city, that foundation is family, who need to be close to hold a hand to provide comfort through a trying time. For a family, away from home and needing to support their child without worry about other factors, that foundation is accommodation in a supportive environment -- a place like the Ronald

McDonald House. For such an organization, that foundation is funds from financial backers and fundraisers to sustain and grow to provide families with what they need. This is why Benjamin Moore and Tamco Homes have joined forces to support and sponsor the Ronald McDonald House Home Lottery, to show support for the charity that has long partnered with Benjamin Moore. "The immediate need is to expand the footprint in Saskatoon, because they've been at capacity for years," explained Adrian Leusink of Benjamin Moore. Saskatoon is centrally located in the province, is home to a research hospital and will soon be the site of a children's hospital, making it the most important place in the province to have the Ronald McDonald House. While located in Saskatoon, the house benefits families throughout the province.

The Ronald McDonald House does want to expand throughout the province, and would like to look at four housing units in Regina's General Hospital for parents of premature babies. This project doesn't have specific dates or timelines, but is a goal the charity is looking towards. The partners in the lottery have a history together and look forward to a successful partnership in support of the Ronald McDonald

House here in Saskatchewan. Tamco Homes began through a conversation between Colin Prost and Gerald Kirby.

"Five years ago I began my own company (Tamco Construction) after Gerald spurred me on," said

Prost. "Then we were talking about the industry and the economic expansion and how we should build

houses. I said, 'if you're in with me, I'm in with you,' and with a handshake, we started Tamco Homes

one year ago." Prost brings experience and contractors while Kirby brings contacts throughout the city. Tamco does insurance claims, private renovations and additions. Building new homes was a natural

evolution.

"We had to put down the foundation, which is the core of what we do - building a relationship,"

said Prost. "For us to pour in a concrete foundation was a piece of cake." Benjamin Moore retail outlets are all independently owned. Glenda Mabbot, owner of Benjamin Moore House of Colour on Quance, is also colour consultant. She and Jillian Billawchuk of Jillian's Design Elements in Moose Jaw decorated the interior of the home in Lakeview. Many other independent businesses came together on the home

to build a beautiful, fully-furnished and landscaped, 2,800 square foot upscale home worth $873,055.

"Those who have toured the home comment on the fit, finish, quality and craftsmanship of this

home," said Leusink. In addition to the home, prizes include the early bird prize of a 2009 Cadillac CTS AWD performance sedan, and other prizes of a 2009 Victory Kingpin Motorcycle, four sunny five-star, two-week, allinclusive vacations, and a backyard deck package.

PROFILE BY MARIE POWELL MENDENHALL

"We want our customers to ask for us by name," says company co-founder and president, Colin Prost.

Prost was born in Radville, and raised on a farm in the Weyburn area, where he went to school. Later he worked in the construction industry in Regina, where he met Rob Donald, a skilled journeyman carpenter. About five years ago, they began talking about the possibility of starting a business.

That led to the formation of TAMCO Construction Ltd. in 2004, located at 1809 MacDonald Street in Regina. Prost’s expertise in business, and Donald’s carpentry skill, assured them of quality workmanship. Their business philosophy is to work with customers to design and build new functionality and features.

"With the marketable value of Saskatchewan homes on the rise, there has never been a better opportunity to put your earned equity back into your home," Prost says.

TAMCO handles everything from large scale additions to decks and interior renovations. The company provides modern, professional results in kitchen and bathroom renovations and upgrades. As well, it provides complete painting services, working with affiliated companies like Benjamin Moore paints.

Benjamin Moore has been in business since 1883, and Prost says they provide the highest quality paints and finishes in the country. That’s the level of service TAMCO wants for its customer. To handle the variables and choices, he adds, working with a leader in the industry is important. Color is always the biggest decision, for example, and Benjamin Moore designs its own color palette.

"When you know that the company you’re working with is the innovator of color and choice, it makes it much easier," Prost says.

Many customers choose TAMCO when looking for contractors to handle insurance claims. TAMCO is on recommended lists for all major insurance companies, and this has been a major component of its business.

"As a company, TAMCO Construction Ltd. understands the needs of these circumstances and is sensitive to them," Prost says. "We want to replace your losses with the least disruption to your life as possible."

When clients have insurance claims to be filled, they may be victims of fire, flood, or vandalism, he explains. "We want to build a rapport with the customer," says Prost. "The very first thing we try to do is put ourselves in their position, and understand what they’re feeling. We want to sympathize with them and relate to them, and slowly grow that rapport."

They will talk with the customer to try and establish their wants and needs. "We feel that first impressions are very important." Generally they will follow up with a personal appointment to meet with the customer, and build on the customer’s own experience.

By carefully following the requirements of the insurance company, they develop an estimate. Whatever the outcome, Prost adds, "We hope that the customer felt good about the encounter."

In 2007, Prost and Donald teamed up with a third partner, Gerald Kirby, to begin a new wing of the company.

"I was at a golf tournament with Gerald, and we were discussing where the economy is going in Saskatchewan and within the Regina area," recalls Prost. With housing booming, Kirby suggested, credible and reliable new-home builders were needed in the city. "We should be building houses," Kirby told Prost.

Affiliating with leading professionals like Benjamin Moore lets TAMCO help its customers choose superior materials for today’s marketplace. It’s part of building a solid reputation within the industry, Prost and Donald agree.

"I think we’re trying to do something a little different than the other builders," adds Donald. "We’re trying to build a superior product, to help us stand out and gain a name for superior work."

"With each house that we’re building, we’re also trying to keep energy efficient elements in mind." Affiliates help with this process as well. For instance, TAMCO is also affiliated with Spray Jones Spray Foam and Acoustics for insulation. As well, the company works with other local affiliates to provide energy efficient lighting fixtures, and high efficiency furnaces.

These choices are important in today’s eco-conscious market. "We only have one planet," Donald says, "and we have to do our best to keep it green as long as we can."

"We’re trying to build a superior house, from the inside out," adds Prost

Earlier this year, Gerald Kirby of TAMCO Homes mentioned his new Showhome project to Leusink. "We decided we could use the showhome to recommend what Benjamin Moore can do for a homebuilder, and for the consumer," Leusink says. "We could highlight all the different, unique aspects that go into TAMCO Homes."

To decorate the new showhome, they consulted Glenda Mabbott, Benjamin Moore certified color consultant and store owner. Her experience includes showhomes and hospital lottery homes.

"I choose all the finishes in the house, including color, tile, flooring, carpeting, light switches, plumbing, taps, tubs, cabinetry, etc," Mabbott says. She matches the finishes to the particular taste of the homeowner, whether traditional or contemporary. "I always check with the owners," she says. "We work with what they love first."

With the showhome, for example, Mabbott knew that the eventual owner of the house loved contemporary modern design concepts.

"I knew what they liked, so consequently, I could chose the right finishes for that particular taste," she says. "I will dress it in ‘less is more’ simplicity, because I don’t like clutter. It’s going to be simple, modern, clean lines."

"It’s very beautiful in an open space," she says. "In a smaller area you don’t get to see the pattern. In a large space, it’s a variant pattern, and it’s very attractive."

The powder room and downstairs bathrooms are in Brick (208410). Going upstairs, she lightened in the hall and transition areas to Great Plains (CC334). With no windows to provide natural light in the hallway, she adds, lightening the color is an advantage.

"Every color is quite rich, so everything is contrasted against that," she adds. "You always want to have some contrast." For instance, the cabinets are darker wood, with the island and countertops in mid-range granite. The backsplash is a "stunning" combination glass, granite, and mirrored mosaic tile in earth tones, and the entrance tiles are earth-tones with a metallic finish.

Furnishings will be contemporary modern. Art in the home will include an original abstract painting by Mabbott, and a room done in graffiti art by her son, Taylor Mabbott (16).

The house will be available to be viewed for nine months beginning in January, at 4518 Cudmore Cresent. More information is available on the TAMCO website, at :

http://tamcoconstruction.ca/Tamco_Homes.htm