Larry Clay is beaming these days, after returning from the black tie Georgie Awards gala as winner of Best Custom Home Builder of the Year.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a huge, huge honour,鈥� said Clay, owner of Clay Construction.

He is the first Fraser Valley builder to receive this award.

Clay is a former teacher at 91原创 Christian School who decided 10 years ago to bring his passion of building homes into creating his own company.

Since making that decision, the 91原创 builder has never looked back.

鈥淚 was passionate about teaching but I am passionate about building homes so I left my first love of teaching to go to my second love,鈥� said Clay.

His team has built custom homes all over Metro Vancouver, some in Vancouver鈥檚 priciest neighbourhoods. But many of the homes built have been right here in 91原创.

One of his homes, built in Murrayville, was featured in a made-for-TV movie 鈥淐oming Home For Christmas.鈥� A home he is currently working on in 91原创 will be R2000 certified energy efficient. Built to accommodate the 91原创 home owner鈥檚 severe allergies to chemicals, Clay had to use dpre-approved materials and find alternative and safe products.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an incredible house, very unique,鈥� he said. The Township of 91原创 has put in a new energy efficient rebate program that Clay was able to utilize in this project.

This home will be wheelchair accessible with wider doorways, hallways and adjustable countertops.

The 22nd annual Georgie Awards gala was held Feb. 1, at the Vancouver Convention Centre West.

Presented by the Canadian Home Builders鈥� Association of British Columbia and BC Homes, the Georgie Awards showcase the best of B.C.鈥檚 residential construction industry, whether home builder, renovator, marketer, or otherwise involved in the industry.

To learn more about Clay Construction go to clayconstruction.ca.