Builder Scott DeLoof enjoys working with clients to help make their dreams a reality
How did you get started in building?
When I was in high school, I worked the summers for my father and grandfather. Melvin DeLoof, my grandfather, owned the business then with my father, Dave DeLoof.
I framed homes with them during the summer for as long as I could until I had to go back to school. Then I had work release and left school and went back to pounding nails. Ive been at this 12 years full-time. They have pictures of me working back when I was 10 years old.
What made you realize you wanted to do this for the rest of your life?
This is something I felt I had a gift for. I was pretty good at it right from the get go. I enjoy working with my hands. I knew I would never be cut out for an office job. Thats why I pursued this. … Its been a great career for me.
What was the first thing your father and grandfather let you do on your own?
We were finishing off a house, and Grandpa wanted me to put quarter round down around the baseboard in the basement. … I did great at it and the next thing you know I was putting in staircases and trimming the house out and started framing them.
What project are you most proud of?
We built a 10,000-square-foot home from start to finish, totally custom. Its gorgeous. It won a lot of awards. … It had a rotunda in the center and the staircase wrapped around all the way up. The rotunda wrapped around in a teardrop shape and that split off into all the different rooms upstairs.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I enjoy interacting with people. I enjoy talking with them and trying to make their dreams a reality. … I really do enjoy using my hands and getting all done and looking back and saying, Wow, thats what we produced. Thats kind of the reward of the job.
What do you enjoy least?
The bookwork side of it tax season and dealing with accounts receivable and accounts payable.
Is there a builder you admire?
I always admired my grandpa. He taught me a lot. He was a great mentor in this business, as was my dad.
What did you learn from them?
I learned everything from the ground up. I learned from my dad the business side of it and from my grandpa the hands-on side of it. If it wasnt for those guys, I probably wouldnt be in this business. Grandpa passed away two years ago. Dad still works in the business.
What do you like to do when youre not working?
I do a lot of drag racing on the side. We do sand drag racing. Its something Ive been doing since I was in high school, too, and its just kind of grown on me. Ive gone as far as Las Vegas.
Do you have a wife and children?
My wife, Audrey, works at Bronson as a physical therapist assistant. We are expecting our first child in March. We dont know yet if its a boy or a girl. She doesnt want to know. I want to know.
Similar Posts:
- Keeping House
- Ebooks
- The Owner-Built Log House
- The Owner-Built Log House
- You have to agree to disagree
