McKee family biz

SHOWHOME 46 | FLOORED 48 | STATS 50 homelife

IDEAS AND ADVICE FOR YOUR HOME, INSIDE AND OUT

HOMELIFE | NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD

There is no better proof of an exceptional homebuilder than repeat customers.

But what does it say about a builder when a family built not once, not twice, but three times with one company and convinced their daughter to do the same?

Trish Buhler has built three houses in Cooper’s Crossing with McKee Homes since 2005 and says the builder’s work speaks for itself.

“If you build with McKee, it is going to be one of the easiest builders to deal with,” she says, adding that her current home – a large, custom-built bungalow – is their favourite home yet.

“The staff is great; they take pride in what they do, and it truly is a family owned and operated business that I trust.”

Dallas, Buhler’s daughter, and her boyfriend Kyle Smalridge are also building a home with McKee.

“My parents have always built homes with McKee and had a great experience with each build. Each McKee home we have lived in, we have loved,” says Dallas, 23.

“We are able to customize everything to our liking and needs.”

The young couple bought a quick-possession, 1,350-square-foot single-family laned home in Cooper’s Crossing that they hope to move into by the end of the summer.

“McKee is a family-run business local to Airdrie,” adds Dallas.

“They have amazing values and truly want all of their customers to have the best experience possible, and of course, make their dream home come true.”

In the family Martin McKee, founder of McKee Homes, started building homes in Airdrie in 1987. With each new home he constructed, he also built his reputation and the company.

Daughters Elaine McKee Doel and Grace McKee, and son-in-law Rob Doel (Elaine’s husband), are honoured to continue Martin’s traditions, building fine family homes for their neighbours and “crafting exceptional homes for our valued customers.”

“Today, everyone at McKee Homes remains proud of our company’s Airdrie roots, and true to our founder’s values of quality, integrity and honesty,” says McKee Doel.

McKee Homes: built for families by families

BY STACIE GAETZ

“Each of our homes is curated and cared for, not just thrown together. We take the time to get to know the family we are building a home for and their wants and needs. When we are considering what goes into our homes, we ask ourselves, ‘How does this benefit our customers? How does it make their lives more enjoyable, more affordable?’”

McKee builds in more communities than any other builder in the city, according to Ryan Doel, Elaine’s son and marketing analyst and co-ordinator for McKee Homes. The company currently builds in: •King’s Heights •Ravenswood •Lanark Landing •Cooper’s Crossing •Bayside •Chinook Gate •Vista Crossing – in Crossfield (see related story on page 44)

Paving the way McKee Homes has built between 3,300 and 3,500 houses in Alberta and has about 35 employees. They pride themselves on their innovative practices.

McKee is a BUILT GREEN builder, meaning the builders are trained in energy-efficient building practices, water-saving techniques, construction waste management and other environmental practices.

The company is also exploring building Net Zero homes, which means that the home produces at least as much energy as it consumes.

“We aim to be ahead of the curve,” says Ryan.

“We want to bring in elements that actually matter to people.”

McKee was also one of the first builders in southern Alberta to use Delta Membrane Systems, a waterproofing material, in their foundations and had very few changes to make when building codes were recently changed.

“I hope that when someone steps foot in our showhomes, they are talking to someone who will educate them about not just our homes, but the construction of a well-built home in general,” says McKee Doel.

“We put a lot of hard work and effort into being the experts and we want to share that knowledge, while also going through a journey of lifelong learning with our customers. We want to make the right decisions and we realize that the process of building a home doesn’t stop when the homeowners get the keys. We create bonds and lifelong relationships.” life

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