FEATURED COVER STORY OCTOBER 2008 BUILDER-ARCHITECT MAGAZINE

**C & M Builders, Inc.: Building Quality from the Ground Up**

Chad Buck may take his building about as seriously as anyone in metropolitan Kansas City, but when you learn more about his background, his intensity about residential
construction is no surprise.

Owner and CEO of award winning C & M Builders, Inc. based in Raymore, Chad grew up working weekends and summers in the construction industry. Chad recalls, "My Dad was a home builder for more than 30 years in Wyoming. It was a family business, and in a family business you learn quickly you do whatever it takes to get the job done."

Chad learned early on that the construction industry isn't always smooth sailing and can be very challenging. In the 1980's when high interest rates slowed home construction, his family moved to Kansas City where Chad's father worked as a union electrician. During that time, Chad graduated from Olathe High School, before the family moved back to Wyoming to resume homebuilding.

While in Wyoming Chad worked in the family homebuilding and electrical companies where Chad completed an electricians apprenticeship program, and continued to learn the in's and out's of construction. In fact, he worked so extensively in the homebuilding industry that he really didn't expect to enter the field as a permanent career. "I swore I'd never build houses again," he laughs today. "You know how when you are raised in a family business, you think you'll do something different, anything else? Well, that was definitely me."

"I'm definitely a second generation home builder," Chad says today with obvious pride. "Thanks to my Dad I cut my teeth in this business. I learned about good work ethics and hands on building that continue to benefit me today."

Chad aspired to enter the commercial construction field and attended Central Missouri State University at Warrensburg, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in construction management. After graduation, he soon earned a position with one of Kansas City's premier companies, J. E. Dunn Construction, and was assigned to several large projects in Colorado.

After several years with J.E. Dunn Chad had the opportunity to return to Kansas City and operate his own homebuilding company. The rest, as they say, is history.

Exceptional Quality

C&M Builders is dedicated to building quality crafted, distinctive homes throughout Kansas City's
top new home communities. C&M Builders has developed a reputation for high quality homes with features and amenities that today's families are looking for. The flexible home designs, attention to detail and affordable pricing are what make C&M Builders a top choice for home buyers.

"We've really worked hard to build a reputation of taking care of our clients and working very closely with them throughout the entire building process," Chad explained. "That's a high priority for C & M Builders. From our first contact with our homebuyers, the contract stage and continuing through closing, we focus on our clients while maintaining communication. That's a key difference for us." C & M Builders maintains this level of attention throughout the metropolitan Kansas City area in markets ranging from the low $200s to the high $800s.

"Our award winning models as well as our reputation is attributed to our quality and attention to detail. C & M Builders strives for the 'wow factor' in all homes regardless of the price range, and the company prides itself on our customers' positive feedback." C & M typically designs its own floor plans, one of the most admired is a reverse story and one-half that was awarded the HBA Pick of the Parade, and American Dream Home Award. "We are very hands on when it comes to designing," Chad explained. "That gives us a strong edge when a customer comes to us."

C & M takes this philosophy to the dramatic. Describing itself as a "semi-custom" builder, C & M strives to blend the best of custom build advantages with the affordability of traditional construction. "Most clients want us to modify a plan even it they select one of our existing plans," Chad said. "Every plan that we build for a customer, we have redrawn to offer an individual custom approach. It's a good combination for most people."

Much of the "wow factor" Chad mentioned earlier comes from the company's almost compulsive attention to detail, quality, craftsmanship, and innovative amenities offered in all our homes. It is very gratifying when perspective clients tour our model homes and compliment our design and quality.

Several of the innovative qualities that C&M offers is the desire to Build Green. "I feel that we all have a responsibility to be environmentally conscious". Chad explained. "We are always looking at products and systems that are both affordable and Green." Chad feels that one of the best areas to focus on in green building is Energy efficiency. "I like to offer packages that improve the performance of a new home and lower energy use, which helps reduce our impact on our natural resources". Many of these energy efficient products are used standard on every home, a welcome added value. These include upgraded heating and cooling systems, insulation packages, low-e windows and exterior whole house wrap. The use of engineered lumber products and other sustainable building products along with smart building practices help C&M Builders keep a focus on green building and environmental responsibility.

Another reason for their achievements is the people behind C & M. Although Chad obviously sets the tone, the achievements are also due to the individual craftsmen, subcontractors, and quality material suppliers. In an industry where "subs" are often interchangeable, C & M works with a group of contractors that in many cases work exclusively for C & M. "My father taught me years ago that the only way you can guarantee quality is to be on the job sites every day and to use quality craftsmen," he explained. "You want craftsmen whose work stands out, not the run of the mill. We've been fortunate that we've formed an excellent group of subcontractors for our team and we strive for long term relationships."


The outstanding C & M team also helps explain how the company achieves its goals of customization and delivering eye-popping results. Targeting outstanding design and outstanding craftsmen, the results are almost guaranteed to far surpass average.


Specific examples include extensive use of custom cabinets with especially unique treatments in kitchens and master suite areas, exceptional trim and decor packages throughout. Additional C & M floor plans are both open and inviting, with special attention paid to connecting living spaces. C & M homes often boast outdoor living areas that help bring the family together. "We're always looking for elements that will set us apart and offer our buyers' something different, something better."

Market Success

Like most builders today, C & M has experienced some slowdown due to the national mortgage environment. Interestingly, however, the company is not experiencing the kind of drastic downturn that many builders are. Chad credits several reasons behind this, including a strong Christian faith used both in the work - and the rest of his life. He also credits the continued focus on four main Business principles that he learned from his father. "We work very hard to provide the best quality, best customer service, best floor plans for the best price," he said.

"We really haven't had much of a slowdown," he said. "I feel like overall we've really been blessed and therefore we have continued to move forward."

Not surprisingly, C & M's successful practice of these principles has caught the attention of other area professionals and homebuyers. "Reputation is most important here," Chad said. "If you have a strong reputation, you will succeed. We've grown our business in relatively a short time to be one of the top 25 builders in Kansas City, which we're very proud of."

C & M has been honored regionally by publications such as Ingram's Magazine and the Kansas City Business Journal, which have named C & M among their top companies in recent years - and ranked them higher each year. C & M has won several awards from the Home Builders Association during the annual spring and fall parades.

That's not to say that Chad ignores the current homebuilding market, which by any yardstick is challenging. "It's a tough environment right now," he agreed. "Buyers are definitely cautious and question just about everything. But we're used to that; we like our clients to be involved."

Many Customers ask about home sales and their investment. "The local building environment is not as difficult as it could be, the Kansas City Market is a stable location for home prices and home sales." Chad said. "The local market is one of the exceptions because it is a steady market. You don't see the huge highs and lows that you see in other parts of the country". Chad feels that this makes Kansas City a great place to live and safe place to invest in a Home. "I try to stress that with everyone because it's a real factor here."


Systematic

An additional strength C & M brings can only be called professionalism. Although Chad is proud of his building philosophy and outstanding subcontractors, he also emphasizes an analytical approach to building that is no doubt the result of his college education and big-company experience. "We're not a part-time builder," he noted. "It's not just me, a truck and a cell phone. Customers can reach our office any time from 9-5 and get a real person. Communication is very important; customers want to talk to a person and not a machine."

C & M maintains a full time project coordinator whose primary job is to answer questions for the customers and assist in selections and changes. The company's superintendents take care of projects and oversee day-to-day scheduling. Chad meets with every customer before a project begins, and continues to do so during the construction process. "I try to walk through every project at least two or three times a week to ensure the quality we expect," he said. "I believe that is top priority." I like to be outdoors," he said. "I like to smell the wood. I like to be on the job sites." His full time office staff can handle nearly any issue, and the team approach of all employees is expected and appreciated. "We've been really blessed. My staff is just outstanding. I've handpicked a phenomenal staff that care about people and are passionate about the business and customer service."

Price is important, but it's not the only issue with C & M Builders. "We strive to be the best price," Chad said. "That's not necessarily the cheapest price, though. The best price has to do with delivering the best quality and the best floor plan for the best price. It's that combination of factors that people appreciate when they move into a home and live there."

Beyond Work

Chad does have a life outside of work, although owing and operating your own company is very time demanding. His wife, Melissa, helps with the company by providing outstanding decorating services. Their five-year-old son Dalton just began Kindergarten and the couple expects twins in October. Chad and Melissa enjoy spending time with their family and friends, and enjoy time away in the mountains of Colorado. Chad is an avid snowmobiler and also enjoys BMX racing with his son Dalton.

An especially significant fact is that the family lives in Creekmoor, making Chad one of the few builders who reside in a neighborhood where he builds. The family often takes walks in the evening to check on homes they are currently building or touch base with their homeowners, which is a large percentage of the homes in this development.

"A lot of people have told me that I'm awfully brave to live in a neighborhood where I've built so many houses. But if you do what you say you'll do, you don't have anything to worry about."

Outstanding Communities

The company's association with top developers is no accident.

"We seek out developers that are proven and stable and are going to deliver on amenities and the level of community that most customers desire," Chad explained.

C & M Builders is proud to be a builder in the Creekmoor subdivision in Raymore, Missouri. Nestled on nearly 1,000 scenic acres, designed with unequaled amenities for year round living. Creekmoor features a championship golf course, stocked private lake, acres of beautiful green space and country club lifestyle.

One of the company's most exciting projects is the Villages of Southern Hills at Creekmoor, a joint venture with another award winning builder featured in Builder/Architect, Summit Custom Homes. The project targets an affordable, $200,000 price range yet features a country club atmosphere. C&M Builders and Summit Custom Homes are currently working on plans for a new development with-in the Creekmoor community that will offer customers unparalleled values and lifestyle.

"Projects like this help you to stay excited about your business," Chad concluded. "It's the kind of thing that helps this business stay fun and challenging."

C & M is also building in the Northland in the respected Staley Farms community also a county club/golf community. A new project opening this fall, Riverstone, developed by Hunt Midwest, is located near Zona Rosa and will offer exciting new homes for Northland customers. Other communities C & M is currently building in include Riss Lake, Staley Hills, Woodland Shores and Chapel Ridge.

Recently C & M Builders has expanded to new home communities in Johnson County Kansas which include Coffee Creek in Overland Park. "We are working to grow our Business and are looking at new opportunities in several of south Johnson County most desirable communities." C&M Builders has proved to be an outstanding professional home builder and is excited to work with customers both in Kansas and Missouri.

"We would love the opportunity to show prospective home buyers our homes and point out the "real value" in our approach to home building". Chad concluded.

C&M Builders and their new home sales agents would like to invite you out to tour their model homes and communities.
For more information on building a home with C&M Builders or to preview homes currently available please visit their new web site - cmbuildersinc.com or give them a call at 816-322-8118.