Steve Klein Custom Builder

By Linda McNabb
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Steve Klein has built more than 500 custom residences, but not once has he used the same mantel over a fireplace. Not once. That's 500 different mantels and then some. "Every residence is a one-of-a-kind original," Klein explains. "Custom projects have included golf, waterfront, ranches and a wide variety of city development locations. We build in our own communities, in other developers' communities and on owners' lots and land. What remains the same is that we are a relationship and process driven company. It is a total building experience and we take that seriously."

What that means is that buyers can walk into Klein's office in Georgetown with a notebook full of photographs they have collected from their travels and clippings they have made from various magazines and the Internet of things they like and in a few months walk into a home that is a true reflection of their lifestyle and budget.

"The residence they have in mind is the home that they get when they walk in the front door," says Klein, whose company will mark its 20th anniversary this year. "When they have their first dinner party or have friends and family over, their guests can truly feel their personality in their home."

Just as the buyers' differing personalities foster unique designs, they also bring a varied focus and interest into the home construction process, Klein has found. "The artists are interested in cosmetics, the engineers are interested in the foundation and the techies are interested in the wiring."

Catering to the different requests might seem like a lot to juggle, but Klein says it is what makes his job enjoyable. "I don't go to work," he insists. "I have fun every day. There is no monotony in this business."

Because his office is in Georgetown, Klein said he is particularly blessed with dealing with clients who have migrated from other regions and as a result are influenced by designs prevalent in their home states. "They come with a lot of different ideas," Klein says. "Our team members work directly with them throughout the entire building process to address their concerns and personal taste right there on the spot. Higher expectations and better communication consistently yield better homes."

One of the reasons buyers and REALTORS are choosing to work with Klein is that he is a two-time National Association of Home Builders' "America's Best Builder" award recipient in the custom category. Less than 100 builders nationally and only a few in Texas hold this distinct honor. Award winners are selected based on strict criteria for architecture and interior design, quality construction methods and materials, superior customer satisfaction and preferred business practices. From site analysis, through design, specifications, scheduling, construction, to service after the sale, builders must score well above the industry average in all areas. Out of the 100,000 plus members of the National Association of Home Builders, only five to six builders receive this recognition each year.

Klein also was awarded Custom Home Magazine's Pacesetter Award. This is a national recognition for excellence in management, systems and processes, design and marketing. "Success in the building industry today is more about management than about building," Klein says. "Professional builders must be very experienced and adept at providing the client a total building experience that fits their lifestyle, budget and expectations." One testament to the kind of relationships Klein builds is that buyers often keep in touch long after the sale. He recalls having tea on the back porch with one of his buyers. "The reason is that they had a good experience," Klein says. "Sixty five percent of our business is from referrals because we deliver to the customer 100 percent of what we promise by properly communicating and understanding thoroughly their expectations. We provide service to our customers on time, in a quality workmanship manner and with a smile."

"Steve Klein Custom Builder is in the business of designing and building high-quality custom, semi-custom and pre-designed homes in a very professional environment… To accomplish this, the Klein Companies are committed to constantly providing a 'total building experience' that will please our clients and provide a broad base of customer referrals who will be served by our team of dedicated, customer-focused employees, suppliers and trade contractors who share our beliefs."