DFW METROPLEX EDITION

In Its 53rd Year,Sandlin Homes Will Focus on Affordability

In Its 53rd Year,Sandlin Homes Will Focus on Affordability

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GREATER DFW METROPLEX BUILDING SAVVY MAGAZINE

The founding principles of integrity, honesty, quality, and superior customer service have guided Sandlin Homes through 53 years of consistent growth. Upholding these basic principles and being adaptive to changes are the

very backbone of the company's longevity, positioning it as a leader during the times of peak marketplace opportunity and a survivor in spite of each of the market challenges.

When J.B. Sandlin founded Sandlin Homes in 1957, his goal was togive every family the opportunity to own an affordable, custom builthome. J.B.'s accomplishments and leadership contributions to thehomebuilding industry are nothing short of legendary, and continueto earn him recognition posthumously. He was named as an inaugural inductee into the Texas Housing Hall of Honor and mostrecently to the Greater Fort Worth Builders Association's newHousing Hall of Honor.

When signals began to point to today's challenging market conditions, the question that many in the industry pondered was,“What would the legends like J.B. have done in our current situation?” The answer for the Sandlin team was to reposition itsfocus back on building the very product that launched the company

legacy—affordably priced homes targeted to first-time and move-upbuyers. But the question was—how to bring costs back down to the price level they were selling homes for in the 1990s without sacrificing the unique features and amenities that buyers had grownaccustomed to in more recent years. The right combination of value engineering and new building technologies was the answer.

“It took about a year in planning to fine-tune and develop the newCornerstone product,” said Rob Wetli, Construction Manager forSandlin Homes. “We found that by implementing new building technologies, any extra costs of these were offset by the elimination of waste and over-engineering. Increased speed on construction time whenutilizing the engineered products was another cost saver.”

Sandlin Homes Reflects on Founding Principlesto Develop Its New Cornerstone SeriesSandlin Homes Reflects on Founding Principlesto Develop Its New Cornerstone Series

By Beverly Smirnis

Matt Speight, Scott Sandlin, Terry Sandlin & Mike Sandlin

Photos by Doug Handel, Doug Handel Photography.

GREATER DFW METROPLEX BUILDING SAVVY MAGAZINE

Wetli explained, for example, that using engineered roof trusses allows slabs to be engineered exactly to accommodate the requiredload. Use of wall panels eliminates excess lumber and waste and alsocuts down on losses due to jobsite theft. Both of these examples alsoreduce jobsite time and chance of error. Pre-engineered structuralproducts play a significant role in Sandlin's ability to bring theCornerstone Series homes from permit to closing in 70 days.

Construction cost savings and increased energy efficiency were both realized by moving ductwork out of attic spaces and droppingceiling heights in closets and laundry rooms, instead, to conceal the ductwork. Positioning plumbing and mechanical systems back-to-back in the core of the home was another change that saved on construction costs while increasing efficiency.

Delivering value was the goal not only in the engineering design butalso in the exterior and interior design of the Cornerstone Serieshomes as well. “Our years of experience in custom building helped usidentify the options that most people want and come up with a standardized list that gives our buyers the biggest bang for the buck,” said Terry Sandlin.

Standardized options include 42-inch cabinets with crown molding,smooth glass top stoves, tile backsplashes, built-in microwaves, raisedsix-panel interior doors, garden tubs and separate showers in mastersand plenty of stone accents inside and out.

The Sandlin Homes Cornerstone Series deliver the coveted features of their award-winning custom homes in six new designs attainablypriced from $119,000 to $180,000. Sandlin currently offers tenCornerstone Series neighborhoods: Big Bear Creek Meadows,Innisbrook Place, Lake Vista Estates and Parks at Willow Ridge inFort Worth; Country Lakes in Argyle/Denton; Garden Heights inMansfield; Heather Glen/Ivy Glen in Grand Prairie; MountainHollow in Dallas, Paloma Creek in Little Elm and Twin Mills Farmsin Saginaw.

All Sandlin Homes, including the Cornerstone Series, are built by seasoned builders. Surely one of the most distinguishing characteristics of Sandlin's builder team is the fact that 30 is the average number of years of experience they have. When asked, anyone on the team will tell you that's simply because nobody leaves. This speaks volumes for the workplace environment of thecompany. The “Sandlin family” encompasses the veteran employeesas well as the immediate family— Mike, Terry and Scott Sandlin andtheir brother-in-law, Matt Speight. Now that several of their children are also involved in the business, Sandlin can be called athird generation family business.

Photos by Doug Handel, Doug Handel Photography.

GREATER DFW METROPLEX BUILDING SAVVY MAGAZINE

“When you have customers that are three, four and five time repeat buyers,you could say they are part of the family, also,” Terry Sandlin added.

But don't think for a minute that the veteran team settles for doingthings “the way they've always been done.” Alan Sladek, who justjoined the Sandlin Team as Marketing Manager in January 2009commends the team not only for its flexibility in adapting the product line to suit a changing marketplace, but also in recognizingthe need to adapt to other changes, including Internet technology.He has played a key role in advancing Sandlin Homes into what heterms “a virtual company.” Everyone involved in the constructionprocess, including the subcontractor team, is required to have enoughsavvy to adhere to the company's streamlined business model inwhich the Internet plays a key role.

Traffic on the company website has increased by about 40% this year, and Sandlin Homes also has a network of Realtor friends andpartners who follow their activities on Facebook, Utube and Twitter.Sladek estimates that Internet marketing efforts accounted for about50 additional sales last year, but emphasized that having on-staffInternet sales counselors committed to back end tracking and follow-up and the team's consistent attention to their feedback andanalysis was essential to the increased sales.

“All of our efforts are focused on the things that bring value and affordability to our customers,” said Sladek. “Value and affordability were the cornerstones of the foundation that J.B. Sandlin laid. Now itour responsibility to identify new ways for furthering value and affordability in today's environment.”

For more information,contact Sandlin Custom Homes at

817-281-3509or visit www.sandlinhomes.com