One might say Landmark Homes was an accurate name choice on both counts —given the slew of addresses now under its toolbelt since its inception 30 years ago, and a list of thousands of homeowners whose lives are forever changed since their first memorable visit to one of the builder’s sales centres.

While just over a decade old in Calgary, Landmark is part of a collective, with single- and multi-family companies in both Red Deer and Edmonton and a portfolio of about 6,000 homes now peppering the province.

Landmark Homes’ Calgary focus continues to be on single-family construction, with roots reaching back 11 years in the single-family home building market and a current average of 150 homes annually between the city and its bedroom communities.

“We are pretty comfortably what the CRHBA would consider a medium-volume builder,” says Stuart Wen, sales and marketing co-ordinator for Landmark Homes.

Sam Attia, president of Landmark Homes (Calgary), says while people often get caught up on volume, the company was actually founded not with a number in mind, but rather a goal of crafting quality homes people can feel proud to come home to at the end of the day. “We are more interested in focusing on future plans and expansion, to include more subdivisions in Calgary and the surrounding area.”

Surrounding areas now included on Landmark’s growing are Airdrie, High River, Okotoks and Chestermere, as well as Calgary’s Evergreen Estates, Tuscany Hillside Estates, Silverado, Wentworth Estates and Panorama Hills. Homes range from the $460,000s in the equestrian-themed neighbourhood of Silverado, stretching beyond $1 million for Landmark abodes in stately Wentworth Estates on the coveted west side.

Perhaps the most notable change in the company locally over the years is a splitting into different divisions, at least unofficially, in order to reach a broader base of homebuyer.
“We are not just one company, we are a group of companies. So we try to cover all the market niches from starter to estate. It’s never changed the way we build homes, it just gives us more focus on the markets,” says Attia.

Ask any builder in Calgary about the greatest challenge plaguing the industry in the past year or so and the answer will be the same — shortages in the labour force. Attia agrees this has been, by far, the biggest problem facing not only Landmark, but also the industry as a whole. That said, he believes the issue is not one that’s insurmountable.

“We are trying to work with the trades’ capacity. What we have started to do is distribute the workload gradually so they can handle the workload,” explains Attia. “It has worked well.”

While homebuyers at different price points and stages in life have their own unique wish-list items—such as traditional spaces like dining rooms in the custom market or more contemporary layouts for younger buyers, says Attia —the “bones” of a Landmark home are consistently high across the board.

“We build all of our homes in the exact same structural specifications, whether it’s a starter or a larger, custom home.”

One thing unique to Landmark, says Attia, is the goal of making sure homebuyers have few surprises in store along the way, especially given the unpredictability of the market. “By the time we sign a contract, the customer knows 90 per cent of the cost. We do a lot of the upgrade costs and calculations beforehand,” he says.

New this year is upgraded specifications, the result of a thorough review of finishing and construction, notes Wen. “We made a corporate decision to have a standard finishing package,” he says, adding appointments are divided into two categories, Prestige and Signature specifications, depending on home style and level.

Attia says the move made sense given the changing homebuilding climate and increasing amounts homebuyers have to spend—thanks to some healthy equity many have enjoyed with the boom. “People in the past were settled on price point but now that’s changed. They have a better understanding of what kind of finishing they need in the house from countertops and flooring to railings, so we added everything for them,” explains Attia.

So far no one has opted to have “high visibility items” now included, —such as hardwood or granite countertops — taken out. “It’s been received very well. They are very desirable features and that’s the reason behind altering specifications,” says Wen.

On the horizon for 2007 is broadening Landmark’s borders, says Attia, though stopping short of which locations the builder is eyeing.

What will remain a Landmark mainstay into its next decade in Calgary is quality, a foundation the company started from back in 1977, says Wen. “One of the overriding corporate philosophies is when we build a home we build it with quality and lasting value. All of it has to add up to being lasting value to our customers—they have good pride of ownership, and it doesn’t matter what size of home they are in,” he says. NL

For more information about Landmark Homes, visit http://www.landmarkhomes.ca