For Steve and Lisa Chiddle, price and design flexibility were the two most important factors when it came to choosing a new home builder. The couple, who originally moved from Portsmouth, United Kingdom, 10 years ago, had been living in northwest Calgary. After the birth of their third daughter four years ago, they needed more space and began searching for home options that would suit their growing family.
Finding the Right Builder
They started by touring resale homes but could not find anything that worked for them. Steve's brother had built a new home in Nolan Hill with Shane Homes and was very pleased with the experience. This referral gave them a solid starting point. The family immediately gravitated to Airdrie, a city of 90,000 located just north of Calgary.
Why Airdrie?
Steve explained that they have many friends there and love the small-town feel combined with all the amenities that Calgary offers. They heard about the new community of Cobblestone Creek in Airdrie's southwest, developed by Melcor. Lisa emphasized the importance of walkability: the kids can walk to school, and from Cobblestone they can walk and cycle everywhere, including the new library, splash parks, pubs, and restaurants.
Jamie Ivey, area sales manager for Shane Homes in Cobblestone Creek, noted that Airdrie offers a quieter lifestyle with close access to amenities and better pricing than Calgary. He moved his family from Calgary to just outside Airdrie almost two years ago and has never looked back, highlighting the family-friendly and safe environment.
The Home Design
Although Shane Homes was on their radar from the beginning, the couple toured all the show homes in Cobblestone Creek to be sure. They found that Shane Homes met their needs for customization. Lisa said they knew what they wanted and how their family worked; as soon as they walked into Shane Homes, they just knew. Trust in Shane Homes was already established, and the builder was able to build a home for their needs and budget without compromise.
The Alston model, a two-storey, 1,959-square-foot home with a front drive garage, three bedrooms, an upstairs bonus room, a flex room on the main floor, and a walk-in pantry, fit perfectly. The family was able to tweak the floor plan to suit their specific requirements, creating their dream home in Cobblestone Creek.
