Builder Story

Regal Classic Homes

Building a home involves much more than picking a plan and finding the perfect location.  It is a journey, without the right guidance, expertise and commitment to the highest standards, it can be filled with stress, frustrations and runaway budgets.  Michael McGuffie, owner and president of Regal Classic Homes, has more than 30 years of experience in the home construction industry to help his clients navigate through this process with ease and confidence.

Mike started out working for a large national builder, where he mastered all aspects of home construction from the ground up.  He formed Regal Classic Homes in 1988.  Celebrating over 26 years of building luxury custom homes in many of Central Florida’s upscale addresses, Regal Classic Homes boasts an impressive list of satisfied clients, design and quality awards, and national recognition in the custom home industry.

The success of Regal Classic Homes can be attributed to its owner’s unique approach to work and life.  At first meeting, Mike’s personable demeanor sets the tone for open communication.  The astute businessman, who earned both an accounting degree and a master’s in business administration from the University of Central Florida, has learned over the years that the key to success involves a connection between the head and the heart.

Mike works on what he considers the foundation of every new project:  building a relationship with the homeowner.  Understanding the dynamics that come into play once a client makes the substantial financial, time and emotional commitments involved in building a custom home; Mike’s primary goal is to establish an atmosphere of trust.  This is typically accomplished during a friendly, relaxed dinner where Mike can address concerns, answer questions and inform the clients on what they can expect from him.  “I have about two hours to get to know the client and let them see who I am,” says Mike.  “During this time we are able to get a good idea if we are a match for each other.”

Though he could certainly handle more, Mike chooses to operate on a smaller scale in order to give the maximum attention and service to each client.  Mike, supervises each project and, together with office manager, Sue Densmore, oversees and executes every stage of the construction process from marketing to final walk through.  “I like to believe that we are a kinder, gentler company,” says Mike.  “We have the resources to get the job done, and we are small enough to flex and meet our client’s needs.”

Clients appreciate Mike’s hands-on participation and soon realize that the smaller operation does not translate into lower quality.  On the contrary, Regal Classic Homes is recognized among Central Florida’s most accomplished custom home builders with its membership in the elite Master Custom Builder’s Council.  An active member of the MCBC since 1990, Mike shares the organization’s commitment to exchanging knowledge and resources with his fellow custom builders in an effort to continually elevate the standards within the custom luxury home industry.  “This organization (MCBC) has come so far and it has helped us all,” says Mike.  “We are all competitors, but we have learned to do things that benefit us all as a group.”

Able to build any architectural style, Regal Classic Homes offers more than 200 plan designs that can be customized to fit the client’s style and needs.  Or, if the homeowner prefers, Mike and a home designer will start with a blank sheet of paper to create their dream home.  In addition to building new homes, Regal Classic also does large remodeling and additions to existing homes.

At the onset of each project, Mike gathers his team of professionals.  Clients have access to a wealth of information that will guide them not only when they make decisions on style, amenities and overall functionality of the home, but also looking forward to the property’s investment potential.  A Realtor is included as part of the team to help the homeowner with a variety of services including selling an existing home, finding a lot for the new home, conducting a market analysis of the surrounding area and identifying features for optimal resale value.  A home designer works closely with the client to plan the flow of the space to best match the family’s lifestyle, while an interior decorator transforms the house into a home by capturing the essence of the client’s style and taste through exquisite décor, color palette and furnishings.

As building “green” to conserve precious natural resources becomes a hot topic, homeowners are paying more attention to the energy efficiency of their homes.  Each home designed and built by Regal Classic Homes is evaluated by a certified energy rater who applies the Energy Star rating system to all aspects of the home.  An energy consumption and efficiency rating is presented to the homeowner.  Clients can make adjustments regarding the materials and other building options that may affect the home’s rating.

The Regal team incorporates the expertise of a host of other professionals, including landscape architects, pool designers and other craftsmen that contribute to the overall beauty and elegance of the home.

Regal Classic Homes proudly employees some of Central Florida’s most skilled craftsmen.  Just as Mike works hard to establish a relationship of trust with his clients, he spends equal time and energy developing a bond of mutual respect and loyalty with his subcontractors.  “I believe it is my job to make sure that the people working on my projects have the right attitude,” says Mike.  It is not uncommon for him to send notes and gift certificates to his workers expressing his gratitude throughout the building process.  The result is a solidified team concept where the workers go above and beyond to do a great job.

Weekly construction updates complete with photos keep clients informed of the project’s progression.  Each site is monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week by a live web camera, which allows both Mike and the client to view the project from any location that has Internet access.

Central Florida is fortunate to have some of the country’s best homebuilders in residence.  Under the leadership of Mike McGuffie, Regal Classic Homes will continue to reign among the elite with its commitment to quality and service.  “What really sets us apart are the relationships we develop with our clients and craftsmen,” says Mike.  “You can expect excellent quality and service when we build your home.” 

Regal Classic Homes

5036 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Ste. 237

Orlando, FL  32819

407-291-6740

www.regalclassichomes.com