Staff Writer | Real Property & Homes
In this second installment of our exclusive Q&A series with Boxwell Homes, we turn our attention to the intersection of design excellence, innovation, and technology — core pillars that define the company’s approach to modern homebuilding.
Real Property & Homes at the Digital Free Press sat down with John Vander Maas, senior project manager at Boxwell Homes, to explore how his personal philosophy of continuous improvement shapes the company’s commitment to quality.
Drawing inspiration from a mantra instilled during his high school football days — “Good, better, best, the best never rest” — Mr. Vander Maas brings a mindset of relentless pursuit of excellence to every project.
From leveraging digital platforms like BuilderTrend to implementing Building Information Modeling (BIM) systems, Mr. Vander Maas shares how technology is transforming client engagement, streamlining communication, and enhancing project efficiency. He also discusses how innovation is tailored to each homeowner’s unique vision, balancing cutting-edge features with timeless design.
This is what he had to say:
•Boxwell Homes prides itself on excellence in design and construction. What defines “excellence” in your work?
When I was 15 years old, my JV football coach used a little saying everyday at practice that really resonated with me. It went like this, “Good, better, best, the best never rest. So make your good, better, and your better, best.” This has become a way of life for me as a husband, father, neighbor and ultimately in my profession as a builder. This is the mindset drives me as I challenge myself and our teammates everyday. When everyone embraces this mindset and operates accordingly, we achieve excellence.
•How has technology transformed the way you manage projects and communicate with clients?
The BuilderTrend app is a tool I use everyday for many different things. First, it allows me to set up a schedule we share with the clients which allows them see what is up ahead. Second, I can save pictures in BT folders, that show steady progress of the build. Last, this app saves all the selections and changes made throughout the project, which really helps clarification in the field as many of these plan changes and selections happen away from the site. This is a super helpful tool! We also make a point of sending out weekly emails to the subcontractors to keep them up to speed on what is coming up and where we are at in the project.
•Can you walk us through the digital tools or platforms you use to keep clients engaged during the building process?
We have begun using a Building Information Modeling (BIM) system recently which allows us to take 2 dimensional images and put them into 3D. Having them in 3D allows us to identify unique transitions and see how things come together well before it happens in the field. This modeling also helps to foresee potential conflicts in the drawings, solve these problems ahead of time, thereby reducing any additional lag time and overall cost.
•What role does innovation play in your design philosophy?
Innovation is not just about all the latest flashy features and technology. Each client is unique in what matters to them. For some it is the latest gadgets in technology making homes “smarter”. For others, it is the quality finishes in space; i.e. clean lines, colors and textures. What drives me in my design philosophy is understanding these differences in each client, creating a space that is functional now for them, but is also forward thinking to what lies ahead.
•How do you stay ahead of trends in homebuilding while maintaining timeless quality?
I am engaging the subcontractors at every possibility, listening to what they might doing on other jobs. Hearing about the new technologies and new products they are using on other jobs is very helpful. I also key into our clients, the homeowner, the ones putting these products and technology into use everyday. They tell the story of what works well, what we may consider changing and what stands the test of time.
