From high-end ski homes to family neighborhoods, JSM Builders delivers quality across Steamboat Springs
Since its inception in 1998, JSM Builders has built hundreds of homes in and around Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Modern Home Builders last sat down with JSM in 2024, and we’re now joined by Jeremy MacGray, President and Brian Heit, Vice President, to catch up on the company’s activities.
“JSM has continued to provide a broad spectrum of services to the Steamboat Springs housing market,” he begins. “We’ve remained focused on offering a range of product types to serve all buyer demographics and the diverse housing needs within our community. Our broad skill set across multiple disciplines allows the company to work on everything from ultra high-end homes to entry-level condo projects, and everything in between.
“The Astrid project, for example, is a high-end development that will have some of the highest price point homes in Steamboat’s history, with top-tier finishes and amenities, along with ski-in ski-out access and unparalleled views. Meanwhile, the Glen project is a 140-house neighborhood in Steamboat for which we are the exclusive builder. The project offers single family homes and town homes for locals and second homeowners looking for a family neighborhood.”
Trust is the defining characteristic of JSM. Without it, no amount of skill or competitive pricing can ensure a project’s success. At its core is a deeply held belief that the moral responsibility to the owner must outweigh even personal interests, something the company views as inherent: it’s either in the DNA or it isn’t. JSM has fostered an environment built on full transparency, constant availability, and open communication, as Jeremy highlights:
“The construction industry can sometimes present challenges around cost transparency, particularly for owners who may be less familiar with the process or unsure what to look for when reviewing monthly payment requests. JSM recognizes the importance of addressing these concerns. Both our team and systems are designed to promote clarity, accountability, and fairness, ensuring that all parties are aligned and that the owner’s interests remain the top priority.
“The second defining characteristic of JSM is our broad presence and experience across all parts of the industry. Our custom homes gain the efficiency and financial economy of our buying power from production projects, and our entry level homes get the precision, quality, and care that our custom home clients experience,” he elaborates. “Our long history of building luxury homes combined with our development expertise ensures we know how to optimize design to maximize budget and create the best experience. Instead of spending money on expensive structural components or inefficient layouts, we ensure dollars will be directed to the aspects clients see, feel, and encounter daily.”
Streamlined experiences
Home building is a dynamic and complex process that can often be stressful. In response, the team at JSM has spent years refining its approach to operate as efficiently as possible, eliminating unnecessary middlemen, empowering staff, committing to trusted partners, and avoiding overextension. By planning, prioritizing thoughtful design, maintaining precise scheduling, and clearly communicating expectations with all parties involved, JSM works to create a smoother, more streamlined experience.
“Our work is split fairly evenly between custom homes and spec homes, with each making up about 50 percent of our revenue,” Jeremy continues. “When it comes to custom homes, we take a boutique, highly detailed approach. We allow the time and flexibility needed to truly tailor each home to a client’s specific vision and expectations. Our project managers and estimators are involved from the very beginning through to completion, working closely with the architect to ensure the design and budget stay aligned with the overall direction.
“Accurately pricing a custom home comes from years of hands-on building experience; no set of drawings can fully capture the intricacies of a personalized build. To maintain that level of detail and attention, our superintendents and project managers focus on fewer homes at a time, allowing us to be more hands-on throughout the process.
“For spec homes,” he continues, “we design and build move-in ready properties with the buyer in mind. This approach offers several advantages, including a faster timeline, less financial uncertainty during construction, and fewer decisions for the buyer to navigate, since many elements are pre-selected by our team. Spec homes also tend to be more affordable than fully custom builds. For buyers who don’t have the time to wait for a custom home, prefer not to be deeply involved in the construction process, or simply want a more streamlined experience with limited design decisions, a spec home is often the right fit.”
Reputation and connection
In recent years, ProCore has been a game changer for JSM, enabling the team to manage multiple projects more efficiently without increasing staff and keeping the core team closely connected to each one. It serves as a central hub for project management, including budgeting, documentation, drawings, and communication. Architects, engineers, and subcontractors all use the platform, ensuring alignment as projects progress and designs evolve. Clients are also given access to photos and documents, allowing them to stay as informed as they choose.
“Additionally,” Brian shares, “JSM is deeply committed to supporting the local community through a wide range of organizations and initiatives, reflecting our long-standing investment in the place we call home. As we approach our 30-year anniversary, that longevity and success have been built on a foundation of integrity, hard work, and a strong commitment to relationships and follow-through. In a small town, that consistency has fostered trust and helped the business grow and endure challenges. Being rooted in the community, raising families locally and engaging in other area businesses have further strengthened our reputation and connection to the region. Ultimately, a commitment to ethical practice and values-driven leadership has been central to JSM’s continued success.
“Indeed, the JSM culture is one of the best parts of the company,” Brian enthuses. “We have cultivated an environment that is free and empowering for competent individuals. We have purposely hired the highest quality people and let them do what they do best. We don’t micromanage our staff but instead try to provide them with the framework and resources needed to be successful. We provide enough structure to keep the goals of the company moving in the right direction but allow our team to truly take ownership of their projects and clients. Importantly, we also don’t view the whole world through the lens of JSM; we know there are more important things in life than work.”
Commitment to quality
Looking to the future, Jeremy shares his priorities for the remainder of 2026 and vision for the coming years. “We currently have several exceptional custom homes underway this year, so our custom division remains fully focused on delivering those projects. At the same time, our spec division is ramping up activity across our two developments, with the goal of bringing a diverse range of homes to market by year-end to help meet pent-up demand in Steamboat. Looking ahead, three-to-five years, we see JSM continuing to be a long-standing presence in the valley,” he concludes. “Our hope is that its legacy will carry forward into the next generation of builders who share the same values and commitment to quality that have guided us over the past 27 years.”