Bodine-Ashner Builders

Three Generations, One Legacy: Bodine-Ashner Builders

Story by Mollie Pfeifer | Sponsored Content

For seven decades, Bodine-Ashner Builders has been a trusted name in Kansas City homebuilding. Founded in 1957 by friends Virgil Bodine and Leo Ashner, the company began by building homes across Johnson County and expanded into development by 1970. In 1991, Chris Ashner joined his father in the business, continuing the family tradition. In 2020, Chris’ own son, Chris #2, began working with him during COVID, when school closures led him to spend time on job sites. He never left, and the two have been working together ever since.

The opportunity to work with his son feels especially meaningful to Chris. “It’s interesting for me,” he says, “because now I can see what my dad must have felt when I was working for him.”

The dynamic between father and son is one of balance. “Generally speaking, we have a really good working relationship and get along great. We work together every day. Couldn’t be happier,” says dad.

When it comes to their strengths, both bring something valuable. The father describes his role as “age and experience,” while the son contributes “youth, vitality, and energy.”

Over the years, Bodine-Ashner Builders has taken on everything from custom homes to remodels and developments. Since 2021, the company has focused heavily on high end remodels while still building a select number of custom homes. They also maintain a development arm in partnership with the elder Chris’s brother, Jeff, of Ashner Construction Company. Together, they operate under the Wilshire Development brand.

Father and son approach design differently, and their contrasting perspectives create an appealing blend. Chris explains, “I tend to like the old world, timeless, elegant stuff, and my son likes slick, modern, contemporary styles.”

One of their specialties is weaving reclaimed materials into new construction, giving homes a distinctive character. “I like to take old stuff and incorporate it into new construction, whether that would be an old cabinet that we turn into a vanity, or an old chunk of lumber that we turn into a mantle. It is fun for me to try to retrofit and repurpose things. In our model homes we have often used furniture that we have refinished, and people often want to keep it,” says the elder Chris.

Personal involvement remains at the heart of Bodine-Ashner Builders. “We are a hands-on small company that started out that way with my mom, dad, and Virgil. We continue to be a small, hands-on company. We are involved directly with every project, with the homeowner, and with the tradespeople. No superintendents means a high level of communication with customers,” says Chris.

Clients also value accessibility. “Our customers often become friends throughout the process because they know we have the same goals as them, which is to get the best product for the best price possible and the least amount of time and trouble to get there,” dad explains. To provide that level of care, the company limits itself to only a few projects at a time, ensuring each client receives direct involvement from both dad and son.

For the son, the greatest reward comes from “making the customer happy and seeing their vision brought to life through our tradespeople.” His dad agrees: “Starting with somebody’s vision, going through the whole process, delivering their dream, and them just being blown away – that is the best part.”

The biggest challenge today, however, is pricing. “My son and I excel at trying to give people alternatives, options,” says Chris. “We work hard to get similar outcomes for less money. It takes a lot of effort and creativity, but that is the only way to overcome, and we are happy to do it.”

The Ashners’ vision for the future is steady and long-term. “We want to keep doing better projects than we’ve done the year before,” says the elder Chris. They intend to keep the business in the family for generations to come.

And if you ask what they want Kansas City to know about Bodine-Ashner Builders, the answer is simple: “We’ve been around since 1957, and we will be around in 2057.”