H.O.M.E. Awards recognize excellence in customer service
Local builders win prestigious awards announced online in place of annual gala
The 2020 Customerinsight Home Owner Mark of Excellence (H.O.M.E.) Awards, a celebratory event honouring builders and trade partners with high customer satisfaction scores, was held April 7 with Edmonton and area builders winning in several categories.
The annual North America-wide industry awards are usually presented during a gala, but given the pandemic, Consumerinsight Inc. director and founder Christian Caswell announced the winners to a virtual audience during a 15-minute online ceremony.
“We came up with a different format so everyone can focus on what’s important during this time and still honour builders for all their hard work in 2019,” Caswell said during the ceremony’s preamble.
The Home Owner Mark of Excellence categories are: Best Customer Experience, based on consumer satisfaction surveys at one and 13 months post-possession; Best Trade/supply Partner, a builder evaluation of contractors; Industry Ambassador of the Year, honouring an individual who’s made a remarkable contribution to the homebuilding industry and to customer service; and Builder of Choice, based on feedback from customers, trade partners and the builder’s internal team.
“For new home buyers, the Home Owners Mark of Excellence represents confidence and peace of mind that the builder they engage with will follow through on its promises,” he noted.
Edmonton and area winners waiting for their awards to come in the mail are Zetson Homes, Kimberley Homes, City Homes Master Builder, Dolce Vita Homes Lincolnberg Homes, Daytona and Streetside Developments. Each pulled in the highest customer satisfaction scores in the 2019 Customerinsight Surveys, with Dolce Vita Homes winning in two categories: Best Customer Experience, large volume single family for the Edmonton area and for Northern Alberta.
“It was a great win and a great opportunity to celebrate. There hasn’t been a whole lot to celebrate over the past month,” said Dolce Vita president Ryan Smith.
“It’s our first year winning in the northern region and our third year in a row winning the Edmonton award among a large and strong group of peer builders. It’s a fantastic testament to the pride we take in our homes and our service to our clients.”
The builder’s work rebuilding its customers’ homes after forest fires destroyed more than 3,200 buildings in Fort Mcmurray in 2016 helped re-establish Dolce
Vita’s presence in the northern community.
“Our level of customer service is just starting to get a reputation up there. It’s exciting for us to see the culture, care and pride we put in our homes in Edmonton translate into Fort Mcmurray. This award reinforces the good things we’ve been doing,” Smith noted.
Daytona Homes racked up four awards across the province, for Builder of Choice, large volume in the Edmonton area, one each for small volume in Calgary and Southern Alberta and Best Customer Experience, small volume, in Lethbridge.
Daytona has been active in Western Canada for 25 years and according to sales manager Tania Nash, customers become part of the family.
“We believe in transparency with all our clients, we include the purchasers throughout the process. There is no limitation to accessing their home during the build and it’s something we pride ourselves on. There is nothing to hide,” said Nash.