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Creating Certainty in Construction

British Columbia-founded Alair Homes focuses on transparency in home building

By Jessica Kirby /

A leader in the field, Alair Homes offers home owners inventive, efficient options

Are your four walls starting to close in on you? You’re in good company. Since we can’t travel, many of us are turning to our homes, looking to improve, change or rebuild where and how we live.

Buying in today’s market can be a challenge. Housing prices across the Lower Mainland are surging, real estate is being snapped up quickly, and many homes are selling for over-asking. As a result, many are turning to renovations or thinking about building a new custom home.

A recent study from Statistics Canada found that the value of residential permits in B.C. is up 34 percent over the same time last year. (Like we said, you’re in good company.) Some larger-scale multi-family dwellings drove that growth, but overall, both renovations and new builds are surging across the province.

During the pandemic, we’ve definitely seen a rise in the number of people who are looking to create more functional spaces,” says Alair Homes Regional Partner David Babakaiff. “Kitchens and bathrooms have always been the most common types or renovations, but now we’re adding to that work spaces—sometimes multiple ones in the same home—as well as outdoor living, recreational and fitness spaces both inside and out.”

Once you decide to renovate or build, you’ll likely want to get started as soon as possible.  But even a smaller renovation, let alone a custom build, requires careful planning. Finding the right construction partners is key to helping you fulfill your vision on time… and on budget.

Alair Homes is a building company that focuses on careful craftsmanship and prides itself on thorough planning and maintaining an unprecedented level of transparency for clients.

It was founded in 2007, with a single office in Nanaimo, B.C. In 2012, the privately-held company did something unseen in the construction industry: it created a one-of-a-kind franchise model. Today, Alair has approximately 125 builder-franchises across 13 states and five provinces. As such, it has the largest footprint of any premium custom home building and large-scale renovation brand in the world.

“We do custom homes, large scale renovations, and commercial tenant improvements, says Babakaiff. We don’t build on spec and we don’t build flip properties. Our custom projects are just that—custom.”

Alair’s construction partners are backed by more than 600 team members, advanced operational systems, and a culture of teamwork and information sharing. This means clients get the advantage of working with a large, established and experienced brand, while still being able to maintain that essential close relationship with their builder.

In addition to planning and budgeting for everything in advance, Alair has developed a unique online portal that gives clients an unprecedented level of transparency. 

Even from the planning stages, our clients get to see and approve the quotes and material details from each line item,” says Babakaiff. “This includes any discounts we get as general contractors with our trades. We believe that full transparency and disclosure are key to a successful project and happy clients. We want them to have their dream home but also have a great overall experience.”

Alair is currently completing new builds across the Lower Mainland, from Whistler to Hope. Projects include a partnership with modular home builder in Squamish; a custom cliffside home in West Vancouver; and a luxury property in the new Tempus Ridge development on Vedder Mountain in Chilliwack. 
We have a number of partners and offices across BC,” says Babakaiff, “but one thing all our partners have in common is that they do quality work. Our project managers manage their sites expertly and efficiently. The vetting process is extensive, and we don’t take on anyone who doesn’t fit a wide number of criteria.”

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Renovations are also a big part of the business. Alair is currently working on several remodels of mature homes, including a complete renovation, right down to the studs, of a Vancouver special on the city’s east side.

If you would like to learn more about Alair Homes or are interested in a complimentary, no-obligation consultation, visit them online, and follow along on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

CREATED BY BCLIVING, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ALAIR HOMES