Ingle Builders Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Twenty years ago, husband and wife team Mark and Cindy Ingle made the decision to leave a safe partnership and branch off into business on their own.  On their platinum anniversary, they have taken a look at the past and give us a peek into the future of Ingle Builders, Inc.

Even though they were parents with two young children at the time, neither of the duo had doubts about starting their own company.  “I don’t remember the exact process now, and I’m not sure if it was ‘youthful ignorance’ or the Lord’s guidance, but I do remember both of us saying ‘Yeah, that sounds like a good idea – let’s do it!” said Cindy.

Cindy has had an active role in Ingle Builders since day one.  She has always handled the financial part of the business and is also very active in all of the spec homes that the company builds.  “I love being in business with my husband,” she said with a smile.  “Of course, I can’t get mad and quit, even though I have tried a few times!  Mark probably finds it more difficult than I do to work together, because I don’t always do what he wants and I work on my schedule and not his.”  This statement is followed by much laughter, and then in a more serious voice “Of course, the difficulties will never outweigh the advantages of working together.  I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

As Mark reflects on the past 20 years, he notes one of the biggest changes he has seen is in the customers themselves.  With the popularity of the internet and cable television shows, customers are far more knowledgeable about the entire homebuilding process and what they want in their homes.  One thing that has not changed is Ingle Builders’ commitment to build a quality home for every customer.  “It is very important for us to have competent and reliable employees and sub-contractors,” Mark said.  “They give the customer a confidence in the workmanship and will stand behind their work for years to come.”

Ingle Builders, Inc. has expanded over the last year and it is very important to Mark and Cindy to keep that growth under control.  “I never want to be too big to have a personal relationship with every customer,” said Mark.  “I don’t ever want to sacrifice the quality that we are known for.  One of the most important things I offer to my customers is the assurance that they can trust me to build a good quality home, and that they are getting the most for their money.”

As for the future, Ingle Builders is currently working on seven projects and is getting ready to break ground on a new development off of Highway 150.  Mark and Cindy are looking forward to their company celebrating many more anniversaries.

Ingle Builders Announces Customer Referral Award Program

Ingle Builders is pleased to announce a new incentive program.  We will offer a gift certificate to a local restaurant for anyone who refers a customer that signs a contract with us. 

“We have had many of our past customers and our sub-contractors refer new customers to us,” said President Mark Ingle.  “This is a small way for us to thank them for sending business our way.  We know that there are a lot of builders out there, and when people trust us enough of us to send their friends and family our way, that means a lot.”

Ingle Builders Employees Help Build Home in Gulfport, Mississippi

It’s hard to believe that almost a year after Hurricane Katrina hit, the sound of hammers is just beginning to echo in East Biloxi, Mississippi.  Ingle Builders president Mark Ingle along with employees David “Pee Wee” Haynes, Shane Koblank and Levi Moseley were able to help break the silence on Biloxi’s Point Cadet during the first week of April.

The crew worked as part of the North Carolina Baptist Men’s group and helped to frame a home for Curtis Lopez and his family.  The home will host up to eight family members that are combining households after the horrific loss they all suffered last year.  None of the family members are receiving any insurance money, their new home has been donated by sponsors coordinated by CBS’ “The Early Show.”  The house is among the first two new home construction sites in Biloxi.

“We felt it was very important for us to donate some of our time to people in need,” said president Mark Ingle.  “We stayed at the armory in a trailer with 30 bunk beds for a week.  At the end of that week, we came home to all of the comforts we are used to.  But the people in Biloxi are living in small trailers doing the best they can to hold out hope that one day they will have a home again.  It’s sad to drive around this city and think that 9 months ago it was a place of such beauty.”

I really enjoyed getting to meet Mr. Lopez and to talk with him.  To hear first hand what it was like that day is chilling.  There is simply nothing left on the block where he lived.  Mr. Lopez has spent a lot of time helping his neighbors, and it felt so good to be able to help him.  I can’t describe how affected we all were by the people there and their gratitude towards us, even though we played such a small roll.”

When the home is completed, it will be shown on CBS’ “The Early Show” as part of “Make A Wish Week”.  Hopefully, it is just the beginning of what will be a beautiful new city.

Homes Completed First Quarter 2006