Celebrating Women in Construction: Spotlight on Sarah from Kay Builders’ Design & Drafting Team

March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize the efforts, achievements, courage, and strength of women everywhere.

To celebrate, we sat down with Sarah Kratzer, who plays an integral role on the Kay Builders Design and Drafting team where she creates floor plans for our different communities. Sarah helps bring floor plan ideas to reality, and she allows Kay Builders to deliver CUSTOM-i-ZABLE dream homes to our homebuyers that meet all of their specific needs and desires.

Finding Her Way to Kay Builders

Sarah Kratzer found her passion in high school when a teacher offered a drafting class instead of art class. “From the start, I felt like drafting fed both sides of my brain”, Sarah recalls. “I enjoy drawing as a creative activity, but as a linear thinker I also enjoy the construction and engineering aspects of drafting.”

Sarah initially studied architecture in college, but left after a year because she wanted to do something more practical and get to work faster. So she graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Architectural Drafting and started working in the industry in 1996.

After working for several different builders, Sarah joined Kay Builders in 2011. “Kay Builders is the best of both worlds.” Sarah says, “When I worked for a production builder, things moved quickly but very little could change. When I worked for a custom builder, anything could change but things moved very slowly. Kay Builders moves fairly quickly, but we can still customize things to fit the needs of our homebuyers. Every day is a little different, so it’s never the same thing two days in a row.”

Sarah learned a lot in her early days with Kay Builders. Sarah says, “I was really fortunate when I started because Shannon Cawley, Kay Builders Vice-President of Design and Drafting, took me to the job sites to understand how homes actually get built. This hands-on education was so valuable to help me understand exactly how a home comes together in the real world, like how a stud goes in and how a corner gets made.”

Helping Kay Builders Deliver CUSTOM-i-ZABLE Homes

As a new community is built, Sarah plays a key role in designing base plans and assisting the field crew with drawings needed to obtain permits. When a homebuyer purchases a home, they meet with the sales manager and look through their community’s floor plans. If the homebuyer wants to make a change to the plan, such as moving a window or a wall, Sarah knows how that change will affect other things. She helps determine a workable solution and then drafts up a revised plan which is then reviewed with the homebuyer.

“My work is very fulfilling because I’m helping homebuyers get the home they really want.” Sarah says, “At Kay Builders we do our best to help the homebuyer get their customized dream home on their lot.”

“These days I feel like our work is so well-rounded and broad.” Sarah says, “For example, on our plans for The Fields at Jacobs Way we have different plans with the kitchen in different locations. We offer so much variety to appeal to buyers of all different generations and needs.”

A Woman in An Industry Dominated by Men

In recognition of Women’s History Month, we asked Sarah to reflect on her experiences as a woman in construction. “When I started I was very aware that I was in the minority as a woman in this industry.” Sarah says, “But since then I’ve seen more women come into the field in all areas—not just as salespeople or administrative assistants.”

“When I was young I was inspired by my father. He told me that I could do anything.” Sarah recalls, “I think there is a certain stereotype that men are construction workers and women work in the design center to make things look pretty. But I really enjoy working in between both builder and creative. I know how construction works but I also know the recent trends to use space more effectively. Every day I get to combine my knowledge and skills to help create amazing homes for our buyers.”

Put Sarah to Work Drafting Your Dream Home!

If you’re looking for a new home in the Lehigh Valley, you can come to Kay Builders and tell us exactly what you’re looking for. Sarah and the entire Design and Drafting Team will work hard to create a CUSTOM-i-ZABLE home designed and built just the way you want it!

Kay Builders has been building homes in the Lehigh Valley for over 6 decades. We’ve helped countless homeowners move into the homes of their dreams—and we can do the same for you!

If you’re ready to start the process of building your dream home in one of our incredible communities in the Lehigh Valley, give us a call at (484) 353-6100 or complete our online form today.