and Construction does. And it’s why Ben has built his business quickly by word of mouth.
One of his favorite projects was a home he built recently with extensive use of shiplap on the interior and a great room featuring built-ins customized to his client’s specific needs. It was an example of how a deep knowledge of classic woodcrafting techniques creates a home that reflects the owner’s goals and personality and will endure for generations.
After he wraps up his day, Ben likes to hang out with his wife, Nikole, and their dog, Cash. He also spends a lot of evenings in his shop at home, working on things like this walnut picture frame with maple inlays, created entirely without power tools.
It’s safe to say that Ben Kepner is all about quality.
Isn’t that the kind of person you should have working on your home?