Untitled - Business Elite Canada Magazine

By Cheryl Long
not the largest — investments anyone will ever
------------------------------------------------------------
make, but home ownership represents the start
T
of something new for so many. Whether it’s a
here are few moments in life quite as
starter home, a move geared to a growing fam-
exciting as accepting the keys to your
ily, or that long-awaited dream residence, one
new home. Not only is it one of — if
of Edmonton’s home builders continues to offer
2 business elite canada H JAN/FEB 2015
a selection of quality homes that fit the expecta-
formed in 1998. Part of Qualico, a leading real
tions of today’s conscientious buyer.
estate development company headquartered in
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Pacesetter is the number
Pacesetter Homes, located in Edmonton, Al-
one home builder in Edmonton, permitting 750
berta, has welcomed more than 4,000 families
homes in 2014 alone.
into home ownership since the company was
JAN/FEB 2015 H business elite canada 3
“Pacesetter Homes has developed a home for
construction industry. He quickly focused his vi-
literally every budget. We have many innovative
sion on quality and customer service — two fac-
styles and designs to suit almost every desire,”
tors that stand out when customers are choos-
said Lloyd Dumonceaux, Assistant General Man-
ing who will build their new home. In 2013,
ager for Pacesetter. In 2012, the company in-
Qualico opened design Q, an in-house design
troduced a new line of townhome designs that
centre that walks customers through their inte-
again reflected what homebuyers were looking
rior design selections, ensuring that homes are
for in Edmonton and surrounding communities.
finished to the owner’s taste. Certified interior
“It’s remained a stellar example of what our de-
designers work one-on-one with buyers, guid-
signers can bring to the table in a quality and
ing them through the process and creating a
affordable design,” Dumonceaux explained.
“custom home” design experience.
Dumonceaux assumed the role of Assistant GM
“Over the past several years, we’ve been fo-
in 2010, armed with a background in the home
cused on customer satisfaction. It’s one of our
4 business elite canada H JAN/FEB 2015
JAN/FEB 2015 H business elite canada 5
top priorities and it is very important these days
ter homeowners complete surveys that provide
for every one of our customers,” Dumonceaux
valuable feedback and opportunities for busi-
said. “It’s really a driving force.”
ness growth and improvement.
HOMES IN 28 COMMUNITIES
ACROSS EDMONTON
“Surveying your customers really gets you in
Today, Pacesetter is building in 28 communities
to speak out sometimes. It gives that customer
in Edmonton and surrounding areas, offering
the opportunity to tell us what things they like,
products that range from townhomes to luxury
what they didn’t like,” Dumonceaux said. “We
attached garage homes. Over the years, they di-
relish it. We want to embrace our customers’
versified their product line with a wider range
opinions — it’s important to us.”
touch with people who don’t necessarily want
of award-winning home designs, increased their
market share and continued to put an increased
Pacesetter’s dedication to customer service is
emphasis on pleasing their customers. Paceset-
one of the reasons behind their newest venture
6 business elite canada H JAN/FEB 2015
We think we have better designs, better quality and better
customer service. Our staff is
motivated to see the company
succeed and ensure that we
remain innovative when challenged with any obstacle. We
have a great staff that cares.
JAN/FEB 2015 H business elite canada 7
— an online customer portal. Homebuyers will
be able to log in and stay up to date on the progression of their home’s construction through
photos, building updates and notices each time
a milestone date is reached. The site will include
drawings, change orders, and warranty documentation, and will even offer videos and tutorials on various topics like maintaining a sump
pump or HRV system. The portal is expected to
be operational by early summer 2015.
“The purpose of the customer portal is to drive
a better experience for the customer,” Dumonceaux explained. “It ensures we have proper
communication with customers throughout the
8 business elite canada H JAN/FEB 2015
build and post-construction, even in design and
Edmonton; it will drive people to us,” Dumon-
drafting, and design Q.”
ceaux said. “In Edmonton we will undoubtedly
have the first community of that nature.”
Another exciting project for Pacesetter is poised
neighbourhoods this year. Their latest home
LAYOUT AND LOCATION ARE
PRIORITIES FOR BUYERS
plans will incorporate a new wide and shallow
“Whether opting for a traditional or modern
lot product designed to change the streetscape
look, layout continues to be a priority for home-
and create a unique look to the community. Not
buyers,” Dumonceaux explained. Location is an-
only does the design change the interior layout,
other key factor in choosing a builder. Paceset-
but it will feature an upgraded exterior facade
ter has homes in 28 communities well-situated
that sees the front door moved either flush or
near Anthony Henday Drive, which allows buy-
ahead of the garage, enhancing the home’s curb
ers to move easily through the city and provides
appeal. “That wide shallow look will be new to
access to schools and other amenities. Plans are
to transform the look of some of Edmonton’s
JAN/FEB 2015 H business elite canada 9
underway to offer buyers the option of installing solar panels. In one of their future subdivisions as an environmentally conscious alternative, the test project will allow homebuyers to
incorporate solar electricity in their residences,
Last year, the Canadian Home
something that is gaining popularity in the city.
Builders’ Association (CHBA)
named Pacesetter as the multifamily builder of the year.
Pacesetter is considered a large home builder,
and rapid growth over the past few years has
created a few challenges. One of those is finding
an adequate supply of skilled labour and qualified employees, which are always in high demand in Alberta. Fortunately, Pacesetter works
are key to the company’s success. “There are
with a number of reliable trade partners who
more than 3,000 parts in the average home and
10 business elite canada H JAN/FEB 2015
approximately 300 workers will play a role in
ployees and representatives from Qualico have
building that home,” Dumonceaux said, which
all pitched in over the years to help build much-
shows how important a role trade partners play
needed homes.
in the construction industry. “We can’t succeed
without their taking care to do quality work and
“I was there when they turned over the keys,”
even bringing innovative ideas to us.”
Dumonceaux said. “You see how emotional it is
for the families and you can’t help but feel the
The company also prides itself on becoming
an Employer of Choice by offering an excel-
same.”
200-2033 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3J 0K8
Phone: 204-831-0002 Toll Free: 877-885-5886 Fax: 204-832-1733
lent benefit program, and frequent recognition
Qualico
is also participating in the production of
www.highstylepublications.com
and rewards for its employees. Over the years,
Wellspring, a project to which Dumonceaux has
the company’s salespeople and home designs
contributed. Wellspring will be a support centre
have received numerous awards. “Last year, the
for cancer survivors and their families, helping
fax to
back
to 204-832-1733
Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) Please
them return
a “normal”
life both during and or
email to [email protected]
named Pacesetter as the multi-family builder of
the year,”
after medical treatment. Qualico and its subsid-
Attached is the advertisement for Gem Cabinets
Dumonceauxforsaid.
The company
is a being
iaries
have
the Montorio
Homes magazine
published
by High Style.
finalist in the 2014 CHBA National SAM Awards
OK with attached changes. Do not
responsibility and worksend
hard
to give
back
to the
revised
proof.
Proceed
to print.
Please check off the appropriate box, sign proof sheet
– Recognizing Canadian
in
andHousing
fax or emailExcellence
it back.
Approved as is.
a strong history
corporate
Proceedof
with
printing. social
community.
Send new proof with
requested changes.
the “single detached
home under 1,500
square feet” category.
Pacesetter is heavily
involved in community projects, working
Visit our showroom
14019 128 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB T5L 3H3
with Habitat for Hu-
Mon-Fri: 8:30am – 5pm
Sat: 10am – 2pm
Closed: Sun and Sat
on long weekends
manity to construct
homes for families in
Call 780-454-8652
need. Pacesetter emCustomer Signature
www.gemcabinets.com
Date
JAN/FEB 2015 H business elite canada 11
READY TO RESPOND TO
CHANGES IN MARKET
The home-building industry is highly competitive and staying on top of trends and technol-
Surveying
your
customers
ogy can be crucial to success. Pacesetter watch-
really gets you in touch with
es the marketplace, staying flexible enough to
people who don’t necessar-
adjust their practices and projections based on
ily want to speak out some-
their collection of live data. They respond quick-
times. It gives that customer
ly to changes in supply and demand, and try to
the opportunity to tell us what
stay ahead of the curve with help from “a very
things they like, what they
didn’t like.
forward-thinking management team”.
“We set ourselves apart from our competition
by our drive to be the best,” Dumonceaux said.
“We think we have better designs, better quality
Support. Empowerment. Discovery.
Facing Cancer Together
Ad proudly sponsored by
12 business elite canada H JAN/FEB 2015
wellspringedmonton.ca
and better customer service. Our staff is moti-
as Edmonton’s largest homebuilder by continu-
vated to see the company succeed and ensure
ing to offer outstanding quality, new and inno-
that we remain innovative when challenged with
vative designs and a high level of customer ser-
any obstacle. We have a great staff that cares.”
vice. To learn more, visit yourpacesetter.com.
The company is determined to keep its position
JAN/FEB 2015 H business elite canada 13
AS SEEN IN JAN/FEB 2015 ISSUE OF
BUSINESS
ELITE
CANADA
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