Kelly Homes
- Suzie Wells
- 20 hours ago
- 5 min read
By any measure, building a home is one of life’s most personal undertakings — where dreams meet decisions, and details matter more than most expect. For Kelly Homes of NY, a Western New York builder defined by craftsmanship and connection, that process is more than a service. It is the foundation of everything they do.
We spoke with Gisella “Gigi” Young, Director of Brand & Client Experience, to learn more about the philosophy behind Kelly Homes — a builder rooted in experience, driven by relationships, and known for creating homes that reflect how people truly live.
“At Kelly Homes, every detail matters,” Gigi says, “because every home is custom built, personally yours.”
Built from the Ground Up
Originally founded over 25 years ago, the company was formally renamed and branded in 2018 as Kelly Homes of NY. At the center of the company is owner and President of Operations Doug Sample, whose experience spans more than three decades and begins, quite literally, in the dirt.
Doug grew up working alongside his father’s landscaping and excavation business, developing an early understanding of land, structure, and the building process from the ground up. Over time, he gained hands-on knowledge across the building process — from site development to full-scale home construction.
That background continues to shape the company today. Before a foundation is poured, Doug evaluates the land itself — its soil, structure, and long-term suitability.
“Doug grew up in this area, so he understands the land in a way that really matters when you’re building from the ground up,” Gigi explains.
It is this depth of knowledge that allows Kelly Homes not only to build houses, but to thoughtfully develop entire communities.
A Collaborative Approach to Custom Living
At Kelly Homes, every home is approached with intention. “Every home we build is essentially custom,” Gigi says.
That does not always mean starting from scratch. Often, the process begins with a thoughtfully designed house plan, but no two Kelly Homes builds are ever the same. Each project starts with in-person conversations that help the team understand not just what clients want in a home, but how they live.
Are they first-time builders? A growing family? Downsizing? Planning to age in place? The answers shape everything that follows.
From there, Kelly Homes maintains clear, consistent communication throughout the build. Clients receive regular updates through phone calls, emails, videos, and photos, along with timelines and expectations. On-site appointments are reserved for meaningful milestones and major decisions, keeping the experience organized and engaging.
“Building a home can feel extremely overwhelming,” Gigi says. “Our role is to bring clarity, communication, and confidence to the process, so clients feel supported every step of the way.”
By structuring the journey, grouping selections, and guiding decisions along the way, Kelly Homes helps clients stay focused on the excitement of creating a home.
“Our experience working with Kelly Homes of New York as they built our dream home has been amazing. The quality, skill, and expertise of every team member was phenomenal. Their attention to detail, guidance through selections, and communication throughout the process is second to none. We truly love our new home.” - Kelly Homes Client
The People Behind the Process
The core Kelly Homes team is intentionally small, with five primary members supported by a trusted network of contractors and vendors. This tight-knit structure creates a highly personalized experience. Clients are not passed from department to department. Instead, they work with a consistent team that understands their vision from beginning to end.
Alongside Doug is Lindsay Pundt, Vice President of New Construction & Operations. With over 15 years of experience spanning site development, construction, vendor coordination, and client relations, Lindsay manages projects from initial contracts through the final key handoff.
Anyone who builds with Kelly Homes knows Miguel Quinones. As Construction Manager, he is a steady presence on-site, managing his crew, overseeing day-to-day progress, and building relationships with clients throughout the process.
Chad George, Site Foreman, is part of the process from the very beginning — quite literally, when the dirt starts moving. With a hands-on role in site preparation, excavation coordination, and daily field activity, Chad helps keep each build organized and moving forward from the ground up.
Gisella Young plays a central role in shaping both the client experience and the Kelly Homes brand. She helps guide selections and keep communication clear throughout the building process, while also managing the company’s marketing, brand presence, and storytelling. Her work helps connect the behind-the-scenes process with the client-facing experience.
Partnerships That Matter
Kelly Homes’ commitment to quality extends beyond its internal team. The company works with a carefully curated group of contractors, vendors, and industry partners, with relationships built over time and maintained with intention.
From electricians to lumber suppliers, each partner is selected for reliability, craftsmanship, and alignment with Kelly Homes’ standards. Many of these relationships are long-standing, contributing to a smoother building process and a consistently high level of detail.
On the real estate side, Kelly Homes works exclusively with The Rick Borrelli Team at WCI, a partnership rooted in trust and a shared understanding of the company’s clientele. Referrals, often from past clients, remain one of the company’s primary sources of new business — a testament to the experience they strive to deliver.
Community-Focused Development
While Kelly Homes also builds on private lots, much of its work centers around developing communities in carefully selected locations that reflect both market demand and long-term livability.
Past and current communities include Hawk’s Landing, Chatham Estates, Pollok Place, and Fieldstone Estates North, a new chapter coming soon for Kelly Homes.
Doug’s background in site development plays an important role here. His ability to visualize not just individual homes, but entire neighborhoods, allows Kelly Homes to create communities that feel cohesive, intentional, and enduring.
Pollok Place in North Greece
At the heart of Kelly Homes’ current work is Pollok Place, home to the company’s first model residence, The Silverwood. Designed by Greater Living Architecture, the home serves as both a showcase of Kelly Homes’ craftsmanship and a tangible introduction to its design philosophy.
The Silverwood is a ranch-style home designed for flexibility and modern living. Its open-concept layout connects the kitchen, dining, and great room into one central living space, while the private primary suite is thoughtfully separated from two additional bedrooms.
The home features three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, a large basement ready for future finishing, and a covered rear porch that extends living outdoors. Details such as a walk-in shower, wider doorways, and step-free entry options reflect a commitment to accessibility and long-term livability.
The Silverwood floor plan has proven especially popular within Pollok Place, with Kelly Homes building it multiple times throughout the community. Most importantly, the model allows prospective clients to experience the company’s quality and attention to detail firsthand — something photos and plans alone cannot fully capture.
Beyond the Build
In addition to community development, Kelly Homes also takes on custom builds on private lots. Whether a client already owns land or is searching for the right location, the company brings the same collaborative, detail-oriented approach to each project.
Regardless of the setting, most builds average six to seven months, a reflection of both efficiency and careful planning.
The Heart of It All
For all its structure and strategy, what drives Kelly Homes is simple: bringing people’s dream homes to life.
The final walkthrough, the handing over of keys, and seeing a client’s reaction is when it all comes full circle. It marks not just the completion of a house, but the beginning of a new chapter. For Kelly Homes, that is the reason they do what they do — one custom, deeply personal home at a time.
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