I wanted to grow my current company but wasn’t sure how to scale with limited time and labor. Amwood was/is a perfect fit. In my first year, I was able to quadruple my gross sales. Having a team of drafting experts, engineering, and the labor, both physically and administrative, allows me to focus on the client experience. Even with the size of Amwood, I speak with the same estimator, drafting team, and they add a tremendous amount of detail to my process which not only saves time, but provides clarity to the budget. I was building one home a year and can realistically build 5 while not taking on any additional staff. Amwood has an incredible culture. The entire staff knows me by name at all of their functions. If there has ever been a challenge, anyone and everyone has been on board to resolve it. From my district representative to the owner, they truly show me they want me to be a success in my OWN business. I feel they want my name to be mine and they are here to support my individual business needs.
I very much appreciate the synergy created by the different Amwood business units. From Marketing assistance when I ask for it, to the expert Design & Engineering that goes into every job, to quality-assured component Production, to the Field Crews, to the Delivery Drivers, and on to the Sales and Service support, I really feel like I get great value from the total Amwood Homes package.
Amwood has helped me scale my building company using their state-of-the-art production facility and rock star team of Regional support, Design and Engineering services. Amwood helps us deliver a quality product and rewarding experience for our clients.
Recent memories can sometimes create stronger responses, but Mark and I want to express our thanks for the total rehaul of the Annual Amwood Homes Summit (formerly Spring Kick-off). For years, we have asked for builders to have a chance to have their own roundtable led by builders. Using the builder panel format on day #2 we are getting closer to this vision. The degree of attention to the finest of details was exemplary. The line-up was an awakening of good things to come and is motivating. Work behind the scenes to make it all happen doesn’t go unnoticed – therefore, this is a tribute to all the Amwood Homes Staff that had anything to do with the event. Keep asking builder’s open-ended questions. Management may learn from them! P.S. Love the Amwood steel beverage holders- Mikki?
Other shout-outs – Dave Dorn. Despite the tough challenges with framing crews, when he pulled the hat trick to get the Windsor Builds crew onsite (March 2022) to take over what the previous crew walked away from we were grateful, of course, but moreover our expectations were met knowing management was willing to make the call to make it right and just get the work done. Reputation is an asset. Unfortunately, it can also be a costly expense. Hats off to Kirk for the attention needed to engineer through all the troubles left behind. Have you seen his engineering reports? Gold! Kudos also to Lee and the rest of the crew from Windsor Builds that became the rough-in framers to finish our DeForest job. Those team members deserve more than free pizza lunch! When a group just pitches in, checkmark the performance evaluation with beyond expectations! There is some talent there that Amwood Homes/Windsor Build could tap! Lee is a real leader! Great teamwork! Are they training framers? They could!
Quick turn-around time is so important with plans and pricing. Mark would like to point out that Wesley Helmeid has been a drafter extraordinaire. He is responsive and has been known to pick up the phone on weekends (winter 2021). Lucas Zautner notably also provides quick turn-around times.
Buildertrend is an asset! Getting through the on-going learning curve was made smoother for Mark in particular by Laurie Kaiser. It has to be said.
Also, warranty work handled by Laurie Kaiser improved beyond our expectations. Prior to this, warranty work and follow-ups suffered terribly.
Kevin is a talented crane operator! When an exterior wall with pre-installed windows dances delicately in place every time, that’s awesome. More to his credit, when we called Kevin to pass by a build site in rural Columbus on his way home from work to check it out to answer some questions we had, we knew we could count on him. This is an example of employee value you may miss otherwise in the office. Thanks, also, to Wally who keeps those framers hopping!
Kris Freidel has an IT response timing record for fixes hard to beat! DIana had a issues with portal forms. Kris Freidel was on it and created improved access. Mark advises Kris is extremely responsive and professional.
Mikki Masterson helped us with various marketing issues. We look forward to website improvement help!
Kristina Taylor – oh my gosh! We had a major overhaul of the interior design with our DeForest job and she rose to the challenge with a level of professionalism and resiliency that we are so thankful for. The homeowner chose Setzke Custom Homes, Ltd. as we are a CUSTOM builder. After settling on their build contract, circumstances changed that they could afford many upgrades. Kristina helped make that happen!
Dave Weinberger – this guy has overcome some obstacles and really smoothed out his builder service attention to detail, notably follow-up using a new touch. We see you, Dave! Again, notably the DeForest job.
For Mike Halla, who has been both patient and professional helping me (Diana) learn the ropes of what to do when the Amwood way – Thank you – despite me questioning the system. When Mike and Claire worked with team members to create the new order system now in place, we said “YES”! The new system is practical and flows in a sensible way. Goals are implemented to keep projects moving. Another – “Yes”!
Regional Sales Manager Jonas Bock makes regular office calls! This is new to us and is appreciated. Meeting us at our build sites is great! There have been times where we honestly felt we got the short end of the stick with a couple builds and pricing. We understand that transitions can create hiccups. Jonas stood up for us. Jonas is another example of getting the right person in for the job. He has his ways! (;
Aaron Hockhammer had a tedious job of assisting with the accounting overhauls needed. We appreciate his quick response time and willingness to listen to what the builder side of accounting has to take into consideration for a build that Amwood Homes doesn’t see. We like the ACH option – we can just “get it done”. The lien waiver process from Amwood Homes is responsive – but remember, it has to be almost immediate the way we handle our projects. Aaron is on it. We work with bankers and title companies with financed builds that may differ from many other builders.
Our current DeForest custom home is going to be one of our showcase homes of all times. We thank so many team members!
Yes, change doesn’t happen overnight Dave and Aaron – but when like Jonas says, “It’s coming along. Things are getting better.” Yes, we can see that. Leadership is making a difference.
It is so helpful to be able to “get to the source”. Thank you.
Doug Scott – thank you for hiring the right management team to get the right people in the right place.
REPUTATION IS AN ASSET.
Letting you know Travis’s set crew did an excellent job. Good crane operators and good delivery personnel.
For our clients to be able to visit a poured basement one day, and then just a few days later, witness their framed home being roofed, blows them away every time. The service and speed at which Amwood helps us build, sets us above our competitors. They are a great company who continues to look for ways to improve, and we are forever grateful for the dealership we have with them.
Over the last year I have had the joy of working with Amwood Homes and their staff. The people are what make my job enjoyable and they don’t get much better than Amwood’s employees. Honest and hardworking, they make working with them on a daily basis a pleasure.
Thanks for all your help!
Working as a subcontractor for Amwood Homes has been very pleasurable. From administrative assistants to the CEO, Doug Scott, they are kind and professional to everyday people like you and me. Unlike some home builders looking to cut corners and minimize costs to increase profits, Amwood Homes’ approach has been different. From design and structural integrity to implementation of state of the art security technology, Amwood Homes are homes you will want to live in.
Advantage Homes, the local builder of Amwood Custom Homes, built our office a few years ago and just recently completed some interior remodeling here in our Janesville office. As in the past, I have found that their work is of the highest quality. I was very pleased that they worked around our business hours and were able to complete our new interior offices on a timely basis. The concept of pre-manufactured panels under a controlled environment really paid off for us.
Working with Amwood has been a pleasure. The people are down to earth and honest. When they tell you they are going to do something they do it. I really appreciate their friendliness and honesty!