Keeping up with the Joneses of home design and renovation trends is a great way to help make the most of your home’s staying power. Over many decades we’ve seen design ideas appear only to fall flat fast (carpeted bathrooms?!). But we can’t help but believe that so many of the design and renovation trends … Continued
When it comes to marketing for homes across Canada, projects in the 2020 Marketing Awards category of the CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence remain a gold standard of creativity, design, branding and advertising techniques. This year, we are seeing many campaigns with unique concepts that cater to new customer experiences, including virtual reality, beautiful … Continued
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Search nowThe 2020 CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence, powered by Avid Ratings Canada, received more than 700 entries across 39 categories this year! Nearly 200 judges volunteered their time to review the incredible entries. And now, the finalists have been announced! So, what home and design trends are we noticing in the finalist entries? Let’s … Continued
We’re halfway through summer… is your backyard begging to be used? Whether you have a compact yard or an expansive space, you can make your backyard your own personal oasis. Outdoor spaces can be as inviting, comfortable, and stylish as interiors, with the added benefit of fresh air and nature. Before taking on a backyard … Continued
“To create a strong community it’s critical that the people who live here – in Edmonton – are healthy. For us that means helping our local hospitals,” said Paul Lanni, president of Averton Homes, when asked about building a dream home in Alberta’s Full House Lottery. In over two and a half decades the Full … Continued
The kitchen is the heart of the home and a natural gathering place. Homeowners are embracing the kitchen as an entertainment area and looking for ways to make hosting easier and more enjoyable for all. Whether you’re planning to renovate your current kitchen or are buying a new home, this article highlights four design features … Continued
In 2015, the local Home Builders’ Association in Edmonton, Alberta (CHBA-Edmonton Region) began an initiative called the “Renovation Month Days of Service.” Led by its Renovator Committee, the initiative supports different charities every year by donating time, expertise, and materials through a renovation. Last month CHBA Edmonton Region won CHBA’s Community Service Award for their … Continued
Net zero homes are an excellent option for those looking for a comfortable, energy efficient space. By producing as much clean energy as they consume, net zero homes are up to 80% more energy efficient than typical new homes. In order to reach such impressive levels of energy efficiency, these homes need to have extremely … Continued
Nothing ties together a room better than fabulous flooring. Feel like your space needs an upgrade? Get some inspiration from these finalists of the 2019 CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence. Snazzy Tile Timberworx Custom Homes incorporated high-end finishes, especially the accent floor tiles, to give this bathroom a grand feel and will make any … Continued
Considering a home renovation and don’t know where to start? Need interior design inspiration? Thinking of incorporating smart technology into your home? Then you should visit the 2019 Sudbury Home & Lifestyle Show where professionals specializing in home and cottage construction, interior and exterior design, and home products and services will be ready to help. … Continued
There’s more to upgrading your home’s flooring than simply choosing the material you like and having it installed. The perfect flooring will look good and be practical. Here are three things to consider when choosing to update your floors. Consider the room It’s important to pick a flooring material that will work with your space. … Continued
“Renovating not only restores a house, it revives the story of the home and its community.” – Unknown For anyone planning a home improvement project, like a kitchen renovation, finding the right contractor for your project can often be bewildering. You want someone who knows what they are doing, has the track record to prove … Continued
Sooner or later, every furnace ‘dies’. Ideally, you don’t want to wait for the unfixable breakdown to happen in the dead of winter before shopping for a replacement. Begin your research before you’ve got an emergency and you’ll have time to choose a furnace and service company wisely. How Old is your Furnace? Is your … Continued
After purchasing a 100-year old home, the new home owners decided to undertake a whole-home renovation. The house needed upgrading and one of the new owners had a medical condition that made indoor air quality very important. Knowing that the renovation was going to be a long and complex project, the homeowners met with 12 … Continued
The writer is a member of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA). This project involved a rental property that needed renovations to an addition. The planned changes were not complex, and for most professional renovators would have been a relatively small project. There was a 2-storey addition in place. The original goal for the project … Continued
The writer is a member of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA). In January 2014 a single mom with a young daughter had a problem with ice damming on their roof which caused a major leak and damage to the attic, bathroom, kitchen and dining room. Their insurance company evaluated the project and made a … Continued
The writer is a member of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA). This homeowner hired a friend-of-a-friend for a basement renovation and to do some exterior refinishing. Although no contract was signed, an advance payment was made to the “contractor,” and he started work. The basement was gutted and the resulting debris piled in the backyard. … Continued
Most Canadian roofs develop at least a little ice each winter, but if this gets more than a couple of inches thick around the eaves it can cause leaks. A build-up of ice like this is called an ‘ice dam’ and can be a problem because as water pools behind the dam it can work … Continued
The Canadian Home Builders’ Association celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2018 and is proud of its history of building and supporting communities across the country. Together with the Renovation & Supplier’s Council, the Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association (GVHBA) contributed to this history through its renovation of the Easter Seals House 3rd Floor Lounge. The … Continued
Does your house cost a fortune to heat and cool? Should you switch energy sources? Get a new furnace? While all these questions are valid, they are not the most important ones. The main issue is something more basic — how fast does your house lose energy? You can have the most efficient furnace or … Continued
“What’s wrong about wanting to get the best price on my home repair work? Lots of people do deals for cash.” When homeowners repair or renovate, cash deals are all too common. No contract, no paperwork, nobody’s the wiser. Contractors shave their prices by eliminating taxes; consumers pay less and get a better deal. Or … Continued
The Canadian Home Builders’ Association celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2018 and is proud of its history of building and supporting communities across the country. The holidays are a time for generosity, giving, and goodwill; all things Homes by Dream Regina embodies through their annual Shoebox Project campaign. Since 2014, Homes by Dream has been … Continued
Chances are that your furnace has the capacity to heat your basement and the above-ground levels of your home to the comfort level you expect. So why are so many finished basements cold in winter? A scientific reason Physics is one reason. Hot air naturally rises and cold air falls because warm air is less … Continued
When homeowners repair or renovate, cash deals are all too common. “Pay me cash” contractors shave their prices by eliminating taxes and consumers pay less and get a better deal. Or do they? There’s a definite downside to cash deals — the increased risk for homeowners. When you hear about renovation nightmares, odds are this … Continued
The holidays are a time to come together and celebrate with family and friends. But for families who are struggling to make ends meet, the holidays are particularly stressful – especially for those with children. In the spirit of the season, Canadians across the country are helping out, including the people who build our communities … Continued
“This is all possible because of Saskatchewan citizens like Dr. Jones and the companies they represent. We are grateful beyond words and humbled with excitement of gaining such a tool in our effort to move youth from the street to community.” — Kim Sutherland, CEO Street Culture Project The Street Culture Project is a non-profit, registered charity … Continued
Home renovations may seem daunting during the planning stages but with the right contractor & these 3 tips, you and your family can enjoy a hassle-free home renovation. Do your research Have you ever heard the saying, “If you’re going to do something, do it right”? That’s how you should approach deciding on a contractor. … Continued
Making a Connection In 2016, the Purcell family hired Naikoon Contracting to build a home for their family that required several special features. Their first-born child, Trey, lives with MPS II – also known as Hunter’s Syndrome. MPS II is a rare terminal degenerative enzyme disorder that affects every part of a child’s body. Trey … Continued
The homebuilding industry has a long record of community service and giving back to the cities and towns we live and work in. Each year, the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) recognizes the voluntary efforts of its members and local associations who make a difference in the quality of life in their communities. Only one … Continued
The Canadian Home Builders’ Association celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2018, and is proud of its history of building and supporting communities across the country. The Hamilton-Halton Home Builders’ Association (HHHBA) commemorated the occasion by giving back to their neighbourhoods in a big way: they raised $75,000 for local charities. Past HHBA President Takes One … Continued
Price is a critical aspect of any renovation project. What will it cost to do the job you want? Alternatively, how far can you go on a set budget? Different Sized Projects, Different Sized Price Quotes Determining the cost of a small project, like replacing your roofing, can be fairly simple. Just make sure all … Continued
You’ve been planning your home renovation for months, been to all the home shows, and spent countless homes online looking at renovation projects and products. You’ve also interviewed a number of renovation contractors, checked their references and received written price quotes from those you are interested in hiring. Now it’s time to decide who will … Continued
Unless you have technical qualifications and a lot of experience, there are some renovation projects and types of work that you are better off leaving to the pros. These are the ones that involve safety risks for you and your family, and it is better to let a professional to do the work. Plumbing, electrical … Continued
It might not be easy going back to sleep after your house startles you awake, but it’s likely nothing to worry about. Are roof trusses the culprit? For 50 years most house roofs have been framed using triangular assemblies of wood called trusses. The top two sides of each truss sit directly below the roof … Continued
You’ve decided it’s time to move ahead with your long-planned renovation project. You’ve collected all sorts of great ideas and product pictures, visited the local Home Show and spent many hours online looking at what other homeowners have done in their projects. Now your ‘shopping’ for a professional contractor who will make it all happen. … Continued
When you hire a contractor to renovate or improve your home, there are a lot of details that need to be spelled-out in your work order or contract. The more obvious of these are a thorough description of the work to be done, the work schedule to be followed, and what amounts you will pay … Continued
Home renovations can be one of the biggest single expenses most people ever take on, and the success of your project depends a lot on the contractor you choose. The crazy thing is, people often put more thought into selecting a shirt than they do to finding a contractor worthy of trust. So how can … Continued
Planning a DIY renovation project? Here are some questions to ask yourself first. Do you have the skills? Many of today’s home improvement products make it easy for do-it-yourselfers, but other projects require specialized skills. Seeing something done on a television renovation show isn’t the same as having practical experience. Getting in over your head can end … Continued
“Our daughter Kayla’s life was saved by the teams at McMaster Children’s Hospital,” write Charlotte and Tim Blevins of Reid’s Heritage Homes. In 2011, Kayla Blevin developed a severe E. coli infection, leaving her with life-threatening kidney failure and sending her to McMaster’s Children’s Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario. Now, six years later, Kayla has regained … Continued
As Canadians, we rely on heating systems more than most nations in the world. But our need doesn’t necessarily translate into knowledge. If you’re unhappy with the comfort or cost of keeping your home warm in winter, here are some things to consider. Insulation is key While the kind of energy source and heating equipment … Continued
The season has changed to fall, and in many corners of Canada the temperature is getting chilly in the evenings. As winter fast approaches (sigh), it’s time to make sure your home heating is in order. Many people struggle with cold basements, but why? Chances are that your furnace has the capacity to heat your … Continued
Your dream renovation is underway. You found the right contractor, checked their references, agreed on the plans and schedule, and most importantly signed a contract that includes a warranty. But you’ve just found the perfect lighting fixture or floor tile, and it’s different than what’s in your contract. Or you’ve opened up a wall to … Continued
For the past decade, the Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Newfoundland and Labrador (CHBA-NL) has collaborated with Habitat for Humanity Newfoundland and Labrador (Habitat NL) to effect positive change in their community. Newfoundland’s First Tiny Home is one result of this partnership. In March 2016, just prior to the CHBA-NL 33rd Annual Home Show, CHBA-NL … Continued
Before hiring a contractor for your home renovation or repair project, here are some important questions you need to answer. Remember that professional contractors can provide clear answers to your questions. If they can’t, they’re not the right contractor for you. Before hiring a contractor, ask yourself: Is this the right contractor? You need someone … Continued
To many people, a young girl with scoliosis and a group of home building and renovating professionals may seem an unlikely duo. But not to the Manitoba Home Builders’ Association (MHBA) and their past president Mike Moore, who were looking for a way to give back and make life better for someone in Winnipeg, Manitoba. … Continued
If you’re planning on updating your bathroom, or are currently undergoing a bathroom renovation, remember that achieving a great space isn’t just about choosing great tiles, cabinets and fixtures. Real renovation success depends on getting the hidden technical details right behind the scenes. Take the exhaust fan, for example. Even high-end bathroom renovations often end … Continued
Tens of thousands of British Columbians have been displaced as wildfires rip through the province, which was declared under a state of emergency in early July. Seeing how hard so many communities have already been hit, Lacey Developments jumped to action just last week. “As a homebuilder, we know this is not just a ‘today … Continued
Measured at more than one million square feet of concrete, brick and granite, the National Arts Centre has been home to thousands of cultural arts performances since its grand opening in 1969. On July 1, 2017 — 50 years after its original construction began— the Canadian landmark will be unveiled to the public once again, … Continued
From June 9 to 11, 2017, CHBA Member Doug Tarry Homes gathered more than 600 volunteers in St. Thomas, Ontario to build Project Hope – a Net Zero Ready Home – in just three days. Proceeds of the sale of this new home will help support the family of a local man, Johnny Nooren, who … Continued
Nine weeks, nearly 7,000 kilometres and 135 riders— CHBA president Eric DenOuden is not going on just any ordinary bike ride. Beginning June 26 in Vancouver, British Columbia DenOuden will kick off his cross-Canada trek to raise awareness and funds to fight poverty with Sea to Sea, a cycling project aimed at finding solutions to … Continued
Kitchens are high-traffic rooms that need exceptional flooring. Besides having to look good, kitchen flooring needs to withstand spills, food, sliding chairs, dropped dishes and the occasional mopping. Here are the pros and cons of the five top kitchen flooring choices. Ceramics, porcelain and stone tiles: Ceramics are a favourite for kitchens because they’re tough, … Continued
“A verbal contract isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.” While historians disagree on who came up with this timeless quote, its accuracy isn’t questioned. That’s why when you hire someone to work on your home, you need a written home renovation contract. Seven features of a good home renovation contract A contract can be … Continued
