About Lady Street Builders

Consult your checklist of "must haves" in a builder, and Tony Carnaggio probably has them all. But don't expect to hear it from him. Tony's low-key style doesn't lend to self praise, but those who know his work describe it as absolutely first rate.

Fine Company

Tony made his name over the past 15 years by building homes in some of the finest Columbia and Lake Murray communities. His work can be seen in top neighborhoods including peninsula at Timberlake Plantation Lakeside at Ballentine Pintale Point and Stephenson Lakes.

These days his attention is focused on the Saluda River Club, site of the 2008 Parade of Homes. The 240-acres community offers solid, stylish Craftsman homes and abundant amenities in an incomparable riverfront setting. Tony's River Club homes stand apart, with distinguishing features like Brazilian wood flooring, outdoor fireplaces and rich trim packages.

From the Beginning

A licensed residential and commercial contractor, Tony grew up in the building business. As a teen he started out working for his grandfather, a Columbia, heating and air conditioning contractor. "I've always had a passion for construction remodeling," says Tony. Motivated by that passion, he gained experience in the field, and eventually opened his own homebuilding business.

Tony's work has earned him the respect of homeowners, contractors and developers including Walter Taylor and Bill Theus, partners in the Saluda River Club and other ventures. "Tony has an excellent history of building on time and on budget, while keeping his pricing competitive," says Taylor. He's also known for his "no problem" attitude when it comes to meeting homeowner needs or responding to warranty issues. Theus praises Tony's combination of performance and personality. "He's such a likeable person, which is a great plus in such a people-focused business," he adds.

Bob Jones, Saluda River Club's construction coordinator, praises Tony's internal drive and depth of experience. "He genuinely cares about every customer and every project." That feeling is shared by home designer Dick Gallup who notes: "If Tony tells you he's going to do something, you can count on it. He's honest and focused."

Above all, it's about the excellence of his work, which extends to the selection of subcontractors who share Tony's commitment to customer satisfaction. It's part of a methodical, determined approach that keeps a Carnaggio crew working until the job is done to satisfaction.

A Person, Not a Corporation

"I think homeowners like the fact that they're hiring a person, not a corporation," says Tony. "Strong financial backing lets me stay in the field doing what I do best. My homeowners know they're going to get the home they want, and my subcontractors know they're going to get paid. Andy anyone with a question knows they can come straight to me for answers."

Tony adds that there's simply no substitute for experiences in the homebuilding business. Getting a home out of the ground and built to an owner's satisfaction involves a complicated set of checks and balances to make sure nothing's been overlooked.

"There are thousands of parts and tons of materials to be delivered. Making sure everything is in place and properly managed is essential to delivering a finely built home," he says.

When he isn't working, Tony Carnaggio enjoys spending time at Lake Murray; fishing and relaxing in the part of the state he loves the best.