Our Story: A Sarnia Custom Home Builder Since 2010
In 2010, Chris Dougan made a big call. After years in a business partnership, he decided to go out on his own and build homes the way he believed they should be built. That year he started Signature Lux Builders, a custom home builder in Sarnia, Ontario.
Chris wanted homeowners to know exactly where their money was going. So every Signature Lux project runs on a transparent cost-plus model. You see the real cost of the work, plus a management fee, and your choices drive what you spend. No padded quotes and no surprises on the invoice.
He also wanted a crew that worked together on every job, not a rotating list of new faces. That is still how we work today. One team takes your project from the first sketch to the day you get the keys.
Today we build custom homes, home renovations and additions across Sarnia and Lambton County. We are a Tarion licensed builder, an Energy Star builder and a certified ICF builder. ICF homes are quieter, stronger and far more energy efficient than standard framing, and they have become one of the things we are known for.
In 2026 we launched our own client software, so every homeowner can follow their build with weekly updates and a clear Bill Detail. It is the same idea Chris started with in 2010: keep people in the loop and let the work speak for itself.
Meet Chris Dougan, Founder and Owner
Chris has been building in Sarnia-Lambton for more than 30 years. He earned his Engineering Technician diploma in Construction Engineering from Fanshawe College in 1992, then completed his carpentry apprenticeship at St. Clair College in 1998.
Before starting Signature LUX in March 2010, Chris spent close to 20 years as a Red Seal carpenter on commercial and residential projects. That mix of engineering training and hands-on trade work is why he notices the details most people never see, from how a wall is framed to how a door closes.
As the owner of Signature Lux Builders, Chris is still on site with the crew every week. He is a big part of why our clients say the quality shows in the details.