Fifty years ago, brothers Gary, Dean, and Duane Kaufman rolled up their sleeves with little more than skill, vision, and determination to serve their community, establishing their now regionally renowned and respected company, Kaufman Homes.
Without a big office or polished brand, Kaufman Homes began at Gary’s kitchen table, where conversations about masonry, carpentry, and sales turned into a plan to build something lasting. Gary, the visionary and mason, laid both stone and strategy. Dean, with a background in marketing, connected with the community while shaping landscapes and guiding sales. Duane, the finish carpenter, brought projects to life with a craftsman’s eye and a personal touch that made clients feel like friends.
Dean and Gary Kaufman at the company’s 50th anniversary celebration.
Their shared goal was simple yet powerful: to build homes rooted in quality and relationships. And as Salem grew, Kaufman Homes grew with it. Within a few years, the company moved into its first small office, a clear sign that what had started as a family dream was becoming a trusted name in the community. By the 1990s, larger offices followed, and eventually, in 2022, a custom-built headquarters brought all of Kaufman’s divisions under one roof; symbolizing not just growth, but the spirit of innovation that still drives the company forward.
That spirit has guided Kaufman Homes through every decade. When land availability tightened in the early 2000s, the company adapted by adding remodeling services, ensuring families could continue to shape their homes without starting from scratch. In 2012, Kaufman’s Home Maintenance was born to provide long-term preventative care, a reflection of the company’s belief that relationships shouldn’t end once the keys are handed over. Leadership passed to the next generation in 2015, when Kent and Dale Kaufman purchased the business. Five years later, they expanded their vision once again with the creation of Kaufman Commercial, bringing the same values of quality and integrity to local businesses and organizations.
The neighborhoods of Salem and beyond still carry the mark of Kaufman Homes’ work. From the Seegar Estates duplexes and Kooskooskee in the late ’70s, to Gleneagles in the ’80s, to Glendora Estates and The Club Villas in later decades, Kaufman developments have shaped communities where families grow, and memories are made. Today, their Forest Haven Way acreage development continues that legacy, offering spaces designed to blend craftsmanship with community living.
But ask Kaufman Homes what truly defines its 50 years, and the answer isn’t bricks, beams, or blueprints. It’s people. Clients have always been at the heart of the story — people willing to entrust Kaufman with their most personal investment, their homes. They have held the company to high standards, shaped its service-oriented culture, and, in many cases, become lifelong friends.
Equally central are the trade partners, architects, designers, subcontractors, and vendors who share Kaufman’s values and bring expertise to every project. Their collaboration has made it possible to consistently deliver excellence. “A good deal has to be good for both parties,” co-founder Duane often said. That belief became the foundation of Kaufman’s “Win5” philosophy: for a project to truly succeed, it must benefit the client, the trade partners, the team, the community, and the company. That mindset has transformed business transactions into partnerships, and projects into legacies.
Through five decades of change, Kaufman Homes has held fast to the values that started around a kitchen table: craftsmanship, integrity, and care for people. From the modest beginnings in 1975 to a thriving, multi-division company today, the journey has been shaped by the trust of clients, the skill of partners, and the support of the Salem community.
As Kaufman Homes steps into its next chapter under Kent and Dale’s leadership, the mission remains clear: to build with heart, to serve with integrity, and to keep relationships at the center of everything. The past 50 years have been a foundation. The future promises to be just as strong.
Learn more about Kaufman Homes and explore its work at Kaufman.net.
