Hamptons Home Builder Becomes the Second Recipient of the Award
The Millennium Award is a prestigious award that salutes remarkable experts who, through strength and innovation, have a positive impact on businesses and the local community. This year, this award is being presented to Ronald “Bud” Webb for his tireless contributions to his community and his prevailing attitude of positivity and hope as one of the preeminent contractors in the Hamptons.
Bud Webb’s journey began in East Hampton. After graduating high school, he spent two semesters at Alfred State in Architectural Engineering. “I have been in the high end residential construction business ever since,” Webb told us, “first working with my father and then on my own.” His father began the business in the 1970’s. In fact, Bud is a fourth generation builder, with a legacy that spans ninety years, beginning with such iconic East Hampton landmarks as St. Luke’s Church and East Hampton Library. It’s obvious that his love for design and building have followed him since childhood.
A lot of talented contractors might jump ship and take their gifts to New York City, but Webb likes to stay close to his roots. He loves East Hampton and is proud to call it home. Community in the Hamptons is vital to him and he does what he can to help maintain that foundation. He says, “I think the concept of community has always been very strong here. We always do our best to utilize the talents of other local businesses and families whenever possible.”
Bud and the Ronald Webb Builder team work to create a bond with clients and industry partners to ensure that people’s dreams become realities. Residents need to be happy and feel a solid civic sense, especially in today’s times of political tension. “I think there is a more sharp divide between Democrats and Republicans now than I ever remember, but I think that is typical throughout the country right now,” he states, knowing that keeping the fabric of civility strong is vital to any community. His designs change as needed while still maintaining the feeling of family and maintaining a neighborhood feel that spans the Hamptons. “I basically stick with tried and true methods but I keep an open mind to new materials and methods. We always have room to improve and offer our clients a better experience and end product.”
Ronald Webb Builders bases its projects on the people they will be working for and with. “I put a lot of stock in working with good, honest people. It makes for much more enjoyable experience and I feel that the finish product reflects that.” Bud takes on all types of ventures, adding, “We do all sizes of projects from very large to the smallest of service and maintenance work and the majority of our jobs are for repeat clients.” Indeed, the community knows him and knows that he understands what they want and need.
Having a local business for so long has allowed him great insight into what it takes to keep things running. For new or prospective owners, he advises, “Get real world, on the job experience. There is no substitute.” To run a successful venture, Webb suggests the following: “Having good employees, vendors and sub-contractors with a common outlook on how we do business. We have very little turnover with our employees. I think that is key.” But it comes back to the people and the community. “It all starts, however with good clients, architects and designers.” He stresses, “If the client, architects and designers are not all on the same page as us, the end product suffers and the process can become very stressful.”
With companies seeming to “go greener” every moment, Bud Webb has always based his model on sustainability and accountability. He doesn’t worry about having to change his practices with time, saying, “The foundation of high quality construction and business practices are the same no matter what the materials are or the design concept is. I see other contractors trying to brand themselves as “green builders” or “modern contractors”, adding, “I feel that if you are good at what you do and you are open to new techniques and materials you transcend being branded as a type of builder and you are able to change with the times.” For example, Webb has what he calls a “transparent building experience”. “We use an open book invoicing policy where we show our clients all back up documents from our vendors and sub- contractors with our profit and overhead clearly defined and openly shown.” Once again, we see that his dedication to creating long lasting relationships in his community prevails above all else.
Yes, Bud Webb has a world of knowledge and experience, and the work he and his company do is amazing, but it’s the dedication to people; his family of neighbors and clients, that sets him apart. His favorite part of his job is, “My daily interactions with all of the people involved in the process from the client to the design professionals to the employees.” A final thought? “I love it.”
It is that love and devotion that allows Millennium to present the The Millennium Award to Ronald “Bud” Webb, for building more than just buildings; for building a community.
-Written by Adrianne Frost