Averna enjoys rapid rise

BOUTIQUE homebuilder Averna Homes has made an almost-instant impact on Western Australia’s residential building sector since its inception in 2007.

Averna Homes started with four staff in August 2007, with managing director Paul Serra working out of a garage-turned-office. Six months later, the first Averna Homes showcase house was built.

“We wanted to show a unique product and we wanted to show our workmanship,” Mr Serra said.

“We signed up between 15 and 20 clients from that single-storey home.”

According to Mr Serra, the company’s showcase homes are specifically designed as a starting point for clients to experience design possibilities for their own homes.

Averna Homes’ strategy is to provide a point of difference from other builders by placing primary emphasis on workmanship and finish, luxury specifications and competitive pricing.

The company intends to produce at least one show home each year to diversify its product base and explore innovative design concepts.

Mr Serra said the success of the first showcase home affirmed his belief that Averna Homes could become a dynamic force in the boutique homes market.

Within 18 months of being established, Averna Homes was named the Master Builder’s Association’s best new builder for 2009.

Mr Serra attributes the company’s rise up the industry ladder to its strategy of building a predetermined number of homes each year, which ensures the highest quality of product and service.

“By prescribing the upper limit of homes built, ample resources are available to be allocated to each of our clients as necessary to ensure the best possible finished product and personalised customer service,” Mr Serra said.

Averna sold 10 homes its first year, 20 the next, and has forecast it will meet its goal of 40 new home sales during calendar 2010.

The commitment to a personalised quality build has allowed Averna Homes to grow, despite the property sector being hit hard by the global financial crisis.

“We haven’t had the best market for the last few years, and when we set up, it certainly wasn’t a boom,” Mr Serra said.

“We probably set up in the toughest period, but I suppose the success has come down to the total dedication that we give to our clients, and servicing them.

“You’re not there to take advantage, you’re there to build their home, give them the best price and give them the best service. Service, really, is my key attribute that I feel that we are there for our clients, they can call us anytime.”

Mr Serra’s next aim is to establish Averna Homes as a household brand, where all its work comes from referrals.

Mr Serra said Averna Homes’ target market was second and third homebuyers seeking luxury houses priced between $400,000 and $700,000.

“This market is considered to be less susceptible to interest rate fluctuations and price is not the only consideration in their selection of a builder,” he said.