Built to Last

Blog ARTICLE

Built to Last

Blog Article

Built to Last: Local Partnerships, Strong Communities, Quality Construction

Let’s face it — the last few months have been incredibly stressful. Canada’s shifting trade relationship with the US has been a rollercoaster ride — and there’s no sign of it slowing down anytime soon. We’re already seeing rising costs in industries that rely on U.S. aluminum, steel, and manufacturing. Mechanical equipment, electrical wiring, and heating systems have jumped by 7-15% over the past few months. While prices for some materials, like lumber, have dropped, tariffs and global uncertainty are reshaping how developers and business owners approach new builds and renovations. “For anybody reliant on finance and their own capital, reinvestments have dramatically slowed in the last three to four months,” says Steve Ashton, President and CEO of Ashton Construction Services (ACS). But there are ways to mitigate the impact. Being able to tap into strong reciprocal relationships with local trade partners and suppliers can make a big difference. Here’s an example: Ashton Construction Services is currently working on a project that involves rooftop heating and cooling units. The project engineer specified American-made units — which are subject to tariffs. However, a local supplier knew of a Calgary-based alternative that could save the project $40,000. “That relationship works because they care about our success,” says Steve. “But we’re also completely transparent about our numbers so we can literally show them, look, this doesn’t affect our fee. Our fee is on the bottom line. You can pay for the ones your engineer specified, or you can save $40,000. The choice is generally the latter.”

Local Trades = Better Builds

The reduced travel time associated with local trades, contractors, and suppliers also makes it easier to access a higher quality of work — often for the same price.

“They work longer hours because they don’t have that travelling to do,” says Steve. “Are they always the most cost-effective in a literal sense? No. But if you look at the entire project as a whole, yes. Maybe they’re priced 5% higher because their staff is local and needs $5-10 more an hour to survive here, but they’re faster — and all of my fees are based on time.”

As an added bonus, less travel also means a smaller carbon footprint. “They’re not on the highway all the time, burning gas,” Steve adds.

The benefits of partnering with local contractors, suppliers, and trades go beyond saving money. Local trades bring a deeper level of commitment, accountability, and care to every project.

“These people take pride in their projects because they live in the community,” says Steve. “They drive by these buildings with their kids, their partners, or even by themselves. The fact that I live here is one of my biggest strengths as a contractor. I run into everybody at the grocery store, so I need to be able to hold my head up high and know that I tried my hardest on the job I did for them. If I didn’t show up well, everybody would know.” That kind of accountability pays off. ACS is currently building a church — and the project is already three weeks ahead of schedule, thanks to a proactive local framer. “They came to the site prepared with the right crew, the right tools, the right equipment, the right safety and efficiency practices, and they were able to recognize potential challenges right away,” says Steve, explaining that they’d encountered some site restraints. “There was some mud on the site, and we didn’t want their machines getting stuck and slowing them down. When the trades see that we care about their success, they do their best to be efficient for us. Before they even started, they made sure we had all the material we needed, and they just banged it out.” This mutual respect also shows up in the quality of the build. “They don’t leave any loose ends,” Steve says. “They pride themselves on getting in, getting out, and making sure the project is completely ready for the next trade — with no mess left behind.”

Ashton Construction Services - Projects - Banff Plastic Surgery 2

Reinvesting in Community

When a construction company hires a local trade, there’s a ripple effect that benefits the entire community. After all, research shows that for every dollar spent at a local business, 66 cents stay in the area. That means higher wages, more jobs, and a more resilient economy.

“We want to support people who work and live in our community,” says Steve. “These people are going to church here, buying from stores here, eating at the restaurants here. They’re paying taxes, using the municipal infrastructure, and supporting a strong local industry. Last time I added it up, there were between 1,200 and 1,500 construction-related jobs in the Bow Valley.”

Local companies also tend to support local cultural and non-profit organizations. A couple of years ago, for example, when ACS renovated the Pine Tree Players Theatre, the company’s local partnerships made it possible to give the theatre a sizable donation at the end of the project.

“I was able to say to all those local trades, ‘Are you guys willing to give anything back here? We’re building something to strengthen the fabric of our community, our culture,’” Steve says. Many of them ended up chipping in $500-1,000 and at the end of the build, the collective was able to donate $15,000 to the theatre company.

Photo: Pine Tree Players Project, Canmore

Trust and Cooperation

At a time when costs are high and trust is everything, some Alberta businesses are embracing cooperative business models. According to a recent University of Alberta study, a number of local cooperatives have discovered that this model helps keep money in the community, increases job numbers, and expands opportunities for professional development training. While ACS doesn’t operate as a formal co-op, its community-minded approach results in many of the same benefits.

“It’s about thinking, ‘How can we both make a good honest profit? How can we both take care of our community, our people, be successful, be proud of what we do, and how can we work together?’,” says Steve. “I’m a big fan of that. I have meetings with these big trades and I say straight up, ‘what can I do to make your life easier?’ Every so often somebody asks me the same thing. That’s the basis of forming really strong relationships. We would be nothing without our trade partners.”

Preparing for Success

That same community-first mindset isn’t just about doing what’s right — it’s also good business. When you hire a local contractor with deep roots and strong partnerships, you’re not just supporting the local economy. You’re also tapping into a network that’s built on collaboration and mutual problem-solving.

When local construction management companies have long-standing relationships with regional suppliers and trade, it means faster communication, better accountability, and early access to alternative solutions. When projects are threatened by tariffs, supply delays, or shifting costs, those benefits can be game-changers.

Pre-construction services can go a long way too. When local teams are brought to the table early, they can flag material issues, suggest cost-effective alternatives, and keep everyone aligned.

“Engage your construction manager as early in the process as possible so that all of these challenges can be understood, categorized, and dealt with methodically,” Steve says. “ leveraging their relationships with suppliers and sub-trades, and you’re able to maintain the connection to the cost aspect, the lead time aspect.”

After all, when you’re part of a community, success is about much more than money.

“I don’t necessarily define success as how much money we’re making,” says Steve. “I define it more as how happy we are promoting good vibes and the local economy, how much we’re giving back, and how much passion we are putting into it.”

Want to reduce tariff risk, save money, and support your community all at the same time? Contact the ACS team today to discover how our local advantage can benefit your next commercial construction project.

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