WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION — Western Canadian Construction Industry KATRINA STETTNER – HARMONY BUILDERS, REGINA Tackling residential new home construction challenges, one project at a time Canadian Design and Construction Report special feature Katrina Stettner tackles the chal- lenges of residential new home sales and construction one project at a time. Together, she and her husband Matt Rogina have created Harmony Home Builders to build custom qual- ity homes, creating positive experi- ences for buyers. She works both with the public and trades. The couple started the business in 2009 after more than a decade in the industry. “The name of our company says it all,” she says. “We saw the frustra- tion people went through building a home, the lack of quality and com- mitment on the part of some home builders and we just knew there was a better way.” Stettner, whose father worked as a framer, says she always worked in sales but found her niche in the housing market. “This is a great in- dustry for women. Often women have an eye for colour, for design and bring unique ideas to the table.” She says clients see her working on their behalf and don’t care about anything else. Dealing with trades though, she has to be on her game. “We have a core group of trades who are part of our team and who en- hance our level of quality,” she says. “When I am dealing with new peo- ple, with other aspects of the busi- ness, I have to make sure I know what I’m talking about, that I stand up for what I want and what my clients need.” Stettner says honesty and can- dour are an important part of her business, as is the ability to admit she may not have all the answers. “No one knows everything, not any man, not any woman. Women have to understand it’s ok to say they don’t know, as long as they follow it up with finding the answer they need.” She says she would encourage any woman who is creative and en- ergetic to consider the home indus- try as a career. She says getting people into homes they love and will love living in is rewarding. “This is a great industry and there is opportunity for more women to be involved. I think it is important for women to be self-confident, to know they can be successful at the job they want to have. It takes finding your own niche and then working hard.” Harmony now constructs about 50 homes a year. Stettner says the homes are customized to every price range and model type. “People who buy our homes pay for square footage, not for where walls are moved or which variation of a design they want,” she says. “Each home is unique, built to top quality and re- flects the individual needs of the home owner.” Stettner says she and Rogina are hands-on and work closely with their staff of 30, collaborating to create the product and experience they want delivered. She says having the best employees, working with the best trades and dealing with the best sup- pliers, including All Weather Win- dows, makes their homes the best in the city. For more information on Harmony Home Builders visit http://harmony- builders.ca. The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Spring 2014 – 43