A Saskatchewan company is giving Albertans facing skyrocketing housing costs a cheaper alternative.

McDiarmid Homes in Saskatoon turns out 100 ready-to-move homes each year, and 80 per cent have been sold to Albertans.

David Reid bought a new home in Saskatoon that was shipped to his hometown in Alberta.
(CBC News)

"Alberta's been a hot market for us," said company spokesman Brant Regush.

"Labour is a little cheaper here, which is fortunate," he said. "We're able to pass that on to the customer and with the delivery costs they're still able to save thousands of dollars."

This year, the company's new homes have been hauled on semi-trailers to lots from Fort McMurray to Lethbridge.

In Cremona, northwest of Calgary, David Reid's 1,600-square-foot, three-bedroom home arrived in one piece. The house, which cost $130,000, is just one of four Saskatchewan-built homes in the community.

Reid's 1,600-square-foot, three-bedroom home cost $130,000.
(CBC News)

He had to lay the foundation and install heating and plumbing, but the carpeting, tile work, painting and even the light fixtures had all been installed.

"We spent a weekend out there choosing colours and we left it to them, and when it showed up it was exactly as planned," he said.

"We probably saved ourselves $50,000 to $60,000 doing it this way."