Tarion unveils best of the new home building industry

Survey of 38,000 New Home Buyers Determines Leaders in Customer Service

TORONTO, March 9 /CNW/ - Tarion Warranty Corporation is pleased to announce its 2010 Awards of Excellence recipients. These are the top new home builders based on customer service performance as determined by builders' own customers. Awards are presented to the following builders in each of four categories are:

    
    -  Tridel of Toronto in the High-Rise Category
    -  Brookfield Homes of Markham, Ontario in the Large Volume Category
    -  Fusion Homes of Southwestern Ontario in the Medium Volume Category
    -  Clancy Builders Ltd. of Leith, Ontario in the Small Volume Category
    

To determine the award recipients, a survey was sent to more than 38,000 new home buyers who took possession of a new home in Ontario between October 1, 2008 and September 30, 2009. More than 9,000 responses were received and the results were tabulated by Harris/Decima and Crunch Research. Questions covered every stage of the after-sales homeowner-builder relationship: from the signing of the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, through construction and the pre-delivery period, to after-sales service.

"There is no better 'litmus test' for good customer service than a happy, satisfied customer. Tarion's awards recognize builders for going the extra mile and putting their purchasers first to help ensure they have a positive new home experience. That's not just smart business--it's good news for the new home construction industry," said Howard Bogach, Tarion President and CEO. "We congratulate all of the finalists for being recognized by their customers."

The Tarion Awards of Excellence are the only awards that recognize home builders from across Ontario exclusively for their after-sales customer service performance.

    
    2010 Tarion Award of Excellence Recipients:
    -------------------------------------------

    High-Rise Builder Category
    Award presented to:  Tridel - Toronto, ON
    Finalists
    Mattamy Homes - Oakville, ON
    One Sherway Tower Two - Toronto, ON (A joint venture between Menkes and
    Great Gulf Homes)
    Solmar Development Corporation - Toronto, ON
    The Daniels Corporation - Toronto, ON

    Large Volume Builder Category
    Award presented to: Brookfield Homes - Markham, ON
    Finalists
    Devonleigh Homes Inc. - Orangeville, ON
    Paradise Homes - Markham, ON
    Tartan Homes - Ottawa, ON
    Tribute Communities - Toronto, ON

    Medium Volume Builder Category:
    Award presented to: Fusion Homes - Southwestern Ontario
    Finalists
    Geertsma Homes Ltd. - Belleville, ON
    Greene Homes - Kingston, ON
    Hilden Homes Ltd. - Belleville, ON
    Sifton Properties Ltd. - London, ON

    Small Volume Builder Category
    Award presented to: Clancy Builders Ltd. - Leith, ON
    Finalists
    Don McAdoo Construction Limited - Perth, ON
    Les Investissements Lanthier-Mainville Inc. - Casselman, ON
    Midhaven Homes Ltd. - Oshawa, ON
    Robert Miller Contracting Ltd. - Callander, ON
    

Tarion Warranty Corporation is a private corporation established in 1976 to serve as the Regulator of the new home building industry in Ontario. In this role, Tarion licenses all new home and condominium builders pursuant to provincial legislation. This statute requires new home builders to provide purchasers with warranty coverage that is guaranteed by Tarion. The Corporation also establishes minimum time standards for after-sales service, and adjudicates issues between homeowners and builders. As of the end of 2009, more than 1.9 million homes in Ontario have been protected under warranty by Tarion.

For further information: Corinne Smirle, (Ph) [phone], [email protected]