THANK YOU TO OUR 2015 MCBDD ANNUAL SPONSORS
PLATINUM
2015 Montgomery County Division Chair
GOLD A SILVER MATTHEW
REIBENSTEIN Royal Homes
It’s All About the Money!
Or is it really? Often times I am reminded that many people dislike their builder or have few good things to say about the homebuilding experience. Everyone’s next comment is about how much money their builder probably made or about how he took money from their job to pay for something else. Either way, there is definitely a negative connotation that is associated with builders and developers, but not all of them deserve it.
At the Custom Builders Council luncheon I attended last month, I was reminded by the panel of three veteran builders that not everyone is in it for the money. As I sat back and listened, I couldn’t help but think about our industry and why it is that in all of the negativity, phone calls, emails, headaches, punch lists and learning to speak a second language, we still come back and do it again? Oh yeah… because many of us actually LOVE what we do! You don’t see all of the behind the scenes work. You may not see the early mornings, late nights, weekends and missed lunches we give up because that’s when it is convenient for a homeowner to meet since “they have a job.” You don’t know about the issues that are being fixed without telling you or the additional labor it took to make sure something got done right. Yet, all I still ever hear is about how much money a builder makes?
I think we all know some builders that deserve questioning, but what about the ‘good guys’? There are still builders in this industry that put up with everything just to see the excited faces of a family watching their slab being poured, or to watch a child run to their new room for the first time. They give one suggestion and look like a hero for coming up with something unique and remedy an otherwise ill situation. Or perhaps they remembered that one item she just had to have but forgot to include on the plans.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY INFO AND SPONSORSHIPS: Contact Mel Audain (281) 664-1428
maudain@ghba.org
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Like most jobs, there are the little things that keep you coming back for more, no matter how big the problems are. These are the builders that care, and yes they are still out there. They don’t get caught up in money, profit margins or appealing to an investor. They only care about your happiness, the quality of your home and making sure they are doing all they can to make the homebuilding experience more enjoyable… because your smiles are all they need to keep coming back for more.
Montgomery County is busting at the seams with new homes—AND new builders. So how do you find a builder that cares and isn’t only concerned about taking advantage of a strong market? I feel it is really easy, but it takes time. Talk to multiple builders and find one that is passionate about his or her job. You can usually feel passion and excitement within the first few minutes when meeting the right builder for you. If they bring up money in the first meeting you might want to be leery. Check their history and don’t be afraid to ask for multiple business references or ask them about previous homes and families they have worked with. Are they active in the GHBA or have a way to stay updated in today’s fast paced world? Watch how they treat their employees and trades. Do they work with them to create a beautiful product or do they immediately discuss the money?
It’s no lie that builders can make money, especially in the good times, but who said it was wrong to get paid for work? The good ones are still out there, and a good builder should care more about your home and happiness than the money in his pocket in the end. I have met some great people and families by building in this industry and some have even become great friends. It is a blessing to do what I love and even with all of the negative connotations out there, I still want to be the builder that changes the world. Find a builder with that attitude and you surely won’t go wrong. For some of us, it really isn’t always all about the money!
MCBDD BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President: Matthew Reibenstein, Royal Homes
Vice President: Ron Martin, M I Homes
Treasurer: Michael McNall, Builders Post Tension
Secretary: D’Ann Brown, StrucSure Home Warranty
Past President: Chris McGinley, Kurk Homes Board Members: Bill Carter, Bison, A Stock Building Supply Co. Sarah Iandoli, Schlage Lock Company Randy Lutz, BMC Building Products Keith Rodgers, Cambria USA Melanie McGinley, Kurk Homes
MARCH 2015 | HOUSTON BUILDER | GREATER HOUSTON BUILDERS ASSOCIATION – BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE
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