At Buffington, we want to ensure every home
meets our high level of craftsmanship. That's why we select quality materials,
work with the best trade partners in the region, and have an in-depth Quality Assurance
(QA) process in place led by Steve Lampe. Steve is our quality assurance and safety coordinator, and
he's a big reason why the homes we build are considered the gold standard in Northwest
Arkansas.
Having a formal QA process creates peace of mind for our homeowners
and also means fewer warranty claims. Paying attention to details and taking
the right steps to correct issues early on pays off for everyone – and Steve is
on it. He's a smart and dedicated team member who loves helping homeowners feel
confident and ready for move-in day.
More About Steve
If you're currently building with us, or plan to in the
future, you may get the pleasure of meeting Steve on your home site. We
recently chatted with him about his role at Buffington and background in
construction and thought you'd enjoy getting to know him better. So, here's a
spotlight on our very own Steve Lampe!
How did you get into the construction business?
Growing up, my mother worked for a restoration company.
She would take me along to keep an eye on me. Eventually, I started going to
job sites with the crew and learning different aspects of demo and rebuilding residential
and commercial properties.
When I got older, I started my own handyman service company
in Denver, Colorado. At that time, I did a lot of studying and continuing
education to formally learn the trade.
In 2006, I became a full-time general contractor while
still doing handyman jobs. I hired up to 20 individuals over the years and
specialized in bathrooms, kitchens, basement build-outs. Our team also built a
few custom homes. I've always enjoyed the customer service side of things and
making sure homeowners are happy with the way things turn out.
What certifications do you have?
Over the years, I have acquired many certifications, including IIRC,
ADA, Residential and Commercial General contractor, and OSHA. I have also
taken city and state inspector courses. In 2001, I attended EMS school and even went on to become
a paramedic.
What does a construction
quality and safety coordinator do?
Construction quality comes down to the finished
product and how it presents. I look at homes at the completion stage and find
small imperfections so they can be addressed and corrected prior to the
homeowner taking possession. During the construction process, other inspections
are performed to ensure the home is built correctly and to the standards
Buffington has established for all of their homes.
What's
your process for inspecting homes, and why is it so important?
Buffington Homes uses an app-based platform tailored specifically
for our daily operations and QA process. When I first started working here, we
implemented this technology and went from inspecting approximately 90 items per
home to closer to 300 items. We review more items more thoroughly, which makes
a difference to the overall quality of a home.
My role in the QA process allows us to obtain consistency
in every house we build and deliver the best value to our home buyers!
What
makes Buffington standards higher than other home builders?
Our
team. Buffington Homes has assembled an incredible team of experts and trade
partners from many different regions. We use our experience and knowledge to work
together and create a better home and value for families across Northwest
Arkansas.
What's
one thing you'd like our homeowners to know about how you inspect homes?
When I inspect a house, I don't necessarily look at it
from a builder's point of view. I look at it from a homeowner's point of view.
I make sure things are in place and look correct. Ultimately, I want families
to feel proud of owning a Buffington Home. I want them to feel comfortable knowing
it has been looked over inch by inch and confident that one of their biggest
investments was built to incredibly high standards.
What
do you love most about your job?
I love a lot of things about my job! There are some
days I wake up before my alarm at 4:30 a.m. and can't wait to start the day. I
get to see different homes from each subdivision and interact with many people
on a daily basis. I get to see beautiful homes coming to completion and people who
are happy that they were able to achieve their goal of homeownership.
Do
you have any hobbies or special interests outside of work?
My hobbies include remodeling my own home, raising
horses, goats, and a few cows. I try to spend time in the camper, boat, and with
my family. We also volunteer at a small, local church near our home and are involved
in community services. I believe in investing my time in the community when and
where I can.
How
long have you lived in Northwest Arkansas?
We moved from Colorado to Northwest Arkansas in 2016.
I closed my business and took a step of faith to move where my wife's father
and brother live. Moving to NWA has helped us escape the hustle and bustle of
big city living and reset our roots and values for a better quality of life.
***
Steve, thank you for helping us get to know you better, and
for all you do for Buffington and our homeowners. We agree that Northwest
Arkansas is a perfect place to reset your roots!
ready to build a life you'll love?
