As soon as Mervin Jay Beiler was old enough to swing a hammer, he started building things. He recalls cutting down saplings and building a log cabin by hand as a kid along with his twin brother. "I never questioned that I would do anything else as a career. It's in my blood," Beiler says.

Born and raised in Lancaster County, Beiler continued working with his hands and growing his skill set in his father's company. It was not just the fundamentals of quality construction that he learned, but also a responsible work ethic and appreciation for customer loyalty. This is the foundation on which M. Jay Builders was built in 2007 when Beiler was 23.

"I took all of my passion for this craftsmanship and funneled it into my business. From early on I valued giving customers the right product—not just the fastest product—with research behind it to provide something that would be better in the end," he says.

This philosophy is shared by the company's general manager, Donald Owens II, who also spent time as a child in Lancaster County building playhouses and other projects, and hasn't stopped since. He had firsthand experience with his father and brother who were both independent contractors, and he spent many years specializing in custom trim and cabinetry which require an unrivaled eye for detail.

M. Jay Builders prides itself on the values of integrity, quality and creativity—the guiding principles of every project no matter the size. With the homeowner's vision at the forefront, M. Jay Builders brings it to life with trusted, high-end products that will make a home stand out as well as keep it protected.

Services offered run the gamut from roofing, siding and stucco remediation to specialty projects inspired by customers. And while a lot of companies can say they provide these services, M. Jay Builders aims to make the homeowner's experience far from average. And it appears to be hitting the target, as word of mouth is its main method of gaining new business as well as repeat customers.

"We're an experienced company; we've done the research on the materials and proper installation," says Owens. "Some contractors might be OK with just seeing a satellite image of your roof, but I prefer to walk it, count the layers and check the decking. This gives us the most accurate information we need to move forward with the project."

Roofing and siding products have undergone incredible innovations in recent years. Homes in need of replacement in these areas will find new options that surpass their expectations in aesthetics and longevity.

Among the favorites for roofing at M. Jay Builders are cedar shingles. "We use only premium, 100% edge-grain shingles with the longest warranty on cedar. The premium grade comes with a 50-year warranty," say Owens. "The cost isn't for everybody, but cedar is ideal for a historic home or in a neighborhood where you just want that extra pop."

Synthetic options are available as well, simulating cedar and slate. M. Jay Builders works with brands such as DaVinci and Inspire to provide homeowners with the look they want without the associated cost, while still delivering a quality product that will last.

In the world of siding, the name James Hardie comes to mind, and it is one of the top two preferred brands installed by M. Jay Builders. Owens says James Hardie fiber cement siding comes with a 30-year warranty on the substrate (the underlying layer) and a 15-year warranty on the finish, and can be made in virtually any color. While this is one of the most popular and most requested types of siding, Owens says LP SmartSide is another great choice for homeowners to consider. Although it doesn't have the name recognition of James Hardie, LP SmartSide comes with a 50-year warranty on the substrate and a 15-year warranty on the finish, and costs about the same.

Siding options may come into consideration for homeowners looking to remediate or replace their stucco facades and M. Jay Builders has extensive experience. In this region, stucco remediation is common due to improper flashing and application during initial installation. Owens says over the years as homeowners remodeled, they discovered their plywood and insulation were rotting behind the stucco.

"It's hard to sell a home with stucco these days, but our new stucco installations have been vigorously tested and approved and can last as long as anything else you put on your home," he says. "But we do have a lot of homeowners choosing to replace stucco with siding and stone veneer."

Not only does M. Jay Builders stand by its products, but its people as well. Beiler values his employees and has high standards for them. Crews are well-trained so homeowners don't have to worry about how well a project will be done or who is showing up. When more help is needed, he only uses select subcontractors he would be willing to have as employees, and they are held to the same standards.

"We value hard work. It's part of our culture and the way God created us to work, serve others and provide for our families. I am very thankful to be able to work with such fine craftsmen and provide genuine quality services to homeowners," Beiler says.

M. Jay Builders, Inc.
5697 Strasburg Road
Gap, Pa. 17527
(610) 656-9389
MJayBuilders.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 21, Issue 9 (June 2021). 
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