Monday, May 31, 2010
2010 Gold Winners
Last Friday, in Vancouver, the GVHBA Renovation Council presented its inaugural renOVATION Awards. The awards honour excellence in home-renovation design and construction. Terasen Gas was the presenting sponsor. Kenorah Construction & Design led all winners with five awards, followed by Kerr Construction with four, and Intermind Design with three. Renovators of the Year are CCI Renovations (large volume) and Intermind Design (small volume). Visit www.gvhba.org to view winners and sponsors. Congratulations to all winners and finalists.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Let's give finalists a round OVATION!
The Province
May 2, 2010
The finalists have been named -- that is, the finalists in a renovations competition organized by the Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association called the "renvOVATION Awards."
Leading all renovators with 10 finalist nods is Kenorah Construction & Design. Intermind Design follows with seven nominations, G. Wilson Construction and Basil Restoration have six each, and CCI Renovations, Kerr Construction and REVISION Custom Home Renovations each have five.
Shown, top, before-and-after pictures of the Kenorah project that generated the company a finalist nomination in the best-renovation, $400,000 -- $599,999, category.
Also shown, left and right, are before and after shots of the kitchen project by Intermind Design, a finalist in the best kitchen, less than $40,000 category.
And below, a project that generated, for Basil Restoration, a finalist nomination in the best heritage renovation category.
The winners of the competition will be announced on May 28. To view the complete list of finalists and more before-and-after photographs, visit ovationawards.ca.
May 2, 2010
The finalists have been named -- that is, the finalists in a renovations competition organized by the Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association called the "renvOVATION Awards."
Leading all renovators with 10 finalist nods is Kenorah Construction & Design. Intermind Design follows with seven nominations, G. Wilson Construction and Basil Restoration have six each, and CCI Renovations, Kerr Construction and REVISION Custom Home Renovations each have five.
Shown, top, before-and-after pictures of the Kenorah project that generated the company a finalist nomination in the best-renovation, $400,000 -- $599,999, category.
Also shown, left and right, are before and after shots of the kitchen project by Intermind Design, a finalist in the best kitchen, less than $40,000 category.
And below, a project that generated, for Basil Restoration, a finalist nomination in the best heritage renovation category.
The winners of the competition will be announced on May 28. To view the complete list of finalists and more before-and-after photographs, visit ovationawards.ca.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Park Royal Home and Garden Show
Vancouver Home And Garden Show 2010
This year the usually big Home and Garden Show has been seriously downsized to fit into Park Royal shopping centre in West Vancouver for the weekend of April 17 & 18th. Renovate, decorate, landscape and shop are still the taglines for the small show. There are speakers and ask an expert booths so probably worth checking out if you are looking for some tips or to connect with a supplier.
Saturday Schedule:
Noon: GVHBA Renovation Expert, Doug Kerr, Kerr Construction | The Three P's of Home Renovation: Pro's, Plans, and (it's not always about) Price.
2pm: Vancouver Sun Gardening Editor, Steve Whysall | A Reason to Garden: How Gardening Can Enrich Your Life
4pm: HGTV's Wendy Russell | Decorating Tips that You & Your Home Can't Live Without!
Sunday Schedule:
Noon: GVHBA Renovation Expert, Todd Senft, reVISION Construction | The Emotional Rollercoaster of a Renovation & How to be Prepared
2pm: Vancouver Sun Gardening Editor, Steve Whysall | A Reason to Garden: How Gardening Can Enrich Your Life
4pm: HGTV's Wendy Russell | Decorating Tips that You & Your Home Can't Live Without!
Steve Wysall is a garden writer worth listening to for his knowledge on plants and especially plants that work in coastal gardens. He has written four bestselling books: 100 Best Plants for the CoastalGarden, The Blooming Great Gardening Book, 100 Best Plants for Ontario Gardens and The Vancouver Sun's Best Plant Picks.
This year the usually big Home and Garden Show has been seriously downsized to fit into Park Royal shopping centre in West Vancouver for the weekend of April 17 & 18th. Renovate, decorate, landscape and shop are still the taglines for the small show. There are speakers and ask an expert booths so probably worth checking out if you are looking for some tips or to connect with a supplier.
Saturday Schedule:
Noon: GVHBA Renovation Expert, Doug Kerr, Kerr Construction | The Three P's of Home Renovation: Pro's, Plans, and (it's not always about) Price.
2pm: Vancouver Sun Gardening Editor, Steve Whysall | A Reason to Garden: How Gardening Can Enrich Your Life
4pm: HGTV's Wendy Russell | Decorating Tips that You & Your Home Can't Live Without!
Sunday Schedule:
Noon: GVHBA Renovation Expert, Todd Senft, reVISION Construction | The Emotional Rollercoaster of a Renovation & How to be Prepared
2pm: Vancouver Sun Gardening Editor, Steve Whysall | A Reason to Garden: How Gardening Can Enrich Your Life
4pm: HGTV's Wendy Russell | Decorating Tips that You & Your Home Can't Live Without!
Steve Wysall is a garden writer worth listening to for his knowledge on plants and especially plants that work in coastal gardens. He has written four bestselling books: 100 Best Plants for the CoastalGarden, The Blooming Great Gardening Book, 100 Best Plants for Ontario Gardens and The Vancouver Sun's Best Plant Picks.
renOVATION Awards 2010
2010 FINALISTS
The Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association (GVHBA) has announced the finalists for Metro Vancouver’s first-ever home-renovation awards. The renOVATION Awards program, which recognizes excellence in renovation construction and design, is presented by Terasen Gas.
"This year, Vancouver-area homeowners will spend $3.5 billion on home improvements, generating $1.6 billion in wages. The renovation industry is a major foundation block of Metro Vancouver’s economy, and we are pleased to honour the industry’s best," said GVHBA Chief Executive Officer Peter Simpson.
Finalists were selected in each of 22 categories, including best kitchen, bathroom, outdoor living space, accessible renovation, exterior renovation and heritage renovation. Judges were all award-winning renovation professionals from Whistler, Nanaimo, Summerland, Victoria and Seattle.
Delta-based Kenorah Construction & Design led all renovators with 10 finalist nominations, followed by Intermind Design with seven, G. Wilson Construction and Basil Restoration with six each, and CCI Renovations, Kerr Construction and reVISION Custom Home Renovations with five each.
Award winners will be announced at a gala awards ceremony on Friday, May 28 at the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel. To view the before-and-after photographs of the finalists' exceptional renovation projects, click on the category names below (renovators mentioned more than once within a category have submitted more than one project in that category).
Sponsors are All Weather Windows, Axis Insurance Managers, B3 Communications, Curtis Lumber, Dick’s Lumber and Building Supplies, Epic Marketing Solutions, Green & Green The Creative Gift Company, Martin Knowles Photo/Media, Minuteman Press, Norburn Lighting and Bath Centre, North Shore Door, Oasis Windows, Smart Home Systems, TD Financial Services and The Brick Commercial Sales.
Media sponsors include Home Trader, New Local Home, Real Estate Weekly, The Province and The Vancouver Sun.
The Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association (GVHBA) has announced the finalists for Metro Vancouver’s first-ever home-renovation awards. The renOVATION Awards program, which recognizes excellence in renovation construction and design, is presented by Terasen Gas.
"This year, Vancouver-area homeowners will spend $3.5 billion on home improvements, generating $1.6 billion in wages. The renovation industry is a major foundation block of Metro Vancouver’s economy, and we are pleased to honour the industry’s best," said GVHBA Chief Executive Officer Peter Simpson.
Finalists were selected in each of 22 categories, including best kitchen, bathroom, outdoor living space, accessible renovation, exterior renovation and heritage renovation. Judges were all award-winning renovation professionals from Whistler, Nanaimo, Summerland, Victoria and Seattle.
Delta-based Kenorah Construction & Design led all renovators with 10 finalist nominations, followed by Intermind Design with seven, G. Wilson Construction and Basil Restoration with six each, and CCI Renovations, Kerr Construction and reVISION Custom Home Renovations with five each.
Award winners will be announced at a gala awards ceremony on Friday, May 28 at the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel. To view the before-and-after photographs of the finalists' exceptional renovation projects, click on the category names below (renovators mentioned more than once within a category have submitted more than one project in that category).
Sponsors are All Weather Windows, Axis Insurance Managers, B3 Communications, Curtis Lumber, Dick’s Lumber and Building Supplies, Epic Marketing Solutions, Green & Green The Creative Gift Company, Martin Knowles Photo/Media, Minuteman Press, Norburn Lighting and Bath Centre, North Shore Door, Oasis Windows, Smart Home Systems, TD Financial Services and The Brick Commercial Sales.
Media sponsors include Home Trader, New Local Home, Real Estate Weekly, The Province and The Vancouver Sun.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Design to be timeless
The Edmonton Sun
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
BY JOANNE RICHARD, SUN MEDIA
Time for change? Well, if renovating is on your dream list, then make sure it doesn't turn into a nightmare.
Do your homework first. "There are a lot of things that can go wrong, so educate yourself on the process and use professionals," says homebuilder Doug Kerr.
Don't overbuild for your neighbourhood and choose a design that is timeless to avoid renovating a renovation in the future, advises Kerr, owner of Kerr Construction, a multiple award-winning Vancouver-based design/build firm.
"People renovate for many different reasons, and it is important as a renovator to find out the purpose for the renovation," says Kerr. "Some need more space for family, some need a work space in the home, some want a nicer environment to live in and some need to renovate because the place is falling apart."
And some want the nicest home on the block with all the new gadgets and latest design.
"It's fun, like getting a new car except you get to help design it," says Kerr, whose renovations range from $10,000 decks to $1.4 million whole house renovations.
"Our average project is in the $100,000 to $600,000 range."
Kerr offers up these general renovation mistakes:
The homeowners get fixed prices for the work before all the decisions are made as to exactly how it is to be done and exactly what materials are to be used.
There are too many changes throughout the project, which increases the cost and adds time to the job. This is a result of not enough time spent in design and specifying materials in the beginning.
They don't get everything in writing. All agreements need to be in writing to avoid misunderstanding and disagreements later.
They hire on price and not on the skill and ability of the people doing the work and quality of materials they will use.
They see these TV shows and get an unreal idea of how long it takes and what things cost. "They assume reality TV shows are done with real budgets, timelines and quality of work," says Kerr, of kerrconstruction.ca.
"There are a lot of things put together with duct tape for the cameras. And if you look at some of the shots in these so-called two-week long renovations, one shot is the summer and another is in the fall with all the leaves off the trees." Good work takes time.
Meanwhile, according to Kerr, if you are renovating to increase value of the home, you have to then sell the home before the designs and colours go out of style. "This can be mitigated if you stick to a traditional design, colours and architecture. Good design never goes out of style but fads do."
The best bang for the buck -- if you are just interested in selling after renovating -- is usually sprucing up the curb appeal, such as landscaping, painting, minor repairs or new trim details, and inside finishes, like flooring, paint, etc.
"If the majority of the house is still outdated, rundown or falling apart, then the money you put in to say fix one bathroom will not do much to the resale value. You have to do enough to change the appearance of the house as a whole," says Kerr.
Kerr's firm tends to attract clients who want to live in their house for a while; the selling price is not the priority but it's still important. "The first step is always to ensure the structure is good and the space is functional, and then move onto the systems like electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation, insulation, etc. The last thing is the finishes and fun things like new bathrooms and kitchens."
Kerr has developed innovative systems to make the renovation process smooth and fast so clients' needs and wants are surpassed.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
BY JOANNE RICHARD, SUN MEDIA
Time for change? Well, if renovating is on your dream list, then make sure it doesn't turn into a nightmare.
Do your homework first. "There are a lot of things that can go wrong, so educate yourself on the process and use professionals," says homebuilder Doug Kerr.
Don't overbuild for your neighbourhood and choose a design that is timeless to avoid renovating a renovation in the future, advises Kerr, owner of Kerr Construction, a multiple award-winning Vancouver-based design/build firm.
"People renovate for many different reasons, and it is important as a renovator to find out the purpose for the renovation," says Kerr. "Some need more space for family, some need a work space in the home, some want a nicer environment to live in and some need to renovate because the place is falling apart."
And some want the nicest home on the block with all the new gadgets and latest design.
"It's fun, like getting a new car except you get to help design it," says Kerr, whose renovations range from $10,000 decks to $1.4 million whole house renovations.
"Our average project is in the $100,000 to $600,000 range."
Kerr offers up these general renovation mistakes:
The homeowners get fixed prices for the work before all the decisions are made as to exactly how it is to be done and exactly what materials are to be used.
There are too many changes throughout the project, which increases the cost and adds time to the job. This is a result of not enough time spent in design and specifying materials in the beginning.
They don't get everything in writing. All agreements need to be in writing to avoid misunderstanding and disagreements later.
They hire on price and not on the skill and ability of the people doing the work and quality of materials they will use.
They see these TV shows and get an unreal idea of how long it takes and what things cost. "They assume reality TV shows are done with real budgets, timelines and quality of work," says Kerr, of kerrconstruction.ca.
"There are a lot of things put together with duct tape for the cameras. And if you look at some of the shots in these so-called two-week long renovations, one shot is the summer and another is in the fall with all the leaves off the trees." Good work takes time.
Meanwhile, according to Kerr, if you are renovating to increase value of the home, you have to then sell the home before the designs and colours go out of style. "This can be mitigated if you stick to a traditional design, colours and architecture. Good design never goes out of style but fads do."
The best bang for the buck -- if you are just interested in selling after renovating -- is usually sprucing up the curb appeal, such as landscaping, painting, minor repairs or new trim details, and inside finishes, like flooring, paint, etc.
"If the majority of the house is still outdated, rundown or falling apart, then the money you put in to say fix one bathroom will not do much to the resale value. You have to do enough to change the appearance of the house as a whole," says Kerr.
Kerr's firm tends to attract clients who want to live in their house for a while; the selling price is not the priority but it's still important. "The first step is always to ensure the structure is good and the space is functional, and then move onto the systems like electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation, insulation, etc. The last thing is the finishes and fun things like new bathrooms and kitchens."
Kerr has developed innovative systems to make the renovation process smooth and fast so clients' needs and wants are surpassed.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Laneway Homes
Starting July 28, 2009 the City of Vancouver approved Laneway Homes to be built on lots where normally a garage would be placed.
The reason behind this new project is to increase the number of people living in Vancouver in an environmentally sustainable manner. The drive for eco-density will provide an affordable self contained second home on a single-family lot while giving privacy and green space to occupants.
Requirements:
- RS-1 and RS-5 Single Family areas
- Lots 33’ wide and wider with an open lane, on a double fronting street or on a corner with a corner with a lane dedication
- Unit within the area on the rear 26’ of the lot with a minimum 16’ separation between the laneway home and the main house
- Rental or Family only no strata titled
- Minimum of one on-site parking space
- Unit size will be based on the lot size with a maximum of 750 sq ft
- 1 and 1 ½ storey configurations are acceptable
Kerr Construction a locally owned and operated Design/Build company can help you determine the size of your Laneway Home today. Visit www.kerrconstruction.ca
The reason behind this new project is to increase the number of people living in Vancouver in an environmentally sustainable manner. The drive for eco-density will provide an affordable self contained second home on a single-family lot while giving privacy and green space to occupants.
Requirements:
- RS-1 and RS-5 Single Family areas
- Lots 33’ wide and wider with an open lane, on a double fronting street or on a corner with a corner with a lane dedication
- Unit within the area on the rear 26’ of the lot with a minimum 16’ separation between the laneway home and the main house
- Rental or Family only no strata titled
- Minimum of one on-site parking space
- Unit size will be based on the lot size with a maximum of 750 sq ft
- 1 and 1 ½ storey configurations are acceptable
Kerr Construction a locally owned and operated Design/Build company can help you determine the size of your Laneway Home today. Visit www.kerrconstruction.ca
Monday, June 8, 2009
Parade of Renovated Homes
Professionally Renovated Homes Open to Public
Renovations Magazine June 2009
The Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association (GVHBA) Renovation council invites the public to tour 17 professionally renovated homes in Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, Mission, New Westmister, North Vancouver, Surrey and Vancouver on Sunday, June 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The 16th Annual Parade of Renovated Homes – with the most participating homes ever – showcase leading-edge design, advanced construction techniques, and innovative building products.
Projects include a complete transformation of a Mission rancher, restoration of a 1906 Kitsilano craftsman-style bungalow (Kerr Construction), and extreme facelifts of homes built in the ‘20’s right up to the ’80’s.
GVHBA Renovation Council Chair Daine Halley says B.C. homeowners will spend a record $7 billion sprucing up their homes this year, and this popular one-day event offers exceptional sample renovations.
“Professional renovators, many of them award-winners, will be on site to offer expert advice and discuss their craftsmanship. Projects range from $70,000 to more than $700,000, offering people an abundance of ideas they can possibly incorporate into their own renovations,” says Halley.
Admission is by passport, available at each home for $10 per person. Children 17 and under are free. Passports can be purchased at any home, and then used for entry to the remaining 16 homes. Part proceeds will help fund the purchase of tools, building materials and safety gear for a carpentry training program offered by Guildford Park and Frank Hurt secondary schools in Surrey.
The event is limited to six hours, so visit www.gvhba.org to review the selection of homes, then plan your route to ensure you have sufficient time to visit specific homes that capture your interest.
2834 West 6 Avenue, Vancouver
(From Broadway, turn north on MacDonald St., turn left on West 6 Ave.)
When restoring this 1906 craftsman-style bungalow, the owners wanted the home to blend flawlessly with the turn-of-the-century homes in this Kitsilano neighbourhood. Kerr Construction surveyed the surrounding homes originally built in the early 1900s to meticulously re-create the home’s interior dimensions. The back deck and pergola were built to preserve the 60-year old grapevines. There were many sustainable practices incorporated throughout the home, such as using solid wood to reduce toxic formaldehyde resin and recovering old-growth fir from an abandoned Vancouver Island mill. Beautiful second-hand fixtures and hardware were also sourced. This attractive renovation captured a 2008 Georgie Award.
Kerr Construction, 604.263.0343, www.kerrconstruction.ca
Renovations Magazine June 2009
The Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association (GVHBA) Renovation council invites the public to tour 17 professionally renovated homes in Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, Mission, New Westmister, North Vancouver, Surrey and Vancouver on Sunday, June 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The 16th Annual Parade of Renovated Homes – with the most participating homes ever – showcase leading-edge design, advanced construction techniques, and innovative building products.
Projects include a complete transformation of a Mission rancher, restoration of a 1906 Kitsilano craftsman-style bungalow (Kerr Construction), and extreme facelifts of homes built in the ‘20’s right up to the ’80’s.
GVHBA Renovation Council Chair Daine Halley says B.C. homeowners will spend a record $7 billion sprucing up their homes this year, and this popular one-day event offers exceptional sample renovations.
“Professional renovators, many of them award-winners, will be on site to offer expert advice and discuss their craftsmanship. Projects range from $70,000 to more than $700,000, offering people an abundance of ideas they can possibly incorporate into their own renovations,” says Halley.
Admission is by passport, available at each home for $10 per person. Children 17 and under are free. Passports can be purchased at any home, and then used for entry to the remaining 16 homes. Part proceeds will help fund the purchase of tools, building materials and safety gear for a carpentry training program offered by Guildford Park and Frank Hurt secondary schools in Surrey.
The event is limited to six hours, so visit www.gvhba.org to review the selection of homes, then plan your route to ensure you have sufficient time to visit specific homes that capture your interest.
2834 West 6 Avenue, Vancouver
(From Broadway, turn north on MacDonald St., turn left on West 6 Ave.)
When restoring this 1906 craftsman-style bungalow, the owners wanted the home to blend flawlessly with the turn-of-the-century homes in this Kitsilano neighbourhood. Kerr Construction surveyed the surrounding homes originally built in the early 1900s to meticulously re-create the home’s interior dimensions. The back deck and pergola were built to preserve the 60-year old grapevines. There were many sustainable practices incorporated throughout the home, such as using solid wood to reduce toxic formaldehyde resin and recovering old-growth fir from an abandoned Vancouver Island mill. Beautiful second-hand fixtures and hardware were also sourced. This attractive renovation captured a 2008 Georgie Award.
Kerr Construction, 604.263.0343, www.kerrconstruction.ca
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