About Us.
Your Choice for Niagara Custom Home Builder
Authentic Homes Inc.
Welcome to Authentic Homes Inc. 30+ years of experience and 200+ projects using quality cost and energy efficient materials
Meet Your Builder & Project Manager.
Paul Gillis
Experienced Custom Home Builder
Paul began his career in the restoration industry. During this time he tackled everything from historical, residential, commercial, institutional and industrial projects.
Paul’s extensive work consisted of repairs to exteriors, interiors, cosmetic, structural failures, repairs to steel beams, concrete slabs, parking garages, masonry claddings, windows, coatings, waterproofing and caulking.
Over 25 years and thousands of projects, he noticed there were a number of common factors that were causing building structures to fail. Observing these pervasive structural failures firsthand gave him an insider view into improvements that could be made in this regard and naturally making him a subject matter expert. Paul's quality and durability first mentality made him take note of these problems that others ignored as not part of their job description. As inconvenient as it was to go the extra mile, Paul knew it was necessary for long term customer satisfaction and building integrity.
Why Custom Home & Building Projects Fail
Paul's Analysis & Solutions
Instinctively, Paul sought out a solution that could benefit both his employer and most importantly the client. He devised a simple and easy to understand list of what he considered to be the top four failures in home building:
Design Integrity & Attention to Detail
Ensuring that designs and drawings can be translated into a quality end product. Construction and building custom homes require attention to details. Issues related to observing details that many builders leave out, is what has set Paul apart over the years
Quality of Construction Material
In line with design integrity, if the materials didn’t match the design philosophy, structural failure was inevitable. Paul realized in the long run, using lower quality material led to premature renovations or improvements. Quality of material changes the amount and frequency of maintenance required for your home.
Poor Workmanship
Workmanship can be a major contributor of premature structural failures. In many cases builders are looking to move on as fast as possible to the next project. In such cases, matched with a lack of understanding of the design and use of materials, the workmanship exacerbates this situation of structural failure.
Project and Stakeholder Management
The success of a project requires that all parties from trades, designers and architects are all pulling in the same direction. Paul has an incredible knack for bringing together key parties in the building of a custom home or project to ensure that these structural failures are eliminated.
The Transition
As Paul’s career advanced into new construction and design build for custom homes and high-rise structures, he was introduced to Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF). Paul spent a number of years working with one of the leading manufacturers participating in further development of ICF forms and the uses for the product. He handled global sales for the product together with training and site inspections.
Why the Name Authentic Homes Inc.?
After seeing a need in the market for good installers, a lack of appropriate attention to detail, rising energy and hydro costs, unpredictable increases in storms, Paul knew again that this was an inflection point in terms of his contribution to the industry.
Paul wanted to bring a new and authentic approach to construction and new home building. He wanted an approach that exemplified his desire to be the best but one that was also tangible for homeowners to see and feel they made the right investment. This authentic philosophy had to exemplify the opposite of the five reasons he had noted as being why homes failed structurally. Paul decided to setup his own custom home building company with an emphasis on quality and high performing energy efficiency. This saw the birth of Authentic Homes Inc. for residential and custom home builds and remodels and Authentic Construction for commercial and restoration type projects.
A natural extension of Paul’s expertise with insulated concrete forms allowed him to be a pioneer in using ICF for swimming pools and allowing clients to have a longer summer in the pool by giving better insulation. Many of his clients who built a custom home with him saw the benefit right away and the swimming pool and landscaping division of Authentic Homes Inc. took off. Read here why you should want to build your swimming pool using insulated concrete forms
Paul is considered one of the most experienced experts in building new insulated concrete forms homes and, together with being a pioneer building swimming pools using insulated concrete forms, he has been able to give homeowners the lifestyle experience they desire
why work with us for your custom home project?
Over 200+ Successful Projects and Still Counting
Full Service End-to-End Project Management
Don't have time to oversee your project? Seeking a centralized project manager to bring your building project to life? Authentic Homes Inc. specializes in project management and construction to help meet your custom home needs
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) Technology
Looking to build a durable home that not only looks beautiful but outlasts our ever changing and harsh Canadian weather? Perhaps you may want to consider insulated concrete forms as a superior form of building material over the popular plywood wood frames to build your home
Energy Efficient Construction
Your custom home is no good if it can't insulate your home well and regulate and stabilize both cold and hot temperatures.
You could just add it as an extra to your custom home project but why not have it as part of the built-in construction process? This is the advantage of Authentic Homes Inc.
Our Difference
How Insulated Concrete Forms Give You an Advantage for All Types of Custom Home Building Projects
With so many custom home builders and remodelers in Niagara it's hard to see what the difference is and how each one can help bring your project to life. Our main competitive advantage is being one of the few builders that use insulated concrete forms in all our construction. Here are some applications:
Custom Homes
Many people have a dream of owning a home that has never been lived in, one that reflects their tastes and desire for a durable, quality and energy efficient home. As a custom home builder in Niagara, we specialize in bringing these visions to life. Our difference is in the way we carry out the management of your construction project as well as the energy efficient building materials we believe to be the gold standard over what is the typical wood frame custom homes.
Home Remodel & Renovation
Neighborhoods and "curb appeal" are two of the most common reasons why people buy their home. This likely comes with compromises on the size and design of the home.
This is where we come in if a full blown custom home isn't possible due to your budget or the fact that you don't want to leave your current neighborhood. Whether it’s making the home larger for a growing family or just wanting a cleaner, less cluttered living space, a home renovation or addition is an excellent way to make your dreams a reality.
Swimming Pools & Custom Landscaping
A custom home deserves a custom outdoor oasis. If you're not a swimmer or into swimming, Authentic Homes Inc. has you covered because we are experienced at hardscaping (think bricks, stone, rocks, walkways, retaining walls, water features) to build your oasis as well. We will guide you through the pool or landscape design process to create your outdoor living environment that reflects Canadian weather and your individuality.
Project Request Contact Form
Tell us about your custom home project!
Let's get started with your custom new home build, renovation or addition. Complete the form so we can get back to you to understand your needs and if we can help bring your vision to life!
About
Contact
Custom Homes | Home Additions | Home Renovations
Niagara Custom Home Builder | Oakville New Home Builder | Mississauga Custom Home Builder | Ancaster Custom Home Builder | Oakville Custom Renovations | Niagara Renovations | Port Dover Custom Home Builder | Fonthill Custom Home Builder | New Home Builder | Mineola Custom Home Builder |