A FAMILY STORY SHAPES A FORWARD-LOOKING FIRM
Photo Credit: Winona Grey
For Jan Swartz, construction is more than a career. It’s a continuation of her family legacy and an opportunity to use her passion, skills, and knowledge of the home building industry to build homes that will stand the test of time.
Swartz Construction was founded in the 1940s when Jan’s grandparents traded Indiana farming for a fresh start in Arizona. Her father earned his business degree and worked alongside her grandparents in the family enterprise until taking the helm in the 1970s. Growing up, Jan watched her father run the business and remembers how impressed she was with his leadership. She showed her own aptitude at a young age, buying several homes in college and beyond, fixing them up, and selling them -- before the term “flipping” had entered the vernacular. After earning a B.S. in Biology, she worked in corporate healthcare, eager to gain outside experience and establish independent financial security before returning to join her dad.
Jan quickly proved herself at Swartz Construction, bringing her leadership, technology, and organizational skills to the business. However, Jan’s time working alongside her father was cut short when he passed away unexpectedly in 2013.
“It was sink or swim,” said Jan. “I had three major remodels in process and a team counting on me.”
She chose to swim. For over 12 years, under Jan’s leadership, Swartz Construction has continued to build its reputation as a premier homebuilder. About 75% of the company’s work is residential, and a quarter is commercial. Remodeling projects in Paradise Valley and Phoenix account for the majority of the work, with a growing number of custom and spec home projects.
“I attribute our success to our commitment to get things right. I’m fortunate to have incredible subcontractors and an amazing in-house team, many of the same people who worked for my dad, and in some cases, multiple generations of families working for Swartz Construction – who share the same steadfast dedication as my grandfather, father, and myself.”
Clients share their appreciation for the Swartz integrity and Jan’s calm demeanor in shepherding a project from start to finish. They know she won’t rest until a vision is brought to life and exceeds their expectations.
“We have the ability and the willingness to work with our designer and in-house draftsman to bring some very special elements to the homes we build,” says Jan. “We enjoy the challenge of thinking outside the box, and have worked creatively to bring a lot of different and interesting things to life. When it comes down to it, that is what we feel most proud of - the process of overcoming obstacles with perseverance to achieve uniquely beautiful results is really the best thing ever.”
Case in point: when a loyal client wanted to build a hidden wine cellar with a secret bookcase entrance and a poured barrel concrete ceiling featuring the night sky complete with a fiber-optic Milky Way, Jan and her team made it happen. The result, she says, was spectacular.
Swartz Construction has gradually grown to expand the number of projects, and added a complementary business called Skill Shop, specializing in custom millwork such as cabinetry, trim work, shelving, furniture, pocket doors, interior doors, and more.
In addition to several renovation projects, Swartz Construction has a spec home project underway in the Biltmore neighborhood that will be available later this year.
“My work is rewarding,” shares Jan. “There is a tangible result in the end that is beautiful. We don’t rest until it is amazing. When I hear from somebody that I have impacted their life in a positive way, it’s incredibly satisfying. Honestly, I feel like that is what we are all looking for.”
Learn more at swartzconstruction.com and skillshopllc.com
