About the John H. Allen company

Historic Downtown Landmark Transformed
to Commercial and Apartment Spaces
Photo by Ms. Stormy Neal

Customer Excellence and what it means to us...

             When it comes to remodeling, the John H. Allen Company offers its customers “peace of mind.”  The Company recognizes there are many factors in a remodeling project that affects our customers.

1)      QUALITY- John H. Allen Company prides itself in employing quality craftsmen that have had many years of service in their related fields.  John H. Allen is a Certified Remodeler, tested and accredited by the National Institute of Remodeling Industry.  All craftsmen have been licensed and bonded.  All jobs are supervised by our management team and we take full responsibility for each and every phase of the project, while making the process as palatable to the customer as possible.

2)      PROFESSIONALISM- Each employee knows that he must sell himself on each job.  The John H. Allen Co. has incorporated a Policy and Procedures Manual to which each associate must adhere.  This policy deals with physical appearance, dress, meeting all safety standards, and having the proper equipment to perform each job.

3)      ACCOUNTABILITY- Each employee is explained his role in the remodeling project and realizes that his standards of craftsmanship will reflect on the project as a whole.  We also encourage our customers to comment on our employees conduct and the manner in which their job was performed.

4)      RESPECT FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY- When the John H. Allen Co. is given a job to do in your home, we are mindful of how disruptive a remodeling project can be.  Extra care is taken to protect the individual’s personal contents, such as dusting and cleaning up at the end of a job. 

The management staff at the John H. Allen Co. supervises each job from start to finish.  As with all companies, occasionally problems occur.  We do instill in our customers that in the event of a problem, we will be there to address it and to continue to build a relationship that will promote goodwill- and repeat customers.

The all new Concrete Plant Townhouses in Downtown Jackson, TN
Photographs by Ms. Stormy Neal

Our History and Growth 

            The John H. Allen Construction Company was founded in June, 1974, with one employee… John H. Allen.  The first year sales were approximately $21,000.00.  The business was operated out of the owner’s home.  In 1977, John H. Allen Construction moved out of the home office and into its first office at 425 E. Chester.  That move was the turning point in the Company’s increased business.

            Business owner, John H. Allen, began building a solid customer base with local insurance agents to handle their property losses.  Insurance restoration business helped carry the Company through the winter months and was virtually recession proof.

            As the need for additional office space and storage increase, John H. Allen Construction Co. relocated in 1979 to its present location at 156-A Airways Boulevard.  In 1979, John H. Allen Construction Company became incorporated.  In 1980, the Company added a retail sales division by opening Allen’s Custom Interiors.  This new addition increased the Company’s buying power and helped to maximize profits.

            Over the next three years, additional employees were added and an estimator was added to our sales force.  The Company now had nine employees.  In 1986, the decision was made to acquire a local plumbing company that was going out of business.  American Plumbing Co. became another division of John H. Allen Construction Company., Inc., and two more employees were added.  The next four years John H. Allen Construction Co., Inc., Allen’s Custom Interiors, and American Plumbing Co. operated together and became a full service contracting firm.  In 1990, a major decision was made to have a corporate name change and operate all services under one name…

The magnificent Madison Central building in Downtown Jackson, TN
Photographs and graphics by Martin CJ Mongiello

The John H. Allen Company, Incorporated 

            By 1991, the John H. Allen Co., Inc. had grown to thirty (30) employees and sales were in access of $1.7 million.  In 1992 and 1993, sales again grew and reached $1.85 million.  However, as staff was added and sales grew, overhead and operating expenses also continued to grow.  It became very evident that the overhead involved in full service contracting was having a direct effect on our profitability and profit margins were beginning to gradually fall.  The year 1994 was a year of research for the company.  It was evident that the company must evolve.

            The year 1995 was a year of change at The John H. Allen Company.  We empowered our employees to help the company solve our growing overhead cost.  By a 100% vote, the decision was made to join with an employee leasing firm.  This firm was made up of some 1500+ members.  This large group gave us the ability to bargain for lower insurance rates, and with the savings, propose a benefit package that would be extended to all employees.  Management began a marketing campaign to sell customers “peace of mind.”  We found that many customers were more receptive to quality, dependability, and peace of mind in knowing that their job will be done by professionals, more so than just cost.  We extended our expertise and knowledge to a multitude of insurance companies, many of who decided to use our firm exclusively.  By the fact that we guarantee our work, they could guarantee our service, therefore, creating a plus for their Claims Department.

            The same year John H. Allen pioneered a news talk radio show - “Tricks of the Trade by John Allen.”  This show is a weekly radio show that gives tips for the “do-it-yourselfers.”  They can call in and ask any questions with regard to home improvement.  This show has generated hundreds of jobs and at the same time, shared our knowledge of the remodeling industry with our customers.

            By 1996, the John H. Allen Company had created a strong customer base that included insurance restoration, general remodeling, additions, plumbing and electrical services.  Sales exceeded $2 million for the first time.

From 1996 to 2003 the John H. Allen Company continued to grow and provide its services to hundreds of customers across West Tennessee.

            The devastation of the 2003 tornadoes included the office of the John H. Allen Company.  Our company had the task of providing emergency service to thousands in need, while tending to its own property destruction.  Our team worked for over two weeks off of generators to provide power and light to keep our office open.  We were one of the few that maintained telephone service during the catastrophe.  We continued to serve others while our own property was condemned.

            In May of 2001, brothers Nick and Ben Allen joined our team full time.  In our company, Nick serves as a primary estimator while Ben serves as our full time 24-hour primary electrician.  In June of 2005, youngest brother Josh Allen joined the John H. Allen Company full time.  Josh’s presence in the office provides management and guidance for all operations of the company.  With all three sons of John H. Allen working full time, the John H. Allen Company increases its workforce with longtime company-oriented personnel.

            In addition to serving hundreds during the tornado, the John H. Allen Company also took the lead in restoring numerous properties in Downtown Jackson.

            Today, the John H. Allen Company continues to provide full service restoration to residential and commercial customers across West Tennessee.

Community Involvement 

Just a few of the many trophies and awards that
celebrate the community of Jackson.  The
quilt in the background was made by Ms. Patty Hale,
the sister of Mr. John H. Allen
Photo by Ms. Stormy Neal

            Community involvement has always been one of the strongest statements the John H. Allen Company has made.  Getting involved in community issues has always enabled our management to keep a pulse on key concerns, track future growth, and build strong relationships that translate into future business.

-          Contribution to Crime Stoppers Program

-          Purchase and rehabilitate historic downtown to show, by example, that they can be profitability restored, thus contributing to the re-development of the downtown community.

-          In 1996, Day Star Baptist Church was attempting to construct a new facility at the corner of Chester and James Buchanan Drive.  During construction, tragedy occurred and their building collapsed.  The John H. Allen Company joined forces with other volunteers and dedicated numerous hours of volunteer work to help Day Star Baptist Church erect a temporary facility for their congregation to worship God.  The John H. Allen Company also used its own facilities to store future building materials and worked with their Board of Directors in planning for their future construction.

-          Sponsor of Little League Baseball