When you’re a luxury home builder, there are few moments as satisfying as finishing up on the job site of a beautiful model home. The crew is installing the last of the appliances; furniture of all shapes and sizes is being hauled in; workers are filing in and out as everyone works to get the job done. It’s chaotic and a bit messy, but there’s a lot to be proud of.

For Wyman Stokes, that sense of pride is a powerful thing, and it gets even better. Because when Wyman was with his crew, putting the finishing touches on the Cataldi spec house, he was surprised when a couple stopped by and asked to take a look around and they put in an offer on the home within 30 minutes.

“But that’s not the best part of the story,” Wyman says. “We decided that this was a pretty successful model, so let’s do it again down the street.” Roughly a year later, on another Saturday morning as Wyman and his crew were finishing up the second house, the same thing happened again. A couple stopped by to take a look and after stepping around the crew, the boxes and chaos, they bought the home within the hour.

In the home-building business they call that “a job well done.” And it’s been that way for Wyman Stokes for quite a while. The son of a builder, Wyman grew up helping out his dad on the job site “from when big enough to walk.” In 1982, Wyman started out as a small custom builder in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He and his wife, Pat, set out to create one-of-a kind custom homes, and in 1988 made the decision to relocate the business to Ft. Myers, Florida. Nearly two decades later, Wyman remains a very hands-on guy when it come to managing the company’s slate of 10-20 building projects every year. Pat handles the company’s marketing , and together they’ve grown the business to a full-time staff of just under 10.

Wyman believes that success is found in the details, which explains why he has enjoyed working along side Dan Sater since 1995, because together they can guide clients through the thousands of decisions that are so important to the home-building process. “At the design stage, we’re able to help our customers understand pricing, structural and livability issues,” Wyman says. “By meeting with these people everyday, and hearing what they don’t like, we’ve learned a lot about what’s selling in this marketplace.” Wyman also feels as though some prospective buyers don’t meet with enough former clients when they’re considering signing with a builder. “To talk to one of two select [customers] isn’t enough,” he says. “I give references from every client from the previous year. I think it’s the fairest way for potential clients to decide if I’m the right builder for them.”

As proud as he is about selling two Cataldi homes to the first two people who looked at them, Wyman also speaks with great satisfaction about some of the homes more unique features, such as it’s full outdoor kitchen. More than a grill-and-wet-bar configuration, this model includes an eating bar, cook-top, dishwasher, wine wool, built-in fire pit and more. Wyman also points out the growing popularity of open floor plans in the homes he builds, observing that his customers’ current lifestyles suggest a desire for less formality ad more open spaces.

Ultimately, Wyman sees his working relationships in similar terms to another well-known institutions. “It’s like a short term marriage,” he says. “<em>It’s a close relationship, it’s talking every day. You’ve got to be sure that the relationship works and that you can really communicate with that person.</em>”