New Homes
New Homes
Professionalism means constantly learning and improving
This column has repeatedly espoused the merits of dealing with professional builders, renovators and suppliers. Issues such as warranty, liability insurance, permits, standards and ethics, full disclosure of taxes and numerous other assurances that come with dealing with a professional are critical to getting the job done right. One should add professional development and training to that list.
In early November, members of the Manitoba Home Builders Association (MHBA) went back to school at their annual housing forum.
Fifteen unique presentations in the categories of leadership, technical, marketing and workplace wellness were attended by MHBA members.
Those that have attained the distinction of master builder or master renovator through the Certified Housing Professional program must attend a number of professional-development seminars or workshops every year in order to maintain that title.
The opening plenary session kicked off with Manjit Minhas, owner of Minhas Brewery and known for her current role on Dragon's Den, who educated and entertained the room with stories of hard lessons learned on the road to success.
The technical sessions provided invaluable information for the residential construction industry. Within the leadership stream, presentations concentrated on engaging employees in the company vision, immigrant recruitment and retention and building your business through education and training. In marketing, attendees learned about the cost of time, maximizing your website and marketing-energy choices. Finally, workplace wellness dealt with mental health, substance use and abuse and safety for sales personnel.
Gary Sharp, from the Canadian Home Builders' Association national office, delivered an informative presentation during lunch about the magnitude of Manitoba's underground economy and how it impacts everyone.
The closing plenary was delivered by Diane Himbault from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Himbault looked into her crystal ball and gave a fascinating forecast for the next two years.
Professionals learning from professionals; yet another reason when building, renovating or buying supplies, it pays to deal with a Manitoba Home Builders' Association member.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association
New Homes
Top renovators recognized at annual RenoMark reception
The RenoMark Renovators Council of the Manitoba Home Builders Association held its annual Renovation of the Year awards Nov. 4 A total of 27 entries were judged.
The categories and descriptions of each were as follows:
Additions -- Any project that increases the enclosed square footage of a home for use on a year-round basis. The winning entrants were Over and Above Custom Renovations, Oswald Construction, Sakiyama Construction and Rempel Builders.
Kitchens -- Any kitchen project that changes layout and/or cabinetry in the interests of improving traffic flow and/or changing appearance of the overall kitchen. Winning entrants were Sheldon's Renovations, Make It Home and Oswald Construction.
Bathrooms -- Any bathroom project that involves new fixtures, resurfacing walls and floors, and/or changing size or layout. The winning entrants were Over and Above Custom Renovations, Dynasty Bath and Harwood Design.
Exteriors -- Any project that changes the exterior appearance of the home. The winning entrant was Rempel Builders.
Basement -- Any basement project that finishes a previously unfinished space or remodels an existing basement space. Winners were Hammerdown Renovations and Harwood Design.
Whole House -- Any project that renovates at least 75 per cent of a home's interior square footage. Winners were Make It Home, Harwood Design (two awards) and Sakiyama Construction.
Congratulations and thanks go to all participants in this year's event. All entries will be on display at the Ask a Renovator booth at the Winnipeg Renovation Show Jan. 15 to 17 at the RBC Convention Centre.
For a complete listing of all MHBA renovators and more information on the RenoMark quality code, visit the Manitoba Home Builders Association web site at www.homebuilders.mb.ca.
Mike Moore is president of the
Manitoba Home Builders' Association
New Homes
Prairie housing trends highlight local stability
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) recently released its housing forecasts for the three prairie provinces. This comprehensive analysis included housing starts (single-family detached and multi-family), MLS sales and average MLS prices; not only for Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, but also for the cities of Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon and Winnipeg.
The results were interesting, especially after such an active September. In September in the Winnipeg comparative market analysis (CMA), single-family detached starts were on a par with last year. However, due to a couple of rental apartment starts, the multi-family was up considerably from last year. It is dangerous to simply look at one month, but better to look at the year to date. From that perspective, singles were down a little and multis were up a little accounting for a similar total.
Looking at the bigger picture, starts in Alberta are forecast to decline by 10 per cent this year, but an additional 20 per cent in 2016. What is fascinating to note is although Calgary is feeling the pain right now, Edmonton is having a boom year in 2015 starts. Edmonton is then forecast to drop by 33 per cent in 2016 while Calgary holds at 2015 levels.
Next door in Saskatchewan, Regina new-home starts only dropped by single percentage points last year and this year and are then projected to level off. By contrast, Saskatoon had a very strong year in 2014, but is projected to decline by more than 30 per cent this year before levelling off. As a province, Saskatchewan in 2015, 2016 and 2017 will come nowhere near the performance of the previous two years.
In Manitoba, we experienced our biggest decline (14 per cent) in 2014. This surprised no one as 2013 saw the most starts in more than 25 years. It was unrealistic to think we'd maintain that pace. Our projections for 2015, 2016 and 2017 are fairly consistent with a slight increase in 2017.
What is interesting to note is the projected start numbers for Winnipeg differ somewhat from the Manitoba numbers. Winnipeg's start numbers will remain consistent through 2017, whereas the provincial numbers are turning upwards. This is due to the fact single-family units will be on the rise in each of the next two years, whereas the multi-family start numbers will be in a holding pattern.
Other speculation is the popularity of new-home construction as it relates to all costs in the bedroom communities may be more favourable than those in Winnipeg.
Either way, it is most important to note Manitoba and Winnipeg continue to show more stability in housing trends than our two neighbours to the west.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association
New Homes
Natural beauty
There are two types of wow factor that can present themselves in new home designs. One is contrived, while the other occurs naturally as part of the overall design.
The new show home by Gino's Homes at 49 East Plains Dr. in Sage Creek fits into the latter category, said Gino's sales representative Cam Ftoma.
The subtly stylish 1,800-square-foot bungalow has received rave reviews. "Everyone who's gone through the home has just loved its design," said Ftoma. "Everything works together just beautifully to create a very livable home. In particular, people have loved the feeling of space and light, and the way the finishes are spotted tastefully throughout the great room."
The home starts off in spectacularly practical fashion with a wide foyer situated beneath a vaulted ceiling, with grey/taupe laminate plank flooring running away from you into the great room, beckoning you to come in and relax.
Then, there are the practical features, said Ftoma. "Not only is the foyer amazing -- the huge window up high over the entrance and all the glass in the front doors let in all kinds of natural light -- but it's also practically designed. There's a powder room and den/bedroom placed off to its right-hand side, and then there's a little corner nook to the left that contains a (huge) walk-in coat closet and door that provides easy access to the double attached garage."
It's an area that lends itself to two possible purposes, he added. "There's nice separation from the rest of the home, so you could use the den/bedroom as a room for a teenager, or if you have an elderly parent who's come to live with you. They'll have their own bathroom, and they can come and go as they please through the garage."
Take several steps forward into the great room, and you immediately realize this is no ordinary great room due to the infusion of a neat feature -- for a bungalow, that is: a high, vaulted ceiling. "Many people who've looked at the home assumed this was a two-storey design because of the high, angled ceiling that they saw from the street as they walked up to the home," said Ftoma. "Then, when they came inside, they were very surprised that it's a bungalow. You don't see too many bungalows with ceilings like this one over their great room." Not surprisingly, it's a feature that makes the great room. The rear wall is awash in glass -- a three-piece picture window and patio doors that simultaneously let in loads of light and serve as portals to provide a perfectly framed view of the wetlands behind the home.
Ftoma said it's an example of how a simple design can be spectacular by not going over the top and incorporating the right elements into the design. "Take the family room. It's a very simple design with a wide-open area where you can put in an entertainment unit that suits your own unique tastes and needs," he said. "Then, there's the gorgeous fireplace, a ribbon unit set in a stack of (light taupe) tile that stretches up to the top of the ceiling."
To the immediate right of the family room -- which can be neatly defined by a sofa and loveseat -- is the dining area, which is, once again, a space that's both practical and spectacular. "There's tons of room for a table for eight to 12, you have the wetland view, and patio doors that take you out to a balcony that looks out over the wetlands," said Ftoma. "And the island kitchen is also gorgeous and functional. It has a granite island that seats four, two-tone cabinetry (espresso maple and taupe thermofoil), (taupe) glass tile backplash, huge pantry and mod light fixtures."
Meanwhile, the undisputed star of the private bedroom wing is -- as it should be -- the master suite. "It's an absolutely gorgeous, and very peaceful, space," said Ftoma. "The bedroom itself features a tray ceiling (with mod, circular light fixture) and rear wall with a huge picture window and patio door that leads to a private balcony that overlooks the wetlands. The view, and amount of light that enters the bedroom is incredible." He added that the ensuite -- with its air of serenity -- is a space that lends itself to mental and physical renewal. "It's a deluxe ensuite that comes with dual vanities on a white quartz countertop, taupe tile floor, stand-alone soaker tub and custom shower with frameless door. The finishes, (earth tone) colour palette and lighting are all soft to encourage relaxation."
Downstairs, the walk-out lower level offers another 1,400-plus sq. ft. of livable space in the form of a wide-open rec room with wet bar, fourth bedroom, four-piece bath and huge mechanical room. "The rec room is perfect for entertaining -- it's bright and wide-open with a games area, media area, wet bar, a great view and patio door that leads to a patio by the water. There's also bedroom, full bath and huge mechanical room with space left over to put a gym in, if you like."
Two words best describe the home, said Ftoma. "This home offers incredible style and value. It's the best-priced home in this area, and its layout and style are as good as you'll find anywhere. It's livable, sensibly stylish and gives you excellent value for your hard-earned dollar."
lewys@mts.net
