Builder Profile
Tuesday, 8th November 2011
"You could say 2011 is a milestone year for Milestone Homes,” says Owner, Bob McCutcheon, whose company is celebrating 10 years of building homes in Lethbridge.
With a celebration like this comes gifts, and although it’s the company’s anniversary, it’s the customers who will be receiving those gifts. As part of the anniversary celebrations, Milestone has launched its Five Year Maintenance Plan. "This offer is the first of its kind in Lethbridge,” says Bob proudly. The plan entails its service specialists to perform an annual 30-point inspection during the first five years of ownership.? “Our aim is to help our customers keep their homes looking great and functioning properly,” Bob says. “By identifying areas that need regular preventative maintenance we can really extend the life of the house.” He adds that some of the maintenance can be simple to do, but only if you know what needs to be done. “We want to share our knowledge and help educate homeowners so they can protect their investment for many years to come,” he adds. Other promotions during Milestone’s anniversary year include special pricing on appliance packages, and the addition of three new anniversary house plans.
Milestone is only 10 years old; however, Bob’s experience inthe industry goes back almost 35 years. “It all started when Iwas about 20, and worked with John Bane, who was buildinghomes at the time,” he explains. “Things just evolved fromthere and have continued ever since. I got my journeyman carpenter’s ticket, and over the years have worked in many areas of the industry doing everything from pouring concreteto finish carpentry.”
Bob also worked for Jayman Homes in Lethbridge. “I say I went to Jayman University,” he chuckles. “They were phenomenal people to work for, and I learned so much from them.” One of the things he learned was that the skills needed to be a good business person, and a good tradesperson are very different, so he earned his business diploma from Lethbridge College. After Jayman Homes changed direction and left Lethbridge, the next logical step for Bob was to start his own company.
Bob and his late wife, Deb, started Milestone in Fall 2001. “Our company’s name comes from the thought that for peopleevery one of their homes is a milestone, whether it is a starter home, the next step up, a custom home or a home for empty nesters,” Bob says. With that philosophy in mind, Milestone takes particular care with each home they build. “We build houses one at a time, and do an outstanding job with each and every one,” he says. “Our goal is not to be the biggest builder in the city it’s to be one of the best.”
If customer satisfaction is any indication, Milestone is definitely one of the best. “According to an independent survey conducted by the Alberta New Home Warranty Program we are among the top three companies in the city when it comes to customer satisfaction,” says Bob. “And the large number of repeat customers we have speaks volumes about how we do business, and reinforces that we are doing things right.”
Milestone has built as many as 30 houses a year, but is currently comfortable building about 15, predominantly in Legacy Ridge, although they also have lots in Coulee Creek. “Regardless of the number of houses we build, we maintain our commitment to craftsmanship and quality products,” Bob says. “We also keep in touch with industry, and stay current with what’s happening in terms of products, finishes, and trends. We never stop learning.”
The company has 14 stock house plans as well as special anniversary plans. Customers are welcome to use the plans as laid out, or adapt them to fit their needs and desires. “We work with customers to make our house plans into their dream home,” Bob says. For some people it can be a challenge to imagine what a house will look like by looking at a two-dimensional blueprint. To solve that issue, prospective customers can visit other houses built by Milestone. “That visit often helps make the plan come to life for people,” he explains.
Bob and his six employees bring almost 100 years of industry experience to the table, and they bring their individual expertise to bear when working with clients to make the process of homebuilding as easy as possible. “Kelly Sande is our excellent estimator and project co-ordinator,” says Bob. “Deb was our interior designer, and now one of her former students from the Lethbridge College is part of our team. Shannon Norman helps clients navigate the myriad options available for everything?from flooring, to fixtures, to exterior finishes. Sometimes the sheer number of decisions that have to be made can be mindboggling. Our job is to make the process as easy and enjoyable as possible for our customers. ”
Milestone builds everything from starter to custom homes. Its newest show home in Legacy Ridge, at 601 Marie Van Haarlem Cres., is a certified Built Green™ Gold standard home. “Although we don’t register all our homes with the program, we incorporate the philosophy and science of Built Green™ into everything we do,” Bob says. “This is definitely the direction the industry is going. We are building better homes now that are more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.” He adds, “Melcor, the developer of Legacy Ridge, is a great corporate partner and we are pleased to be building in a master plan community that really complements our product. The architectural controls go a long way in helping protect our customers’ investment.”
Bob concludes, “Lethbridge has really grown and changed over the past decade, and Milestone Homes has grown right along with it. In the future we expect to have a stronger presence on the West Side with The Crossings subdivision, and may even expand outside the city. The only thing that will not change is our commitment to integrity, craftsmanship, and our customers.”
Article by Katherine Wasiak, Lethbridge Home Trends Vol.6 No.3 Fall / Winter 2011
Home Trends Magazine Photography by Shutterbug Photography
Lead in Photo for Website article by Cattoni Photography