joined Stratton – and here we are five years later.” Those first years were deliberate and methodical. Rather than taking on clients while still building their internal systems, the team focused on spec builds – a conscious choice that let them develop their processes without external interference. “We built the business the same way we build a house,” Kyle says. “You start with a good foundation and then go from there.” That foundation is rooted in what Kyle calls “proactive management” – which means being systemized and conducting detailed project planning, so that customer expectations are aligned and potential problems are identified and addressed early in the process. Drawing on experience from larger builders in southwestern Ontario and other parts of Canada, Stratton implemented full-time accounting staff, design selection coordinators, itemized budgets, cost coding, detailed project scheduling, and a rigorous quality assurance process that includes multiple checklists. “A lot of the larger builders I’ve seen here in Muskoka have what I would call a ‘reactive’ management style,” Kyle says. “That’s just how the industry has evolved here. We’re kind of unique in that regard.” As a result of their proactive management approach, Stratton Homes has been able to develop a proven track record for delivering homes on time and on budget. That track record is important to the company, Kyle explains, because they are one of the very few sustainability-centric builders in the area. They know their reputation reflects on sustainable building as a whole, so every project has to reinforce trust in the approach. “We know that building Net Zero can be perceived as kind of being out in left field a little bit,” Kyle says. “And if we’re going to be ambassadors for building this way, we also have to represent it positively in all the other ways.” Fortunately, the company’s reputation is a positive one, and their history of referrals and repeat work reflects that: “A lot of the clients that we land ultimately decide to go with us because there’s a level of trust and we can demonstrate competence,” Morgan says. “We’re delivering more value because we have that proactive management piece in place.” THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA
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