With a passion for quality and innovation, Old World Custom Homes continues to expand into new markets while maintaining its signature personalized approach 

Founded 15 years ago, Old World Custom Homes brings architecture, interior design, and construction expertise together under one roof. The company’s collaborative, client-first approach has laid the foundation for its enduring success. As Company Partner, Jim Yezbak, begins: “Being a custom home builder means everything comes down to the client. It’s the driving force behind our passion for streamlining and refining the client experience. We strongly believe that providing a top-notch experience is what fuels future opportunities. 

“We’ve integrated this philosophy into all areas of our business, from social media to the adoption of new technologies. Staying ahead of the curve ensures we provide our clients, staff, and trade partners with the best tools to enhance the building experience. Bringing our clients’ dreams to life is our standard, and we’ve spent years systemizing every facet of our business to deliver consistently high-quality outcomes on every custom build.

“Everything revolves around our consultative process. Clients are inundated with pictures and ideas online, and we’ve developed a process that helps them filter and refine their vision into a personalized home plan. The success of each build depends on how well we capture those ideas in the design and align expectations from the very beginning. From there, it’s all about execution, and we’ve partnered with some of the most skilled craftsmen in the industry to bring these plans to life. 

“One of the biggest changes we’ve made is to the structure of the business itself. With our recent expansion into the Cincinnati market alongside our operations in Columbus and Northeast Ohio, systemizing our entire process became essential. Our architectural team is now fully centralized, and by standardizing best practices for both the selection and construction processes, we’ve gained greater operational control across all divisions. 

“For 2025 and beyond, we have exciting projects on the horizon. While we have specific growth initiatives for our core homebuilding practice, the surge in demand for remodels has been impossible to ignore. That led to the formation of our remodel business last year in Northeast Ohio, and I truly believe its growth potential is limitless. Many homes in Ohio are 40 to 60 years old, creating a real need for thoughtful, high-quality renovations. Our custom homebuilding approach translates seamlessly into addressing this demand. The future is bright, and we’re just getting started.”  

Key success factors  

As the company celebrates a major milestone, Jim considers the secrets behind Old World’s success. “I can’t believe it’s been 15 years since we started out. The co-founders of Old World Custom Homes are all third generation builders, and they’ve brought such a deep and enduring passion to the work we do. Our industry is a special one, we get to create something meaningful that lasts, and we all understand the value that holds. 

“In the end, I think our success comes down to three key factors. Our relentless commitment to quality, a seamless design and build process, and, most importantly, respect for our client’s vision. From day one, we’ve always prioritized craftsmanship and collaboration, and I think that’s been a major contributing factor to our longevity as a business. 

“Everyone on our team has a real passion for creating exceptional homes. The further we expand, the stronger that passion has become. The systemization that we’ve undertaken over the past few years has laid the foundation for our long-term strategy. We have big aspirations for the business, and, in that aspect, we’re only just getting started,” he affirms. 

It’s been over a year since Modern Home Builders last sat down with the team behind Old World Custom Homes. Division President, Kevin English, reflects on the company’s recent successes: “We wrapped up 2024 the same way we did most years. We were finishing up on some amazing custom home projects, each one individualized to every aspect of our client’s vision, while ramping up to take on more in the coming year. 

“It’s difficult to spotlight any particular project, as we have such a deep respect for each and every concept we bring to life. All the homes we create feel like an adventure. We’re building new relationships, overcoming new challenges, innovating, and problem-solving — our team really thrives on that. 

“We also have a strong focus on doing things the right way, never cutting corners, but allowing the build to take shape in a meaningful and thoughtful way. Our people are all specialists in what they do, and everyone is trained in client management and communications. This allows us to manage the social and emotional aspects of a building project with ease. 

“Each project is so interesting, it’s almost impossible to dial into just one element.
The end product is always greater than the sum of its parts. We love every project we work on and bring the same level of dedication and enthusiasm wherever we go. As long as we continue adopting this approach, I believe we’ll always end each year on a high note,” he enthuses.   

Dedication to clients  

Having gone from strength to strength over the past 15 years, it’s clear that Old World Custom Homes has a bright future ahead, as Kevin concludes: “From a high level, our focus is on strategic growth in new markets and building new relationships with a wider client base. Equally, we will remain attentive to our goal of enhancing the client experience however we can. 

“In the future, it’s important that we try to stay ahead of the innovation that’s coming into the market. We’ve got 15 years of experience working as a team, and decades more as individuals, which really sets us up for long-term success. We want to refine our design and build process, using the latest tools and operational strategies, while staying true to who we are as a business. 

“Our dedication to client experience and technical expertise provides us with a strong foundation to build upon. We will continue delivering exceptional craftsmanship and a personalized approach. In doing so, I hope to see our clients, and our staff, continue to thrive in the years and decades to come.”   

www.oldworldhomes.com