Merit Homes, Inc., owned and operated by Greg Griffis and Josh Lysen, has been building new homes on the Eastside and around the Puget Sound for over three decades.

What sets Greg and Josh apart from other builders is their willingness to customize each home to their Buyer's particular tastes and desires. They have the experience, product knowledge, technical expertise and a philosophy based on the simple idea that each Buyer deserves to get a home that more than meets their expectations, desires and dreams, not their builder's.  

In business for over 30 years, Merit Homes still enjoys the interaction with their clients and finds it personally rewarding.  They encourage their customers to meet directly with them, if they choose, to discuss requirements, ideas, and options face to face.  You often hear Greg say, “The most efficient and cost effective way to build a home is to build it right the first time.”  In other words, they value their Buyer’s input in the selection and customizing process and are adept at listening and understanding Buyer’s requests in order to provide the right options and pricing to build it right.

If you’re looking for Greg or Josh, you most likely will not find them in an office behind a fancy desk.  (Of course they have an office which is functional, and comfortable, but who needs fancy?)  Rather, just drive to one their home sites under construction because there is a very good chance one or both of them will be there.  Merit Homes cares about their product, and they care about your home.  That is why they are on-site every day, checking on the work underway, talking with their subcontractors, and coordinating every aspect of the process.

Don’t think because they’ve been in business so long that they conduct business ‘as usual’.  Merit Homes is a very progressive company, keeping up with today’s standards, from building materials, to design, to how people want to live in their homes today.  They recognize that the business of home building is rapidly changing and modernizing to meet the demands of a new generation.

They invest time and resources in staying current on “eco-friendly” building materials and products and make decisions to use the best and most appropriate materials, factoring in their customer’s interest, quality of the product, and cost.  Merit Homes stays current on new building trends, such as “prescriptive” building methods, that help shorten construction schedules and control costs.  They are strong believers in energy conservation and every home they build is built and certified as an “Energy Star Home,” saving their customers approximately 30% on energy bills over a standard code built home. 

In addition, being one of the most active home builders in the area, even during the downturn of the past years, they pride themselves on running a lean and efficient low overhead operation.  In part, they do this by investing in technology allowing them to communicate and operate efficiently, including but not limited to the use of all digital plans for permit submittals and subcontractor bidding.

Their homes are backed by a 6-year home warranty through Residential Warranty Corporation (RWC).  The RWC Home Warranty sets the standard for new home warranties in the industry.  It’s difficult to join the RWC Warranty program because of their stringent building requirements, but even more difficult to remain a member, as each member is re-evaluated every year to ensure they are meeting the high standards required.

Since 1990, Merit Homes has carved out a niche and reputation for creating unique and attractive residential developments in the Kirkland area. In 2010 they completed their 150th home built in Kirkland. As long time residents of Kirkland, where they work, live and raise their families, they have focused their work in this terrific city for over 20 years. Merit Homes has the experience and knowledge to create neighborhoods that characterize Kirkland as one of the best places to live.

Integrity, experience, and professionalism are the values that guide how they operate each day and it's these values that earn and keep their Customer's trust.