Testimonials

See what our clients, collaborators, trade partners, and suppliers are saying about Urbis.

From Our Glenora 100 Design and Build Clients:

“When we first found our lot, we loved the location, but we weren't really sure what we could build on it as we weren't the greatest with spatial relations and what could and could not work. Our realtor suggested we contact Urbis to see what they thought. Katie [Warwa] met with us at the lot, and she offered to do a feasibility study to let us know what we could build. From there, her and Rick [Arndt] came to our current house at the time and looked at the type of finishes we had. They gave us an idea of what the budget would be and what we could and could not do. This really allowed us to decide whether we were going to buy the lot or not and move forward with the project. This was all done within very short order so that we did not lose the lot to other people.

Urbis provided a really different experience from our first custom build. It was very integrated, so everything was a one-stop shop for us, which was really great. We’ve had a number of people approach us on what our thoughts were with using Urbis, and every time we tell them the same thing:

Their integrated approach to designing, building, and finishing a house was exceptional. But what really helped us the most was their documentation, their follow-up, and keeping us on a good timeline to make sure that things got done. What was really impressive with Urbis was their relationship with their trades and how good their trades were. If you didn’t know any better, you’d think that the trades were just an extension of who Urbis is.

What makes Urbis unique is that they are a smaller company and a family business. Between Rick, Katie, and Mike [Arndt], they work really well together. They each have their defined roles, but they're not afraid to work in each other's role to make sure that things that need to get done, get done. The family atmosphere is extended through their full team, whether it's people within the office or people on the job site. The family aspect of the company, we think, does make a difference and helps them get things done properly."

From Collaborator, Kerri-lyn Holland, Licensed Realtor with Holland & Associates Real Estate, REMAX River City:

“We’ve worked with several clients who chose to build or renovate with Urbis, and the experience has been exceptional every time. The homes they create strike a beautiful balance—refined and elegant, yet warm and inviting.

Being a family-run business is what truly sets Urbis apart. Their personal commitment is evident in their attention to detail, transparent communication, and the pride they take in delivering every home.

Beyond the walls of each residence, Urbis carefully considers how every home enhances and contributes to the surrounding neighbourhood. Urbis has been very successful in developing relationships in the communities where they build.

Urbis helps community members understand the building process, respects surrounding neighbours, and really takes the time to develop open two-way communication that ensures everyone involved in—or affected by—the building process is fully informed.

We’ve had the privilege of selling several of their homes, and we confidently recommend Urbis to clients looking to build custom. We do so knowing they will receive exceptional quality, innovative design, and a home they will be proud of for years to come.”

From Trade Partner, Kevin Metcalf, Owner/Operator at Taurus Woodwork:

“The Urbis team is great to collaborate with—clear plans, quick decisions, and a shared focus on getting every detail right.”

From Supplier, Sherylynn Laurinat, Account Manager at Paramount Flooring:

“It’s truly a privilege to partner with Urbis. Their design process is thoughtful and collaborative, and their creativity consistently challenges us to execute details that are both innovative and timeless.”

From Our Villa Avenue Design and Build Clients:

“We spent 2 years looking around the Edmonton area for a home that could accommodate my mother who is 80-plus years old, and it was really hard to find something that worked. It was a big value of ours to have an accessible space for her. The in-law suite is the whole reason we decided to build a custom home.

We’d seen signs on Urbis homes in different neighbourhoods and all the homes we saw were relatively impressive, but it wasn't until we actually interviewed some of their past clients that made us way more comfortable in choosing them over some other builders. They all had really good reports and experiences with Urbis at the time.

The fact that everything was in-house and that it was vertically integrated was a huge benefit for us because our first meeting with Urbis was with a one-week-old...and it’s been an amazing process since.

Urbis has been wonderful because they were able to take the feeling that we wanted to have for our house and the vision that we had…it was so stress-free…it was wonderful.”

From Our Glenora 139 Design and Build Clients:

“We’ve had a great experience with Urbis from start to finish. We loved how involved and engaged they’ve been through the entire process, with Rick [Arndt] and Katie [Warwa] on the architectural side, all the way to the interior selections and finishes. The site supervision has been outstanding. The communication has been outstanding. The whole process with Urbis has been seamless.

Our favourite part of the build process has been seeing the vision come to life—from the paper, two-dimensional plan, to being able to walk through our framed house; seeing that space planning and the attention to detail that can quite often be overlooked.”

From Trade Partner, Bruce Porter, Owner and Craftsman at Iron Elements Inc.:

“Our relationship with Urbis began in the earliest days of Iron Elements when the shop was still my garage, and every project felt both exciting and intimidating at the same time. I was just beginning to carve out a place in architectural metal, focused on doing honest work, paying attention to detail, and learning through every build.

Rick [Arndt] and the [Urbis] team saw something in that. They recognized the care behind the craftsmanship and were willing to take a chance on a young company still finding its footing. I won’t forget how nervous I was, wanting to prove that their trust was well placed.

In those early projects, not every design detail was fully resolved on paper. We worked through ideas together, refining concepts, design solutions, and collaborating closely to create something truly custom for their clients. That process shaped us. It pushed us to elevate our standards and think beyond fabrication and to think architecturally.

Urbis didn’t just hire us; they helped build the foundation of Iron Elements. Their trust allowed us to grow with confidence, refine our craft, and establish the principles that define our work today. We’re genuinely grateful they believed in us from the beginning and that shared commitment to quality and collaboration continues to drive our partnership forward.”

Design and Build Your New Home with Urbis

Interested in learning more about designing and building a custom home with Urbis? Connect with our team today.