People and Time: The Most Precious Commodities in Construction
By Jim Steg | Steg Custom Homes

In this business, everyone wants to talk about price per square foot. Material costs. Interest rates. Finish allowances.

But let me tell you something that 30 years in this industry has taught me: the two most valuable commodities on any construction site aren’t concrete or steel. They’re People and Time.

Everything we build—every foundation, every frame, every finish—depends on how we manage those two things. Lose sight of either, and the project will suffer. It doesn’t matter how luxurious the design is or how much money is behind it. When time is wasted or people aren’t respected, the wheels come off.

People First, Always

At Steg Custom Homes, we believe that relationships build homes, not just blueprints and budgets. From the laborers moving rock in 110° heat, to the clients trusting us to bring their dream home to life—everyone matters.

We take the time to know who’s on our team, what drives them, and what they need to succeed. That includes our trades, our suppliers, our engineers, our designers, and our homeowners.

You can’t fast-track trust. It has to be earned, step by step, with consistency, clear communication, and integrity. And when it’s there? That’s when the magic happens. That’s when schedules move, details get handled, and people take pride in the work they do.

Time Is Not a Line Item—It’s a Lifestyle

If you're in construction, you know this: Time is brutal. You can’t buy more of it, and once it’s gone, it doesn’t come back.

Every delay costs. Maybe not always in dollars, but in stress, momentum, and sometimes even relationships. That’s why we plan fiercely, communicate clearly, and solve problems before they become bottlenecks.

We respect our client’s time. We respect our trades’ time. We don’t make a habit of wasting anyone’s. The fastest way to lose good people is to waste their time.

The Hidden Cost of Disrespecting Either

I’ve seen jobs go off the rails not because the design was wrong, or the materials were late, but because someone didn’t value a person’s time—or worse, their contribution.

When people aren’t seen, heard, or appreciated, they stop caring. When timelines get ignored or pushed without reason, momentum dies.

Respect people. Respect the clock. That’s how you build something worth remembering.

Building Luxury Starts with Leadership

At Steg Custom Homes, we build luxury homes—but more importantly, we build trust. We lead from the front. We show up when we say we will. And we treat every human involved with dignity, because that’s the foundation everything else sits on.

So whether you’re swinging a hammer or writing the check, remember this:
People and Time are your greatest assets. Protect them. Invest in them. Build with them.

— Jim Steg
Steg Custom Homes | Sedona, AZ