Better Barns

Custom Built Barns is Powered by Family

Writer / Matt Keating

Photographer / Jason Graves

Renee McGinnis with Custom Built Barns in Kokomo says the business is a true family operation.

“My brother is Ray Bass, and he is the owner,” McGinnis says. “Our dad, Johnny, started the business in 1975, and Ray has always worked here. I have been here for 24 years. Our father passed away in 2015, so we are trying to make him proud.”

It’s a goal that keeps McGinnis and Bass moving in the right direction.

“Times have changed so much that we have had to change with them,” McGinnis says. “We now get our barns from an Amish family in LaGrange, Indiana.”

The employees at Custom Built Barns pick up the barns and deliver them to their customers already finished.

“We used to build barns, but getting good help is hard so we just adjusted,” she says.

Bass now delivers new barns, and he also moves existing barns for customers.

“I sell the barns, do other things and take care of the office,” McGinnis says. “We also have my nephew, Ray’s son Johnny, that works here. He builds on location when it’s needed. He also replaces barn doors that are in need of it, builds our ramps, and helps his dad on deliveries when needed.”

McGinnis also sells Amish wood furniture.

“We have swings, A-frames, chairs and gliders usually in stock,” she says. “The furniture is very heavy duty and will last for years.”

McGinnis also sells American steel carports.

“Carports can just be a canopy for your vehicle, or we can enclose one to make a garage out of it,” McGinnis says.

McGinnis enjoys her job, and thoroughly loves the business she is in.

“I love everything about my job,” she says. “I really do have the best job around. I get to meet new people every day. Ray gets to go to different places daily, so nothing is the same for us day after day. I have been here for a long time, and I still love going to work.”

McGinnis especially enjoys working with her customers.

“I have the best customers, and I always make new friends from my job,” she says. “Some customers still come to see me just to say hi, or bring me homemade treats. I honestly think working with my brother is what makes my job even better. We have a great relationship and we work well together. We do our best to make our customers happy and become our friends.”

When McGinnis isn’t working, she loves spending time with her big family.

“I have been married for 28 years, with four grown kids and four grandchildren,” McGinnis says. “Ray has been married 43 years with three grown kids and seven grandchildren.”

For more information about Custom Built Barns, located at 2312 North Plate Street in Kokomo, call 765-457-9037 or visit cbbarns.com.