Chris Jones founded C.A. Jones Inc., in 1995, building new homes in the St. Louis metro east area, primarily in Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair counties on the Illinois side. Through a combination of hard work, customer focus, and superb value, C.A. Jones grew to building 80 homes a year; then, the housing recession hit.
Estimates vary, but perhaps one-third of home builders nationally closed during the housing recession, leaving their new homeowners to fend for themselves. Not Chris Jones – Jones would stand behind the homes that they built and be there for their customers. It wasn’t easy. In fact, Chris didn’t pay himself for more than two years. But Chris had given his word to his customers, vendors, and bankers, and he wasn’t about to give up.
That perseverance paid off. Market conditions improved and Jones built over 50 homes in the last 12 months. The company employs a staff of 16, plus three part-time individuals. Jones’ largest neighborhood, Country Club Hills (Waterloo, IL), opened in 2006 and still had 72 of the 92 home sites available when the recession hit. Today, all of those lots are sold as are a few of the 25 homes in phase two. Jones’ model home at Country Club Hills is Design Basics’ Saffron plan. Jones modified the rear foyer – opting for a bench with coat hooks in lieu of the original design’s coat closet – a change that has been very well received by customers. “We’ve had great response to this plan!” Jones said. Granite countertops grace the kitchen and the deep pantry has been a big hit with buyers. The dining and family rooms come alive with lots of natural light. There are also abundant windows in the owner’s suite and a VELUX® Sun Tunnel bathes the bathroom in daylight. Rather than hinged doors, pocket doors ease access between the owner’s bedroom, bathroom, and walk-in closet.
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