John Paul Builders

In 1999 Paul Rueda and John Bishop founded John Paul Builders (JPB), a custom home construction firm serving customers throughout northern and central New Jersey. Over the years, the business has grown. With more than 50 years of experience between the partners, Rueda and Bishop have established a recognized and reliable name in the construction industry. Now, the partners work with a team of 10 employees, providing construction management services, as well as advocacy for homeowners dealing with the aftermath of a natural disaster.

While JPB has long performed home construction and renovation work, the business diversified in response to Hurricane Sandy, the devastating storm that swept up the East Coast in 2012, destroying homes and taking lives.

“We saw a huge need in our community after Hurricane Sandy,” explains Rueda. “People were being displaced and we knew we could offer an affordable solution and make a difference. The people in the Jersey Shore communities are passionate about taking care of their neighbors.”

Rueda and Bishop embrace a similar mentality in business. After expanding the company’s geographic footprint to the shore, the partners have worked closely with displaced families to rebuild lost homes.

“We do not perform restoration work,” Rueda clarifies. “We specialize in modular and frame construction. We are helping people rebuild their homes from the ground up.” Starting with the aftermath of a disaster, the JPB crew takes care of clearing the debris, helps homeowners plan a new structure and puts the finishing touches on these houses, all while working as a liaison to secure financing from insurance agencies.

Home again

The company builds homes from Mystic Island up to Union Beach, N.J., along with a second location covering Staten Island and Long Island, N.Y. “All of our projects are unique and rewarding, because we have the chance to improve homes and communities,” Rueda explains. “Our heart has really been with the people dealing with the hurricane aftermath. Without the people, there is no Jersey Shore. All of these people have stories and we get to share in that. Our work is pretty special.”

I addition to rebuilding homes, JPB is helping families make sure the same devastation does not strike twice. The business utilizes Eco Red Shield Lumber in framing, designed to resist hurricane-force winds. The team has established strong partnerships with suppliers to ensure low pricing. Affordability continues to attract homeowners, who know they can rebuild a strong, safe home without breaking the bank. JPB uses only the highest quality materials in home construction, helping new homes resist damage from mold, termites, water and fire, all while providing a safe, homey space for families to enjoy for years to come.

Recover work after Hurricane Sandy is still going more than 18 months after the storm touched down. Rueda and Bishop are looking ahead to more work that will ease the burden on the displaced.

“In the next few years, we will be constructing 86 homes for a community of families that were displaced by Sandy,” Rueda explains. “Because of our reputation, we have been selected to work with a few nonprofits and community leaders to create homes and communities for displaced elderly individuals. We love turning strangers into family.”

Continued service

Despite the tragedy involved, Hurricane Sandy offered regional construction firms a boost after several hard years through the recession. “The downturn was really rough,” Rueda recalls. “Fortunately, our reputation kept us moving. For a while, our focused changed to additions instead of new homes. As far as our performance goes, it has never been about the money for us. We are happy and passionate about what we do. Building is more than a job for us. We really like that we can change lives with our experience and make a difference for people who are going through a hard time.”

Rueda and Bishop have structured the business around personal interactions and lasting relationships. The most important relationships, of course, are with customers. Still, the company has established strategic partnerships that have lasted years with suppliers and subcontractors. The team works with pile companies, plumbers, electricians, HVAC specialists, excavators and framers who embrace the same dedication to quality that JPB has become known for.

A partnership with the New Jersey Builders Association (NJBA) also offers advantages for the team. JPB takes advantage of networking and educational opportunities that have helped the business grow and will continue to support the team’s efforts in the coming years. In 2014, the company partook in its first Atlantic Builders Conference, hosted by the NJBA.

In the years ahead, JPB will continue to grow, providing distinct home building and support services to displaced families in coastal New Jersey. “We are sticking with residential,” Rueda says. “We like the people. We are willing to take whatever the future brings, even commercial work, but residential construction is our passion.” With an unmatched knack for personal relationships and a reputation for quality and integrity, John Paul Builders is making a difference in communities all over New Jersey and into New York.