New Homes
New Homes
New-home construction goes through roof
It was no surprise the first quarter of new-home construction in Winnipeg and throughout Manitoba would be stronger in 2010 than in 2009.
After all, we were just starting to come out of the recession and consumer confidence was still on shaky ground.
However, since the Spring Parade of Homes, new-home construction has been vibrant. Demand for new homes has been consistently solid every month of this year. The first seven months have seen an increase in starts over 2009 --each and every month.
The results are most impressive. To date, in Winnipeg and surrounding areas, there have been 1,096 single family detached home starts. This represents an increase of 283 homes or 34.8 per cent over last year.
Multi-family dwellings present a much more dramatic change. Last year, by the end of July, there had been 163 units started. The economic confidence in initiating projects of this magnitude was very low. However, this year there have been 987 multi-family units started in Winnipeg, a staggering increase of over 600 per cent.
In total, the 976 starts over the first seven months of 2009 have turned into 2,083 starts in 2010. Only cities like Edmonton, Oshawa and Victoria, who were absolutely devastated into complete inactivity by the recession, have shown greater growth this year.
Year-end projections that commenced at 4,600 units for the province are being recalibrated to more likely scenarios approaching 5,000. This would return Manitoba to the levels experienced a couple of years ago.
What is the cause of this increased demand for new housing? There is no single reason; much like our economy, it's diversified. Winnipeg and Manitoba are still experiencing significant growth through immigration and net migration from other provinces.
As well, Manitobans, in general, tend to build up more equity in their homes than other provinces, thereby making it easier to create a solid down payment on a new home. Also, mortgage rates have recently dropped somewhat.
The residential construction industry has had a strong first seven months in 2010 and is expected to be consistent all year. This will bode well for employment and the economy in general. Manitobans are acutely aware that now is a great time to buy a new home and are taking advantage of the opportunity.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
Builders leaders in energy-efficient technology
There's been tremendous progress and innovation in making Manitoba new homes more environmentally friendly over the years.
Since 1990, Canada's total greenhouse-gas emissions have increased by 21.7 per cent and, at the end of 2006, stood 29 per cent above the Kyoto target. Canada is obligated to cut greenhouse-gas emissions to six per cent below 1990 levels by 2012.
During the same period, total GHG emissions from Canada's residential sector decreased by 8.5 per cent, despite a 28-per-cent growth in housing stock. Canada's residential housing sector is a GWG-reduction leader over this 16-year period, performing at a rate 40-per-cent better than most other industry sectors.
Since 1990, the number of households in Manitoba has increased by 13.2 per cent, yet the total amount of energy used in these homes is 11.2-per-cent less than in 1990. Although considerable credit must go to switching from natural gas and fuel oil to electricity, we must also acknowledge increased awareness of the consumer and more energy-efficient new homes. Manitoba's new home builders have long been in the forefront of energy-efficient technology, products and building practices.
Overall, the energy efficiency of Manitoba homes increased by 21.6 per cent between 1990 and 2006. Greenhouse gas emissions from Manitoba homes were reduced by 31.3 per cent over this same time period representing an average decrease in GHG per household of 40 per cent.
Almost all of these improvements came about because industry anticipated and responded to a need. These did not occur after the fact due to government legislation. If anything, legislation tends to follow the technological advances of industry being on the cutting edge and ensuring that all participants follow the same progressive proactive practices of the professional builders.
These sustainable practices will help Winnipeg maintain a leadership role for the length of the Our Winnipeg plan and beyond.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
Sustainability plans vital to city's future
AT the last executive policy committee and city council meetings before summer prorogue, the Our Winnipeg plan and its supporting documents (complete communities, sustainable transportation, sustainable water and waste, a sustainable Winnipeg) were passed.
This means the city has completed the first phase of an exhaustive process to create a plan and a vision for the next 20-plus years. I say first phase, because these are living and breathing documents. They need to be rigid enough to outline a mission and goals, but flexible enough to acknowledge that there are many ways to get there.
Three of the documents dealt directly with sustainability. This column will review each in terms of the residential construction industry.
Sustainable transportation lists as a primary goal to create a transportation system that is dynamically integrated with land use and supports active, accessible and healthy lifestyle options. The incorporation of the best housing options into the mixed use of rapid-transit stops will make these both appealing and efficient. The financial benefits of less automobile traffic as a result of transit-oriented development should be enjoyed by all. The pending transportation master plan will undoubtedly look at incorporating the most logical housing mix into an efficient system of travel.
Sustainable water and waste dealt with a myriad of issues regarding our water supply. These included quality and supply, wastewater, solid waste management, stormwater and flood protection, and the policies that will support this most valuable resource.
The members of the Manitoba Home Builders Association have been at the forefront of a number of issues related to water conservation. For example, the MHBA made low-flow and dual-flush toilets the industry standard long before any government legislation.
The same holds true for tap and faucet aerators and low-flow shower heads. In fact, the MHBA made a formal presentation to the province suggesting that these measures become mandatory in new homes and renovations a few years ago.
A sustainable Winnipeg brings together all of the principles discussed in these documents and attempts to make them key factors in any city decision-making process.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
Construction focus of new degree program
THOSE seeking to launch or advance a successful career in the building industry will get a boost this fall when classes get underway in Red River College's new Construction Management degree program.
Designed to help those in the skilled trades and engineering technologies bridge into further post-secondary education, the new offering focuses on residential construction, heavy construction and industrial/commercial construction. It is the first degree program approved by the province since Manitoba colleges received degree-granting authority in 2009.
Manitoba's construction industry is anticipating tremendous skilled labour shortages over the next six years, with senior supervisory positions being of the highest urgency.
Combining 26 months of academic study with three six-month co-operative education work terms, the new program entails 144 credit hours.
Students who graduate from the complete four-year program will earn a bachelor of technology in Construction Management.
"The Construction Management degree program will encompass technical foundation skills, some of the latest construction techniques, relevant work experience through co-operative education placements and courses that lead to other credentials, such as the Canadian Construction Association Gold Seal certification," says Dr. Dale Watts, dean of RRC's School of Construction and Engineering Technologies.
"With experience, graduates of this program will be well-prepared to provide leadership in the construction industry."
The new degree program will help graduates with their transition to managerial positions within the industry. It will offer focused and relevant learning that is anticipated to streamline the process of construction manager training. It will prove valuable to students by informing and helping employers to structure subsequent on-site work experience.
With a September 2010 start date and a limited number of seats available, the program is anticipated to be popular among recent high school graduates and those seeking to advance within the industry. The new degree program is being introduced following extensive consultation with industry leaders about current needs. The Manitoba Home Builders' Association, Winnipeg Construction Association and Manitoba Heavy Construction Association all participate on the program advisory committee.
"This represents a whole new opportunity for students who want to pursue a career in the construction industry," adds Dr. Watts. "There is now and will continue to be a significant demand for qualified construction managers in Manitoba to address the industry's needs."
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
Show homes proudly open throughout year
MANY people suffer from the misconception that new show homes are only open twice a year, during the Spring and Fall Parades of Homes. Although the two events receive the greatest publicity and feature 100 new homes at one time, the various new home builders of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association proudly feature and staff their show homes throughout the year.
We are at the midway point between the 2010 Spring Parade of Homes which ran March 6-21 and the 2010 Fall Parade of Homes Sept. 18-Oct. 9. So, for those who require a new home fix between Parades, now is an ideal time.
This spring featured terrific weather for March and September is always nice. However, you're guaranteed of short sleeves and slip-ons in July and August, making your tour that much more pleasurable.
So, how do you know what is open and where to look?
The Parade of Homes magazine produced by the Winnipeg Free Press is a staple for all Parade goers. If you haven't kept your magazine from last March, not to worry. You can still access it on the MHBA website at www.homebuilders.mb.ca. Although not all the homes featured are still show homes, it will bring you back to the builders and subdivisions you frequented in March. From there, you have a variety of options.
You can download the map on page 41 and visit the neighbourhoods that interest you, stopping in at the various show homes. On pages 42-67, all of the Spring Parade show homes are listed. Make note of those you are interested in, go to the MHBA website and connect to the link that will take you directly to the builder's site. Many will have their show homes listed along with the times they are open.
Even simpler, turn a couple of pages in today's paper and you will see a number of ads for show homes listed by MHBA builders.
No matter how you access them, the important thing to know is that the show homes are open for your viewing and visiting pleasure. Take your time, visit the locations that catch your fancy, talk to the sales representative and enjoy the introduction to your next new home.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
