Jeff Laing says he started building houses in Mrs. Emmert's Bluffton kindergarten class. If that is true, his involvement in the construction trade is a truly life-long love.
After graduating from Bluffton High School and attending the University of Findlay, Laing worked the counter at Carter Lumber in Columbus Grove. Then he worked for Lima Lumber Co., with Mike Steiner and Kevin Gratz. Following that he joined Alexander Homes where he worked from 1994 to 2007. In 2007 he joined Stan Clemens in Clemens Construction Group where he worked until earlier this year.
In October he made what he calls "a leap of faith." He started his own construction business, Born Again, LLC. "I'm blessed," he said, during our conversation in Common Grounds. "It makes me get up in the morning," he says with that Jeff Laing smile that is part of his character.
As a general contractor, Laing says he can do everything from install a storm door to build a new house.
"I started on October 1. I'm seeking business and I only do business that I can deliver on," he says, which appears to be his unofficial mission statement.
"I want to look back (when finished with a project) and say that I did what I was going to do," he added,
"Right now I'm working on an addition and a kitchen renovation, finishing a basement and starting a new home in Arlington," said Laing, who credits Mike Steiner at Lima Lumber for getting him started on the CAD program, which enabled him to draw house plans on a computer.
In addition to his CAD abilities, he has experience in design, sales, job site supervision and service. These tasks were part of his job description at Alexander Homes and Clemens Construction Group. He says that he is grateful for all the experience he picked up along the way.
"During my time with Alexander Homes we built from 20 to 30 homes a year," said Laing. "These ranged from 1,400 to 3,000 square feet. I helped on homes in Bluffton, Arlington, Rawson and Ada."
While Mrs. Emmert's kindergarten may have been a springboard for house construction, the building gene lies deep in the Laing family.
"My dad was a civil engineer," says Laing. "My brother Joe, who lives in Elida, works for Eagle Bridge of Dayton. My brother, Steve, who lives in Columbus Grove, works for Zacharich Brothers, Defiance. My brother, Jon, who lives in Lafayette, has his own carpentry business."
During our conversation, the topic slipped from the construction business to several Bluffton people who have supported Laing in his efforts to go out on his own.
"I'm surrounded by good people. There's Lynn Thompson, Jedd Emans and Dave Stratton," he says, to name a few. Stratton, who Laing claims is the "second best athlete to play at Bluffton High School" led Laing in a religious conversation to Christianity. This conversion led to the naming his business, "Born Again."
"If you are wonder who I think is the best athlete to ever play at Bluffton High School, I guess you are going to have to ask Dave," Laing laughs. With his 6-3 frame, Laing was a wide receiver and defensive back in the football coaching days of Bill Lodermeier at Bluffton in the late 1970s.
Laing says that he could never have started his own business without the support of his wife, Linda, herself a business owner, who operates Linda Renee's Touch of Sun at 324 N. Main St., Bluffton. Laing says that this fall has been a trying year for them both, as Linda is currently undergoing cancer treatments. Her cancer was discovered early, which is fortunatey, he said.
With his business in its first few weeks of existence, Laing says his office is in his bedroom. He hopes that will change as business expands. He admits that while still in his first few weeks, he's been very busy, which he says, "My leap of faith is really incredible."

How to contact him:
Jeff Laing
General contractor
Born Again, LLC
347 S. Main St.
Bluffton
419-615-9890
[email protected]