Local Maintenance and Repair Company Has a Rich History
Photographer / Jubilee Edgell
Cindy Carter, owner of Bennett’s Contracting in Culver, knows the company like the back of her hand. That’s what happens when you grow up in a family business.
The story of Bennett’s Contracting goes back decades, before 1965. Carter’s grandfather operated the store as Kowatch Painting and Decorating, and that lasted until her father took over the business in 1965, renaming it Bennett’s Plumbing and Heating. Carter grew up watching her parents run the company, learning the ins and outs along the way.
“I actually used to come here as a kid because we used to be open on Saturdays back then,” Carter explains. “My mom would come in once a month to help with the monthly billings and things, and I just kind of carried on the tradition.”
In 1986 Carter officially began working for her father, helping with accounting and billing tasks. In that area alone, she says she’s seen major changes in the way the company operates since she started, and the internet has affected how the staff does business in big ways.
“Our appliance repair software has really changed how we do things,” Carter says. “A lot of our customers will even email us back and forth, and I can send them pictures of jobs in progress.”
Another significant change in the business came in 2001, when Carter became the owner and took over the day-to-day operations. She changed the company name again, this time from Bennett’s Plumbing and Heating to Bennett’s Contracting. She decided to make the change because the old name did not accurately reflect everything that the business offered – today the staff handles much more than plumbing and heating.
Bennett’s Contracting currently specializes in all manner of home maintenance and repair, “from anything as small as fixing a doorknob, to remodeling kitchens and bathrooms, to putting a new addition on your home,” Carter says.
This includes painting, plumbing, electrical work, windows, siding, furnace and air conditioner repair and installation, water heater repair and installs, and gas and water line repair. The company no longer offers lawn services.
Carter’s five employees, Jeff Becker, Mike Hartman, Matt Busart, Mike Graff and Sarah Evans, all play crucial roles in making Bennett’s Contracting a success. All long-time employees, the crew brings valuable talent and experience to every project. Additionally, Carter’s father still spends time around the business helping out and picking up materials. The staff’s focus is on assisting each customer – Carter has many stories about how the company has helped customers over the years, both in and out of the home repair domain.
“This lady called [and said] her guests would be [at her cottage] before her, and she asked me to go to the store and get some ham and bread, so we did,” Carter says with a laugh. “We have just always tried to do what we can to help.”
Helping customers is truly Carter’s favorite part of the business. She enjoys working each and every day with clients to improve their homes, and she appreciates that every day at work is different.
Carter and her employees enjoy working with people outside of the business too. They strive to support local groups and activities regularly, including local schools, Little League teams, soccer teams and the Culver Lions Club. Helping the community is nothing new to the staff – Carter’s father worked on the Culver Park Department board for years, in addition to serving as a firefighter.
Carter says her father’s example and mentorship has been invaluable to her. She adds that without his support and guidance, in addition to support from her family, the business would not be possible.
“The support of my husband and family is really an important part of keeping me going,” she says.
Bennett’s Contracting is located at 640 East Lake Shore Drive in Culver. If you would like to learn more about the company, give them a call at 574-842-3228 or send an email to info@bennettscontracting.net. Hours of operation are Mon. through Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
