Business View Magazine - Feb 2024

housing crisis, especially in the GTA,where affordable property is scarce. Addressing this concern requires governments to streamline processes, increase accommodation availability, and reduce endless bureaucratic tape. Over the past five years, hurdles from municipal and provincial governments quadrupled, complicating permits and land development. Lack of civic accountability leads to varied processes and rules, creating obstacles for builders. This issue spreads beyond Canada, with housing shortages worldwide. A FRANCHISE BUSINESS MODEL WITH A CLIENT FOCUS Alair Homes’ operational structure is distinct. “Blair McDaniel had the idea of planning the entire venture with the consumer. Have them create and design it, including selecting finishes, and price everything in advance,” explains Butler. “Then be transparent about the rates−show the customer what our builders’ costs are”). Buyer cooperation is paramount in ensuring advanced choice approval and preventing unexpected expenditures. The method used The first step is a face-to- face discovery meeting, says Butler. “We collect information about the build, discuss concerns, and align with the customer’s vision. We then create a feasibility document outlining project details and supply a cost estimate.” If the client moves forward, Alair enters a planning contract, instigating joint efforts in surveying, architect choice, and approval of the design proposal. The process involves detailed steps, such as retaining interior and exterior designers, requesting quotes from trade partners, and meticulous price breakdowns using proprietary software. Clients have full visibility of budgets and real-time scheduling through cloud-based software. In the GTA, alternative methods exist, like hiring a project manager who oversees building activities while customers buy materials to circumvent 26 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 02