Quality in Calgary

Midmonth, every month, clients of Calgary-based Homes By Us can expect a phone call. Whether it’s president Tom Ftichar or another dedicated employee on the line, the question is usually the same: “Is everything okay with your home?”

Reaching out to customers as part of its warranty program is just one way Homes By Us aims to go above and beyond all industry standards. Ftichar founded Homes By Us, in 1992, to meet demand for custom, timeless homes. But beyond meeting the demand, Ftichar holds his company to a higher standard than others in the industry.

“A tempting pitfall for home builders is to cut corners,” Ftichar says. “This is something that will eventually catch up to you, and no matter what, you will regret it. We are proud that we do not cut any corners. To the contrary, if we feel that something is not going to be the best, we will pay for the upgrade in material or engineering without charging the homeowner. I would be proud to live in any home that we have built.”

Another way Homes By Us goes beyond expectations is in the energy efficiency of the infills and custom estate homes the firm specializes in. Each and every home is Built Green certified.

“Homes By Us has always built homes with an environmental focus, and strives to minimize our impact on the effect that new construction can have on a community,” Ftichar says. “This mandate was easily transitioned to achieve Gold- and Platinum-status builds within the Built Green structure.”

Luxury and environmental consciousness have been a winning combination for Homes By Us. The builder constructs as many as 30 homes a year in some of Calgary’s most prestigious communities, including Aspen Woods Estates, a master-planned development in Calgary’s West End that is undoubtedly one of Calgary’s most desirable communities.

The firm handles various types of renovations, from simple remodels, to intricate renovations that involve demolishing the majority of the home and foundation. Many renovation clients select impressive finishes, including exotic materials sourced from around the world.

Homes By Us also offers no-cost drafting services, which allow homeowners to be intimately involved in the design of their dream home from the start. Other clients opt to select from a portfolio of thoughtfully designed floor plans.

No matter a project’s beginning, Homes By Us always tries to incorporate something new or different in each home, and particularly likes to wow visitors to its show homes. For instance, the last show home included a diverse, multipurpose recreation and sports area with a 1,000-square-foot boarded sports arena, snack bar, steam shower, scoreboard, HD cinema, automated touch-panel display, and change room with a full laundry. Homes By Us is currently finishing a home with a golf theme that includes a 240-inch golf simulator, fitness room, and spa.

When asked about what has made his company so successful, Ftichar keeps it simple. “Without using too many clichés, I would say that the most important lesson that I have learned over the years is to do what you say you will do, when you say you will do it,” he says. “Homes By Us stands by its word, and our satisfied homeowners can attest to that.”