Hearthside Homes: Rookie of the year finds success through new opportunities

See how this Kansas City builder is using the value of CBUSA to bring greater success to his business and their local market.

House interior photo of kitchen with island sink

Who is Hearthside Homes?

In the heart of Kansas City, Hearthside Homes has been quietly building more than just houses – they’ve been crafting dreams since 1987. Under the leadership of Dennis Shriver, who acquired the company in 2010, Hearthside Homes has transformed into a powerhouse in the market. Specializing in move-up style homes, the company now boasts an impressive annual revenue of $45 to $50 million.

“We don’t build high-end custom homes like a lot of builders in CBUSA,” Dennis said. “But we focus on what we do best – creating beautiful, functional homes for families looking to take that next step up.”

With a production pace ranging between 50 and 90 homes per year, Hearthside has become a cornerstone for Kansas City residents seeking quality craftsmanship paired with thoughtful design. Even in a competitive market, the company’s dedication to its core values and community has kept it moving forward.

Whether it’s a family searching for their forever home or a young couple upgrading their starter house, Hearthside Homes delivers a seamless and satisfying experience – one home at a time.

Company name
Hearthside Homes

Industry
Custom homes

Location
Kansas City, Missouri

Seeing the benefits: Looking for something bigger

When Hearthside Homes joined CBUSA, it wasn’t just about saving money – it was about gaining access to something bigger.

And as a Buildertrend customer, he felt confident it was something he wanted to be a part of.

“I’d heard of CBUSA in the past, but it really caught my attention when Buildertrend purchased it, and I decided to reach out,” Dennis said.

At the time, Hearthside Homes was looking for a way to address a key challenge in their market. With not many larger builders in their area, suppliers tended to have the upper hand. Individual builders didn’t have enough purchasing power on our own to really make a difference.

“I’d absolutely recommend it to other builders. The pricing, the rebates and the chance to learn from others – it all adds up to success.”

– Dennis Shriver, Owner of Hearthside Homes

That’s where CBUSA’s group purchasing organization became a game-changer.

Joining CBUSA has been a strategic move with tangible results – both financially and operationally. Though the Kansas City chapter is just over a year old, Dennis has already seen significant benefits from being part of the network.

“Financially, we’ve recognized tens of thousands in rebates, and that’s just from tackling the low-hanging fruit,” he said.

Their approach has been methodical, starting with programs that were simple to implement. By selecting opportunities that aligned with their existing workflows – such as leveraging negotiated pricing on materials they were already purchasing – they could quickly see results without needing to overhaul their processes. This gradual approach allowed them to build confidence in CBUSA’s systems while positioning themselves to tackle more complex programs as they gained familiarity with the network.

“So far, that strategy has worked well for us,” Dennis said.

Finding success: Discovering value beyond cost savings

But for the Hearthside team, the financial incentives are just one piece of the puzzle.

“The financial side is the hook to get you in, but beyond that, the collaboration has been incredibly valuable,” he said. “You don’t know what you don’t know and having the forum to sit down with peers and talk through issues has been huge.”

CBUSA members meet regularly within their local chapters, creating opportunities to share insights, discuss challenges and collaborate on solutions. These meetings foster a sense of community and allow builders to learn from one another’s experiences, ultimately strengthening their businesses through shared knowledge and support.

The savings on supplier costs were immediate and impactful, but Dennis quickly realized there was more to CBUSA than just the numbers.

“Sitting down with other builders, finding out what they’re doing, what works, what doesn’t – it’s been great to have that collaboration, even among local competitors.”

Beyond the local community aspect, CBUSA’s partnerships with national brands opens doors to opportunities Hearthside Homes wouldn’t have had otherwise.

“We’ve started to dive in one contract at a time, moving some of our business exclusively to national contractor brands,” Dennis said. “We’ve switched all our roofing to GAF and are going Emser exclusive on tile.”

These relationships, facilitated by CBUSA, have been invaluable.

“We’ve been able to work with folks who, without CBUSA, we probably wouldn’t have,” Dennis said. “It’s made a big difference in those conversations.”

For Hearthside Homes, joining CBUSA has been about much more than collective buying power. It’s been about building relationships, fostering connections and gaining access to opportunities that help them thrive.

And the collaboration extends beyond Kansas City, too. By attending CBUSA’s annual event, The Summit, Dennis has connected with builders from other markets.

House interior with large windows and wood floors

“It’s been helpful to interact with people outside of our area, find out what’s working for them, and see how we can apply those strategies here,” he said.

This year’s event was particularly special as Dennis was named CBUSA’s Rookie of the Year. This award recognizes a new builder member who has quickly become a standout within the group. Dennis earned this award because of his high engagement and leadership among peers, which made a significant impact in a short time.

“I was very surprised,” he admits. “I didn’t realize I had done anything recognizable, so it was a pleasant surprise. I appreciate the recognition. We were just trying to maximize the value of being part of the organization.”

While he humbly downplays his contributions, his role in helping establish the local Kansas City market and recruiting initial members demonstrates his leadership and commitment.

For Dennis and his team at Hearthside, the benefits of CBUSA are clear: financial rewards, operational efficiency and the invaluable opportunity to collaborate with peers.

“I’d absolutely recommend it to other builders,” he said. “The pricing, the rebates and the chance to learn from others – it all adds up to success.”

Kansas City is an up-and-coming market in CBUSA’s network. Are you ready to join in on their success?

If you’re a builder who’s looking to grow and make a lasting impact in the industry, we’d love to have you join our network.

Apply to become a CBUSA member today and start seeing the benefits of building relationships, fostering collaboration and gaining access to opportunities.