What do you do when you’re not at work?

I enjoy mountain biking, camping, hockey, volleyball, and pretty well any sport. Also, nothing beats watching a good movie with family.

Favourite quote

“A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Adrian Sunter is an inter-provincially licensed carpenter and has been immersed in home construction and commercial office renovations since 2004.  He holds a Building Construction Technician Diploma with honours.  As Founder of Sunter Homes, Adrian Sunter brings reliability, innovation, and unfailing customer service to your home and office.

Born and raised in Bells Corners, Ottawa, Adrian Sunter has had the privilege of working under the guidance of many talented carpenters who have fueled his desire to create beautiful homes of all forms, a passion sparked since childhood from the day he first stepped into his father’s workshop.

Founding and building Sunter Homes has been his life’s work. The vision is to build families’ dreams and see them take shape in Sunter Homes’ projects. For Adrian this is a wonderfully rewarding experience, as is the opportunity to learn from and pass on to others the many tricks of the trade. One of the most rewarding aspects of Adrian’s job is the friendships shared in the pursuit of common goals. Building long term relationships with clients and creating “wow” experiences is his daily goal.

“Building a unique product while knowing with absolute certainty that we did our best work and no one could have done it better.  There are not many feelings in life that can top the satisfaction of creating something exactly as it was envisioned, with your own two hands.”

What’s your favourite mode of travel?

Riding on my motorcycle or my homemade pontoon boat.

Favourite quote

“Pitter Patter.  Let’s get at ‘er.” – Jared Keeso

James Halladay grew up in the small town of Athens, Ontario working with his father who is also a licensed carpenter. He discovered his love for carpentry in high school when he spent most of his free time in the woodshop.  After high school, he went off to Fanshaw College in London to take Construction Carpentry Techniques and then to Algonquin College to take General Carpentry where he apprenticed under his dad. In his spare time, he likes to build furniture out of reclaimed materials with his girlfriend.  They spend the summers touring around by motorcycle or out on the boat. It’s no surprise that what tops his bucket list is building his dream home and everything in it!

What do you do when you’re not at work?

I love spending time with my wife and my girls playing in the backyard, or simply going exploring.

Favourite quote

“The greatest danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short, but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark.” – Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni

For J.F., few things can beat the satisfaction and pride of seeing a project through to its completion, from the very beginning to putting on the final touches. It’s fitting, then, that his time with the Sunter Homes team is the culmination of a ten-year-long journey that started in Algonquin College’s Building Construction Technician program. J.F. met two friends in his time there – Adrian Sunter and Jon Brandt. Being part of Sunter Homes isn’t just a job – it’s a passion he gets to share with his friends. J.F. brings a wealth of experience in large-scale residential and commercial construction. Having managed the construction of a 30 home subdivision, J.F. helps Sunter Homes’ projects remain safe, on-schedule, and on-budget.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

Owning my first real estate property by the age of 21.

Favourite pun or expression?

Don’t expect to see a change if you don’t make one.

From Hawaii to Barcelona, Marc-Antoine has seen many corners of the world due to his love of travelling and cruising around the globe, but at the end of the day, he calls Ottawa his home.

The best way to describe Marc-Antoine is determined and excited by the prospect of success. So, fittingly, his favourite part about working in construction is the ability to start a project and witness its progression throughout each stage of the construction process until completion.

Marc stays focussed and motivated by keeping his eye on the prize, and re-energizing with an inspirational self-help book, and of course, a good cup of coffee. His ultimate goal? To one day own a yacht and cruise around the world.
In his spare time, you can find him camping, hiking, and of course, visiting new destinations to check off his bucket list.

What is the most exciting place you’ve been?

The Niagara Gorge Park

What is your favourite book?

J.D. Salinger’s “Franny and Zooey”

‘Learn, read, and explore’ is Andrews’s personal mantra, which he applies to all areas of his life, including his work, where he loves being able to learn something new every single day.

Having grown up in rural southern Ontario, Andrew considers his proudest accomplishment to be making the move to Ottawa where he pursued his passion for carpentry.

Outside of his work life, Andrew is constantly striving to discover new things and read classic literature, while also re-visiting familiar faces by travelling back south to see family in Guelph whenever he can. A self-described nerd, Andrew is very passionate about Canadian government and will be happy to recount many interesting facts regarding Parliament Hill, one of his favourite destinations.

With years of rock band experience, Andrew is a talented guitar player and vocalist.

What is the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is getting to see the look on the face of a happy client after a project is complete. People spend a lot of money and emotional capital on construction projects, and it is very special when they see the results of their investment pay off.

Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met?

In high school, I went to a leadership conference in London, England, where I was fortunate enough to meet the Queen. It was just a quick ‘hello,’ but it was very exciting, nonetheless.

Patrick was a world traveller from a young age, having lived in Bermuda for three years as a child and travelling to the UK as a teenager.

It was during his high school years when he developed a passion for the construction industry while working as a labourer on a commercial construction site where he had the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the industry and get his hands dirty.
Nowadays, Patrick remains passionate about assisting in the development of buildings and delivering quality work to his valued clients.

Coordinating, budgeting, and scheduling are his main areas of expertise, while his personal credo is defined by his devotion to positivity, professionalism, and having fun along the way.

In fact, in both his professional and personal life, Patrick always tackles every challenge with the mentality that there is always a bright side to life, and every problem has a solution.

When he’s not working, you can find Patrick surrounded by family and friends while staying active through hockey or golf, or unleashing his competitive side playing board games or video games.

What energizes you?

My kids.

Top bucket list item?

Travelling to space.

For Ian, carpentry isn’t just a career, it’s in his blood.

Coming from a family of carpenters, Ian first discovered his passion for the trade at the young age of 13, when he picked up his first hammer and iconic Beaver Lumber nail pouch while helping to build his family home.

In fact, growing up in this very home, there was never time for video games or other typical teenage activities, only tools, and jobs to be finished. Ian has experienced an exciting career working off mountain slopes, building at high elevations, honing his timber framing skills, and even developing a passion for prospecting.

Ian also takes pride in being a well-rounded carpenter with excellent finish carpentry skills. Ian credits this discipline to his stepfather who sparked his passion for hard work, a strong drive to push himself, and the goal of making his family proud.

Taking his passion and penchant for hard work with him all over Canada, from Whistler, BC, to Canmore, Alberta, and now, Ottawa, Ian continues to lead a fulfilling life full of new and exciting experiences and valued friendships across the country.

His personal credo? My hands build from the heart, and they won’t stop ‘till the last beat.

What is the most exciting place you’ve been?

Costa Rica! A truly spectacular adventure travel destination. I had the opportunity to hike volcanos, horseback ride, eat great food, and relax on spectacular beaches surrounded by monkeys and sloths. I will definitely be going back!

What was your first job?

Building succulent cheeseburgers at McDonald’s.

After years of dedicated work as a paramedic with the Ottawa Paramedic Service, Curtis found his true calling as a carpenter, bringing a unique set of skills and talents with him. In addition, having worked on the front line of the health industry, Curtis brings to Sunter Homes his need to help others, endurance to power through the day, and an ability to work efficiently. His keen eye for detail and compassion make Curtis a great asset to a team dedicated to bringing other’s dreams to reality. Curtis has a heart of gold that keeps him grounded and always ready to lend a hand.

Curtis’ service on the Health and Safety Team for the Ottawa Paramedic Service included a role as an intermediary between workers and supervisors to help mitigate any potential risks on the job site. To this day, that critical-thinking, risk-mitigating approach helps keep projects on-track, on-schedule, and, most important of all, safe. When he’s not working with the Sunter Homes team, Curtis keeps active, either taking in a round of golf, tearing it up on his mountain bike, or simply enjoying a day at a park with his dog, Sawyer.

What is the most exciting place you’ve been?

Mount Oxford, Nunavut.

What’s the best part of your job?

Learning and completing difficult tasks.

Born and raised in Ottawa, David Bass has always loved the city; the valley and nearby Quebec were a constant source of beauty and adventure. After attending university and a brief time working in a research lab, he found himself thinking about making a fundamental career change. Luckily enough, right around that time, a good friend of his and experienced carpenter offered him the opportunity to work for the summer. It clicked for him right away: “Here I am four years later and still enjoying every day. You can’t ask for more than that,” says David. In his downtime, David can be found in one of Ottawa-Gatineau’s beautiful green spaces, cross -country biking, canoe-camping, hiking or snowboarding.

What inspires you every day?

The opportunity to learn, challenge myself, and bring a positive energy to whatever I do.

Favourite quote

“The biggest waste in life is a waste of talent.” – Anonymous

Regina-born and Ottawa-raised, sports have figured prominently in Jon’s life since his time in Alta Vista at Hillcrest High. Go Hawks! After high school Jon spent time working and snowboarding in Banff, Alberta and from there acquired his Building Construction Technician Diploma at Algonquin College.  This diploma reinforced his interest in building design and construction and led him to further his advanced education by completing his General Carpenter’s License and Red Seal. It was at Algonquin College where he met the young and keen Adrian Sunter. They remained friends since and are proud to work as colleagues.  As a team they have built the Sunter Homes team highly selectively, with a view to forming a tight knit family culture at the firm. Jon’s mantra: “if you’re going to do something, put your whole heart into it.” And he does, with his family, friends, sports, carpentry, and food.