RoMac Builder’s Spotlight: A People First Approach to Custom Homes with Hauff Homes

RoMac Media sat down with Jeremy Hauff, President of Hauff Homes, and Lindsay Dukic, Vice President of Hauff Homes, to talk about a custom home building process rooted in people, creativity, and thoughtful craftsmanship. Their story begins with hands-on experience, a love for problem-solving, and a belief that custom homes should be built around the individuals who live in them.

Jeremy’s path into construction started early. “Initially, I worked for my dad when I was growing up. He just did a bunch of remodeling.” That exposure shaped how he viewed building from the start. “I really enjoyed that puzzle part of construction.”

After earning a degree in construction management, Jeremy accepted a job out of college but realized it was not where he belonged. “I wanted to do something different than what I’m doing now, and I realized really quickly I don’t like it.” That realization led to a pivotal decision. “So then I started the company in 2004.”

What Custom Really Means

For Hauff Homes, custom building is never a template. “Every house is unique for every single person,” Jeremy explained. “It is completely customized from start to finish on what they want, what their needs are.”

The builder's role is to guide without controlling. “We help to give as much information as possible so they can make really educated decisions on the things that they do select for their house.” While suggestions are available, the final word always belongs to the homeowner. “We can give them suggestions if they want them, but at the end of the day, they’re the ones who get to decide what they’ll put in their house.”

That responsibility is central to the process. “It’s their house, it’s what they’re living in. And we want to make sure that we’re making a great house for that person.”

Doing the Work the Right Way

Quality at Hauff Homes begins with shared values. “We pride ourselves on doing things the right way,” Jeremy said. “And I make sure everybody that we hire in has that same value.”

That approach shapes the team dynamic. “It’s a great team, and they genuinely love what they do.” Jeremy believes passion shows in the final product. “When you really love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work.”

The standard has always been clear. “We always say we don’t want to just be good, we want to be great.”

Solving the Puzzle

For Jeremy, building is driven by creativity. “I love creating stuff. I like solving puzzles and parts and pieces and putting it all together and then seeing the finished product.” That process keeps him engaged. “You get addicted to doing these things because it’s fun to create.”

That enjoyment extends to both new construction and remodels. “It’s fun to take a space and make a new space out of it, whether it’s custom matching something that’s already in their house for remodels, or they see a picture online they want to match, and we can build that.”

Those challenges naturally expanded into custom cabinetry and furniture. “The furniture side of things that we build, cabinets and unique pieces, started with that exact thing.” During remodels, the need would arise organically. “We would do a remodel, and we’d have a small space that they wanted to fill with something, and they didn’t know where to buy a piece of furniture.”

Jeremy already knew the solution. “And I said, I can build you something.” With a long-standing love for woodworking, the process felt natural. “I loved woodworking. I’ve always done woodworking.” The details matter most in those moments. “It’s those fine details that really set a house or a remodel or a kitchen or whatever project it is. That’s what sets that project apart.”

Homes with Stories Attached

As projects became more involved, Lindsay Dukic began to see how personal each home felt. “I didn’t realize how in depth these custom home builds are and how unique each one is.” With so many meaningful projects underway, she wanted to preserve each story. “There were so many great stories to tell, but I didn’t want them all to get jumbled together.”

That led to a deeper realization. “I wanted to create an emotional connection to each house because I started feeling attached to these houses.” For Lindsay, the reason was simple. “And when you come in, they’re for people.” That belief inspired a unique idea. “So I felt like they needed a name for our audience to resonate with and remember them.”

Naming homes quickly became part of the culture. “It ended up being such a fun way for us to tell the stories.” Clients embraced it as well. “Now our clients have asked if they could help with the naming.” Sometimes, it becomes its own milestone. “So we will have a meeting sometimes just to name the house, and that gets carried through the entire build.”

A People First Experience

The way Hauff Homes interacts with clients reflects a family mindset. “I’ve always tried to treat everybody that we work with like an extension of our family,” Jeremy said. Accessibility is a priority. “There’s always somebody there. There’s always somebody on the other line.” When a client reaches out, they are heard. “If they call the office, you know somebody is going to answer the phone right away.”

The most rewarding part comes when ideas become reality. “When we get to interact with the customers and bring their vision to life, I love that challenge of taking an idea.” The final reveal never loses its impact. “The last day when we’re done and we’re doing our final walkthrough, we’re putting our last eyes on it and all the pieces are falling together.”

That moment is what makes the work worthwhile. “I love it when our customers are excited about moving in. I love seeing that. That’s really fun. That’s very exciting for me.”

Always Striving for Great

The difference between good and great remains a guiding principle. “We always talk about the difference between being good and great,” Jeremy said. “And we always want to be great.” That expectation applies to every project. “We always want to make sure that when our product is done, it’s great.”

This RoMac Builder’s Spotlight highlights a custom home builder focused on people, guided by creativity, and committed to building homes that reflect the individuals who live in them. Watch the full video to hear Jeremy Hauff and Lindsay Dukic share their story and approach in their own words.