Tommy Padgett of Gun Club Road Construction has been a loyal customer of Bender Lumber for many years. Tommy understands loyalty is a two-way street. The partnership between contractor and supplier must be strong on both sides to create a winning scenario.

Tommy had a fast start right out of high school. Tommy’s father cosigned with the local bank which allowed him to build his first home for his wife and young family. This build for his loved ones gave Tommy the confidence to take up carpentry as his trade.

Continue reading about Mr. Padgett and his journey to success in the full feature below!

Two cousins, David Jenner and Reed Hodges of Authentic Homes Inc. are two totally different men who have come together and flourished because of what each one brings to the business. David with a framing structural new construction background and Reed from a remodeler’s perspective. It would seem that the different perspectives create a synergy between the two. It is the diversity of perspective and the willingness to compromise that has developed an efficient model producing an awesome product.

Learn more about Authentic Homes Inc and the synergy between the two cousins in this testimonial.

Skaggs Builders and Bender Lumber have a long history of successful building projects. Andrew Skaggs, the owner of Skaggs Builders Inc, has seen all of the changing styles and trends since he was in high school and remembers the struggles trying to make it through a downturn in the economy with sheer will, determination, and partners like Bender Lumber who helped Skaggs weather the storm.

Learn more about Skaggs Builders, Inc and how it all started in this testimonial.

Bender Lumber is proud to partner with businesses like Josh Wisley Contracting. As with most in the building business, mixing business concerns with personal concerns is challenging. Josh’s goals are to develop a system and boundaries. One of the ways he has created this balance is to build an office off-site that serves as a place to meet clients, vendors, and sub-contractors.

Bender Lumber is looking forward to our long-lasting partnership with Josh Wisley as he continues to raise the bar in customer service building in Southern Indiana.

We're very proud to have established such a wonderful partnership with a skilled and experienced builder like Tony.

Read this testimonial on how Tony Kluesner uses the homes he builds as his canvas, near Linton, IN. He is also getting ready to retire - with his daughter and son-in-law taking the reins. We'll be here for any support as they go through the transition.

At Bender Lumber we just love someone who has an ambitious spirit. We found that spirit while talking with Brandon Dugle of Madison Construction.

Like most energetic and business minded enterprisers, Brandon had several ventures with good fits and not so good fits along the way. One of his successful attempts was a powder coating business that became well known in the outdoor equipment business. Once profitable, Brandon sold this entity before starting his construction business.

Learn more about the Brandon and how his hard work and perseverance led him to where he is today.

Over the past 40 years, Tom Banister has built Banister Construction Inc. - a well-established, quality driven custom home building company. Nowadays, he and his son Chase, a business graduate of Indiana University, work together to provide what they feel is the very best end-to-end experience offered to those looking to construct a custom home. Together, alongside their team of skilled experts and network of seasoned professionals, they look to carry on the legacy Banister Construction has become known for in Columbus and the surrounding areas of Southern Indiana.

As for the future - the team at Banister Construction looks to "Continue the legacy of custom homes that Banister Construction is proud to stand for.”

Learn more about the Banisters and how their custom home journey led them to where they are today.

Artists use all kinds of methodology to express their creativity. Robert Shetterley of Above the Grade Concrete considers every project his canvas with concrete his medium. Robert spent many years behind a bull float working on the production side of the concrete business. He honed his skills but also felt there could be so much more to concrete than just laying huge slabs for General Contractors.

Robert intends to stay in Bloomington throughout the rest of his carrier while putting his signature finishes all over town.

Learn more about Robert Shetterley and how he started his concrete career.

Loren Wood did not start out with dreams of being a builder. However, as a High School math teacher he worked on the side and during the summer breaks to supplement his income as a carpenter. With a math background putting the puzzle together on a project was very enjoyable. Naturally, Loren started doing some projects on his own. As Loren’s business started to grow, he leaned on David ( for business and financial advice, as well as moral support. This was invaluable as David was an experienced and successful entrepreneur. David’s mentorship was a key part of Loren Wood Builders' growth.

Learn more about Loren Wood and how he started his construction career.

In 1981 after getting a degree from Vincennes University in the field of Construction Technology, John Jones was not ready to start his own business, so he found work with a local remodeler. After all, gaining some more practical hands-on experience could compliment what he had learned at VU. As is the case, our plans do not always work, well, as planned. Soon John was laid off with only $2500.00 in the bank. This did not seem like enough capital to get started but John was thrust, by fate into starting Jones Builders.

Learn more about John Jones and how he started his construction career.

Joe Sweeney grew up as a preacher’s kid and do-it-yourselfer. Living in an 1800s farmhouse was a family affair as everyone chipped in during the remodel projects, including young Joe, who learned and enjoyed digging into the always evolving home. The strong family ties helped anchor Joe and has made him who he is today.

Learn more about Joe Sweeney and how he started his construction career.

Justin Wisniewski (The Wiz) of Profinish Concrete began his construction career as a teen helping his uncle and grandfather on Long Island, NY. Still a teen but now in Bloomington, he took advantage of Hoosier Hills “Building Trades” 2-year program. This would build a love for building and help point him in the right direction.

Learn more about Justin Wisniewski and how he started his construction career.

In the construction business, there are two ways to learn: 1. Go to school and get a degree in Construction Technology or 2. Work under a skilled tradesman as an apprentice. It was as an apprentice, Kerry Dishman began his construction career. The only caveat, his mentor was his father who encouraged a young Kerry to learn some of all trades.

Learn more about Kerry Dishman and how he started his construction career.

When is it appropriate to tell a client “No”? According to Matt Henderson “Never”. Matt believes, even if the request was not something he specializes in, his customer has honored him with the question and a problem to solve. Matt will make every effort to network or connect his customer with the entity or person who is an expert. Matt feels by being the solutions company he will always be in the right place to secure the contract when in his skill set.

Learn more about Matt Henderson and his journey to be the solutions company.

Growing up as a preacher's kid has its challenges. Anthony Webb of Webb Construction spent his early years as the son of a traveling evangelist. Traveling from church to church, his family's financial burdens rested on the "Love Offerings" offered up as Orlow Webb held revival services.

As a sideline and a way to supplement their income, the family would take on remodeling and building projects. Doing these jobs from start to finish is where Anthony learned his skill set. This led to one new build after another as friends and neighbors recognized the quality of the homes and requested their services.

Learn more about Anthony Webb's Journey towards success.

Often, we see the very best builders or remodelers get their inspiration early on. Mostly while observing a family member who is skilled in this area. That is the case with C R Custom Renovations. Courtland Robertson of C R observed his father who was, you might say, a “Jack of all Trades”. He was not a full-time remodeler, but always had a job going as a “side hustle”. As a young boy, Courtland would be found at his father’s job sites observing and cleaning up. These early years would embed a love for creating that would influence Courtland’s desires to start his own company.

Learn more about C R Custom Renovations and his journey to success.

Bender Lumber is proud to work with businesses like CA Miller Construction.

Read this testimonial on how Chad Miller started as wanting to be a teacher first and then changed by working for his uncle in the builder and remodeler business in school.

We look forward to many years of growth with CA Miller and Bender Lumber.

Bender Lumber is proud to work with businesses like Tracy Fox Construction. Can you imagine going from factory work to a home builder? Well, that is exactly what Tracy Fox did when he started by building his own home.

Read this testimonial on how Tracy Fox started his business and how Bender Lumber is helping along the way.