Royal West Homes: Building on Passion
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by Nerissa McNaughton
hen Harnek Matharoo, the owner and founder of Royal West Homes, decided to launch the company in 1999, he brought a wealth of education and experience to the business. A diploma in engineering with a degree in business administration plus 21 years in the construction industry gave him the tools he needed to start a successful company. He also had something that is not taught in university nor purchased through any retailer: passion. “The intention was always to be my own boss,” Matharoo explains with a warm smile. “After working in the public and private sector, I took a three-year break to work on some family obligations and think about the future, then I opened Royal West Homes. With now over 35 years in the construction industry, I am just as comfortable with the technical side of things as I am with arranging millions of dollars for our projects.” With his long-range goal setting and vision of what an outstanding homebuilding company can be, it is no surprise that his clients love the high-quality, modern, trendy houses Royal West Homes provide. “In 15 years we have never missed a possession deadline,” says Matharoo. “When we mail out a letter to the customer saying ‘your house will be ready on this date,’ it will be ready on that date. I still take pride in walking though each house we build to ascertain that it is done to our high standards.” Those high standards start from the earliest stages of each project. Matharoo explains, “My philosophy is to spend more time at the planning stages and address any issues before the construction starts. If you make mistakes during construction, you are not going to make money.
Avoid making mistakes. Do it once and do it right.” This exceptional level of detail continues through each progressive phase. “We are so confident about our work that we encourage all our customers to bring in their own professional home inspectors during the walk-through inspection,” says Matharoo. “We even cover some of the costs of these inspections.” “Our subtrades have to know their work,” he says firmly. “They have to have the experience and the knowledge of their respective trades. We have companies that have worked with us for many years and we have new companies that we give opportunities to, but regardless of being an emerging or established company, the key person must have the knowledge and experience. We work with them and help them grow as we grow.” “Most subtrades don’t want to leave us,” Matharoo continues. “They want to stick with us because we treat them fairly, and we pay on time. In 15 years we have never had a single incident where someone’s payment could not be issued on time. At the same time, we expect our subtrades to do their work on time and on the schedule that we jointly develop. We make sure every contractor fully understands the scope of their work and they provide a price they can live with. If we sense a contractor has underbid by too big of a margin, we will have them take a second or third look at their numbers before awarding them the contract. It helps no one when you are well underway into the project and the contractor finds out they made a mistake and they can’t do the work they promised. I’d rather deal with those issues beforehand.”
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Royal West Homes is currently working on Whether Royal West Homes is building their most ambitious project to date. Altitude for residents or tenants, environmental prois a 61-unit townhouse complex featuring four tection and sustainability is a top priority. different models ranging from 1,170 square “We want to do our part in making sure what feet to 1,380 square feet. Thirty-three of the and how we build, the products we use, and units have double-car garages (the remainder the way those things are designed and manuhave single-car garages) and the owners get to factured, have the smallest possible negative customize their space by choosing from sevimpact on the environment. We use energy eral high-quality finishing options. efficient doors and windows, faucets and fix“This product has been very well retures, up to 40 per cent recycled materials in ceived by the customers,” Matharoo conattic insulations, low-volatile organic comfirms. “We opened the show home 15 pound paint and programmable thermostats months ago and now there are only a couso residents can program their heating and ple of units left. By the end of December of cooling needs. We use high-efficiency furthis year we expect to complete and handnaces and hot water tanks,” Matharoo exover the last few units.” plains just some of Royal West’s many ecoAir Harbour is another project in progress. friendly initiatives. Designed as an adult bungalow community, The green initiatives don’t stop at the conAir Harbour is popular with empty nesters struction stage. Matharoo and his team proHarnek Matharoo, president and founder of looking to downsize. This 32-unit complex vide the means for each customer to carry the Royal West Homes broke ground in 2012 and is nearly sold out; process further. “It is important for the cusjust five units remain. Additionally, the company has built huntomer to know how we build our houses and what products we use dreds of single-family houses and duplexes over the years. in them so they can see that buying from us contributes to a positive Although Royal West Homes builds residences all over Edmonimpact on the environment. We go through an orientation before ton, there was a time when they took a short detour from homethey take possession so if they have to change or replace things down building – and for a very good reason. “In 2007 when the economy the road, they are buying the right sustainable products.” went down it was time for us to move onto something that would The hard work, passion and dedication Royal West Homes puts be different and would keep us going for a couple of years,” Matharinto each project has not gone unnoticed by the building commuoo reflects. “The housing industry slowed down for about two years nity. Recently, Royal West was an award finalist in the Canadian because of over-construction, high interest rates and a number of Home Builders’ Association’s Edmonton chapter; but for Matharoo, other reasons. People just stopped buying. At that time we had sold it’s not the praise of the industry that provides his greatest satisfacout most of our previous houses and an opportunity came up to tion. “To me, the biggest appreciation comes from the customers build a 30,000 square-foot steel and concrete office building with when they walk into their new house and see what we have done. an underground parkade.” Always ready to recognize a good opThen they come out and meet me and shake hands and say thank portunity, Matharoo and his team decided to build the structure. you for doing such a good job.” The result is the impressive Summerside Business Centre located in Matharoo’s passion for building quality homes has not waned in Edmonton’s south side. over three decades. He is still excited about slipping out of his suit
ROYAL WEST HOMES Congratulations on 15 YEARS of quality home building!
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jacket and into a hard hat to check on Royal West’s construction projects. He feels it is his duty as the head of the company to personally greet as many owners as possible and quickly address any concerns on their possession day. Through it all he still finds time to give charitably to humanitarian causes; train, educate and inspire his staff; and plan Royal West’s future. “We have three new projects in the preliminary stages,” he informs. “One is a six-storey building with 224 units. We are also considering a 60-unit townhouse complex and a 40-unit apartment building. We are still working on the details of these projects. In addition, we are also looking for opportunities to get into a number of new subdivisions in the city.” “I am really pleased to have the team I have on staff,” Matharoo concludes. “I am grateful to all of the stakeholders: the investors, the bankers, the land developers, the architects, our suppliers, subtrades, staff and to an old friend, Joe Higgins, who helped this company in its early years.” Matharoo gives that trademark warm smile again as he thinks of the company’s future. “We are ready to expand further. We are aiming for close to $18 million in revenue this year, and in the next five years we expect to double that.” With his passion for building and his active role in all aspects of the company, there is no reason to doubt that Royal West Homes will meet and exceed their goals while continuing to please each and every customer for many years to come.
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Congratulations to Royal West Homes on your 15th Anniversary! We wish you continued success and look forward to ongoing partnerships on future projects.
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Congratulations to Royal West Homes on 15 years in business. Your hard work and commitment embodies all that makes Western Canada a great place to live, work and play. We look forward to helping you reach even loftier heights in the years to come.
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