Jurek

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MODERN

HOME BUILDERS

Issue 119A www.modernhb.com

BEST PRACTICE FOR INDUSTRY LEADERS

The family formula for success Many factors combine to form the foundation of Jurek Builders’ success, but its dedication to family and its personal approach are undoubtedly two critical elements

Prier When it comes to US-made plumbing products, the name Prier stands out for quality, reliability and service

Marnie Custom Homes The projects delivered by Marnie Custom Homes truly reflect its dedication to personal, creative and unique design


JUREK BUILDERS

Streets ahead Approaching its 50th anniversary, Jurek Builders remains proud of its continued status as a true family business

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JUREK BUILDERS

O

perating out of Clarence, New

mom and dad founded the business in 1972,

York, Jurek Builders is on a

and it began almost by chance. At the time,

business,” he continues. “Fast forward 50

mission to deliver high-end,

my dad was an interior finish remodeler. Ever

years, and the business is still going, which is

bespoke home building without

the hard worker, he got ahead of the builders

impressive. My parents didn’t go to college,

comprising on quality. In any given year,

he was working for by around five jobs. The

and they weren’t building anything like what

the company will complete more than ten

builders simply couldn’t afford to pay him. What

the company is building now. These were

homes, each one ranging from 6000 square

happened? They traded for a piece of land,

small houses, each around 2000 square feet

feet to 10,500 square feet.

which would be the seedbed for Jurek Builders

in size.”

At the center of the company, as the name

“Soon, they had a profitable, family-owned

to grow and blossom. Working as a team, my

That was then. Now, as Henry highlights,

suggests, is a family. “We are a complete family

mom and dad built a house on that land, and

things are moving faster than ever: “Currently,

business,” says Henry Jurek III, Vice President,

then bought another piece of property on the

we have at least 15 plans being drawn up

Sales and Operations at Jurek Builders. “My

same street – and then another.”

by architects. The minimum price for these

84 Lumber For nearly 65 years, 84 Lumber has been building on its legacy of creating, shaping, and maintaining the American dream for professional builders and passionate do-it-yourselfers. As the nation’s largest privately held building materials supplier for single- and multi-family residences and commercial buildings, its 250 locations nationwide offer the highest quality lumber, name-brand windows and doors, custom millwork, kitchen and bath design, turnkey installation services and more. 84 Lumber’s Orchard Park location is proud to have a longstanding relationship with Jurek Builders and congratulates them for a momentous 50 years in the building industry. “Jurek Builders and 84 have a fantastic partnership that is mutually beneficial to both parties,” boasts 84 Lumber Area Manager Tyler Golub. “At 84 Lumber, we pride ourselves on maintaining the highest standards, and we know Jurek Builders does the same. Their reputation for completing jobs, both big and small, with unparalleled service, perfectly aligns with 84 Lumber’s mission.” As with all its customers, 84 Lumber’s outstanding customer service and ‘nothing is impossible’ mindset is apparent in its relationship with Jurek Builders. “We treat all of our customers like family, and Jurek Builders is no different,” says 84 Lumber Orchard Park’s Outside Sales Representative Colin Mcintosh. “Whatever materials they need to get the job done, we try our best to get them quickly and at the best price. Jurek is a family-run operation with excellent people, and we look forward to working with them for many years to come.” 84 Lumber’s Orchard Park location is known to specialize in both new construction and remodeling alike. No project is too large or too small. From supplying windows and doors for multi-million-dollar homes to supplying deck packages and materials for the everyday homeowner – 84 is just one call away from helping with your next project. For more information, visit 84lumber.com or join us at Facebook.com/84lumber and linkedin.com/company/84-lumber

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JUREK BUILDERS worked his way up from the bottom. “I still get out of the office and run bulldozers, loader machines, and mechanical excavators called backhoes,” explains Henry. “Mostly, though, I meet with the customers, calculate the pricing, and get everything ready for sale, walking through our properties with homebuyers and answering any questions they might have. Unfortunately, we lost my mom last year to cancer. She was a huge part of our team, running the entire office. So, naturally, it was a tough transition. But we remain a family business. My dad runs the jobs; I run the office.”

Personal touch For its construction of high-end and bespoke homes in the Western New York region, Jurek Builders has been awarded Builder of the Year by the Buffalo Niagara Builders’ Association (BNBA) twice, once in 2013 and again in 2017, proving that the strong family partnership at the heart of the firm is certainly a productive one. Even with the arrival of Covid-19, the company kept building. “We really didn’t notice the pandemic that much,” Henry admits. “The only time we had a decline during the Covid-19 crisis was when, in the state of New York at least, regulations said that just one construction worker could be on site at any one given time – even if one was a painter working indoors, and the other was running a bulldozer outside. You’d be fined anyway. However, four-to-five months later, regulations eased as those who had set them realized it wasn’t entirely safe to allow only one person on site. If anything were to happen, not a soul would know! “Otherwise, I think the pandemic made people realize they needed more space,” he adds. “That suits us: more and more people are now finishing their lower-level basements; they are putting in additions; they are requesting to build bigger homes. We can help them. Of course, there have properties will be between $2 million and

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The family-run company has become

been negative knock-on effects. For instance,

$5 million. In terms of site work, we have

renowned for its high-end interior trim work,

it’s still sometimes hard to acquire materials:

five houses under construction and one

making it one of the leading luxury home

garage doors have a 50-to-60-week lead time;

awaiting a building permit. Two of these are

building businesses in the Western New

windows must be ordered way in advance.

for professional athletes, a popular career

York region. Now 43 years old, Henry has

It’s crazy. To compensate, we tried to help

choice within our client base, and the other

spent the best part of his life working with

our customers financially. As an example, we

host of plans are for the bulk of our target

Jurek Builders. Beginning at just ten years

were able to lock in the pricing of lumber by

demographic: doctors, lawyers, and various

old, he was employed as a sweeper for the

paying for it upfront and storing it in our own

business professionals.”

company’s string of properties. He proudly

warehouse. Ultimately, this meant we could

MODERNHB.COM



JUREK BUILDERS can watch their kids play basketball from above. You see, we are always happy to accommodate the needs of our clients.”

Exciting development Why do these famous athletes and customers with incredible designs keep coming to Jurek Builders to see their dreams realized? The answer, according to Henry, lies in the company’s traditional philosophy to work and materials: “We are very old school, and when I say that I mean we use all plywood for two-by-six construction – no particle boards, strictly plywood. We also use copper water the Buffalo Sabres hockey team and features

lines instead of weaker plastic alternatives. In

incredible workmanship on our part. Indeed,

all projects, we only use the highest quality

to clear, the New York-based company is

one area in the lower level of the building

materials, which is what we have come to

intent on cracking on with business. Currently,

contains a golf simulator, the required head

be known for. We are very transparent, and

it’s breaking ground on the second biggest

room for which meant we had to dig an

I can honestly say we are friends with every

house the company has ever built. “In total,

extra 2 feet further down into the basement

person we have built for. That includes other

the house covers over 10,500 square feet,”

floor. Another client is putting a half-sized

builders in the area. They have employed us

highlights Henry. “It’s a really special bespoke

basketball court inside the house, and we’ve

to build their personal homes, which is pretty

project being carried out for a member of

included a viewing platform so the family

unheard of!”

keep costs much lower for clients.” As the hazy shade of the pandemic begins

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“Another thing that sets us apart from our competitors is that we pass our discounts on to the customer,” he continues, proudly emphasizing the importance of good company-client relationships in a successful business. “At the end of every month, we provide the customer with invoices so that they always know precisely where all their money is going. In terms of suppliers, Jurek Builders makes sure that it pays all bills early. Furthermore, recently I spoke with Anderson Windows, and they have partnered with us on their new Excellence Program. Not only will we receive materials sooner, improving our efficiency, but Jurek Builders will also appear

of New York, including the Rochester area.

fortunate to work with him each and every

on their website as a partnered brand, which

Ultimately, I want to do what my parents

day at Jurek Builders.” F

we think is huge.”

did. When dad retires, I hope my wife will

Adding all these factors together, Jurek

come and run the office – just like my mom

Builders really does find itself streets ahead.

did for us. I want that tradition kept alive

“The most exciting development we have

because it was so successful. That will be a

on-the-go right now is Serenity Court, a street

while, though. My dad is 73 years old and

bought by our company within Spaulding

doesn’t want to retire any time soon. But I’m

Green Development. Since we have the

glad! I will always consider myself incredibly

Jurek Builders www.jurekbuilders.com Services: High-end home builder

whole street to ourselves, we are going to build 13 beautiful houses – just our houses on that one street, it’s incredible! We recently started infrastructure works and plan to break ground on the houses in July. My dad and I will be working on site. We’re not drive by builders; we’re hands on.”

Family feel Jurek Builders shows no signs of slowing down. Luckily for its clients, the future looks bright, and the business is keen to continue adapting and evolving with the times. “Keeping an eye on what’s around the corner is fundamental to staying relevant,” says Henry. “For instance, the interior designer that we work with stays up-to-date with the latest trends by attending various conferences and design shows. The NAHB International Builders Show (IBS) is also important to our long-term strategy. Every couple of years we attend, excited to learn about new materials, trends, and ideas within the high-end home building space. “As Western New York’s premier custom home builder, it’s a necessary part of what we do,” asserts Henry. “And it’s just the beginning. With these professional athletes on board, their teammates are also becoming interested in our work. We’ve employed more people to keep up with demand. At some point, I want to expand into other parts MODERNHB.COM

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