When you think of a custom home builder in Phoenix, you probably imagine a seasoned veteran with decades of experience, not someone who started out ripping up old floors less than a decade ago. Yet that’s exactly where Brady Fenn began his journey. And today, he’s co-owner of Fenn Rogers Custom Homes, one of the area’s respected luxury builders.

On the most recent episode of Builders, Budgets & Beers, Brady sat down with Reece to share how he went from grunt work to running a thriving business, what he learned from his mentor Jeff Rogers, and why building high-end homes takes more than a sharp pencil and a strong back.

From the Bottom Floor (Literally)

Brady’s start wasn’t glamorous. In 2014, he joined Jeff Rogers as a laborer, tearing up wood floors on remodel jobs. “I was just looking for work,” Brady recalled. “Jeff was 60 at the time, thinking about the future, and I was just grateful for a chance to get started.”

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Over the next several years, Brady worked his way up from laborer to project manager, eventually becoming a 50/50 partner in what is now Fenn Rogers Custom Homes. That ownership shift gave Brady credibility in the eyes of architects, designers, and clients — and provided the confidence to chase bigger, more complex projects.

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“It was skin in the game,” he said. “Once my name was on the company, I was all in.”

The Mentor and the Next Generation

The foundation of Brady’s growth was the trust Jeff placed in him. Jeff, a veteran builder with decades of experience, gave Brady freedom to make decisions, build relationships, and take the business in new directions.

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“Jeff’s been patient with me,” Brady shared. “He gave me responsibility and space to grow without micromanaging. That trust allowed me to take the company further.”

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Brady, in turn, brought fresh perspective — particularly around working with interior designers and architects. While Jeff initially saw them as potential obstacles, Brady leaned into those relationships, and they proved transformational. “The caliber of our homes changed,” Brady said. “Better collaborations led to higher-quality projects and the right kind of clients.”

The Growing Pains of Going Luxury

Moving “up market” wasn’t without challenges. Early on, Brady admitted that their budgets didn’t always match the design intent. “We were using old assumptions, like square footage allowances for trim or cabinets, and then the design would call for something far more detailed,” he explained.

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The result? Underbidding, tough conversations with clients, and painful lessons. But those experiences pushed the company to refine its budgeting process, dig deeper into design specifications, and set more accurate expectations.

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“Luxury clients expect precision,” Brady said. “If you miss the details, it costs everyone.”

Progress Over Perfection

When asked about processes and schedules (a hot topic for builders everywhere) Brady admitted he isn’t the data-and-analytics type. Instead, he focuses on communication and setting the right expectations with clients.

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“In custom building, no two projects are the same. Schedules will shift. What matters most is progress,” he said. “If crews are working every day, if clients trust us, if we’re upfront about what to expect — that’s what creates a good project experience.”

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This mindset, paired with an emphasis on strong subcontractor relationships, has positioned Fenn Rogers to thrive in the competitive Phoenix luxury market.

Key Takeaways

Brady’s story offers a few big lessons for anyone in the building industry:

• Mentorship matters. Jeff gave Brady space to grow, and Brady brought fresh perspective to the business.
• Relationships elevate your work. Building trust with designers, architects, and subs opens the door to better projects.
• Budgets must match design. Luxury work demands precision — don’t underestimate the details.
• Progress beats perfection. In custom building, momentum and communication are more valuable than rigid schedules.

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Brady’s rise from tearing out floors to leading a respected luxury firm is a reminder that opportunity in construction comes through persistence, trust, and a willingness to evolve.

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As he put it: “I grew up around construction, but I didn’t realize what it could be. Now, with the right team, the right clients, and the right relationships, I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

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