Montclair homes stand out for their architecture, the quality of the materials used and the meticulous care given to even the smallest details. Whether it is a detached or semi-detached single-family home, a townhouse or a condo, each house boasts a custom design, construction and layout, so as to symbolize a high-quality Montclair project.

The Contractor - Greg Galardo

The man

Greg Galardo was born into a family of builders, giving him three outstanding assets from the very start: knowledge of French, knowledge of English and the passion that characterizes the people of his race: Italians!

Education

The trade was in the family and was learned right on the worksites. Greg very quickly understood that a builder's success doesn't lie in the size or complexity of the contracts, but primarily in involvement—right down to the smallest details—and knowledgeable management. He quickly noted that worksites show people the "how tos" and universities make people reflect on the "whys". He completed his university education with an MBA but, above all, with plans to go and take a broader look around and understand the success of the great builders and developers.

Experience

He acquired experience in the United States and then later, in Canada, in the commercial and industrial building sectors: metro stations, major infrastructure work, pumping stations and water purification plants. He learned the game of tendering, alliance wars, delivery challenges and project changes.

Struck by the impression that he had seen all of what this sector had to offer, he embarked on a great new adventure for himself, into the lure of the unknown: the residential sector! This sector was overflowing with stakeholders who had also learned the trade from father to son and who were managing very well. Greg didn't get discouraged; enjoying big challenges, he dove into the field without restraint, backed by his acquired skills and competencies as well as his university training. He sought out major projects, those demanding joint partnerships with municipalities, architects, urban planners… and the entire building trade.

Residential sector

He always was curious and very selective when it came time to choosing a site, to finding an idea that was different, special and adapted, that would make his product stand out and, above all, appeal to buyers. He knew that marketing started by analyzing the community's needs and the specific response: the unique selling proposition (USP) or the distinctive approach. It's a must to know the buyers, to observe their lifestyle, how they get together with others, how they eat and entertain themselves. It's also a must to know how to integrate color or space trends that popular designers feature in major magazines. Another must is selecting the materials in the right price range, in the "just enough" and "not too much", choosing the elements that will give a personalized touch to each and every room: the height of the ceilings, the size of the windows, their location, the storage spaces, the layout of bathrooms and powder rooms.

That was the easiest aspect. The hardest part was choosing the Team: those who think like Greg, those who share his dedication, those who want to assume responsibility for a house with the Montclair signature! Those who firmly believe that you need more than the delivery of the product and its payment to close a sale: a sale is complete only when the clients feel at home within the setting and decor that they have chosen, as if they were the ones who had designed them. So much research, so much effort in trying this and trying that and so many adjustments to reach that point!

Values

Greg Galardo left nothing to chance when it came to sales. He selected his staff and accompanied them. He helped them understand why he opted for one solution over another, so that the sales representative would talk not only about the price and the materials, but also about the living environment—comfortable, attractive, warm and pleasant. The sale is complete when it gives rise to that word of mouth that is so important because it brings family and friends as new clients and because it helps build the company's reputation. A house with the Montclair signature is the very one that is purchased with satisfaction, that is resold at a profit and that clients advise their friends to buy.

Track record

In some projects, Montclair is one of several builders, as in the first years of the Bois-Franc development in Saint-Laurent. In other projects, Montclair is the developer: the one that evaluates the project in its entirety, designs its development, decides on the range of products and prices, establishes all the marketing and sales strategies. But always, Montclair thinks and acts long-term: service, reputation, satisfaction, guarantee, after-sales service and pride in work well done. Nothing is ever "established" as "cast in stone", everything can be improved and refined to be in keeping with lifestyles.

Meaning

"Construction doesn't merely involve putting the right materials together; it's building, laying out, transforming entire areas or groups of houses so that today's women and men rediscover indoor living, comfort, well-being and lastly, the pride of being neighbors", affirms Greg Galardo, after some thirty years of efforts and successes. While his experience can serve as a model, he well deserves the recognition of his peers.

Boards of Directors

    * APCHQ provinciale, member of the Executive Committee
    * APCHQ provinciale, President of the New House Warranty Program
    * APCHQ provinciale, President of the Residential Dwellings Warranty Program