10 THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER JULY-AUGUST, 19

CHATEAU HOMES LTD.

Prefabricated houses have come a long way in the pa:
years and are no longer viewed on with suspicion by repu
builders. An excellent example of the fine craftmanship and
splendid designs going into the present prefab home may be seen
at the Chateau Homes Ltd., located at the Westside industrial Park
near Kelowna.

This plant, certified to Local 1-423 IWA, has been in operation
at its present site for the past four years and the quality of the work
turned out by the forty employees has earned the firm an enviable
reputation throughout the country.

The plant operates on a year-round basis turning out four
completed homes a day. Buyers have the option of over thirty home
designs to choose from all of which have the approval of the
National Housing Act.

The plant also does custom work for churches, apartment
buildings and condominiums. All materials used are of number one
quality. The lumber and plywood are purchased from Crown
Zellerbach’s operations, E. L. Sauder in Vancouver provides the
doors, and the Almetico plant in Kelowna provide the windows.

Proof of the excellence of the work produced at the plant is that
the vast majority of the houses sold are to the same customers —
building contractors in various parts of the country.

Mr. Dave Davies president of the company is justifiably proud
of the plant's reputation and flatly refuses to sell any of his prefab
houses to customers unless they can assure him they have the
necessary experience to follow the plans or have engaged a builder
to erect the structure.

This careful protection of its reputation is also reflected in how
the prefab home is delivered to the customer. Most prefab builders
ship the entire house at once to the building site. Mr. Davies prefers
to ship each section as needed so as to protect the customer from -
damage or loss.

Few companies take the trouble to look after their customer's
interests like this but this attention to the customers needs has
paid off for Chateau Homes Ltd., and has also provided steady work
for up to forty IWA members in Kelowna.

Frank Dueck cutting the joists.

Phil Williams and Art Perece nail up window walls.

. Wayne Olafson and Phil Cote lay on plywood sheets in preparation for nailing to window Jack Schmidt making up the overhang panels. ¢
walls. ee: