Wellness + Enrichment = Life
The Why of WEL-Built Homes
by Colleen Wadeson
“Everyone can build something; not everyone does all the little things well along the way.”
Majestic mountains, rejuvenating air, crystal clear waters, and perpetual days of sunshine are daily elements of life for Central Oregonians and intrinsic to the work of Riley Hayes, owner of WEL-Built Homes located in downtown Bend.
As a lifelong Oregonian, Hayes has been active in the building industry for decades and within all regions of the state. Riley’s father was a professional builder, so his initiation into this world began as a youth, from clearing out trash and recyclables on job sites to stripping off innumerable sheets of wallpaper in extensive remodels. Throughout many summers of being exposed to all components of construction, he progressively honed his technical skills in concrete, steel, and framing houses. After serving for years as a supervisor and regional manager with a national home builder, Hayes passionately pursued an independent path and established his own custom home construction company.
Wellness, Enrichment, and Life embody the mission of WEL-Built Homes (WBH) toward a vision of a house being more than shelter, a neighborhood becoming a place of connection, the natural environment beckoning engagement, and a local community begetting commitment.
The WBH team believes that people should dwell well in all functions and facets of their custom home; in programming through preconstruction, this philosophy translates into any number of decisions from site location and orientation to lighting and materials. In a top ten state leading the nation in energy efficiency and sustainability, these standards of practice inherently contribute to the wellness pillar of a WBH project. Enrichment for new homeowners is realized as they create connections and become involved in their local communities. According to Riley, the optimal outcome of Wellness + Enrichment is: “Life lived better in Central Oregon than most anywhere else in the country.”
Collaboration Centered on Service
A custom home is one of the most significant investments for every new owner, so trust is paramount from the conception and initial stages of design, to planning and permitting, and through every phase of construction and warranty. Referred to as a “peace of mind contractor,” Hayes’ longevity of involvement extends beyond project completion; he understands that in building a home, he is building a community.
His most influential mentor through years of working together, Riley’s father constantly impressed upon him: “Everyone can build something; not everyone does all the little things well along the way.” The compound effect of doing many little things with excellence is the inspired and informed approach of the WBH team and their motivation in producing excellent projects.
AXIS3 Design Studio Director, Edmund Wadeson, agrees: “We share a common commitment to our clients; it’s in the DNA of our companies – individually and collectively – to holistically serve homeowners who are seeking an extra measure of distinctive design and personal service for their new homes.”
Honest communication and transparency are imperative for the successful start through satisfied completion of every custom home and key concerns for a majority of clients are quality, service, and budget. WBH cultivates effective local partnerships with realtors, land holders, designers, architects, trades, sub consultants, and suppliers as a competitive edge and value-add for new homeowners. Along with local alliances, WBH is strategically positioned to negotiate national agreements for the highest quality building products at the lowest cost; a comparable advantage over many other small regional builders.
“We share a common commitment to our clients; it’s in the DNA of our companies – individually and collectively – to holistically serve homeowners who are seeking an extra measure of distinctive design and personal service for their new homes.”
–Edmund Wadeson, Design Director / AXIS3 Design Studio
Pictured above, (left to right):
Matthew S. Stanwood | Construction Manager | WELBuilt Homes
Shawn Morris | Purchasing Manager | WELBuilt Homes
Riley Hayes | Founder | WELBuilt Homes
Linda Thorgeirsson | Office Manager | WELBuilt Homes
Construction Builds Character
The scope of custom home projects completed by WBH ranges from a 1,000-square-foot house at an approximate cost of $300k finished within five months, to a 6,800-square-foot, $8.5 million estate completed over two years. WBH enjoys the diversity of their work and embraces the spectrum of challenge in project variables of type, size, cost, complexity, and schedule.
Metrics of quality control and quality assurance are imperative for this team that services a high percentage of homeowners living outside of Oregon. In every aspect of management and oversight – communication, design, permitting, purchasing, construction, and close-out – the WBH team endeavors to exceed the goals and expectations of their custom home clients. With over five decades of combined experience, this seasoned group innovates creative solutions when they encounter surprises and responds proactively where resolutions are required.
Dedicated to giving back to the Central Oregon community that has supported him throughout his life and career, Hayes donates a percentage of his profit from every project to a local nonprofit organization – such as Bethlehem Inn, an emergency homeless shelter for adults and children, where he has personally served as a volunteer and board member.
With genuine enthusiasm, Hayes is “honored to work in the sticks and bricks, blemishes and imperfections of building and construction” in the high desert region of Oregon; he cannot imagine building his business anywhere else. From foundation to framing through finishes, present and prospective clients can be assured that their WEL-Built home – rooted in place within the context of community – is built well so they can live well.
