Hazley Builders in West Chester, Pa, is very much a family business, with six of seven siblings involved in the company—and they all get along. “I think it’s pretty unique how well the family works together,” says President Michael Hazley. “There are moments where we have disagreements, but it always works and we have good solutions.”
The design-build firm was founded in 1999 by patriarch Michael Hazley Sr., with Michael junior taking over as president in 2016, informally at first and then formally when a succession plan was finalized in 2020.
Michael, however, wasn’t sure he would ever join the business. “I actually had a landscaping company that I started it back in middle school and ran through college,” Michael said. “But I realized there was more opportunity in this market, so I sold the landscaping business and officially joined Hazley in 2007.”
Entrepreneurial Spirit
There’s never been any pressure to join the firm, and each sibling has found their own path once in the business. “There's lots of opportunity here, but just because your name is on the business doesn't automatically mean you want to do this.” Michael says. “We all kind of fell into a natural groove and were attracted to different parts of the business.”
That’s how this residential remodeling firm started a commercial renovation division in 2023, a move spearheaded by one of the brothers. “We had always gotten inquiries about commercial but it’s a much different beast. But Patrick’s ears always perked up when it was mentioned,” Michael said.
Patrick runs the commercial division independent from residential, with separate offices and staff.
Another brother, Matt, is launching a services division this fall—think less handyman and more post-remodel client care ((Hazley’s residential remodels average $350K) “We see an opportunity to better serve a growing need,” Michael says of the division, which initially with focus on current clients.
Avoiding Drama
Another reason why the siblings work so well together is that they also work with a family business consultant who has helped them map out family governance and created operating agreements.
“We’re all siblings, but we're at different stages in our lives.” Michael says. “We have different pressures and stresses, and things in life change and money changes things.”
He says the consultant has been one of their best investments, and he credits them with helping the family avoid “drama and frivolous bickering.”
No problems, only solutions
Hazley has seen 25-30% growth year over year during the past six years, and Michael ensures that rate of progress doesn’t dilute the company, brand, or product. “Growth can threaten culture,” he says.
And what is that culture? “It’s very much solution-oriented,” Michael says. “Our father’s motto was ‘There are no problems, only opportunities for solutions.’ We’ve lived by that our entire lives and that grounds us.”
Also critical to maintaining company culture is ensuring that non-family members have the opportunity to succeed. “We're very well aware of the impacts of family and the business,” Michael said, explaining that the company is run as an EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System). “Just because your name is Hazley doesn’t mean you’re above anyone else ... family members have to be qualified and earn their position so they aren’t in the way of other people's opportunities.”
In fact, the company added its 34th employee and continues to expand. “The hardest thing that we have to deal with right now is finding the right people.” Michael said. “The work is relatively easier to get. It's finding people that’s hard.”
About the Author
Jay Schneider
Senior Editor
Jay Schneider is the Senior Editor for Pro Remodeler. He can be reached at [email protected].