We think of our clients as partners, and of ourselves as managing partners. We believe in the synergy of a three-way partnership - client, design professional, and builder, working together in the spirit of true collaboration. Communication and transparency are the pillars of that relationship. We know that our clients appreciate accuracy in estimating the cost and time of their projects and want to be an integral partner throughout the entire process. We will be candid in our reporting to you, emphasizing the pluses and minuses important in all key decisions. Our guideline is to tell you the facts that we would want to know if our positions were reversed. We will always tell you how many strokes we have taken on each hole and never play around with the scorecard. When the numbers are a very rough “guesstimate,” as they often must be in time sensitive preliminary budgeting, we will try to be both consistent and conservative in our approach. Depending on the scope of the project, we will be communicating with you in several ways. Through the printed reports, we try to give clients as much information as can be conveyed in a document kept to reasonable length. We also try to convey a liberal quantity of information on a routine basis by way of informal dialogue. Our growth depends upon client referrals and the good will that we generate. A satisfied client is our best advertising. We believe that Chev Blanc Construction is unique in the approach that we bring to our business. If we feel that we are not the best company to fulfill a clients needs, we will endeavour to provide a lead in the right direction. WE BELIEVE IN VALUE, which is not the same as the lowest price. You should be fully aware of one attitude that is not always popular: Regardless of price (within reasonable limits) we prefer to work with tradesmen with whom we have longstanding relationships, who take pride in their work and have a proven track record of reliability. As a very wise man once said “The consequences of poor quality remain long after the allure of a low price.” It has been our experience that business relationships, like reputations, must be cultivated and by treating our tradesmen fairly, we can count on them consistently delivering what is required and not profiteering when the market would allow for such behavior. Choosing the lowest bidder is not a viable strategy over the long term. If price is your only criteria, we suggest that you look for another contractor to manage your project. We pay a great deal of attention to market fluctuations. For example, is our industry enjoying a tailwind or is it facing a headwind? We need to know exactly which situation prevails and to adjust our expectations accordingly. We will also pass along our conclusions to you. The labour market is affected by seasonal changes and materials are commodities that are affected by market forces (supply & demand). In a rising market, we protect our clients by locking into contracts with price guarantees. In certain cases, we’ll delay a purchase or if necessary an entire project, to enable us to take advantage of price reductions. This is where our experience and expertise create value for our clients. In recent years the construction industry has been strong. There will be dry years, and the challenge for us is to operate smoothly through the highs and lows of the cycle. In this respect, a declining or depressed housing market is likely to present us with significant advantages. For one thing, it tends to reduce the prices at which properties become available for purchase. Second, a depressed market makes it easier for us to buy materials and negotiate labour contracts at attractive prices. So when the market plummets — as it will from time to time — neither panic nor mourn. It’s good news for those who want to build or renovate.
