Discover how Matustik Builders, Inc. delivers high end luxury homes and exceeds its customers’ expectations
As the premier custom luxury home builder in the Lake Geneva, Wisconsin area, Matustik Builders is not just a construction company but rather a team that puts integrity, commitment, and creativity behind every project. That team is led by John Matustik, President, who has been pursuing his passion for home building over 35 years of experience. John’s reputation is built on impeccable craftsmanship, meticulous attention to detail, peerless devotion to client relationships, and a strong commitment to excellence. We hear from the man himself, as John joins us for an insightful conversation about his company. Starting on a strong note, he explains the ways in which Matustik Builders stands out from its competitors in the Midwest.
Timely turnaround 
“Although we have been building homes for over 35 years, we have shifted our focus to the Lake Geneva area in the last 15 years, which has become our niche. What sets us apart from other builders in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin is that we build an average home in about six-to-seven months, while our competitors take between a year and 18 months. Furthermore, our process involves a higher level of detail and quality in our homes. Interestingly, it takes us the same amount of man hours as other builders to construct a home, but we do so much work upfront that once we start construction, it progresses rapidly with trades on site every day. As a result, the home is protected from the elements, mitigating the risk of mold and minimizing the amount of moisture that materials like concrete, lumber, and drywall absorb. When homes are exposed to the elements for an extended period, homeowners often notice cracks and nail pops after moving in because the home is acclimating. By getting the home closed in and conditioned to a stable temperature quickly, we can prevent these issues and provide a better product for our clients. This is why we aim to complete construction in approximately six-to-seven months.
“Lake Geneva is a resort lake in the Midwest with pleasant summers and cold winters. None of our clients want to miss a single summer, so we consistently aim to start construction in the fall (our busiest time) to allow customers to then move into their new home before Memorial Day. We have not found any competitors in the area who offer such a quick turnaround yet. I believe that our quality, process, and commitment to finishing projects before summer is what distinguishes us from other builders,” he elaborates.
Seamless construction process
The secret behind Matustik Builders’ quick turnaround times is a heavy pre-construction process, which John comprehensively lays out for us. “Let’s use the analogy of buying a car to understand how our building process differentiates us from other builders. When you buy a car, you want the out-the-door price, you want the car ready when you want to pick it up, and you want it to be 100 percent perfect, without a scratch. We believe homeowners should not settle for anything less when they buy a home. Alas, too often homeowners move in and there is still a punch list open. As we guarantee our completion date, we also promise that by that date, the home will have absolutely no open items or punch list. Moreover, we provide an all-in, guaranteed price early in the process, while most builders use a cost-plus model, which means clients will get allowances and will not know the cost of their home until the end of the project. Therefore, if the builder goes over budget on dumpster costs for example, not only does the client have to pay for the extra costs, but the builder is also able to make more profit.
“At Matustik Builders, we simply do not believe in that approach. Instead, we coordinate the building process with the client from the beginning. We attend all architectural, cabinet, and window meetings, design all the mechanicals, architecture, and everything going in the home before starting construction. By figuring out everything ahead of time while we finalize the architectural plans, we reduce changes in the field, which can slow down the construction process and ultimately cost the homeowner more money. After the initial six-to-seven months of designing and completely finalizing everything for the client, building the home goes like clockwork for another six-to-seven months,” he goes on.
Design driven
Asked whether Matustik Builders tends to stick to a particular homebuilding style, John reveals that each home completely reflects the client’s preferences. “The style of the home is entirely up to the customer. While we do focus on certain elements on the outside of the house, for us, the inside is much more important. To me, a modern home has to be adaptable and boast a certain level of amenities and quality. Additionally, an open concept is crucial for our modern homes as they need to be intimate and cozy for the client and their partner, but also spacious enough to comfortably accommodate over 30 people during a party. When designing a modern open-concept home, we need to ensure that it is adaptable to the client’s lifestyle and evolving needs over time. For us, this style typically features taller ceilings, lots of glass, and timeless, clean, and sleek looks, though it ultimately depends on what the customer wants. At Matustik Builders, we prioritize getting the design right on the inside, as that is where the client will spend most of their time. Once we have perfected the interior design, we can then adapt the exterior to fit the client’s preferences,” he answers.
Smart solutions
To enhance the functionality and efficiency of its custom-built living spaces, Matustik Builders incorporates cutting-edge systems and technologies. “For many years, we have been using truss engineered systems, such as truss roofs and truss floors, which provide a stiffer floor with less deflection than conventional building materials. This system allows us to insulate the floors and walls for sound, resulting in a quieter living space. We also use LP Building Solutions’ high-quality building materials on the outside of our homes, eliminating the need for repainting for a minimum of ten years.
“All our homes come equipped with smart home technology to varying degrees, depending on the client’s preferences. Some clients want full automation, while others are satisfied with basic features like cameras, alarm systems, and thermostats, all of which can be controlled through a tablet or smartphone. Many of the homes we build are second homes for our clients, and such features are useful for them to check on their property while they are away. With our standard smart home technology, clients can turn off the alarm, control the heat or water, and receive notifications remotely,” John concludes.