Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Custom Home Builders in St. Thomas | Donwest Construction
Since 1968, Donwest Construction has been dedicated to crafting quality, affordable residences tailored to the unique needs of families in St. Thomas and surrounding areas. Founded by Dutch immigrants who embraced the Canadian dream of homeownership, our company has evolved from building modest homes for working families to offering diverse housing solutions including custom homes, condominiums, and high-end properties. Over five decades, we've earned recognition through projects like the Toronto National Home Show's Dream Home, which we constructed for eight consecutive years. Our commitment to community is reflected in our active involvement with the local Homebuilders Association, where our team has held leadership roles for over 35 years. We combine time-tested craftsmanship with modern innovation, ensuring every home meets rigorous quality standards while maintaining affordability.Our Tarion Warranty Corporation registration since 1976 underscores our dedication to customer protection and service excellence. From initial consultation to final delivery, our experienced team guides clients through every step of the building process, whether they're developing rural land or urban lots. We maintain transparency throughout, providing clear cost assessments for necessary infrastructure and adhering to municipal regulations that impact design parameters. Our full-time Warranty Administrator and emergency response system ensure ongoing support after home completion. As a locally rooted business, we take pride in contributing to St. Thomas' residential growth while maintaining the values and traditions established by our original founders.
Services
Custom Home Building
House Plans
Community Developments
Warranty Services
Land Consultation
Details
- Year established: 1968
Highlights and features
- 50+ years of local homebuilding experience since 1968
- Personalized design process with dedicated consultants
- Tarion Warranty Corporation registered since 1976
- Active leadership in local Homebuilders Association
- Dedicated full-time Warranty Administrator for ongoing support
Associations and certifications
- Tarion Warranty Corporation
Services
Custom Home Building
We specialize in creating personalized residences tailored to your land and lifestyle needs. Our process begins with land assessment and infrastructure planning, followed by collaborative design development with professional consultants. Whether building on rural properties requiring septic systems or urban lots with specific regulations, our team ensures quality craftsmanship and adherence to municipal standards throughout the construction process.
House Plans
Our collection features 9 distinct home plans ranging from 1,260 to 2,902 square feet, including bungalows and two-story designs. From the compact Fairview model to the spacious Cartier plan, each design can be customized to suit individual preferences through our design consultation process, ensuring your home perfectly matches your family's needs.
Community Developments
We develop integrated residential communities like MacLeod Court and Sandymount in St. Thomas. These projects combine modern infrastructure with thoughtful planning to create desirable living environments. Our current developments feature a mix of home styles and price points while maintaining quality standards and community-focused amenities that enhance residents' lifestyles.
Warranty Services
All new homes include comprehensive Tarion Warranty coverage backed by our dedicated support team. We provide pre-delivery inspections, detailed owner information packages, and ongoing warranty administration through our full-time specialist. Emergency service options ensure homeowners receive timely assistance for urgent maintenance needs beyond regular business hours.
Land Consultation
Our experts evaluate your property's characteristics including soil conditions, natural grading, and required infrastructure. We help determine service availability and associated costs while explaining municipal regulations that may impact your home's design parameters. This comprehensive assessment ensures realistic budgeting and successful integration of your custom home with its environment.
People
Jason McWhirter
President
Leading Donwest Construction since 2019, Jason maintains the company's founding values while guiding its modern expansion. With extensive industry experience, he ensures quality standards and community involvement remain priorities in all developments.
Lyndsay Sibley
Vice President
As Vice President, Lyndsay oversees key operations while maintaining the company's commitment to affordable quality housing. Her leadership helps maintain Donwest's strong presence in St. Thomas' residential market through strategic development planning.
Mike Pattenden
Director of Customer Service and Warranty
Mike manages post-construction support and warranty services, ensuring homeowners receive timely assistance. His role includes coordinating emergency responses and maintaining the company's exceptional service reputation established over five decades.
Tyler Besley
Sales Manager
As Sales Manager, Tyler connects with future homeowners to understand their vision and guide them through the custom home process. He helps match clients with suitable properties and design options that meet their specific needs.
Joe Vanoverbeke
Site Supervisor
Joe oversees construction operations, ensuring quality craftsmanship and adherence to design specifications. His expertise helps maintain Donwest's reputation for building homes that combine aesthetic appeal with structural integrity.
Questions
What types of homes does Donwest Custom Homes build?
We specialize in custom single-family homes, condominiums, and high-end housing solutions tailored to your specific needs and property requirements.
Do you offer warranty protection for new homes?
All our homes come with Tarion Warranty Corporation coverage, including a dedicated administrator for warranty claims since our registration in 1976.
Can you build on my existing property?
Yes, we guide clients through rural or urban lot development, assessing infrastructure needs and municipal requirements to create customized home solutions.
Are your home plans customizable?
Our design consultants work with you to modify existing plans or create entirely new designs that match your vision and lifestyle.
What communities do you develop in St. Thomas?
We currently develop in MacLeod Court and Sandymount neighborhoods, with additional custom home opportunities throughout St. Thomas and surrounding areas.
How do you support homeowners after construction?
We provide comprehensive post-construction support through our Director of Customer Service & Warranty and maintain emergency contact options for urgent needs.
Reviews (2)
Paul McCracken
Feb 02, 2022
Report
What use to be a great company that valued quality and customer service in a professional manner has gone completely downhill after control was assumed by Jason McWhirter. We have quarter inch cracks running along the main wall of our house and Jason has "personally" inspected them and determined that it is normal shrinkage. Make sure you deal with Tarion and not the Company. I would never consider them again based solely on the one individual.
Calin Popescu Office Wave
Nov 09, 2021
Report
Seven years after submitting our repair list in the first year of our purchase and receiving assurances (for the past 7 years) the fixes would be completed now I'm being told "The fact that you still think someone is coming to fix anything for free after our conversation is bizarre, considering the Tarion warranty on most items is only 1 year." The request for fixes is not for anything that has come up in the last few years, but from our first year of ownership - submission made to Tarion Warranty and requested for repair. Documentation was provided both to Tarion as well as Don West. Caution,
