Celebrating 10 Years of Growth and a Bold New Vision
Ten years ago, BestLife Homes was founded with a clear purpose: building homes and cottages in Muskoka reflecting the dreams and lifestyles of hardworking families. Over the past decade, the company earned a reputation for service, creativity, and pursuing challenging builds on Muskoka’s unique topography. As the team and projects evolved, community needs and opportunities also grew.
These opportunities reshaped not just the company’s focus, but its identity. BestLife Homes is now known as The BestLife Group, a multi-residential and commercial construction leader committed to building strong communities.
We sat down with President and Founder Ben Jardine, P.Eng., to discuss this transformation and its implications for the next decade of growth.
Why Make the Shift?
“From day one, I never wanted BestLife compared with other fine custom builders,” Ben says. “There are many talented people in that space. For us, it was about being different and finding a path where we could truly stand apart.”
That search for differentiation revealed a market gap: first, a need for modest, well-built family homes over luxury properties; second, builders able to bring the same quality and care of custom homes into multi-residential and commercial developments.
Building Where the Need Is Greatest
For Ben, the gap wasn’t just a market opportunity; it represented responsibility.
“Canada faces a housing crisis strongly felt in Muskoka and Parry Sound,” he explains. “Workers and families struggle to find places for living, while some people need homes during retirement. Our contribution as builders helps close this gap by constructing housing inventory where most needed and providing a sense of place with community value.”
This purpose drives The BestLife Group’s approach. Focusing on lifestyle and purpose-driven multi-residential projects, the company scales business and multiplies impact, working with developers to open doors for people en masse, strengthening social and economic community fabric.
Beautiful Spaces, Built for Purpose
Much of The BestLife Group’s multi-residential work focuses on purpose-built rentals, critical for easing the housing shortage, while also known for luxury lifestyle developments.
“Not every project focuses solely on affordability,” Ben explains. “Some elevate lifestyle, creating beautiful, high-quality spaces that residents value. Whether purpose-built rentals or premium condominiums, every project deserves craftsmanship, care, and attention to detail.”
This dual focus, addressing urgent housing needs while delivering aspirational, design-forward projects, ensures The BestLife Group remains true to its brand promise: building beautiful spaces for every purpose.
The Power of Scale
“At the end of the day, opportunities to scale lie in building multi-residential projects,” Ben continues. “If serious about growth, evaluation of effort impact is essential for the company and community alike.”
Shifting focus multiplies positive outcomes of every project: more apartments, more homes, more opportunities, and increased community support.
The Team Behind the Transition
While the strategy made sense on paper, the real story involves the team’s adaptation to new demands.
“Our roots were in custom homes, and many team members enjoyed unique, smaller-scale projects and finer finish carpentry,” Ben explains. “Moving into multi-residential and commercial projects required embracing concrete, steel, and new building methods. That tested the team in every way possible. Yet multi-residential work doesn’t eliminate finer finishings; willingness and ability to bring craftsmanship into larger projects sets the team apart. Lessons learned along the way demonstrate their capability under scale demands.”
The shift also introduced new dynamics, including layers of compliance and quality assurance, far more complex than traditional homebuilding. Some adapted easily, while others experienced friction.
“We lost some valuable people along the rocky road of growth and uncertainty, but gained incredible talent,” Ben reflects. “The core team stepped into the unknown and delivered results, demonstrating grit and professionalism.”
This evolution strengthened company capabilities, forged a resilient team culture, and opened doors to skilled professionals seeking bigger challenges in small-town settings.
The Same Resources, Bigger Rewards
Building a single custom home can demand as much, if not more, management and coordination as a multi-unit development.
“Project management, engineering, and coordination demands are similar,” Ben notes. “Completing a multi-residential build involves opening thirty or more doors. That delivers an incredible sense of achievement.”
From BestLife Homes to The BestLife Group
The shift required more than a new strategy; it required a new name.
“The BestLife Group signals our current identity,” Ben explains. “We remain committed to excellence, expanding beyond homes. Consulting, partnering, building communities, commercial spaces, and establishing a lasting legacy define the company today.”
Looking Ahead: The Next 10 Years
Ben reflects: “The last decade proved who we are. The next decade builds a legacy shaping communities. We’ve grown, evolved, and are ready for future challenges.”
Looking forward, the next decade emphasizes more than structures; it focuses on creating opportunities and beautiful spaces for people to live, work, and thrive. From purpose-built rentals strengthening communities, to luxury lifestyle homes elevating everyday living, the commitment remains: designing spaces that scale, inspire, and endure.
