How Michael F. Simon Builders upholds its position as one of Madison’s oldest and finest homebuilders
In the competitive world of custom home building and remodeling, Michael F. Simon Builders (MFS Builders) has established itself as a trusted name in Madison and the surrounding areas. Known for setting the highest standards in the industry, the company offers a full spectrum of bespoke services, from initial design concepts and client consultation through to seamless coordination, construction, and refined finishing touches. Whether it’s crafting a new custom home or transforming an existing space, the business is driven by a passion for construction and a commitment to delivering timeless design and exceptional client experience at every stage of the construction journey.
As MFS Builders embarks further on its 133rd year, Modern Home Builders sits down with Paul Simon, company President, to dive deeper into the business’ incredible legacy and discover how his leadership is scaling that legacy to new heights.
“My great grandpa founded MFS Builders in 1893, and it’s one of the oldest businesses in the area,” Paul begins, providing a snapshot into MFS Builders’ earlier days. “Back when the business first started, my great grandpa was working on farmhouses for a dollar a day. We then got further into construction and began buying and developing farmland to build new homes, becoming more of a production builder. In the 1980s, my uncle Mike transitioned us from a production builder to the high-end custom builder for which we’re known today. At that point, we began to focus more on project quality over quantity.
“I’m the fourth generation owner; my grandpa took over the business after my great grandpa and incorporated it, then it was run by my father and uncles before it was handed down to me,” he recounts. “When I was young, I remember riding around the job site with my dad and seeing all the things that the business was doing firsthand. It was really cool to see everything that he was so proud of and I knew I wanted to do the same thing. I joined the company in 2009 during the Great Recession and then took over full time leadership in 2020 during Covid. I’ve seen the best and worst of times and tried to grow and learn through them all.”
Communication is key
As MFS Builders continues to evolve, its legacy remains rooted in superior craftsmanship, high-quality materials, and exceptional customer service. At MFS Builders, customer care is paramount, and for generations, one constant has been its commitment to employing in-house carpenters which continues to set it apart from other builders in the Madison area. Equally central to the business’ ongoing success is a clear and consistent approach that guides both internal operations and client relationships, ensuring that it delivers a reliable and transparent experience every time.
“Today, roughly 30-to-50 percent of our work is repeat business. We build around two-to-five new homes each year, depending on how complex they are, along with 30-to-40 remodels,” Paul elaborates. “Because of our high levels of repeat business, it’s really important that we have the same process each time a client comes back to us. One of the things we believe in is that, in construction especially, communication is key; you can’t over-communicate. Every week, we update our homeowners so they know what’s happening that week, what’s planned for next week, and what we need from them. Alongside that, we’ve found that having our lead carpenters on site running the daily activities while project managers oversee the operation and liaise with clients to be a very good combination that works well for us.”
This disciplined, communication-driven approach has allowed MFS Builders to apply the same consistency, attention to detail, and commitment to improvement to each project. Through this methodology, the company views each project as an opportunity to combine efficiency with thoughtful design, as seen in some of its most recent developments.
“I’m really happy with our recent projects. One in particular was for a repeat client that we worked with in 2008 and 2010,” Paul says. “It’s a new home that’s overflowing with cool features, but still has a modest presence. Here in Wisconsin, we have snow for around a third of the year, so this home has a radiant heating system with heated floors, a heated driveway, and heated exterior panels. We completed the project in collaboration with Udvari Solner Design Company (architect) and Silverleaf Interiors (interior designer), who did an absolutely fantastic job on the design, layout, and furnishings.”
Upholding values
Building on MFS Builders’ existing foundations, Paul’s approach to leadership is focused on thoughtful evolution rather than sweeping change. The emphasis has been on refining what already works, while introducing strategic improvements that support both the team and the long-term growth of the business.
“When I took over the business, I was in a unique position where, thanks to previous generations of hard work, I had a great blueprint for success,” Paul reveals. “My goal for the first few years wasn’t to rock the boat or change anything, but rather to continue to modify and improve our processes as we moved forward. For example, to attract and retain skilled team members, we implemented a profit sharing program in 2020, which promotes loyalty and longevity, and helps the team to hold each other accountable. In 2025, we revamped our employee benefits package and it now rivals any within the industry. However, our core philosophies – the craftsmanship, integrity, and treating people like family – will always remain the same.”
As MFS Builders looks to the future, its strength will continue to lie not only in its remarkable history, but also in its ability to adapt, refine, and uphold the values that have defined it for over a century. Under Paul’s leadership, the company is well-positioned to continue building exceptional homes and executing great remodels, as well as forging lasting relationships, for many more generations to come.
“Looking back to 2025, we had a nine-to-11-month backlog with our remodel projects where someone would sign with us before the project began,” Paul says. “Because of this, we added our third project manager earlier this year – more than we’ve ever had in our history – and that has allowed us to hire additional carpenters to get that backlog down. Alongside that, we’re pushing to make sure we get recognition for our team’s hard work and to help attract clients who value the quality and ethics that come with that. We’ve won multiple awards through the Madison Area Builders Association and we’re ready to enter more in the future.
“Over the next three-to-five years, we want to remain in that mindset of sustainably growing our portfolio of high-end, architecturally significant custom homes and remodels in Madison,” he concludes, excited for the future. “As we continue to grow, I’d love to develop an in-house maintenance service. It’d be great to be able to proactively reach out to our past clients and make sure that their homes continue to look awesome year after year.”