First-Generation Sustainable Builder Rewarded for Ambassadorship

Alberta’s Excel Homes takes home national sustainability award

Built Green Canada’s Maverick Awards reward and profile leadership in sustainable building, across three exclusive categories—these saw entries from British Columbia through to Ontario. The most popular is the Ambassador Award, for which there was a two-way tie between Alberta builders, including Excel Homes. This award recognizes those on the ground, promoting and encouraging sustainable building: those ambassadors driving industry progress. Excel Homes, in Edmonton and Calgary, is one of the three original Built Green builders, with over 7,000 certifications to-date. They’ve played a pivotal role in introducing and promoting Built Green’s programs, setting a higher standard for industry to achieve and for homebuyers to expect—Excel has demonstrated sustained commitment to certification, education and industry collaboration.

At a time when sustainable building practices were just emerging, in 2007, Excel Homes began BUILT GREEN® certifying their homes. Since then, they have become the second-largest builder of Built Green homes across the country, contributing to significant reductions in energy consumption, water use and material waste across Albertan communities. This is a first-generation sustainable building ambassador—voluntarily championing more responsibly built, healthier homes: for the environment and the homeowner.

Reflecting a deep commitment to their long-term impact, sustainability is central to their mission. It’s not a response to regulation or market demand; it’s a deliberate, values-driven commitment to stewarding natural resources and creating long-term value. This aligns with one of their four core values: responsibility—they’re committed to ensuring that every Excel Homes’ customer receives a BUILT GREEN® certified home.

For them, sustainability has never been an optional feature; it’s a standard embedded in Excel’s product, culture and operations. Internally, Built Green is integrated into onboarding, training, marketing and customer engagement, as well as team discussions and quarterly town halls. Every team member understands Built Green principles and contributes to environmentally responsible building practices. This culture encourages innovation, helping progress their work to build better. Their sales team consistently cites Built Green as a key differentiator and driver in purchasing decisions, while increasing demand, referrals and online engagement confirm its appeal.

Meanwhile, the value of sustainable building practices and third-party certification is reinforced through their network—ensuring trades, suppliers, developers, financial institutions and government partners understand and align with their values. This speaks to their reach as ambassadors—driving industry recognition and change.

Acting as a peer resource, Excel prioritizes sharing their expertise in sustainable building and ways of integrating these processes. Members from their leadership have long been active participants on Built Green Canada’s Board of Directors and Technical Standards Committee. They’ve also been part of advocacy efforts with the Government of Alberta, collaborating with Built Green Canada to influence policy, improve technical standards, and promote sustainable practices province-wide.

Excel says Built Green Canada has provided them with a clear framework—its practical checklists and program guides enable them to translate sustainability goals into tangible outcomes. And, due to Built Green’s brand reputation, third-party certifying strengthens trust with customers, employees and partners, allowing Excel to communicate and deliver on environmental benefits with the credibility that comes with transparency. Certification provides an added level of integrity and shows they go beyond minimum code requirements—they go the extra mile.

This translates into tangible homeowner benefits, including healthier living environments, lower utility costs, reduced maintenance and long-term resource conservation. Their primary audience is younger, growing families, aged 25-45, many of whom are new Canadians seeking high-quality, efficient homes. Therefore, detailed information on features such as blower-door testing, efficient systems and low-VOC materials ensures customers understand real-life advantages.

They educate across multiple channels, including their website, blogs, articles and earned media, social media, email campaigns, paid and organic advertising, show home visits and point-of-purchase materials. At the core of Excel’s messaging is the belief that sustainable building benefits homeowners, communities and the environment—and it’s more than energy. They address the preservation of natural resources, the reduction of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, improved indoor air quality and ventilation, enhanced durability, and responsible construction practices—all key aspects of Built Green’s programs.

“What drives us forward is our dedication to innovation, pushing us to explore new ways to build efficient, high-performing homes, which is further fuelled by feedback from homeowners,” says Sean Nolan, president and CEO at Excel Homes. “Witnessing the growth of the sustainability movement in Alberta’s industry, seeing rising customer demand for BUILT GREEN® homes and celebrating the positive impact on families keeps our teams motivated to lead meaningful, lasting change.”

Within the industry, they’ve recognized barriers—including perceived higher upfront costs, resistance to new practices and lack of awareness about long-term benefits. Through education, marketing and in-person demonstrations, Excel Homes addresses these challenges by emphasizing long-term savings, health benefits and environmental impact, showing how sustainability can be practical and valuable.

So what’s the next step for industry progress? They believe it’s broad adoption of sustainability standards that balance cost, performance and environmental stewardship. Excel Homes is a proud participant, partner, sponsor and ambassador for Built Green who continues leading by example, showing that high-volume, production homebuilders can integrate sustainability practices at scale. Through advocacy, education and demonstrated results, they work to inspire peers, policymakers and homeowners to make sustainable building the standard. Championing sustainable building practices since 2007, they’re more committed than ever to being sustainability leaders dedicated to setting the bar higher across the industry.

For over 35 years, Excel Homes has been on a mission: to build homes that contribute to healthier families, stronger communities and a more responsible approach to Alberta’s natural resources. All this, while creating a homebuying experience that delivers the most joy and value to their homeowners. Building over 700 homes annually, they’ve now produced over 15,000 homes in over 80 communities and received more than 75 awards for design and industry excellence. Plus, they’ve been certified as a Best Employer in North America for 2025, following Mercer’s robust assessments.

The Maverick Awards are another step forward in Built Green Canada's mission to progress sustainability practices and recognize leadership. Four winners have been announced: the Ambassador Award had a two-way tie between Effect Home Builders and Excel Homes, while the Innovation Award went to Carbon Wise, and Best Builders received the Transformational Award for their Phoenix House. The 2026 Mavericks are sponsored by title co-sponsors, Jayman BUILT and SkyFire Energy, alongside Alberta Ecotrust Foundation, Excel Homes and Alberta Real Estate Foundation.