About

Meet the Team

Derick Shackelford, CR, CRPM, CLC, Owner

“There’s always a better way.”

Sometimes the career picks you. That’s how it was for Derick when a high school vocational program led him to his first job in construction at age 17. While learning the ropes of the trade, he saw the good, bad and ugly, and soon his mind began turning in search of a better way.

This dogged drive toward “better” would stick for life—carrying him through two tours overseas as a Ranger-qualified Team Leader in the U.S. Army, as well as many more adventures in commercial and residential construction.

As owner and lead contractor for Shack Built, Derick continues pushing for a better way every day—in serving clients, in elevating his team’s work, in educating other builders and in furthering his own experiences.

Derick is an active member in the local chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) where he serves on the Board of Directors and is co-chairman of its Education Committee, teaching certification courses to NARI members in a variety of core subjects.

Certified NARI Professional CR
Certified NARI Professional CRPM
Certified NARI Professional CLC
Learn more about certifications
Derick Shackelford Owner Shack Built Construction Contractor

Listen to Derick

Shack Built radio interviews on the NARI Home Town Radio show.

2018 Interview2019 Interview

2020 Interview Part 12020 Interview Part 2

Derick Shackelford, CR, CRPM, CLC, Owner

Derick Shackelford Owner Shack Built Construction Contractor

Read More About Derick

“There’s always a better way.”

Sometimes the career picks you. That’s how it was for Derick when a high school vocational program led him to his first job in construction at age 17. While learning the ropes of the trade, he saw the good, bad and ugly, and soon his mind began turning in search of a better way.

This dogged drive toward “better” would stick for life—carrying him through two tours overseas as a Ranger-qualified Team Leader in the U.S. Army, as well as many more adventures in commercial and residential construction.

As owner and lead contractor for Shack Built, Derick continues pushing for a better way every day—in serving clients, in elevating his team’s work, in educating other builders and in furthering his own experiences.

He is a member of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and co-chairman of its Education Committee, teaching certification courses to NARI members in a variety of core subjects. Active in the Kansas City community, Derick also serves on the board of directors for the Supporting Kids Foundation.

Certified NARI Professional CR
Certified NARI Professional CRPM
Certified NARI Professional CLC
Learn more about certifications

Listen to Derick

Shack Built radio interviews on the NARI Home Town Radio show.

2018 Interview2019 Interview
2020 Interview Part 12020 Interview Part 2
Marty Smith, Production Manager

Marty Smith
Production Manager

Marty brings years of successful general contracting experience to Shack Built – he used to own a business that specialized in residential remodeling and window installation. He also brings extensive industry experience from his time as an outside sales representative for Kansas City Millwork. Marty understands exactly what professional contractors are looking for in building products to meet the demands of discerning clients. When he isn’t in the office developing and maintaining customer relationships, he enjoys fishing and riding his motorcycle.

Sarah Hemme, Office Ninja

Sarah Hemme
Office Ninja

Sarah has had her fair share of personal remodel experiences and has been on the receiving end of the good, the bad, and the ugly. She has great empathy for the client experience and loves being the first person a potential new client gets to talk to at Shack Built. Sarah wears a variety of hats at our office – from bookkeeping and general office management to marketing and customer service, just to name a few. Outside of the office, she shreds on a mountain bike (her favorite trails are along Blue River Road in Kansas City, Missouri) and serves on the Board of Directors at Heartland Conservation Alliance.

Cara Christman
Designer

Cara has spent her career in several areas of design and remodeling. A degree in Industrial Design taught her to think critically and solve problems. Fostering a philosophy that design should never be painful (even in remodeling) allows her clients to enjoy the design process too. When she is not busy guiding our clients to make confident selections, she is hanging out with her husband and two adult children, preferably on a hike, over a tasty meal, or enjoying art and live music.

Marty Smith, Production Manager

Marty Smith
Production Manager

Read More About Marty

Marty brings years of successful general contracting experience to Shack Built – he used to own a business that specialized in residential remodeling and window installation. He also brings extensive industry experience from his time as an outside sales representative for Kansas City Millwork. Marty understands exactly what professional contractors are looking for in building products to meet the demands of discerning clients. When he isn’t in the office developing and maintaining customer relationships, he enjoys fishing and riding his motorcycle.

Sarah Hemme, Office Ninja

Sarah Hemme
Office Ninja

Read More About Sarah

Sarah has had her fair share of personal remodel experiences and has been on the receiving end of the good, the bad, and the ugly. She has great empathy for the client experience and loves being the first person a potential new client gets to talk to at Shack Built. Sarah wears a variety of hats at our office – from bookkeeping and general office management to marketing and customer service, just to name a few. Outside of the office, she shreds on a mountain bike (her favorite trails are along Blue River Road in Kansas City, Missouri) and serves on the Board of Directors at Heartland Conservation Alliance.

Cara Christman
Designer

Read More About Cara

Cara has spent her career in several areas of design and remodeling. A degree in Industrial Design taught her to think critically and solve problems. Fostering a philosophy that design should never be painful (even in remodeling) allows her clients to enjoy the design process too. When she is not busy guiding our clients to make confident selections, she is hanging out with her husband and two adult children, preferably on a hike, over a tasty meal, or enjoying art and live music.

Unique and sustainable modern kitchen remodel

Great Homes Built on Great Relationships

Few things are more personal than our homes. It’s where we sleep, eat, play, work, raise a family, welcome friends, get comfortable and express ourselves. At Shack Built, our clients welcome us into these personal spaces every day—opening their doors and entrusting us to transform the house they already treasure into an even greater expression of themselves.

Respecting our work in this way means we place high value on our ability to build and maintain strong relationships with each of our clients. It’s what sets us apart as a contractor and a business partner. We’re proud to have earned the praise and endorsement of so many homeowners and fellow construction professionals.

Collaboration – Start to Finish

As a Shack Built client, you can count on open, regular communication from the start of your home renovation project until we remove the final dust cloth. We offer you experienced, sustainable remodel and design solutions that work within your unique space and budget—whether we’re reimagining your home or business—to help achieve your vision of modern living or working.

Construction contractor clear communication with the client throughout the entire project
Modern kitchen remodel with slide in gas stove construction contractor serving clients

Warm. Natural. Modern. ShackBuilt

People often ask if we have our own aesthetic when it comes to building perfect spaces. The truth is we believe in—because we’ve seen—a variety of ways to realize the potential of any room. With that in mind, we’ll often encourage our clients to consider the qualities of warm, natural and modern, and visualize what those characteristics mean to them. Then we’ll work together to translate those ideas into your ideal living room, kitchen, bathroom, outdoor deck, office or whole home renovation.

Certifications

CR = Certified Remodeler
CRPM = Certified Remodeling Project Manager
CLC = Certified Lead Carpenter

NARI Certifications were developed to recognize highly experienced remodeling professionals, capable of planning and managing complex remodeling projects to client satisfaction. Certified professionals represent an elite group of industry experts who possess extensive technical and management skills that set them apart as capable remodeling professionals.

Industry Affiliates

NARI
EPA
Passive House Alliance

Call us today to start the process.
913-603-9903