Over the past six years, the Edmonton-based company has quickly established a reputation as the premier builder of affordable custom homes, whose unique system can save their customers tens of thousands of dollars while building their dream home.

Led by their youthful president, Danielle Addington, one of the very few females to actually head-up a home building company, Axiom has now expanded its operations to Calgary, where demand has ballooned as word of the company’s expertise continues to spread.

“We have received many calls from Calgarians in the last 12 months who were disappointed to hear that our services were limited to Edmonton area.  In 2009, we decided that enough interest existed to make the expansion,” Addington tells New Home Living.

The downturn actually did little to discourage business at Axiom, because they do not build spec homes. “We did not participate in the risky business of timing the market in 2006-07, so we don’t have any burdensome liabilities.  New customers definitely report increased levels of anxiety, as unemployment levels rise, but this hasn’t stopped many,” she points out.

Their success has been built on a business model Addington says she learned from her parents. “My parents built custom homes throughout my childhood. My father put me in charge of my first project at age 16 — as soon as I could drive! I managed several homes for them and then opened my own office a few years later.

“The business was started with very little capital … just $3,000. As such, our business model was born out of necessity. We needed to pass the cost of financing the project onto the client and do so by billing the clients as the trades and suppliers bill us, with no mark-ups, which means tremendous savings for our clients,” she explains.

It has worked so well that this same business practice is carried on today. Axiom only charges a flat fee of $35,000 no matter the size of the home, and only bills the customer what trades and suppliers charge. This, she says, can result in savings from $75,000 to as much as $250,000.

“Our business model is no longer a necessity spurred by lack of capital but we are dedicated to it because we are proud of producing custom homes for incredible prices and allowing our clients to build bigger and more luxurious homes than they would be able to consider with other home builders.”

The company has become a specialist in ‘niche’ markets such as in-fills (demolishing older homes and rebuilding) and acreages. “These projects take special skills and attention to detail and our experience in these areas is something we are very proud of,” she says.

One of their most recent projects is a 2,529-square-foot, two-storey home with attached triple car garage in Strathcona. It features hardwood and tile flooring throughout the main floor, vaulted ceilings and all the accoutrements of a true estate home.

Addington says the total cost of building this home, including land, is $624,965.76, and the appraised value at completion is pegged at $850,000, an instant equity of $225,034.24 for the client. Axiom’s price for building this home was $160.04 per square-foot, while the competing builder’s was closer to $255.

For Axiom, it is efficient organization that carries the day.  “Like everyone today, we are watching our costs even more closely now, but Axiom was borne out of hardship and capital scarcity, so it is conditioned to weather the economic headwinds,” Addington says.  NL


FAST FACTS:
BUILDER: Axiom Homes
AREA: Builds custom homes in Edmonton and Calgary areas
OFFICE LOCATION: 3307 114 Avenue S.E
PRICE: Charges flat fee of $35,000 plus cost of homes 

For more information, visit http://www.ladyhomebuilder.com