In keeping with corporate America, many builders today have grown and expanded their business by employing scores of people, giving contracts to the lowest bidder when dealing with subs, and branching out to include condos, professional buildings and ongoing renovations and additions. One would think that this is indeed the formula for success as the industry arrives in the 21st century. Not necessarily so. Take a look at Jeff Henry, custom home specialist.
Learning the trade from his builder-father when Jeff was a boy of eight or nine led to a full time job with his builder-brothers after graduating from high school. Walt Henry Sr. Had retired by this time and brothers Walt Henry Jr., James Henry and William A. Henry continued offering the family apprenticeship to Jeff until he started his own business 14 years ago. Today, the youngest Henry builds only single-family customs (20-25 a year) in the $275,000 to $700,000 price range.
A recent example of the success of Henry's business is the York Parade of Homes competition. The Brittany, a 2 ˝ story, 4 bedroom Southern style home built by Henry was awarded the Best of Show in its price range along with the Best Kitchen. Henry's offering in $224,000 price range won Best Division, Best Exterior and Best Kitchen.
Henry has also been voted one of the best builders in York County in the Best Of York for two years in a row.
Interiors are the hallmark of Henry homes. Henry uses certain carpenters who have talent and pride in their finishing work. People often comment that they see beautiful detail in the trim work in a Henry home that is not generally seen elsewhere.
Henry is proud of his Parade of Homes awards. He is also proud of the subcontractors who work with him to build winning homes. Jeff has worked with the same subs since starting his business and points to the teamwork that makes the process run smoothly. Meeting with his subs weekly to go over each house and its progress is standard with Henry. They know what it takes to keep the schedule moving along, but never sacrifice quality for time. Henry has an in-house design person to draft plans for homes. Buyers may begin with only vague plans and Henry will see that the final blueprint suits their needs.
The real secret of Jeff Henry's success as a specialist is in his concentration on the customer. Jeff is determined to spend a lot of time with his client, meeting with them once a week at the jobsite to offer complete satisfaction at each stage of the building process.
