Some renovations update a home. This one replaced it entirely. Jen Tessicini and her family came to Sixteen Penny Construction with a small brick bungalow on a lot they loved — but a home that could no longer become what they needed it to be through renovation alone. The path forward was a full knockdown and rebuild: clearing the existing structure and building a new home from the ground up on the same site.
What They Wanted
Not just more square footage, but a home actually built around how the family lives — the kind of result that’s difficult to reach by renovating around an existing structure’s limitations. And just as important to Jen: a builder relationship built on trust and accountability from the very first nail to the last, since a project of this scale asks a family to place a lot of confidence in the people doing the work.
What We Did
A full knockdown and rebuild, replacing the original bungalow with a new craftsman-style two-story home on the same lot. Wes Piatt led the project personally — and by Jen’s account, held himself accountable for every aspect of it, from the very first nail to the last. That kind of hands-on ownership matters most on a project this size, where dozens of decisions compound over many months and a family needs to trust that someone is genuinely watching every detail, not just managing the schedule.
Before
After
What Made the Difference
This wasn’t a one-time transaction. Jen and her family have worked with Wes and Sixteen Penny Construction for over 10 years, and this rebuild became the foundation of that relationship. What stood out most to her wasn’t just the finished home — it was Wes’s integrity, and the fact that the family ended up with a true partnership, not simply a completed contract.
In Jen’s Words
“We have done business with Wes Piatt and Sixteen Penny construction for over 10 years. Wes is that contractor you hope your lucky enough to run your project. Trustworthy, knowledgeable and holds himself accountable for all aspects of the job from the very first nail to the last. What continues to impress us most– his integrity. He holds himself to the highest caliber.. and as a result you get a true partnership and a home that you will LOVE. Finding a contractor that cares this much.. is rare. He took this knockdown and make it into our dreamhouse.”
— Jen Tessicini, Google review
Considering Something Similar?
Not every project that starts as a renovation stays one — sometimes the right answer for a lot you love is starting fresh. If you’re weighing a knockdown rebuild against renovating your current home, we’re glad to walk through what makes sense for your specific property.
Start Your Project and let’s talk through your lot and your options.
Explore Our Craftsmanship
Want to see the difference for yourself? Our project portfolio shows the real work behind these services — kitchens, custom homes, and full-property transformations across Charlotte, NC. Take a look, then let’s talk about your project.