CMM Spotlight: Paul Amato, Founder
The pride of CMM shines in our people. As a custom home builder in Monmouth and Ocean counties, we believe relationships are everything. Our culture of accountability, integrity and quality is the foundation of our company, built by husband-wife duo Paul and Joyce Amato. Learn more about CMM’s history and purpose in this Q&A with Paul Amato.
How did you become a custom home builder?
I have always loved construction. My father was a pipe fitter and often brought me along to job sites. As a kid, you want to do what your father does.
I ended up first working in real estate, where I began to notice how homes were built. My wife, Joyce, and I bought a fixer-upper down the Shore, which we renovated and sold. We did that a few times, and my career in real estate began to merge with my passion for construction.
I started out as a spec builder and soon realized that pre-built homes didn’t always satisfy buyers. So, I began buying lots and building houses with input from the people interested in purchasing them. The operation kept growing and that led to the founding of CMM Custom Homes.
What is your role at CMM today?
I was running CMM up until the early 2010s, when we passed the company to our eldest son, Christopher. He is now President and CEO, while I advise as needed. Chris had the earliest and most exposure to my businesses. He loves home building and running CMM. I simply serve as a sounding board when he’s making decisions with the business.
What do you enjoy most about the family business?
Joyce and I started our companies together, named them together, grew them together, and now it’s like watching the kids grow up in those businesses. When I see the fruition from the decades of work now carried on by our children as sharp, caring, passionate leaders, it makes me very happy. It’s also fulfilling to see the number of jobs that CMM creates and how the company supports the local community. Many of our employees and contractors have been with us since the company’s founding.
What makes the CMM experience special for clients?
There was a time when people would tell me that we have a niche market for clients. I didn’t understand it at first, but then I realized that the niche market is me. Our clients and their families are just like us. You grew up visiting the Shore. It’s where many of your best memories are. Maybe your first home here is actually a second home that you visit in summer, eventually becoming your permanent home when you retire. We know how rewarding it is to build a custom home on the coast, and so we make it a point to bring you into that personal journey.
Any advice for clients looking to build a custom home?
Embrace the process. It will take time to go through the many regulations and we will lead you through those steps. Still, it will require some patience. Our process emphasizes the scheduling of each phase to keep moving forward efficiently and build your home to the highest quality.
What is your guiding philosophy in business and life?
Give back. The Shore has been home for us since the early ‘80s when we moved here from my hometown of Jersey City (Joyce is from Glen Rock). We feel deeply connected to the people and love seeing the impact CMM is able to make on others’ lives.