South Florida builder flourishes despite economy's decline
To its credit, National Custom Homes continues to thrive while many other home builders are not.
Online, September 30, 2009 (Newswire.com) - BOCA RATON, Fla. - Boca Raton, Florida-based National Custom Homes has not experienced the notable loss in revenue that many other building firms have suffered since the start of the recession.
Rick Pfendler, president of the privately held South Florida company and a 42-year "hands-on" industry veteran, attributes his uninterrupted busy schedule to an unrivalled reputation for integrity, outstanding design, high quality craftsmanship and construction, and responsive customer service.
"This has held us in good stead in all kinds of economic times and enabled us to survive the ups and downs of the cyclical real estate market," he pointed out. "We're proud that some of our clients are repeat clients and they are also a wonderful source of referrals."
Serving the upper end of the market has its advantages as well. With his single-family custom estates on the water or a private golf course typically ranging in price from $1.5 million to over $14 million, and recently completed three-story, Intracoastal luxury townhomes ranging from $2.95 million to $3.25 million, Pfendler said that many affluent clients still have the wherewithal to move ahead with a new home. In addition, few require mortgage financing.
Another reason the seasoned general contractor is successful is that he is engaged in high-end renovations in long established communities. "Although these projects represent only a small portion of our annual earnings, we have diversified into renovations. It was natural because we already have the resources and manpower readily available to us. We also became active in this arena to meet the demand of clients who enjoy living in their current locations but want to expand, reconfigure or modernize their residences," he explained.
Consequently, National Custom Homes hasn't had to downsize. The company employs a full-time staff of seven in order to maintain complete control over each project it undertakes. They include skilled supervisors and office personnel with a total of 95 years of collective industry experience. They answer to Rick Pfendler, president, and his son Scott Pfendler, vice president, who joined the company in 2003.
The senior Pfendler doesn't disappear after the contract with a client has been signed.
"As the senior principal, I am involved in every detail - from architectural planning, site layout, bidding, sales and signing of contracts, to color selection, supervision, the final walk through and everything in between," he said.
National Custom Homes' accomplishments are visibly evident in some of Palm Beach County's most exclusive communities: The Sanctuary, St. Andrews Country Club, Bocaire, Boca Grove, Boca West, and Vintage Oaks at the Polo Club in Boca Raton, and Mizner Country Club in Delray Beach. Additionally, the company builds estates along the coast, in areas such as Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club, Hypoluxo Island, and in the Marina District, one of the historic neighborhoods in Delray Beach.
The only speculative residences that the company currently has for sale are four recently completed three-story, Intracoastal-front townhomes on N.E. 19th Avenue in Deerfield Beach. The company has only one remaining home site within the Del Prado enclave at Mizner Country Club, which is available to build upon. National Custom Homes also owns direct Intracoastal property on the Deerfield Beach/Boca Raton line slated for two luxury townhomes or one single-family luxury home.
Pfendler will also build a home on a home site that a client may have already acquired.
For further information about National Custom Homes, call (561) 988-1267.