Natasha credits that unique problem-solving ability to hers and Peter’s backgrounds. She personally has a lot of experience with design – she went to school for architecture – and Peter has a lot of experience with hands-on building – he’s been building homes with his father from a young age. “I think the reason why Peter and I work so well together is that we both speak the same language,” Natasha says. “I’m on more on the theoretical side; he is more on the practical side. Together, I think we make a really strong team.” They also have a strong team under them, Natasha is quick to add. That team isn’t large – and there are advantages to keeping it small, as previously mentioned – but Natasha says every team member is highly knowledgeable about design and construction. “We know what we’re looking for in our team members,” she says. “They have to be creative, they have to be able to troubleshoot problems, and they have to pay really close attention to the details. That describes everyone who works for us.” Once again, however, Natasha emphasizes that they have kept their team lean on purpose. They like being boutique. They like it partly because it helps them be competitive with their fees – having a small team means there are not that many mouths to feed – but mostly Natasha and Peter like dealing with clients directly. They like forming close relationships with clients – the kind of relationships that typically endure even after the home is fully delivered. Relatedly, one more point of difference is Starna’s truly complete range of construction management services. The company is capable of taking on everything from planning and development, to preconstruction, procurement, construction management, to post construction, and they even offer provide ongoing maintenance and home services – that’s where they ensure that the homes systems and components are cared for as intended, so that their home lasts a lifetime. “We are always happy to help even after the project is complete,” Natasha says. “I definitely think that’s another distinguishing factor.” NOVEMBER 2024
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