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Watts Homes
your life, your hime, your style Started in the 1950s and headquartered in Kalamazoo, Mich., Watts Construction shows that business can be done more efficiently when it is kept in the family.
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atts homes Your Life, Your Home, Your Style
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By Joel Cornell
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“When you’re running a contracting business where five of your six employees are family, normal working hours don’t apply,” said Don Watts, CEO of the third generation, family owned construction and development company Watts Homes. Located in Kalamazoo, Mich., Watts Homes specializes in building and developing high quality housing communities, in addition to remodeling, commercial and industrial projects. Beginning in the early 1950s, Watts Homes started as a residential builder. Over time, the size of their staff has remained steady, focusing on the quality of their work. “As a family, we do a lot more interacting with clients and each other,” said President Joy Watts. “We never need a committee to make decisions,” she said. “We can act far more quickly on problems big and small than most larger corporate firms.” Being located in Kalamazoo is ideal for Watts Homes. They are about two and a half hours between Detroit and Chicago, plus there are three colleges, two large hospitals and multiple Fortune 500 companies in proximity. In 2008, the company split into two divisions: Watts Homes, which handles the construction of new homes and home remodeling and Watts Construction Company, which builds and renovates commercial and industrial projects. “We do specialize in residential construction, but we’re not just providing standard or stock homes to our clients,” said Don. Having had his degree in architecture since the early 1970s, Don has a history and reputation in the area that has given Watts Homes their consistent business. “We know full well the quality of the houses we build,” he said. “Our family has been living in our own neighborhoods for years. With new home construction costs that seem to ever increase, people look for a contractor that can encompass all of their needs.” 1. Hunter’s Creek Condominiums Neighborhood, Kalamazoo, Mich. Rear elevation of one of three ponds with fountain. 2. Hunter’s Creek Condominiums Neighborhood, Kalamazoo, Mich. A comfortable three seasons porch. 3. Hunter’s Run Neighborhood, Kalamazoo, Mich. Custom home. Kitchen and dinette area with Kenmore appliances.
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Rather than going from a real estate agent to a contractor to an architect to a builder, clients can simply go to Watts. “We have the wide range of experience and ability that has allowed us to create everything from starter homes to million dollar custom projects,” said Don. The reputation for quality and value that has allowed Watts Homes to stand the test of time has been honored over and over again. Watts Homes and their staff have won multiple awards from the Parade of Homes annually since 2001, as well as honors from The Michigan Association of School Boards, VP Buildings Hall of Fame and International Links of Friendship, to name a few. “I’ve been around a while,” Don said, “so if we really satisfy a young couple in their early housing years, they come back to us for renovations or second and even third homes.” Watts Homes is currently building in three different Greater Kalamazoo area neighborhoods, in addition to an industrial park development and several remodeling projects. CLT
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4. SouthPointe Trails & Riverview Hills Neighborhoods, Otsego, Mich. Crystal Design in SouthPointe Trails. 5. SouthPointe Trails & Riverview Hills Neighborhoods, Otsego, Mich. MBR of Manchester Design in SouthPointe Trails. 6. Eagle Lake, Mich. Walkout level extra kitchen of Greg Watts home. 7. Contemporary home in the Hunters Run Neighborhood, Kalamazoo, Mich. Formal living room with gas fireplace, foyer & stairs to second floor. 8. Watts Homes & Keystone Community Bank’s current office on Gull Road. 9. Hunter’s Creek Condominiums Neighborhood, Kalamazoo, Mich. Office or sun room of walnut design. Thanks to the following partners of Watts Homes for helping underwrite this feature.
http://probuild.com/ This article was underwritten by ProBuild, who streamlines the process for national and local builders by providing a one-stop shop for manufacturing, supply, and installation of building materials. ProBuild worked with Watts Homes on the Hunters Creek Waterfront condos, Trestlewood Pediatrics remodel, homes in South Pointe Trails, and homes in Riverview Hills projects. For more information, visit www.probuild.com.
Lyman Lighting Whether decorating, remodeling or even building a new home, you are sure to find what you are looking for from lamp shades, rugs, decorative mirrors and pictures to chandeliers, fans, fixtures, fine accessories and much more at Lyman Lighting. Lyman is proud to offer the most unique selection found anywhere. For more information, visit www.lymanlighting.com.
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路 Landscape Contractors 路 Hydroseeding 路 KWIK KERB Concrete Edging
2500 Ravine Road Kalamazoo, MI 40004
Douglas Vlietstra Phone: 269-344-6727
The J.D. Vlietstra Company would like to congratulate Watts Construction for their continued success. Fall 2010 5
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