Barry Rutenberg and Associates Inc. has been a leading Gainesville-area homebuilder since 1973, and the company continues to enhance its legendary tradition.
The Rutenberg tradition emphasizes being highly flexible in accommodating customers, from making extensive modifications to one of the company’s 70 existing floor plans to devising multiple unique designs.
Barry Rutenberg and Associates provides the best of both worlds. The company offers the personalized service of a hometown builder with high quality standards while also offering the benefits of a franchise of Arthur Rutenberg Homes Inc.
The leaders of the company’s personalized services are President Dale Kinsell and Brenda Banks, vice president of sales and marketing REALTOR with Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices.
Three generations of Rutenbergs are involved in the company. Kinsell’s wife, Lisa (who is the company’s vice president), is the daughter of founder Barry Rutenberg and the granddaughter of Arthur Rutenberg, who started Clearwater- based Arthur Rutenberg Homes in 1953.
“Arthur Rutenberg Homes’ unique franchise system ensures our homeowners that they get the best of both worlds,” Banks said. “By choosing an Arthur Rutenberg Home, you work with a small builder that has access to a large company’s resources that deliver value.”
The company’s approach means homeowners don’t lose out on the personal attention they deserve.
“All our processes are focused on the homeowner — from our rapid quote system to our management software system that helps keep the building process organized, eliminates waste and creates value along the supply chain,” Banks said. “This allows us to pass lower prices on to our homeowners.
“We may be big, but we act small,” Banks added.
Realtor Charlene Dinkla has sold more than a dozen Barry Rutenberg homes over the past 10 years, part of the 1,000 that the company has built.
“They are reliable and innovative,” said Dinkla, who is an agent with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Trend Realty.
Customers who have bought Rutenberg homes often thank her for recommending the company, she said, adding, “They especially appreciate that Rutenberg’s outstanding warranty gives them peace of mind.”
OFFERING A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
Rutenberg homes emphasize a sense of spaciousness while blending air-conditioned space with outdoor space.
The approach was what wanted when they moved to Gainesville from Boston two years ago.
“After 13 years of shoveling snow and wearing heavy coats for many months of the year, we were determined to be open to the outdoors,” Tom said.
Their Rutenberg home, located in Wilds Plantation, exceeded their expectations. It incorporates 3,900 square feet indoors and 1,500 square feet of space under a screened enclosure, which includes a pool, hot tub, outdoor kitchen and fireplace.
The couple also wanted a home with a good flow, a spacious feel and ample storage.
They immediately felt they were on the right track when they visited a Rutenberg model home at the suggestion of Toba Smith, an agent with Coldwell Banker M.M. Parrish Realtors.
“We really liked the grandeur of the model,” Tom said. “It had the flow we wanted, and it made a statement.”
The model had a typical Rutenberg feature: a bank of tall glass doors between the indoor space and the outdoor space that can opened and closed, depending on the weather.
“They were a real selling point,” Tom said.
Brenda Banks, vice president of sales and marketing, won over the Biggers, Tom said.
“She’s very professional and knowledgeable about the building process, and she helped find the perfect home site for us,” he said.
The couple traveled to other Rutenberg homes from Tampa to St. Augustine while also looking at homes from other builders.
“The Rutenberg homes always came out on top,” Tom said.
Banks helped the couple find their lot, which is wooded and secluded, providing the sense of privacy the couple wanted.
The Biggers combined two Rutenberg designs and made extensive changes beyond that.
Those changes included:
• Raising ceiling heights in the main living areas from 10 feet to 12 feet
• Installing tray ceilings to add dimension to rooms
• Expanding the bedroom to create a large sitting area
• Raising the height of the garage to provide extra storage
“Whatever we wanted, they were willing to do,” Tom said. “There was never an upcharge above the actual expense of the change.”
Tom asked Kinsell for a quartz kitchen sink instead a stainless steel one. “Dale came back to me and said, ‘We owe you money for that change,’” he said.
Traditional features were also important to the Biggers. They brought in iron lighting fixtures from New England and incorporated wainscot in spots throughout the house.
The Rutenberg team of designers worked with a designer who is a friend of the Biggers.
“We did a lot of homework, but everyone helped us to pull it all together,” Pat said.
The Biggers have built seven homes over the past 25 years, and building this home was the best experience they’ve had with a builder, Tom said.
“It was wonderful, and we still get together with Brenda and Dale. It means a lot to be able to break bread with your builder after the work’s done,” he said.
OAKMONT SETS THE PACE
Barry Rutenberg and Associates has always built homes in prestigious communities, and now it is establishing a presence in the emerging community of Oakmont.
The subdivision, located west of Haile Plantation and extending to Parker Road, includes nearly 1,000 lots on 556 acres.
The community features gentle hills dotted with playground areas, walking paths and towering live oak trees.
Additionally, Oakmont will offer a diverse combination of amenities including tennis courts, an amphitheater, a basketball court, a resort-style swimming pool and a multi-purpose activity field. All of this is arranged around a Resident Club that will house a state-of-the-art fitness center and a grand gathering room.
“Oakmont is a genuinely people-oriented community with a warm and welcoming heart focused on easy and stylish living that is balanced with nature at every touch point,” Banks said.
A HISTORY OF HONORS
Barry Rutenberg and Associates is continuing its history of winning industry recognition.
The recognition is found throughout the company; Barry Rutenberg served as both the president of the Florida Home Builders Association and as the past chairman of the National Association of Home Builders. He also has been inducted into the Florida Housing Hall of Fame.
In 2011, the company won the Builder Gold Cup, which is awarded to the Arthur Rutenberg Homes franchise with the highest customer satisfaction rating on customer surveys.
In 2013, Dale Kinsell was honored as the Florida Builder of the Year.
“We’re proud of our heritage, and we’re dedicated to continuing to meet and exceed homebuyers’ expectations in North Central Florida,” Kinsell said.