FineHomes Regina Summer 2010 by Fine

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Fine Homes Regina

> PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN DIGNEY

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Fine Homes Regina

making your dream a reality Architectural and Structural CAD Drafting to suit all your projects. Renovations, new homes, multi-family dwelling unit, leasehold improvements, shops, and light commercial projects.

535-9197

GILCHUK DESIGN & DRAFTING

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Start to Finish Construction

Gilchuk Design & Drafting

Trust www.reginahomebuilders.com: Regina and Region Home Builders Association

Kitchen & Bath Classics

COVER STORY | Exceeding Expectations: Harmony Builders

Regina + Area Summer 2010: Showhome Locator Guide

House to Home: Janine Wilson

Quick Response Mortgages

Love entertaining in your Kitchen: Kozan’s Countrywide

All Lit Up: Richardson Lighting

Preparing to Sell: Natasha Blaisdell, RE/MAX, Joyce Tourney Realty

Building Smart: Century West Homes

You’ll Be Floored: Wood Ridge Flooring

Fired Up Sale: Wheatland Fireplace

Building Your Dream Home: Emerald Park Homes

Leather Tile: Parkland Carpet One

Provincial grants are helping Regina’s homeowners improve their homes: Amerispec

From Drab to Fab: CK One

Taking a Closer Look at Canada’s Homes: Amerispec

Making Dreams Real: Munro Homes

Home-Made = Best-Made: Rick’s Custom Cabinets

Defusing a Timebomb: Gunner Ltd.

Green is the Colour: Sunsmart Homes

Another Jewel in Regina’s Crown: The Creeks

Expert Advice: TD Canada Trust

Make the future a reality: D&S Homes

College Window Washers // BAR-T Construction & Pre-stainer Ltd

Turning dreams into reality for over 25 years: Varsity Homes

Crack Master // Perfect Edge Painting

Built Strong: GCA Construction Inc.

Flo Form // Wappel Construction

Northern Fireplace // Dean Markus

At the Lake: Sherwood Modular Homes

Sun Country Homes // Forster Realty

Paving the Way: Olympic Paving

Time to Relax: Future Fence

Finishing On Time + On Budget: Armada Construction

Sit Back + Enjoy: Sunset Bay Hot Tubs

Glacier Glass

Expert Advice: Cross Appraisals Inc.

Queen City Irrigation

More Outdoor Living: DGL Sun Coast Screen

Skyline Home Decor // Waxy’s Bobcat

Building Lifetyles: Brass Homes

Parade of Homes: Dundee Developments

92 Fine Homes Regina

TRUST: www.reginahomebuilders.com Written By Stu Niebergall, Executive Director, Regina and Region Home Builders’ Association

The Regina and Region Home Builders’ Association (RRHBA) represents more than 200 members who work together to build and renovate homes and create home ownership for Regina individuals and families. Building, renovating and upgrading your home takes teamwork and the skill, expertise and cooperation of many suppliers and trades. Our members have access to a network of professional companies and individuals providing service to the residential construction ondustry.

Launch of new website The Regina and Region Home Builders’ Association is very excited about the launch of its new website, www. reginahomebuilders.com. The Regina and Region Home Builders’ logo has become a well-recognized symbol of quality and professionalism in the minds of consumers. Consumers have come to know that when they are dealing with a member, they can have peace of mind, whether they are having a new home built or undertaking a home renovation. The new website builds upon this foundation of consumer trust. In fact, it is this trust that helps consumers to break through the clutter and fragmentation of today’s marketing world, and creates real value for the Association brand. Fine Homes Regina

With this in mind, the Association found that consumers typically come to their website for the following reasons: • to research a purchasing decision; • for truth and honesty; • to find factual and back-up information; • to find a safe passageway through their purchase decision; • to feel secure in their choice. As such, the new website has been improved to provide consumers with detailed information that will help them navigate their way through the homebuilding or home renovating decision process. Consumers can find information on why they should buy a newly built home, the building process, what questions to ask the home builder, the home warranty program, energy efficiency, the mortgage process, etc. On the renovation side, consumers can find information on how to find a renovator you can count on, planning the renovation and energy-efficient renovations, as well as advice from homeowners and renovators. The site contains a wealth of information on what you need to know when buying a new home or undertaking a home renovation. It also provides valuable links to other resources such as Canada Housing and Mortgage Corp. summer 2010 | 5

When consumers are ready to find a qualified builder, renovator, tradesperson or supplier, they can go to the new on-line membership directory. Searches can be conducted by business name or business category. Consumers can also simply access the full membership by scrolling through the directory alphabetically. Links are provided to members’ websites and more information on members can be found by clicking on their ads.

Regina & Region Home Builders’ Association The RRHBA logo has become a well-recognized symbol of quality and professionalism in the minds of consumers

The membership directory is also available in print, and can be accessed by visiting the Regina & Region Home Builders’ Association office at 1801 MacKay St. or by calling the office at 546-5225.

The Association hopes to continue to build its brand as a symbol of trust in the hearts and minds of consumers. The new website builds on this foundation and creates value for both consumers and Association members.

When consumers are ready to start visiting show homes, the New Home Locator function of the website can help locate them, and will provide a preview through photos and line drawings. These show homes are beautiful and make the trip to the website well worth the travel!

Go to www.reginahomebuilders.com and see for yourself. Trust www.reginahomebuilders.com!

Builders also post their inventory so consumers can view new homes for sale. The Association is very excited about this new function, because it brings great value to consumers as well as to Association members. Finally, in the Membership section of the website, businesses and individuals involved in the residential construction industry can find information on the qualifying criteria for becoming a member of the Association, as well as the application form, contact and process. The Association is always ready to welcome new members. The Careers section provides information and links for those who want to become involved, for example as a tradesperson, in the residential construction industry.

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Why choose a RRHBA member? Wondering about getting the best possible value for your home-buying money? Concerned about making the right choices for you and your family? Not sure how to find the right builder? Worried about getting the quality and service you want?When you are thinking about buying a new home, it’s a good idea to turn to a RRHBA Builder Member for many reasons: • Membership in the RRHBA is a strong indication that a new-home builder is a professional, dedicated to the business of homebuilding, committed to customer satisfaction and in business for the long term. • Membership in the Association is voluntary. Members agree to the RRHBA’s Code of Ethics, which is based on principles of fairness, integrity and consumer satisfaction.

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• Being a professional new-home builder means constant learning. Through the RRHBA, members can keep up to date on technological advances, regulations, products, materials, financing, design and so on—in short, what they need to know to provide homebuyers with the best and latest in the marketplace.

If this builder offers you a “better” financial deal, you need to wonder—the old adage that you get what you pay for holds true for home buying as well.

• Homebuilding is teamwork that takes the skills, expertise and cooperation of many suppliers and trades. Builders who belong to the RRHBA have ready access to a network of professional companies and individuals providing services to the residential construction industry.

What is your experience, and how long have you been in business? Good builders are proud of their track record, whether they have been in business for three or 30 years. They will tell you about their background, their training and experience, their strengths and what sets them apart from others. They will be honest with you about what they can do for you, when and for how much.

• Managing a successful homebuilding business means understanding what’s going on in the community, and how it might affect the industry and consumers. Association members have access to a wide range of information to keep them informed and up-to-date on important issues. They also have opportunities to meet and work with local decisionmakers.

Are you a member of the Regina & Region Home Builders’ Association (RRHBA)? Membership in the Association is an indication of a builder’s commitment to the industry, to the success of his own company and, ultimately, to his customers. Members agree to a Code of Ethics that calls for fair and honest dealings with consumers.

Questions to ask the builders

Are you a member of a home warranty program? Warranty programs provide additional protection for the homebuyer’s investment. Ask the builder to explain the details—you want the warranty that best meets your needs for both the short and the long term.

When you buy a new home you want to get full value for your investment. This means choosing an established and reputable builder—someone you can trust, someone who has the technical skills, a proven track record and a professional business approach. Fortunately, there are many good builders around, and with a little effort you will have no trouble finding someone who is right for you. Before you enter into a contract with anyone, ask questions, lots of them, to make sure it is the kind of company you want to do business with: Is homebuilding your profession? Homebuilding is a serious business. It takes commitment to keep up with everything that is going on in the industry. It requires solid business skills and a track record of satisfied clients. If a “builder” proposes to build your home part-time, you should proceed with caution.

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Will you give us references from your past clients? Don’t just take the builder’s word for it. Contact past customers to find out how satisfied they are with their new home. Ask if the home was completed on budget and on time, what the builder was like to work with (easy to talk with, understanding, helpful), and about the company’s after-sales service. What after-sales service does your company provide? Professional builders stand behind their homes with an aftersales service program. Ask the builder to explain the program in some detail: what’s covered, how to request service and the typical response time.

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Can we visit your work site(s)? The work site offers many clues about the company and the quality of the builder’s homes. Ask for a conducted tour of a home under construction and a chance to meet the site crew. Take note of the details: Is the site clean and orderly? Are materials stored out of the weather? And so on.

• Keep it simple. A complex design can result in complicated and expensive construction. Whether you want to build on to your home, change roof lines or reconfigure interior space, consult with a professional renovator on the impact of design on construction and budget. Less complex designs will often let you achieve the same goals.

Remember that when you buy a home, you are also “buying” the builder—you need to pay as much attention to choosing the right builder as you do the right home. Asking the questions suggested here will give you the information you need to choose a builder with confidence.

• Don’t just focus on the upfront cost. Renovation is a further investment in your home. Consider the time, energy and cost required for ongoing maintenance and possible replacement down the road. A well-planned renovation can reduce these future costs.

Advice from renovators

• Don’t cut corners to save a few dollars, or you may not get the results you want. There may be ways to stretch a limited budget or you may be able to scale down your project or, alternatively, do it in phases over time. But don’t compromise on quality—it’s always better to do less and do it well.

When a group of professional renovators were asked what design and planning advice they most often give to their customers, here is what they said: • Know why you want to renovate. What problems are you trying to solve? Most renovations begin with practical issues. For instance, your bathroom may be cramped, you need more storage space in the kitchen, or there is nowhere for the children to play or do homework under your supervision. • Evaluate the structure, systems and general condition of your house. With your renovator, list the repairs and replacements likely to be required over the next two, five and 10 years. If necessary, be prepared to make trade-offs between lifestyle improvements and work needed to keep your home in good shape. • Work with the strengths of your home. And save money at the same time. Check under existing carpeting and sheet flooring for old hardwood flooring. Refinish old trim and moulding rather than replacing it. Resurface cabinets rather than installing new ones. Turn a large landing into a child’s play area, a quiet reading area or a small home office.

• Check local bylaws. Before you get too involved in a particular design for adding to or substantially altering your home, you or your renovator need to know the local regulations—for instance, lot-line setbacks or septic tank requirements. • Look at your neighborhood. Exterior changes or additions that blend with the existing streetscape will probably add the most value to your home, and they will usually be appreciated the most by your neighbours. If you do want a design with a difference, think about ways of complementing neighbouring homes. • Don’t worry about trends. Design trends come and go. First and foremost, plan for comfort, ease of living and personal satisfaction. Enjoy exploring options and possibilities—then design the renovation that is uniquely right for you and your family. Need help finding a qualified renovator? Look to the RRHBA RenoMark© Program. RenoMark© renovators are committed to professionalism. They have a legitimate business license and are insured, they offer a two-year warranty on their work, they are informed and keep up-to-date on the industry, and they provide a detailed written contract. They are also committed to the Association’s Code of Ethics. When hiring your next renovator, look for the RenoMark© logo.

A full list of RenoMark© renovators can be found on the RRHBA website: www.reginahomebuilders.com

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Fine Homes Regina

Our Showroom is Your Showroom

summer 2010

Volume 1, Issue 1

Editor Edward Willett [ewillett@sasktel.net] Graphic Design + Layout Terrin Kaminsky [terrink@gmail.com] In-house Advertising + Design Melissa Taylor [meltaylor.meltmedia@gmail.com] Dean Kulbida [tesla232@gmail.com] Logo Design Melissa Taylor [meltaylor.meltmedia@gmail.com] Photgraphy Kim Digney Craig Livingston Pete Lawrence Contributing Writers Brian Bowman Trilby Henderson Ryan Holota Amy Nelson-Mile David Robinson Krista Cornish Scott Carol Todd Carter Haydu Tobie Hainstock G.H. Lewmer Edward Willett

You will be taken care of from the moment you walk into one of our showrooms. Our knowledgeable consultants will give you personalized service and advice while choosing from a vast selection of Kitchen & Bath fixtures. From enduring traditional classics to sleek modern contemporary styles and eco friendly - We Have Something for Everyone. Prepare to be inspired by stepping into one of our showrooms and see the endless possibilities that await you. 16 Showrooms to Serve you

REGINA 1176 Hamilton Street 306.565.2284

Advertising Consultants Brooke Watson [P. 551.4789 | brooke@finelifestyles.ca] Brenna Glascock [P. 999.3463 | brenna@finelifestyles.ca] Jill Melle [P. 529.7582 | jill@finelifestyles.ca] Patty Stables | [patty@finelifestyles.ca] Colleen Jacobucci | [colleenjacobucci@sasktel.net] Publishers Randy Liberet [P.306.540.3320 | randy@finelifestyles.ca] Wayne UnRuh [P. 306.541.3365 | wayne@finelifestyles.ca] 3440 Balsam Grove, Regina, SK S4V 2S4

www.finehomes.ca Fine Homes Regina is published two times a year by Fine Lifestyles Regina, Ltd. We reserve the right to edit any materials chosen for publication including photographs. We reserve the right to reject or accept any article, photograph, image or advertisement. All contents of Fine Lifestyles Regina, Ltd., are copyrighted 2010 with all rights reserved, except for original articles submitted to Fine Lifestyles Regina, where copyright resides with the author. No other part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of Fine Lifestyles Regina or its writers. The name Fine Homes Regina, its logo and material cannot be reproduced without the written consent of the publishers. The views and opinions expressed in the expert advice columns herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Fine Homes Regina or the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s they represent. The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavour to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act upon such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.

www.wolseleyinc.ca Fine Homes Regina

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exceeding

expectations Stunning show home shows why everyone is talking about Harmony Builders Written By Ryan Holota

I was very excited as I turned into the Greens on Gardiner. For the past two months I had been hearing great things about a new show home built by a new builder in Regina. Harmony Builders, the company was called; it has been in existence for just over a year, but the talk it has been generating is huge. I had been to Harmony’s website at www.harmonybuilders.ca and seen some pictures of its show home. It looked amazing. As I approached 3453 Valley Green Way I saw the house in person for the first time. It was stunning. The outside of the house was beautiful, with stonework and stucco walls and a large garage. The yard looked huge and there was a great porch built onto the front of the house. Even though I hadn’t yet been inside, I could imagine spending a quiet fall evening sitting on the deck, watching the neighborhood kids play on the street and sipping a hot cup of tea. I found a spot to park on the street. What was ordinarily a quiet neighborhood was busy tonight with people flocking to see the show homes in the area. It was obvious people were impressed by the Harmony Builders house: there were several pairs of shoes on the front porch. I removed my shoes and turned the handle of the large front door. As it opened, light washed across the hardwood floors, giving them a rich, warm glow. I could already see that something was different about this house.

Fantastic layout, amazing floors The layout was fantastic. The front door led to an open area with a kitchen, dining room and living room. Immediately to the left I saw a large bedroom, complete with closet and a large window letting in lots of natural light. The floors were amazing. I later found out that this was the very first house in Saskatchewan to use this kind of floor: each board is a full eight inches wide and three-quarters of an inch thick, made from reclaimed hickory. Individual boards were hand-scraped and finished, ensuring that no two would be identical. The look was stunning. 10 | summer 2010

The kitchen took my breath away. I consider myself something of a chef, and it would be a real pleasure to prepare a meal for my friends and family in this kitchen. Dark hardwood cabinets, stainless appliances and an island with seating for three were the obvious details, but a closer look revealed much more. I loved the lighting over the island: three hanging lights in oil-rubbed bronze and pot lights in the ceiling. There was a corner pantry too; one of the details that I knew I wanted in my future home. The backsplash was something I had never seen before, gleaming River Rock set on edge. Also built into the island was a large wine rack: the perfect accessory for entertaining and relaxing. I wasn’t prepared for the elegance of the living room, either. A huge fireplace dominated the far wall, and the stonework and millwork looking like something from a mansion. There was a lot of room for furniture. A large sectional or multiple pieces would easily fit, ensuring there was a lot of space for loved ones to sit and visit. The dining room was spacious as well. The table in the show home was very large, and I knew that I would have no trouble fitting almost any table that I could imagine into the space. Breathtaking bedrooms I couldn’t wait to see the bedrooms. As I turned down the hallway my eyes rose to the ceiling, and I saw that each doorway was beautifully trimmed and framed with a transom window. Wow! The master bedroom took my breath away. The room was huge, with a high ceiling and big windows. Blinds could darken the room well for sleeping, or I could leave the shades open and allow the morning light to filter into the room as the sun rose, waking me up naturally and peacefully. What a nice change that would be from my cranky and finicky old alarm clock! >>

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I saw a sliding door heading into the master bath, and I stuck my head into the room. My jaw dropped. I hardly noticed the slate floors and marble vanity: all of my attention was focused on the deep, white tub in the middle of the floor. I recognized the style from a high-end design magazine I’d bought: it was a waterfall tub. When the tub is filling, water pours in from each corner, and even when the tub is full a steady waterfall drops into it along the side, creating peaceful and relaxing noises. I instantly had visions of lying in the hot tub, reading a book and sipping a tall glass of wine. That’s when I noticed the flat-screen TV on the wall. My visions of reading were replaced by visions of watching the Riders play or enjoying the latest episode of Glee in total peace, separated from the outside world. Mentally drying myself off, I turned around and saw a floorto-ceiling glass-walled two-person shower. This house kept providing me with opportunities to relax and unwind after a long day at work. The other upstairs bedrooms were also beautiful, and the main bath really stood apart from some of the other show homes that I had been through.

A beautiful basement I worked my way back to the foyer and headed downstairs. The handrail was stunning: glass and dark wood, providing a solid feeling without breaking up the space. The basement was everything I could dream of. A pool table and granite-topped bar were the first things I noticed as I came down the stairs, but turning around also netted me another fireplace and flat-screen TV. There were dark wood bookshelves on both sides of the fireplace, and plenty of room for more seating. This space could be used for a family viewing area, or I could develop it into a really serious hometheatre space. There were so many options for the spaces in the home that it was obvious it had been very well-designed and very wellbuilt. Another bedroom opened right off of the TV area, and there were more bedrooms and another bathroom down there, as well. Because of the layout, the basement almost felt larger than the main floor: I thought for a moment I would get lost down there. Not only that, the basement was so bright it was hard to believe I was underground. The windows were very large and there was a lot of natural light. It would be easy to buy this home and move into it, but there are so many great new neighborhoods in Regina that I’m not sure which one I want to live in. Fine Homes Regina

The kitchen took my breath away. I consider myself something of a chef, and it would be a real pleasure to prepare a meal for my friends and family in this kitchen. Thankfully, I knew Harmony could build in any area of the city. The show home is beautiful, but I knew they could build any home that I wanted, whether from one of their plans, a plan that I brought them, or plans I custom-designed with the help of their expert.

Help with selling your old home I was glad to learn that the salespeople at Harmony also have their real estate resale licenses so they can help me sell my existing house. It would really be nice to deal with the same people from start to finish, and not have to keep a dozen people’s names straight in my head and their numbers straight on my cell phone. It was also nice to see that all of Harmony’s salespeople were friendly and cooperative. I had heard they all work together to help each other out, and I could tell I would have a whole team of people working just to make me happy. When I returned home I looked through some of the sales literature I had gathered from the house. I was impressed as I looked through the specs of the house to see what was included as standard. Frankly, there was nothing I could think of that I would need to upgrade. I was happy to see that each of the homes Harmony Builders creates is fully warranted through Progressive Home Warranty Solutions, Inc. Further, all homes are Energy Star Certified, ensuring that I will have lower utility bills and lower operating costs. I know that Energy Star homes also qualify for rebates, which would supply a nice sum of money for decoration and landscaping. I picked up my phone and called Harmony Builders at 591-0631. Why don’t you do the same? fhr Harmony Home Builders Show home at 3453 Valley Green Way Phone (306) 591 0631 www.harmonybuilders.ca

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regina + area summer 2010 SHOWHOME LOCATOR GUIDE

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Fine Homes Regina

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house to

HOME Whether you’re selling, buying or building, Janine Wilson can help Written By FHR Staff

Moving is one of life’s most stressful experiences—but it doesn’t have to be! Quite often the financial and emotional investment you’ve put into your home can make it difficult to admit that you’ve either outgrown your current home or need to downsize to something smaller. These are not always easy transitions to make. It’s at times like these that you want to turn to someone you can trust, someone who will really listen to you. That’s where Janine Wilson and her team come in.

Re-sale/MLS The first thing a person does when moving is to get a hold of a reputable real estate agent. Whether you are selling your existing house or buying a new home, Janine will go that extra mile to help in any way she can. An excellent listener, Janine takes the time to understand her clients’ needs and wants so she can find the right home for them. A licensed realtor working under Homelife Crawford Realty, she has won many numerous awards throughout the years. When listing an existing house, Janine does her homework, giving you the best market value for your home. She makes sure your home is advertised through many different avenues, including MLS, Homelife’s website, Janine’s personal website (www.janinewilson.ca ), real estate channels on TV and all local newspapers. Janine is a member of the Regina Real Estate Board, the Saskatchewan Real Estate Association and the Canadian Real Estate Association. She balances her time on the resale side between buyers and sellers, handling condos and residential homes in and around Regina. Janine believes strongly in the value of real estate as am investment. She herself has a portfolio of homes and is a landlord. She is a very aggressive salesperson, and this shows in her volume of sales over the past 20 years. 16 | summer 2010

Janine is also very direct and honest. She will evaluate your existing home and tell you exactly what needs to be done to get your property sold. She has an eye for detail and extensive knowledge of what helps a house sell. Whether it is just a coat of paint or de-cluttering, Janine is honest enough to tell her clients what is needed. Her honesty is well-respected and has helped her succeed in competitive real estate.

Relocation If you’re a new client moving to the city or just changing locations, a stress-free move is just a phone call to Janine away. She knows the city inside-out. Everyone has different tastes and budgets and likes and dislikes, but Janine can and does go out of her way to find that one perfect house, whether it involves buying an existing home or building a new one. If your choice is to build a new home Janine sits down with you and finds out what your needs are, e.g., what part of the city you want to live in, what your wants, wishes, needs and desires, whether you want to be close to amenities, close to schools, or close to work...or all three! Once she has established this, she helps you pick out a lot and then goes directly to the home designs. This is where Janine’s expertise shines. She has a homebuilding and drafting background that has grown over the last 20 years. She can sit down with her clients, listen to them, and then magically draw up their dream home, making her clients’ dream a reality on paper, right in front of them. From the drawing stage on, Janine is there to answer your questions and concerns, right down to the final touches on your new home.

The matchmaker “Janine cares about people and really listens to what they want,” says Kendall Plant, assistant and long-time friend. “She’s like a matchmaker, matching up families to the homes they are looking for.” >>

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When listing an existing house, Janine does her homework, giving you the best market value for your home.

Fine Homes Regina

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Janine Wilson was born and raised in Daytona Beach, Fla., and moved to the Yorkton area at the age of 16. She opened up a gift shop in Yorkton, but because of her strong desire to spend more time with her young children she looked to real estate as a possibility. Janine was licensed in 1989, which allowed her to spend quality time with her family while still being able to pursue an exciting and satisfying career. Today, Janine’s kids are two fine young adults and her business has grown and continues to flourish. As a realtor working under the Homelife Crawford Realty banner, Janine consistently exceeds her clients’ expectations. It’s her passion for what she does that drives her to ensure that her clients are more than satisfied and that they feel truly cared for. Gestures like booking a spa day or tickets to a sporting event for clients who are new to Regina and between houses for a time speak volumes, and go above and beyond what is expected from an agent. Janine’s personal touch and genuine consideration for her clients are characteristics that have assisted in her success in the selling of existing homes. With her daughter Danielle Wilson at her side providing services as realtor and mortgage broker, along with her previous experience in banking, Janine and her team can walk you through the intricacies of real estate financing. This is one of the many services Janine is able to provide clients who are looking to purchase a home.

New Home Construction Janine is an exclusive agent with Crawford Homes, a Regina builder for more than 40 years. Janine can help you in drawing up your own plans, or you can take a look at the hundreds of Crawford Home plans, which offer many different styles to chose from.

Janine has been building homes for Crawford Homes for over 15 years, and has gained immeasurable amounts of knowledge in that time. If she doesn’t have the answer to your new-home question, she knows where to find it.

Custom-designed homes Janine’s newest project is Janson Homes, custom homes built to your specs. They’re complete, “turn-key” homes, so-called because you just turn the key, open the door, and move in: the basement is finished, the garage is finished, the lot is landscaped, the deck is built and the fence is in place— anything you want. Thanks to her many years of experience and contacts Janine has assembled all the best sub-trades in the city to help her with her newest project. So, you may be asking yourself, what are the benefits of buying a new home versus an existing one? According to the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, new-home builders offer plans and designs to fit the needs of today’s families. Builders use modern technology to create homes that are not only functional and attractive but comfortable to live in. Janine and her team can customize your new home to be as elaborate as you like, or more basic, depending on your taste and budget. “Open concept is still a very popular design,” Janine notes. Another interesting point is that, as a new-home buyer, choices of cabinetry, flooring, carpeting, countertops and the like are yours to make. You can customize the look of your home to suit your personal preference and lifestyle. When buying a home from design plans, you know you are in excellent hands when you deal with a professional new-home builder like Janine, who has been building since 1995.

Crawford Homes builds in almost all areas of the city. They have many lots to choose from. 18 | summer 2010

Fine Homes Regina

Janine encourages her clients to work closely with her throughout the buying process. Open communication is the key to a successful build. Be sure to take your time and consider all the aspects of your purchase. Don’t rush yourself, and ask lots of questions. Remember, your builder is there to make sure you get the home you want!

“She’s very good at putting clients’ dreams on paper,”

“When it works, when a family moves into their dream home, that’s the most important thing,” states Janine.

Because they are built according to all the latest construction, electrical and fire standards and codes, new homes also have a safety factor that previously owned homes don’t always possess. If you have any questions or concerns at any time, before, during or after the building process, be sure to ask your homebuilder. Janine and her team go to extra lengths to ensure that you are well informed of every aspect of your new home.

Another strong motivator for purchasing a new home is the indoor air quality. With Canadian people spending so much of their time indoors, particularly in the winter months, healthy air quality in the home is an important issue. Poor indoor air can impact your well-being, from giving you a general sense of feeling of being “under the weather” to contributing to, or even triggering, allergies and asthma. Today’s new homes are built to give you the best possible indoor environment. Some of the ways this is achieved is through proper ventilation systems, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, use of non-solvent glues and waterbased paints, well-insulated exterior walls, careful caulking and much more. The Canadian Home Builders’ Association states that, through advances in building techniques and new, innovative products, new homes today use half of the energy required for similar homes built in 1950. Owners of new homes have many options available to them to further increase the efficiency of their homes: high-efficiency furnaces, programmable thermostats, low-flow showerheads, lights with timers, and energy-efficient appliances. Not only do smart choices like these save you money in the long run, but they contribute to easing some of the environmental issues we are all concerned about. Fine Homes Regina

states Kendall. “She can do up a draft of a home and take it to her draftsperson and before you know it, their dreams become reality on a page.”

Condo development Janine also builds and sells new townhouse-style condos, under the name “Windsor Crossing Developments.” Janine’s company has grown from her first condo project seven years ago to encompass five condo developments in all areas of the city. Janine takes a lot of pride in what she does and how she interacts with her clients, and this shows in the many repeat customers and personal referrals. One of her best moments is when she hands over the keys to the new homeowners and sees the smiles on their faces. She knows she’s doing what she was meant to do in life. You can sum up Janine in one word: “matchmaker.” She matches people to the right homes, and homes to the right people. If you’re looking for a perfect match between your individual needs and a house or condo, Janine and her team, Kendall Plant (office assistant and show home consultant), Paulette Robinson (Windsor Crossing Condo expert) and her daughter, Danielle Wilson, (MLS realtor and mortgage broker) would love to hear from you. fhr summer 2010 | 19

living “la

vida condo”

Condominiums offer many advantages - and Janine Wilson’s team can help you find the right one Written By Tobie Hainstock

Depending on what stage you are at in your life and what your specific needs are, purchasing a condominium may be a viable option for you to consider. There are several advantages to buying a condominium, including convenience, security, nearby amenities, affordability and living within a community where some of the obligations of home ownership are reduced or shared. We typically think of a condo as a type of dwelling, usually an apartment, but it is actually a type of ownership. When you buy a condo, you are buying two things: 1) the unit itself—which can come in many forms, such as an apartment, townhouse or bungalow—and 2) an interest in common elements, which may include driveways and landscaping, roofs and windows, shared banquet rooms and recreation rooms and much more. Because condos are governed by provincial legislation rather than federal, how they are established, operated and sold is regulated differently across the country. The Canadian Home Builder’s Association advises buyers to be sure to talk to their builder about any questions they might have, especially if they are first-time condo owners.

20 | summer 2010

Janine and her team like to keep the lines of communication open and encourage their clients to ask a lot of questions. Good communication means your happiness, and in the end, that’s what is most important to Janine. “The satisfaction of the client is the ultimate reward,” she says. As a condominium owner, you also get a vote in your local condo corporation, as well as a proportion in common expenses. Your monthly condo fees will cover these costs, which can include regular maintenance, repairs and services. Snow removal, landscaping, security and garbage removal could be among the services provided. Once you’ve purchased your condo, it’s important to stay informed and get involved. Go to your regular corporation meetings or, better yet, become a board member. This will give you an active role in the day-to-day management of your condo community while providing you with an opportunity to get to know your neighbours.

Good communication means your happiness, and in the end, that’s what is most important to Janine. Fine Homes Regina

Exciting new developments Janine’s team is continually expanding to new horizons. Presently, serving clients under the Windsor Crossing banner, Janine and her staff are in the process of building beautiful new condominium developments in the Harbour Landing and Lakeridge areas of Regina. Both of these areas of the city are highly sought after. These communities are progressive, family-oriented and designed to suit today’s lifestyle. Janine encourages anyone who is interested in condo living to contact herself or condo expert Paulette Robinson. “Paulette has been with me for six years, since the start of Windsor Crossing,” Janine says. “She knows everything about the condos.”

46 Forty Harbour Landing Situated in the southwest corner of the city, Harbour Landing is Regina’s newest—and considered by many to be Regina’s most desirable—neighbourhood. The urban village concept is designed to create a city within a city. This means that the residents of Harbour Landing will enjoy the luxury of living in a self-contained neighbourhood where they can live, play, shop and work. Just imagine stepping out your door and having a variety of amenities right within your own beautiful new neighbourhood. Enjoy the convenience of nearby grocery stores, retail shops, parks, offices and much more while still having easy access to the rest of what Regina has to offer. Fine Homes Regina

Janine and her team with Windsor Crossing Developments offer a variety of stylish and functional condos that can easily fit any lifestyle or budget. One of these delightful designs is an attractive two-storey model which is just over 1,100 square feet. The open-concept design of the main floor is both functional and roomy, featuring the living room, kitchen, eating nook, half-bathroom and laundry. Upstairs, you have the option of going with a threebedroom and full-bathroom design or a two-bedroom design with a spectacular multipurpose loft. Both models have plenty of closet and storage space and both are units that will well suit the needs of their future owners. If you’re looking for something with an attached garage or a bit more privacy, Janine also offers an appealing bungalow design. With approximately 1,100 square feet of living space, this floor plan gives you the option of a more traditional, U-shaped kitchen or an open style with an island that looks out toward the great room and eating nook. The master suite located just off the great room includes a walk-in closet and full en suite. Other attractive features of this lovely home include a mud room, main-floor laundry, front foyer, guest bathroom and a den that converts to a second bedroom. Perhaps something a little cosier fits your needs. The 1,000square-foot, two-bedroom apartment-style condos are adorable, affordable and simply charming, with an open floor plan, deck and laundry nook and plenty of storage. >>

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> PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN DIGNEY

22 | summer 2010

Fine Homes Regina

Just imagine stepping out your door and having a variety of amenities right within your own beautiful new neighborhood. Enjoy the close services of grocery stores, retail shops, parks, offices and much more while still having easy access to the rest of what Regina has to offer... Preston Place If the northwest section of Regina is more to your liking, then Janine invites you to consider the options available at Windsor Crossing’s Preston Place development. Located north of Superstore, just west of Pasqua Street, Preston Place residents will have easy access to the Ring Road for commuting and many amenities located on Rochdale Boulevard. Just as at the 46 Forty development at Harbour Landing, at Preston Place Janine offers apartment, two-storey and bungalow-style condos. In this location, however, there are a couple of additional options for you to consider. The second additional plan is a 1,200-square-foot, threebedroom condo. It is an attractive unit with an attached garage and two storeys of living space. The main floor includes a U-style kitchen, and open dining and living rooms. On the second floor, you’ll find two nice-sized bedrooms and a full bathroom, plus the master bedroom which boasts a walk-incloset and en suite. Another two-storey option available at this location comes with an attached garage, 2 1/2 bathrooms, three bedrooms and an open-concept main floor. This particular unit is the largest, at just under 1,400 square feet. It offers the option of an upstairs den or loft area. This flexible design provides additional space that could be used as a sitting or reading area, computer space or for any other purpose. With options and features like these, it’s easy to see why these condos are so appealing to new-home buyers. They are functional, comfortable and versatile homes which can easily suit the lifestyles of families, singles or retirees. If you wish to view the floor plans of the described condo models, please visit www.janinewilson.com. >>

Fine Homes Regina

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24 | summer 2010

Fine Homes Regina

Where do you go from here? Now that you’ve had a chance to walk down memory lane reflecting on where you’ve been, and speculated on where you’re going, take a second to absorb what you’ve learned so far. If you’re considering selling your existing home, Janine can take care of that for you as a member of Homelife Crawford Realty. Looking to buy a new home? Janine and her team are here to listen to what you want and ready to help in the design. Does living in one of the new condominium developments sound like something you are interested in? Janine’s Windsor Crossing Developments will help you find what you’re looking for.

Janine Wilson MLS® REALTOR® (306) 537-3200

Perhaps you’re just not sure what will best suit you. In that case, talk to “the matchmaker.” Janine will take the time to listen to what you want, answer your questions and even draw up a draft of your dream home. Because purchasing a home is such a major event in your life, you want to have someone working with you who you know will take it seriously and really listen to what you have on your mind. Having Janine and her staff working for you will be like having a friend at your side looking out for your best interests—and who doesn’t need a new friend? fhr Janine Wilson (306) 537-3200 www.janinewilson.com Fine Homes Regina

Kendall Plant Office Assistant 531-8134

Danielle Wilson-Creaser MLS® REALTOR® and Mortgage Broker

Paulette Robinson Windsor Crossing Condo Expert

536-0027

530-3000

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> PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN DIGNEY

See Janine on these exciting properties

Preston Place Harbour Landing

Condos

Resale

Relocation

MLS Realtor One call does it all

Janine Wilson (306) 537-3200

janinewilson@sasktel.net

• • • •

Top Salesperson, Crawford Homes Since 1997 Top New Home Salesperson (Regina) 2007 Consistantly Placed in the Top 5 New Home Sales (Regina) Developer - Best New Condo Project 2008 (Windsor Park)

See listings at: www.JanineWilson.com 26 | summer 2010

Fine Homes Regina

summer 2010 | 27

> PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN DIGNEY

kozan’s countrywide

A tale of two companies, working together to provide the best in lighting design This is a story of two companies, both starting small, both unsure of the future, located in different parts of Canada, neither initially knowing of the other’s existence. Early in the ’70s, Ernie Richardson sought to expand his new lighting fixture operation and contacted a relatively young but growing Canadian lighting manufacturer in the East called Artcraft Electric Limited. Immediately, the two companies started to grow together: the total commitment to service and honesty and a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to business and people were core values for both companies. 28 | summer 2010

Fine Homes Regina

Yukon Gold Potato & Red Fife Gnocchi with Roasted Squash & Comfort Cream Sauce Gnocchi 4-5 medium/large Yukon Gold Potatos 1 cup of Red Fife Flour 1 egg Salt and pepper to taste Comfort Cream Sauce 150g comfort cream cheese 2 tbsp flour 2 tbsp butter 350ml milk Squash Dice peel and seed squash, add salt, pepper and oil and roast until tender (10-15 minutes at 350ºF) METHOD Roast thoroughly washed Yukon potatos in oven at 350ºF until the potato falls off the fork when pierced. peel warm potato and mash using a food mill or ricer. Combine with seasoning egg and flour and knead mixture till smooth. Roll mixture into 1 inch thick cylinders on floured surface and cut to desired size. Test a small batch of dough in salted boiling water and adjust flour and seasoning. In a heavy bottomed sauce pan melt butter over medium heat, stir in flour. Whisk in cold milk to butter flour mixture and simmer for 5-6 minutes stirring frequently. Remove pot from heat and add comfort cream cheese with the rind removed to milk mixture stirring thoroughly. FINISHING PLATE Put gnocchi into a large pot of boiling salted water. Remove when the gnocchi float to the top. Place gnocchi in bolwl with roasted squash and top with cheese sauce.

Matchbox Garden Carrot Cake Cake 4 Eggs 11⁄4 cup vegetable oil 2 cups brown sugar 2 tsp Mourt Gay rum 2 cups flour 2 tsp baking soda 2 tsp baking powder 1 ⁄2 tsp salt 2 tsp ground cinnamon 3 cups grated heirlom carrots (using some purple carrots will darken the cake) Cream Cheese Icing 1 ⁄2 cup butter 8 oz. cream cheese 4 cups icing sugar 1 tsp Mourt Gay rum METHOD For the cake: Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease and flour a medium baking pan. Beat together eggs, oil, sugar and rum. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir in grated carrots. Pour into greased and floured pan. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick or skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. cool in pan for 10 min. then flip onto a wire rack and cool completely. For the icing: In a stand mixer bowl combine butter, cream cheese, icing sugar and rum. Using the paddle attachment beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy. With a palette knife or spatula frost the cake. Enjoy!

Fine Homes Regina

summer 2010 | 29

> PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN DIGNEY

Lit

all

A tale of two companies, working together to provide the best in lighting design This is a story of two companies, both starting small, both unsure of the future, located in different parts of Canada, neither initially knowing of the otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s existence. Early in the â&#x20AC;&#x2122;70s, Ernie Richardson sought to expand his new lighting fixture operation and contacted a relatively young but growing Canadian lighting manufacturer in the East called Artcraft Electric Limited.

Both Richardson Lighting and Artcraft were family businesses, both blessed with hardworking, loyal staff, both wholly Canadian, and both anxious to always provide better products and improved service to the marketplace. The relationship grew: Artcraft designed and manufactured better and more fashionable lighting in their Canadian plants, while Richardson continued to display, stock and sell the products produced by Artcraft.

Immediately, the two companies started to grow together: the total commitment to service and honesty and a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to business and people were core values for both companies.

In 2009, based on the long relationship of trust, the Richardson Group collectively undertook to display and market the new and exclusive Steven & Chris Lighting line, manufactured under license by Artcraft.

30 | summer 2010

Fine Homes Regina

The S&C designs are available in Saskatchewan exclusively at Richardson Lighting.

Steven Sabados and Chris Hyndman, both born in Canada, joined forces in 1992 to form the design company the Sabados Group. Shortly after, Steven and Chris received a call from HGTV to audition for Designer Guys—and they sealed the deal. Since the smash-hit debut of Designer Guys in 2001, Steven and Chris have launched a second successful design program, Design Rivals (2003) as well as a personal makeover program called So Chic with Steven & Chris (2005). A few years later, Steven and Chris went national with their own talk show, Steven & Chris, on CBC. They entertain audiences with tips and trends on home décor, health, beauty and much more. In 2007, Steven and Chris launched their own line of furniture, textiles, decorative accessories and area rugs. Seeing how popular they were and feeling a strong need to expand into cleaner and simpler designs, Artcraft paired up with the Sabados Group, combining its expertise in design and lifestyle trends with Artcraft’s extensive knowledge of lighting and manufacturing to produce what has become known as one of the hottest Canadian lighting lines: The S&C Lighting Collection by Artcraft. Fine Homes Regina

The S&C designs are available in Saskatchewan exclusively at Richardson Lighting. Today, Artcraft is the oldest Canadian lighting manufacturer, celebrating 55 years in business and still wholly Canadian owned and operated, while Richardson Lighting is celebrating more than 43 years of business and is Saskatchewan’s oldest lighting distributor. The steady leadership of both companies, combining old-fashioned values with a willingness to identify and embrace change, has served both companies well and has strengthened an association, a business relationship and personal respect for more than four decades: both companies fiercely Canadian, independent and second-generation familyrun, both with long-serving, loyal staff working hard every day to serve their customers. Both companies are ready for new challenges and are excited about the future. fhr Richardson Lighting 2101 Seventh Ave. Phone (306) 525 8301 www.richardsonlighting.com summer 2010 | 31

> PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN DIGNEY

PREPARING TO

SELL Four steps to making your home as saleable as it can be Written By Krista Cornish Scott

For most home owners, the idea of preparing your home for sale can be both exciting and overwhelming. Most of us will sell at least one home during our adult life, but do not have the experienced eye to know what a home needs in order to be in the most saleable condition possible. Potential buyers for your home have many choices available and can be easily put off if they see too many “to-do” items on your property. Taking care of a few specific areas prior to putting your home on the market can greatly add to the ease of the sale, and also make your move as stress-free as possible. Regina-based real estate agent Natasha Blaisdell (RE/MAX) says that her first effort in preparing a client’s home for sale can be a bit of an awakening. Once her detail-oriented fresh eyes assess the property, honest recommendations follow. “I try not to hurt the client’s feelings but I will be honest and to the point. If there is something I think we can change that will help a quick sale, I am not afraid to suggest it! Our ultimate goal is to get the home into the most saleable condition as quickly and as inexpensively as possible.”

Simple changes, big results Following her specific directions (which often include good old-fashioned elbow grease and some minor expenses) can produce positive changes to the home that are staggering. Most people are so comfortable in their house that they have lost the ability to look at it critically, but potential homebuyers will. “You may not even see the little quirks or piles of clutter anymore, but those can really hamper a sale,” Natasha says. She recommends the following tips for preparing your home to meet its potential new owners: 32 | summer 2010

Natasha | 536-5992 1. Declutter. “This is a perfect time to purge,” says Natasha, “but if you aren’t able to take the time before the house goes on the market, a short-term storage option is a great solution.” Sellers who are downsizing find that the more decluttering they do before putting their home on the market, the easier it makes their move later on. The more “stuff” you remove from the house, the more appealing it becomes to a wide variety of potential buyers. 2. Depersonalize. Natasha’s experience in selling has repeatedly shown that the best way to find the right buyer for your home is presenting the property in such a way that they can see the “bones” of the house. Being able to imagine their own possessions in the home is the key to turning a potential buyer into someone who is falling in love with the house and ready to make a purchase. You may think the mounted moose head in the living room aptly shows off your high ceilings, but it might also turn off some buyers immediately. Similarly, that funky bright-purple bathroom might illustrate your fun and wild side, but taking the time to neutralize the color scheme will allow more buyers to connect to the space. Fine Homes Regina

remax/natasha 3. Detail, detail, detail. Natasha recalls one client who was selling a home with a brand-new roof and shingles, but inside there remained small water-damage ceiling stains from the previous roof leak. “They weren’t seeing that as a red flag because they knew the roof had been fixed. But potential buyers were noticing the stains and worried that it indicated more expensive issues than they were prepared to deal with.” Many home sellers are already aware that fresh paint can be a great way to increase your home’s presentation for potential buyers, but they may only go half-way. “Make sure you do a careful job without cutting corners,” Natasha advises, “or hire the appropriate professional to do it for you.” If you smoke, from this point on do it outside and wash your walls or repaint if necessary, as the smell of smoke in a home has been proven to adversely affect the sale. If you have pets, neutralize their presence in the home. Allergies to air fresheners and scented candles make masking smells tricky: washing and cleaning are better. And don’t forget to take out the garbage! Details do matter, and a professional, critical eye can address problems before buyers arrive. 4. Distinction. Use the best—a proven results-oriented agent. It is not by accident that Natasha Blaisdell is a consistently award-winning RE/MAX Realtor who placed in the top one percent of more than 150,000 RE/MAX agents worldwide for two consecutive years. Fine Homes Regina

Client Mick Beale, who has used Natasha’s services for a number of transactions, has this to say: “Natasha is a resultsoriented professional with superb market knowledge. Her attention to detail, expertise in preparing property for sale and solid reputation in the Regina real estate market make her an obvious choice when looking for someone to trust your business with. Natasha was a pleasure to work with on multiple occasions, and I would highly recommend her and her team for any real estate transactions in the Regina area.” fhr

Call Natasha now and get a free up-to-date valuation of your home!

RE/MAX, Joyce Tourney Realty Natasha Blaisdell 2350 Second Ave. Phone (306) 536 5992 Niki Froese Administrative & Customer Co-ordinator

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> PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN DIGNEY

BUILDING

SMART

The best value in home building, from start to finish Written By Brian Bowman Photography By Kim Digney

Regina’s housing market is still pretty hot, but new homebuyers are getting very cool about the way they shop and compare. So says Amanda Martin, Manager of New Homes at Century West Homes of Regina. And she likes the change because every new, informed and critical client who walks through the door is the confirmation of Century West’s corporate message and strategy. “The current trend among Regina homebuyers is that people are taking a step back and really doing their research,” she says. 34 | summer 2010

“They’re after a quality product that they are comfortable investing their money into. People are taking the time to research what exactly they are getting for their dollar. This helps Century West because when they come in they are able to compare what we offer with what other builders offer. “We focus on trying to educate clients and the home-buying public. If people do their due diligence, they will probably choose us. We’re confident of that. We do believe we’ve got the best value in this marketplace.”

Fine Homes Regina

“We focus on trying to educate clients and the home-buying public. If people do their due diligence, they will probably choose us. We’re confident of that. We do believe we’ve got the best value in this marketplace.”

Although it has only been on the local scene since 2005, in that time Century West Homes has acquired a good reputation among buyers, gained loyal suppliers and was a finalist in the Canadian Home Builders’ Association’s 2009 National SAM Awards for “Single Detached Home Between 1,500 to 2,200 Square Feet.” Century West is a member of the Regina Region Home Builders’ Association, and a member in good standing with the Saskatchewan New Home Warranty program, plus the Saskatchewan Better Business Bureau and the Regina Chamber of Commerce.

An end-to-end homebuilder One of the strongest contributing factors to its success is that Century West Homes is a complete end-to-end company. Everything, from blueprint through to possession, is done inhouse. “We have a phenomenally strong group,” says Martin. “And the range of what we can do is very large. When combined with our parent company, Walker Projects Inc., we have a fully integrated group, from structural and civil engineers and design and architectural technologists to residential and commercial construction crews and an in-house renovations and restorations division. We can design a custom house from a client’s simple ideas or sketches, or manipulate the stock plans that we have. We don’t have to out-source any of that; everything is done in-house. Other local builders do have technologists on staff, but we call ourselves one of the only fully integrated construction companies in Saskatchewan.”

Recent history; strong success Century West Homes started in 2005. It has always been Regina-based, with its first project being the Wheat City condominiums in Regina, but until recently most of its work was in Estevan and Moose Jaw building multi-family dwellings. For the last few years, Century West has been designing and building single-family homes in Regina. Century West’s first show home in Windsor Park opened two years ago and the feedback was nothing but positive. Martin says it solidified the company’s position as a key player in the Regina new-home construction market. Fine Homes Regina

Recently, Walker Projects acquired EPEC, a civil engineering firm which, Martin says, strengthens the entire team and broadens its knowledge base. “We can provide people with an absolute custom home, and it’s important to note that they don’t have to pay a premium to have that done. Our design team does it all in-house and we don’t charge extra. It is something we do as a service because we want to be proud to put a Century West sign in front of every house that we build. We design and build every house as though that sign will be in front of it forever.” >> summer 2010 | 35

In aid of that, Century West offers encouragement and support to staff, in any division of the firm, who wish to broaden their technical expertise or attain trade or professional credit. “We support our staff and encourage them,” says Martin. “It may be courses in design or accounting, or our field guys who start out as labourers and want to gain their journeyman in carpentry.” Century West is keen to hire graduates from the province’s trade and professional institutions, she adds. “We really make an effort to do that. We hire from SIAST in both design and construction.”

A solid trade relationship In addition to office staff, Century West has about 20 people, from site supervisors to labourers, involved in construction. Specific trade work, such as mechanical and electrical work, is contracted out. “We use the same base sub-trades for the bulk of our projects,” says Martin. “They are loyal to us because they respect our working relationship and they’ve come to know what’s expected of them on Century West jobs. We have earned a reputation as being good to work for and we pay our trades on time.” But, Martin insists, the relationship is really sustained by something more than financial agreements.

36 | summer 2010

“Good tradesmen prefer high standards,” Martin says. “They appreciate working with somebody who wants to turn out a quality product and not just ‘get it done quickly and get it done cheap.’ We’ve developed such a good base with the trades we work with that they’re growing their companies as we are growing ours. And they are growing them to service our needs. I think that says something for our relationship with them.”

Building a better customer There are many standards, codes and warranties in the housing industry, designed to safeguard the homeowner. That said, some homes meet regulations while other homes exceed them. Can you spot the difference? Once the paint and the trim is applied, how do you know what’s underneath? What questions should you ask? And how do you gauge the response? Since building a home may be the biggest personal investment you’ll ever make, it might be good to know. Century West thinks so, too, and so for solid consumer information, a great place to start would be its website at www.centurywesthomes. com. All the company information is there, what it does, how it does it, staff profiles, a huge variety of its stock home plans and a visual tour of its newest show home” etc.

Fine Homes Regina

The S&C designs are available in Saskatchewan exclusively at Richardson Lighting.

Century West’s “smart building” series, which aired on CJME, is also archived there. Click on the “resources” button and scroll down to the sub-head “choosing a builder.” The questions presented there are the ones you need to consider. Compare that with the information linked to the “our process” button just above it and you’ll begin to see what separates good from bad home quality, and where Century West Homes is positioned in that assessment. Aftermarket support is also a company policy. Homes under the Saskatchewan New Home Warranty Program are warranted for one year, including workmanship, with the onus placed on the homeowner to contact the builder should any claim or question arise. Here, too, Century West is proactive. After a walkthrough at possession, the company will initiate contact at 30 days and again at 90 days, and then contact the homeowner at the 11th month to set up a walk-through at the one year point. And it continues. In addition to a printed version that homeowners receive upon possession, a Century West homeowner also gains access to an on-line system with a comprehensive, on-line manual with links to all the manufacturer’s warranty sites for every component in the home. This service is especially helpful once the first year’s warranty is up and it’s a feature you’ll look hard to find on any other homebuilder’s site Fine Homes Regina

“We can provide people with an absolute custom home, and it’s important to note that they don’t have to pay a premium to have that done. Our design team does it all in-house and we don’t charge extra. It is something we do as a service because we want to be proud to put a Century West sign in front of every house that we build. Martin believes that informed comparison is good for Century West Homes. In support of that, she offers an example. “A lot of builders do build to Energy Star compliance, but we exceed those standards in a lot of areas. And that is one of the reasons we try to educate clients. We want them to compare apples to apples.” fhr Century West Homes #205 -1621 Albert St. Phone (306) 522 1062 Fax (306) 522 1201 info@centurywesthomes.com www.centurywesthomes.com

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> PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN DIGNEY

you’ll be FLOORED New flooring business grew from deep roots Written By Brian Bowman Photography By Craig Livingston

In late November 2009 Wood Ridge Flooring, marketing directly to consumers, started business in Regina with seven staff, no signage and no fanfare. Advisors in the industry said, “Don’t do it. The next three months are the slowest time of the year for this industry and there are more businesses of your type here, per capita, than anywhere else in Canada.” But the warnings went unheeded and the firm quietly opened its doors just when every consumer in town was preoccupied with the upcoming holiday season. “At start-up, there were myself, Erin and Adele, plus four installers who worked exclusively for us,” says co-owner Rene Putzlocher.

38 | summer 2010

A scant six months later, there’s still no signage for the building, and there’s still been no fanfare, but nobody’s sitting around. Customers are entering the showroom, the phones are ringing, and the firm now has 18 full-time staff. These include four people, including the owners, who are involved in product management and sales. There are two people handling administration, two people in the warehouse, 12 employed as fulltime installers and a further 10 independent pieceworkers who now subcontract, exclusively, for Wood Ridge.

Referrals driving business Wood Ridge Flooring sells and installs mid- to high-end flooring products. There’s an even chance you haven’t heard of it unless it’s done business with one of your neighbours, friends or family. People do like to talk. And, so far, there’s been no need for signage. “Almost every consumer entering the door is a qualified customer,” says Putzlocher. “And it’s because at least 50 percent of our contracts are referrals.” Fine Homes Regina

“We’re looking to give people the best dollar value for their money and a premium installation over and above the competition.” Referrals may be more effective and gratifying than any other type of marketing, but they come with a serious challenge. Every qualified customer entering your showroom has great expectations of your business and some respect for the opinion of those who endorse it. To satisfy such a wellprimed customer, and sustain your reputation, you need to be prepared, accommodating and decisive through every stage of the process. Both Erin Capp, the other co-owner, and Putzlocher have been in the flooring business, in Regina, for many years: Capp for about six, and Putzlocher for more than 20. That combined experience, with various local firms, meant they started with an established supplier base and a city-wide fan club of happy customers. “We knew we had that going in,” says Capp. “And that’s what makes it easier to start a business.”

A complete design resource centre They also knew that to succeed they had to provide good product, fair pricing and great service. To that end, Wood Ridge began with the first thing a customer sees. The showroom is a complete design resource centre, with samples and access to cabinets, granite, paint colors and wall coverings. The tile gallery is the largest in Regina, with an assortment of flooring, even across comparable products, from a variety of top suppliers. The other galleries are focused on other types of flooring, from hardwoods, laminates and cork to luxury vinyl tile/flooring and carpets. These galleries also offer a range of type and brand options. Products also extend to include granite, paint colours, wall coverings and cabinets. Throughout the showroom, you’ll see well-respected names like Mirage, Lauzon, Alyse Edwards, Euro Tile, Casa Roma and Julian Tile, to name but a few. There are no cheap or low-end products here. But quality doesn’t have to break the bank. The price point is intended to keep you smiling, too. “We want to give people a quality product for fair value,” says Putzlocher. “We can put in Mirage North American hardwood for the same price that other companies charge for cheap offshore wood. We don’t have high overhead and highcommissioned sales staff. We’re looking to give people the best dollar value for their money and a premium installation over and above the competition.” >> Fine Homes Regina

summer 2010 | 39

Experienced team Wood Ridge is an authorized full-service insurance flooring store serving Regina and Southern Saskatchewan with an industry-leading environmental and sustainability policy. The Wood Ridge team is experienced in all aspects of design, project management, scheduling and co-ordination, and the company offers in-home design services to all customers, by appointment, at no charge. This is worth noting, because a home consultation can help achieve unique concepts for custom showers, backsplashes, fountains and fireplaces, and effectively harmonize any room’s overall design. When you decide on what you want, the job of making it right, making it beautiful, and ensuring it will last is performed by journeyman installers, and comes with an industry-leading five-year installation warranty. Even the best installers can encounter problems, and they may not be of their own making. Like painting and decorating, installing flooring is a finishing trade. Any mistake left by other trades will affect the fit and appearance of the floor and will stand out if not corrected. Often, when such mistakes are encountered, the company doing the finishing work will contact the contractor responsible to make it right. Most contractors will respond, but even so, scheduling conflicts can mean delay, and lead to disputes and bad feelings. Wood Ridge avoids any of that by taking a different approach.

“We just fix it” “Any store that says they never encounter problems is lying,” says Putzlocher. “We just fix it. We’ll document it and let the client know, but our mandate here is to do whatever it takes to make that job correct. We just fix it, and we don’t charge extra for it. We believe that if we leave a job that is properly finished, we’ll get a referral.”

40 | summer 2010

The Wood Ridge team is experienced in all aspects of design, project management, scheduling and co-ordination, and the company offers in-home design services to all customers... Wood Ridge’s approach to service starts the moment customers contact the firm and continues throughout their association. Consumers like dealing with people who can make decisions and they appreciate being treated as though their business, and their time, is valued. “The biggest thing we get back from customers is that we answer the phone and deal with them immediately,” says Capp. “Here, there is no need, as in other firms, to refer to higher authorities.” All of the service people at Wood Ridge are experienced and capable, and empowered to make decisions and take the necessary action. It’s a practice that helps to instill pride and confidence in employees, and secure the respect and opinion of customers. As well, it can really help to ensure the job is well-done and completed in good time. Good idea, because if you operate a consumer enterprise by word of mouth, you’ll definitely want all your customers to be saying real nice things about your business. Phone, or drop in. You won’t be left waiting and anyone you speak with can actually help you. It’s company policy. fhr Wood Ridge Flooring 435 Dewdney Ave. Phone (306) 352 4639 Fax (306) 569 1730

Fine Homes Regina

summer 2010 | 41

> PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN DIGNEY

Dream Home... Building homes that offer comfort, practicality and beauty for years to come Written By Trilby Henderson Photography By Kim Digney

When Loran and Rina Schalk decided to build a new house, they knew that finding the right homebuilder was key to creating the home they wanted. The couple spent a year interviewing potential builders, but it wasn’t long after meeting with Garry and Lorena Sawchyn, owners of Emerald Park Homes, that they knew their search for the right homebuilder was over and the next step in the process could begin.

There were several reasons why the Schalks chose to work with Emerald Park Homes. For one, Loran says they were impressed with the fact that Garry took the time to ask them relevant questions during the interview process and made it a priority to get to know their family and their needs. In fact, many of Garry’s questions led the couple to think about aspects of their new home that they hadn’t yet considered.

“We didn’t want the builder’s palette,” says Rina. “We wanted our palette and to work with a builder who could do that for us. That’s what we found in Emerald Park Homes.”

“We understand that a family has different needs at different points during the growth of the family, so we tried to find out what this family had planned for the future,” says Garry.

42 | summer 2010

Fine Homes Regina

“We didn’t want the builder’s palette, we wanted our palette and to work with a builder who could do that for us. That’s what we found in Emerald Park Homes.” - Rina Schalk Although the couple had concrete ideas of what they wanted, they valued Garry’s willingness to provide suggestions based on his experience, to guide them toward options that would better suit their wants and needs. “We went through so many options until we found what worked for us,” Loran says. Rina says Garry went above and beyond to secure the lot the couple wanted—a coveted north-facing corner lot in the Fairway area that backs on to the Aspen Links Country Club golf course. The Schalks chose the lot for a number of reasons, key of which were its close vicinity to the golf course and Emerald Park’s walking paths. What they found after moving in was that the area is home to a very friendly, active community. Located just 10 minutes east of Regina, White City and Emerald Park offer residents an abundance of opportunity to enjoy an active lifestyle in a safe, family-friendly environment. “The people here are fabulous. We’ve been here for four months, three of which have been in minus-30 weather, and we’ve met more people here than we did in 10 years at our other home,” says Loran. “You get a small-town feel out here, but you’re still close enough to the big city that you get the best of both worlds.”

Three things key to new home

A hands-on builder The Schalks enjoyed being able to work directly with Garry and Lorena, rather than dealing with a salesman. They also appreciated Garry’s direct approach to the business and were confident knowing that he would be on-site to make sure each aspect of the project was done right. “He’s not an administrative man,” says Loran. “He’s hands-on, so he knows what’s going on 100 percent of the time with the build.”

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Rina says there were three things the couple was sure of before they began designing their new house: they wanted wanted all closets to be walk-in, a large garage and a workout room. All three features have been incorporated into the Schalks’ two-story, four-bedroom home, which boasts more than 3,600 square feet of developed living space and a five-car garage big enough to accommodate the family’s vehicles and provide Loran with a large workshop area. “When we designed the new house, we decided to take what we used in the old house and enlarge it here, and take what we didn’t use and shrink it,” says Loran. This led the couple to create a large walk-in closet at their home’s entrance, with plenty of room to accommodate the family’s coats, shoes and even sports equipment. Other than the main-floor bathroom and laundry room, the rest of the area is entirely open and encompasses a living room, dining area and large kitchen. >> summer 2010 | 43

One of the Schalks’ favourite features of the house is the wide, open, custom-designed staircase... Loran describes the staircase as a showpiece. Loran and Rina opted for extra-deep custom cabinets constructed of solid ebony, a black-hued wood not typically used for such purposes. The couple had wanted the four-foot piece at the end of the island curved to match the arc of the granite countertop. Although others had told them this was not possible, Emerald Park Homes and its contractors found a way to make it happen. Rina says the kitchen was a focal point for the family in their former home and they wanted to capitalize on the space in the new house. “This is where we congregate everyday, with our kids, with our family, with our friends,” says Rina. “It was important for it to be big and open.” The Schalks chose to place the kitchen at the back of the house, with plenty of feature windows to take advantage of the natural light and stunning view of the golf course. The finished room is a composite of multiple drawings and pictures the Schalks presented to Emerald Park Homes at the start of the project, with specific features tweaked to better suit the family. The room was designed around the large 13-by-five-foot island, complete with a bold River Rock granite countertop. The couple chose to forego upper cabinetry in favour of a large window and, instead, optimized the island space by installing plenty of hidden storage. The abundance of natural light in the main living space gave the designer for Emerald Park Homes the opportunity to use the rich color palette the Schalks were after, without worrying about the room appearing dark or closed in. Loran says the countertop provided the inspiration for the color palette carried throughout the rest of the space. His company, Regina-based CNG Stone Products Ltd., completed stone work in the home, including the sprawling granite island, quartz vanities, and concrete valets. His experience working in the industry, and his role as a contractor with his own home’s construction, gave Loran a unique perspective on the building process that most new homeowners don’t have. It also enabled him to witness Garry’s skill and leadership from a contractor’s point of view. “Garry is hard to work for because he demands perfection, and that’s one of the reasons we chose him,” he says. 44 | summer 2010

Staircase a showpiece One of the Schalks’ favourite features of the house is the wide, open, custom-designed staircase that extends from the second level to the basement. Loran describes the staircase as a showpiece, noting the contractor spent weeks perfecting it. On the second level, the staircase opens to the Schalks’ workout room—their favourite space in the home. The 10-foothigh ceilings and expansive windows give the room a bright, airy feel and provide a gorgeous view of the golf course below, and the cork flooring in the room is both comfortable and wellsuited for the family’s workout equipment. “It’s the nicest room in the house,” says Loran. He says Garry helped them to design the space so that it could be split into an office and a bedroom, should the couple’s needs change in the future. In fact, all of the behindthe-scenes construction is in place to allow for two additional walls to easily be installed to form the two new rooms. On the right side of the upper level, a step down leads to the guest suite, including both a bedroom and bathroom. The area was designed to give guests a sense of privacy and departure from the rest of the house, and the Schalks had a separate thermostat installed to give guests further control over their personal comfort. On the other side of the workout room lies the master bedroom, with a coffered ceiling and remote-control lighting. Inside, wood-trimmed sliding doors open to reveal the en-suite bathroom, with highlights including the River Rock shower floor, quartz countertops and individualized walk-in closets for both Rina and Loran. Fine Homes Regina

The back wall in Rina’s closet is curved to allow her clothes to fan out, making it easier to find what she is looking for. The curve in the closet is carried through to the hallway on the other side, and then mirrored in the curve of the floor surrounding the stairwell on the second and main levels. The raised basement is currently the domain of the Schalks’ twin daughters; the area includes a large living space with four-foot-tall windows to allow in plenty of light, a bathroom, and two bedrooms, complete with walk-in closets. Loran says the basement was designed so that it can be transformed into a more adult space once the girls leave home.

Future plans Future plans include opening one of the twins bedrooms to the living room to create a large recreation area, turning the walkin closet into a wet bar, and replacing the bedroom window with patio doors to create a basement walk-out. “With a few minor modifications, the basement shifts from a living space for the children to a play space for the adults,” he says. In addition to their open working relationship with Garry and Lorena, the couple liked being able to visit their home during construction to speak with each of the individual contractors. Loran says, like Garry, the contractors were ready to offer their expert opinions, but always respected the decisions made by the couple even if it went against what the contractor suggested. “Meeting each individual contractor and getting their take on what we were doing here was invaluable,” says Loran. “They are all fabulous people and I think one of the reasons Garry is a good builder is because he surrounds himself with good people. That’s important.” Fine Homes Regina

“We see many people today looking for a unique home that stands out, yet remains welcoming and respectful of the community,” says Garry. “They want homes that are modest in size, but with abundant qualities that embrace the family’s lifestyle and leave them with room to grow and change. They want their homes to be comfortable, practical and affordable, and built with care using quality materials that give the home lasting value and timeless appeal. Custom-built homes afford comfort, practicality and beauty for years to come.” For the Schalks, finding a homebuilder who enabled them to customize their new house down to the last detail has made all the difference. “Garry found unique solutions to our requests,” said Loran. fhr

“This house describes us. As a couple. As a family.” Emerald Park Homes 64 Great Plains Rd., Emerald Park, Sask. Phone (306) 781 3383 Fax (306) 781 2369 emeraldparkhomes@sasktel.net www.emeraldparkhomes.ca summer 2010 | 45

> PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN DIGNEY

Leather Tile

Torleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leather makes expressive use of bevel-edged tile. Created in an oversized format, the tile adds clean geometric elegance to the rich distinctive graining of the leather. The effect is eye-catching and still retains simplicity and refinement.

1580 Albert Street Regina, SK, S4P 2S4 (306) 525-9125 46 | summer 2010

Fine Homes Regina

Provincial grants are helping Reginaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homeowners improve their homes.

nowledge is a valuable asset for any homeowner. Having a comprehensive understanding of a home can draw a homeownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attention to necessary repairs, upgrades and the condition of their home systems. They will become aware of what needs their attention right now, and what will need their attention a few years down the line. So when you want the knowledge that can improve your home, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to know what to look for. A quality home inspection from a WUDLQHG DQG FHUWLĂ&#x20AC;HG LQVSHFWRU RQO\ takes 2-3 hours and should cover at least 400 checkpoints around the home. The inspector will visually examine areas including the foundation, insulation, roof, structural components, as well as the propertyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s electrical, plumbing and mechanical operating V\VWHPV 7KH Ă&#x20AC;QGLQJV VKRXOG EH presented in an Inspection Report, cataloguing if the checkpoints were in good condition or in need of repair. Home inspections are also available for commercial buildings like apartment FRPSOH[HV PRWHOV RIĂ&#x20AC;FH EXLOGLQJV

Fine Homes Regina

retail stores and warehouses. Owners of newly built homes should also think about getting a Pre-Delivery/ Pre-Purchase inspection performed before moving in, or within 11 months of moving in. Presenting the inspection Ă&#x20AC;QGLQJV WR WKH EXLOGHU IRU WKH KRPHÂˇV warranty will solve potential problems and ensure the home was build up to the expected standard. During a quality energy evaluation, D WUDLQHG DQG FHUWLĂ&#x20AC;HG HQHUJ\ DGYLVRU will examine a home for energy leaks, and devise a plan to help cut down on energy use and costs. After examining \RXU OHYHO RI HQHUJ\ HIĂ&#x20AC;FLHQF\ DQ energy advisor will often recommend that you upgrade to ENERGY STAR products. This is due to the ENERGY STAR for New Homes initiative, which promotes the installation of ENERGY 67$5 DSSOLDQFHV 7KHVH HQHUJ\ HIĂ&#x20AC;FLHQW models meet stringent requirements; an (1(5*< 67$5 TXDOLĂ&#x20AC;HG QHZ KRPH reduces greenhouse gas emissions by approximately three tonnes per year. $QRWKHU HIĂ&#x20AC;FLHQW PHWKRG XVHG LQ Ă&#x20AC;QGLQJ HQHUJ\ OHDNV LV FDOOHG WKHUPDO imaging. Although thermal imaging is

not part of an energy evaluation, it is an additional service that many energy advisors offer. By measuring invisible infrared energy, thermal imaging allows energy advisors to discover structural RU HQHUJ\ HIĂ&#x20AC;FLHQF\ LVVXHV %DVHG RQ the results of the energy evaluation and/or the use of thermal imaging, the energy advisor will recommend energyHIĂ&#x20AC;FLHQW XSJUDGHV ,PSOHPHQWLQJ WKHVH upgrades can reduce your energy bills by up to 30%, and homes can become more environmentally sustainable. ,WÂˇV HYHQ PRUH EHQHĂ&#x20AC;FLDO WR JHW DQ energy evaluation now that provincial grants are available. The Saskatchewan EnerGuide for Houses program is offering up to $5,000 in grants for PDNLQJ HQHUJ\ HIĂ&#x20AC;FLHQW LPSURYHPHQWV Homeowners simply need to book DQ HQHUJ\ HYDOXDWLRQ ZLWK D FHUWLĂ&#x20AC;HG energy advisor to qualify. As owners who were born and raised in Regina, we take pride in servicing our community the best way we can. We are more than a local service you can trust in; we are also part of Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading FHUWLĂ&#x20AC;HG KRPH LQVSHFWLRQ DQG HQHUJ\ HYDOXDWLRQ VHUYLFH :H SXW TXDOLW\ Ă&#x20AC;UVW as we provide Home Inspections, New Home Warranty Inspections, Commercial Inspections, Energy Evaluations and Thermal Imaging to the homes and buildings of Southern Saskatchewan. Our high standards and range of services offer you the valuable knowledge you need as a homeowner. )RU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ DERXW WKH EHQHĂ&#x20AC;WV of home inspections and energy evaluations, visit www.amerispec.ca.

Celine Novak Dave Novak AmeriSpec of Regina (306) 565-1703

summer 2010 | 47

from drab to

FA B

Simple ways to make your home reflect your personality Written By Corrie Krzysik, CK One

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change (like the damn orange shag); the courage to change the things I can (providing of course I have the money and the vision to know the difference); or the good sense to ask for professional advice. This is a designer prayer I came across when I was away at an interior design conference. So very true! I would like to share with you some thoughts and ideas that I recently attained. I was fortunate enough to attend an interior decorating and design course with Kimberly Seldon from Design-for-Living, and also attended O-magazine’s “Live your Best Life” weekend with Oprah and some of her colleagues, including the well-known designer Nate Berkus and organizational expert Peter Walsh. They shared some very simple, everyday thoughts and ideas that can help your home reflect your personality.

“Making your home your greatest pleasure is a luxury we all need to indulge.” - Nate Berkus

48 | summer 2010

There’s no greater pleasure than to love the way you live. Your home should be a reflection of your lifestyle. As our lives and our tastes change with time, so should our home interiors. Like getting a new haircut, waking up your wardrobe or trying a new workout routine, redecorating is about making a change. The smallest update or a new way of organizing can provide you with some much-needed R&R, something we all need more of in our lives. As Peter Walsh says, de-clutter your life. Organization is a measure of happiness! Walking through your front door everyday should be a pleasure. Home should be a house filled with meaning and memories. It’s where you live, not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally as well!

“Your home is the place to invest your money and energy” - Oprah Inspiration What inspires you? What kinds of surroundings make you happy? What is practical for your family? These are some thoughts that you may want to sit down and ponder, with a pen and notepad at hand with which to jot down your ideas. This is the beginning of a brainstorming exercise that can lead to great success. Ask yourself questions. Do you like simplicity? What about organization? How did you feel when you were on your last vacation? Fine Homes Regina

We all want “warm and inviting,” but that’s a very generic theme. All homes can be warm and inviting, but they can also be traditional, timeless, contemporary, simple, lived in, classic, urban...to name just a few! When you’ve had some time to sit and think a few simple thoughts like this, you will feel a lot more motivated to make a game plan and stick with it!

“Where do you start? In the room where you’d like to live your best life.” - Nate Berkus Look elsewhere for inspiration, then add that to your own personal vision. Once you have discovered what inspires you and have created a style you want, have a look around and take note of the things in your home that you love. Will these pieces fit into the look and feel you want to achieve? If not, and you still love them, use them somewhere else. You will get so much more out of your things if you just take some time and move things around. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Making mistakes is often the only way to discover what you like.

“If you touch it every day, it should be beautiful.” - Nate Berkus Whether it be your bedding, towels and toothbrush holder, or your living room furniture that you and the cat share while watching your favorite TV show, as Nate says, if you touch it every day, it should be beautiful. Splurge on the highest quality you can afford and build up to the bigger and more expensive items gradually. You may not be able to buy everything you need all at once, but when the time comes and you can afford the more expensive items, you will be a lot happier in the end—and it will be worth the wait!

Focal point Identify the focal point. If you don’t have one, create one! (When doing this it is important that you don’t have competing focal points. Pick just one!) If you have a fabulous view, make it the focal point for the warmer, more lush months and downplay everything else. When the temperature drops in the fall, turn the focal point around and focus on something else. This is a great way to change up your home and not get bored with the same old look. The irony of this can also be the flip side. If the furniture in your rooms makes sense and gives a good vibe, you shouldn’t have to change it around. It would be considered a “perfect” fit! Those of you with a creative side may like to move things around just for something to do!

Fine Homes Regina

Neither of these ideas is right or wrong. Just be clear on your focal point. A great way to determine what your focal point is is to take a photograph. Pictures speak a thousand words! If you are not happy with what you see in the photo, it will be clear to you that you may have to make a small change or two. Keep repeating this until you have it just right. It’s a simple, easy idea, and doesn’t cost anything!

Execution When you have your game plan in order and all ideas strategically planned, there is no better time than the present to execute them. If you don’t have a plan just yet and are looking to change the mood and rejuvenate your space, try these quick and easy ideas in any area of your home!

In an hour: • Refresh the furniture by fluffing the pillows and flipping the seat cushions. Fabric refresher is a great way to freshen up your living area. • Rearrange your accessories on a tabletop, making sure to group similar items together. • Decorate your mantel. This is a great spot to experiment with mirrors and create some more light. • Organize the kids’ toys and stow them in stylish-yet- practical baskets. • Burn your candles. They’re not going to smell that great in the closet! • Buy some fresh flowers. They can instantly change a mood. • Bring out the fine china and use it every day. You can’t enjoy it in the china cabinet! >> summer 2010 | 49

> PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN DIGNEY

In a day: • Rearrange your furniture and take a piece out to create a little more space. • Revive the floor with a new area rug in a new colour, or maybe a different shape. • Buy a throw for the love seat or your husband’s comfy chair in a different pattern or a colour that complements your other accessories. • Try out some new throw pillows. A medium-sized pattern will work for both small and big rooms.

In a weekend: • Check out a few garage sales and see if anyone else’s junk can become a special little treasure for your home. • Reframe your photographs and artwork and create a salon wall. • Add decorative items to spaces that need some refreshing and recycle your accessories from room to room. • Get the life back on your walls with a fresh coat of paint. Don’t let your painter pick your paint, and remember...one colour does not fit all! • Take apart an entire room and redecorate it from scratch. Moving things around and keeping an open mind will turn that room from drab to fab! 50 | summer 2010

Home should be a house filled with meaning and memories. It’s where you live, not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally as well! Upon completion You should now be at a point where you are feeling content and happy with what you’ve been able to accomplish. Be willing to take a few risks along the way and keep an open mind. Decorating or redecorating your home isn’t something you have to take on all at once and it doesn’t always require a large budget. What you need is to start with a simple plan and a vision and it will all come together one room at a time! At the end of this all, let me leave you with this thought:

“Don’t take your whole decorating budget and spread it over five rooms. Start with one room and make it perfect. One ugly thing will ruin everything.” - Kimberly Seldon fhr Corrie Krzysik at CK One Design & Consulting Phone (306) 351 8425 corriek123@yahoo.ca Fine Homes Regina

Taking a closer look at Canada’s homes. Make a smart investment in your greatest asset. Take advantage of up to $5,000 in provincial grants today. Your home is one of your greatest assets, and it’s important to protect your investment. AmeriSpec can offer you several different ways to protect that investment, including both energy evaluations and home inspections.

Our thorough home inspections examine over 400 items in and around a home, and keep you informed of necessary repairs or upgrades. As an additional service, we can help you discover structural or energyefficiency issues with thermal imaging. Whether you’re a buyer or a homeowner, get all the facts.

Our energy evaluations can help you devise a plan to cut down on energy use and costs, while helping Saskatchewan homeowners qualify for provincial grants.

Call us today at (306) 565-1703 or visit us at www.amerispec.ca/regina. Fine Homes Regina

summer 2010 | 51

> PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN DIGNEY

real making dreams

Producing 25 of the best homes in Southern Saskatchewan, year after year Written By Ryan Holota Photography By Pete Lawrence + Kim Digney

Munro Homes Ltd. never intended to be the biggest builder in town; it just wanted to be the best. A special sense of commitment to each homebuyer has earned Munro Homes Ltd. a solid reputation as a homebuilding company that cares and offers personalized service to all of its customers. Each of the fine homes that Munro creates exemplifies the Munro Homes style of building. Attractive and elegant, Munro offers attractive, elegant homes of imagination and distinction. The results are clearly visible—well-designed, aesthetically pleasing homes of quality construction, where people can live affordably, comfortably, and conveniently.

The foundation of excellence It has been said so often that it has become a cliché: “A home is more than just four walls.” These sayings become popular because there is so much truth to them, and the words make sense to all who hear them. Of course a home is more than just four walls: there are a basement, floors, ceilings and a yard, and the memories we make in the house and the things with which we fill it become inextricably linked to the home and the feelings we have toward it. >>

The Munro Homes Harbour Landing show home, The Waterford, located at 4649 Malcolm Dr.

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Fine Homes Regina

â&#x20AC;&#x153;My focus has really always been on customer service. When someone builds a house it represents the largest investment that most people will ever make, and they deserve to be treated a certain way.â&#x20AC;? - Garry Munro

Fine Homes Regina

summer 2010 | 53

In the early 1990s, Garry and Ginny Munro decided to grow their business. This was a challenge, because they refused to let the quality and attention to detail they put into their houses fall off even a little bit. They selected Shelley Clark of Clark Design Studio, an award-winning home designer, to provide their designs, and hired Heather McGinnis as the Project Consultant. For many people, McGinnis is the public face of Munro Homes as she greets clients in show homes, works with the client and designer as the home is imagined, and acts as a liaison between the client and the homebuilder throughout the home construction process.

When Garry Munro built his very first house in 1984, he knew that a home was more than a building for people to live and sleep in. A home, he understood, was the physical manifestation of all of the dreams and wishes and desires that the owners had for their lives. A home is a place where we can feel comfortable and at ease, no matter how our day was or what the weather is like outside. Our home is our sanctuary and the place where we raise our families. Regina did not need another generic homebuilder in 1984. The market was served by any number of companies that could assemble four walls and seal them from the elements. Garry Munro had a different vision: he wanted to help people bring their dreams into reality. Munro Homes’s first customers found that they were dealing with a different kind of homebuilder. Garry treated each new client like a friend, talking over options and showing them what could be done with the space and budget they had. As the company grew, Munro added more staff, taking care to hire only the very best people who could carry on the high standards of customer care that Garry set. This attention to detail continued to the selection of the tradespeople to work on the homes. Simply being available was never good enough for Munro’s clients, nor is it good enough today. Garry selected only the very best sub-trades, and only after looking at several examples of their work over a long period of time. Once chosen, they were held to a high standard, improving the quality of Munro’s homes and their own skills at the same time. Today, the average tradesperson has been working with Munro Homes for more than 10 years, ensuring that homebuyers receive only the best work for their money. 54 | summer 2010

Munro Homes is more than just a builder: the members of its team are leaders in the industry. McGinnis, a repeat winner of the Regina and Region Home Builders’ Association Sales Volume Award, is the Saskatchewan Chair of the National Marketing Committee with the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, a director with the Regina and Region Home Builders’ Association and a member of the judging panel for the CHBA’s National SAM Awards. To ensure that every home is built according to Munro Homes’s exacting standards, Munro employs dedicated site staff who keep an eye on quality and the construction timeline. With the addition of a few great people and the cultivation of the right working atmosphere, Munro Homes produces 25 of the best homes in southern Saskatchewan year after year. While the demand to produce many more homes is there, Munro Homes does not feel it can deliver the kind of one-onone service it demands with more homes than that.

Building things right So often, the inherent quality of a home is covered up by drywall and paint. You never get to see the care that was taken to ensure that each wall stud was carefully checked for crowning before it was installed, that the location of the light switches was determined by an interior designer and not by an electrician, or that the floor was built using trusses when I-joists would have met the building code. However, you do notice that your pictures hang perfectly on your walls. You know that when you stumble into a dark house loaded down with groceries that the switch is right there, exactly where it should be, and you notice that your floors don’t squeak and that the basement ceiling is free of bulkheads. It all starts with good design, but often it’s the things that you don’t see that really make you comfortable in a home. Fine Homes Regina

Attention to detail Potential buyers expect a show home to be the best product that a homebuilder can deliver. After all, thousands of people will walk through a show home looking at every nook and cranny, trying to determine which builder is the right one for their projects. Munro Homes looks at show homes from a different perspective. Every show home that Munro builds will eventually become the home of a client, and over the course of their ownership of the home, dozens of the most important people in the world will come through that home—parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, children. Each of those people deserves the same attention to detail and safety that the casual viewer of a show home does, and Munro Homes understands that. In fact, Munro Homes uses the same products, the same tradespeople, and the same designers to create its award-winning show homes that it uses to design and construct every customer home that it builds. In the minds of the people at Munro Homes, every home they build is a show home for their clients.

A commitment to quality “My focus has really always been on customer service,” says Garry Munro. “When someone builds a house it represents the largest investment that most people will ever make, and they deserve to be treated a certain way.” Nothing exemplifies this commitment more than the 2009 Customer Choice Award that Munro Homes received in January 2010. This award is given by the Regina and Region Home Builders’ Association to the builder with the highest levels of service in the sales, construction and warranty of new homes. The award, sponsored by the Saskatchewan New Home Warranty Program, is selected based on the responses to a survey sent to all new homebuyers in the previous year. Munro Homes is also the winner of other current RRHBA awards, including Best Custom Home Under 2100 Square Feet for its work on a stunning custom house in Buena Vista, Sask. Munro Homes also received the 2009 RRHBA Master Award for the Best New Show Home for its Lakeridge show home. Winning awards comes naturally to this team of dedicated homebuilders. They have won many awards in the past, but these most recent additions to their trophy case make the company’s owners especially proud because of the recognition of their focus on customer service. Fine Homes Regina

The tradition continues After 26 years in the home building business, Garry and Ginny Munro have begun to think about the legacy of excellent homes they have created and the future of their business. Eventually, the company will have to change hands, but they want it to be to new owners who will fully embrace their unique vision for building homes and helping clients bring their dreams into reality. In 2005, Colin Chorneyko became a part of the Munro family, working as a carpenter. It soon became obvious that Chorneyko shared the same passion for delivering homes of the highest caliber. In 2008, Garry and Ginny welcomed Colin and Ashley Chorneyko as business partners, ensuring that Munro Homes will continue to be the best choice of homebuilder in Regina for homeowners who are looking for exceptional quality and incomparable value. In order to continue to provide its exceptional level of customer service, Munro Homes is expanding to a new office, located in Regina on Saskatchewan Drive. This new office will allow it to continue to provide its clients with the highest levels of customer service possible and provide room to house a growing staff. fhr Munro Homes Phone (306) 543 2777 www.munrohomes.com Find us on Facebook!

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SELF-MADE = BEST-MADE High-end custom cabinets and renovations for discerning clients Written By Carol Todd

Rick O’Dow has gone from a teenager with a hammer to a creator of high-end custom cabinetry and renovations for Regina’s elite. The owner of Rick’s Custom Cabinets and Renovations went into business for himself right out of high school, learning his trade hands-on at the side of, then, more experienced carpenters. Twenty-seven years later, with brothers Rodney and Sean and wife Maryanne providing back-up, his company is the premiere supplier of custom cabinetry and detailed renovations to Regina’s fine homes, both new and old.

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O’Dow says what sets his company apart from the others in the business is that it offers individually designed products at a one-stop shop for clients who want something different. “Our designs are unique and focus on creative design, function and quality,” he says. There are no standard sizes or standard styles. O’Dow and his staff manufacture custom cabinets that are built to fit the clients’ personal needs and standards, based on their individual design. “We believe that our clients should be directly involved with the design of their kitchens or other improvements. We give them personal attention from design to the final installation,” he says.

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HOMES & REAL ESTATE

“Our designs are unique and focus on creative design, function and quality,” says O’Dow See it before it’s built That personal attention includes computer virtualization of the design the client develops in consultation with the craftsmen and interior designers that make up some of the more than 15 members of O’Dow’s staff. “We draft their plans into the computer and render views of what the renovations will look like. Our drawings superbly illustrate the design before the final product is produced,” he says. Add the one-stop shop element to the individualized design work and the client gets the entire project done to their exact specifications. “We combine the entire project. We’ll do the design, the cabinetry, the framing, the windows, everything,” O’Dow says, and that includes the plumbing and electrical work to complete the project, so there’s no worrying about sub-contractors. The company also provides clients with detailed work proposals, with all the elements broken down to assist in planning.

Renovations with an eye to the period Rick’s Custom Cabinets and Renovations largely focuses on high-end kitchens and bathrooms. “What we specialize in is first class kitchens. We do a lot of new homes in town. We do work for a lot of the big builders,” O’Dow says. Often considered the heart of the home, the kitchen is usually the most expensive room to renovate. But it’s worth it, he says: “A well-designed, functional kitchen will add most to the value and salability of your home.” He adds that the trend is for bathrooms to be more than a place to take a shower. “Besides being highly functional, bathrooms have evolved into mini spas—the rest and recreation room of the home,” he says.

And the company also takes on projects that can include the entire home. O’Dow says they also do complete renovations, again with that creative eye focused on authenticity. To provide a complete update, the company will go into a house that is relatively dated and, with its designers, make recommendations to establish what can be done to bring the home up to modern standards while retaining the look of the time period. “A 1910 house should still look like it belongs in 1910. You don’t want to take away the character of that home, you just want to update the conveniences. But, it has to blend in—it can’t stand out as something new,” he says.

While bathrooms and kitchens are its bread and butter, Rick’s Custom Cabinets and Renovations can provide clients with everything, and anything, they need. “Because we have the ability to custom manufacture, we have no limits to our creativity, or to the details and styles offered to our clients,” O’Dow says. From kitchens to bathrooms and from entertainment units to complete renovations, the company brings its custom care and attention to a wide range of projects. O’Dow’s designers will even help the client pick out the window treatments!

While the company’s main service area is Regina and environs, O’Dow says they will go wherever the discerning client is, whether that be elsewhere in southern Saskatchewan or as far afield as Winnipeg. “We’re here for people who want something that is more unique. That’s where we shine— because we’re designers, we’re apt to do something a little more exciting for you than a box store,” he says.

The company is also the authorized dealer for a number of high-end manufacturers, such as Hunter-Douglas blinds, European Appliances, Dacor Appliances, Solid Surfaces and Granite Counter Tops, Blanco and Sub-Zero Refrigeration, enabling it to pull the entire package together.

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O’Dow is confident his company’s specialized, client-driven services will continue to shine, providing high-quality cabinetry and renovations to Regina’s high-end homes well into the future.

fhr

Rick’s Custom Cabinets and Renovations 3121 Saskatchewan Dr. Phone (306) 352 6044 www.rickscustomcabinets.com summer 2010 | 57

> PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN DIGNEY

DEFUSING A

TIME BOMB Using Liquid Backfill when your house is built can save you aggravation and money Written By Trilby Henderson

Your new home is sitting on a ticking maintenance time bomb when the backfill installed around its foundation has not been compacted to the pre-excavation standard necessary to insure compliance with the National Building Code, which states backfill shall be graded to prevent drainage towards the foundation after settling. Despite being one of the most important elements of all new homes, backfilling is too often overlooked and neglected by the new-home builder. Proper backfilling is important across Saskatchewan, but especially in the expansive clays of Regina, where an average 18 inches of progressive backfill consolidation settlement is commonplace. Even though your new home may appear graded to prevent drainage toward the foundation, there is no assurance the builder compacted the fill used to account for the “void content,” necessary to prevent your grade from subsidence over the next 20-plus years.

Two decades of Liquid Backfill history For the past two decades, Gunner Ltd. has been putting its unique, innovative and highly effective product, Liquid Backfill, to work helping home and business owners prevent foundation seepage and settlement problems caused by poor backfilling methods.

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Clint Kimery, president of the Regina-based company, says Gunner Ltd. developed Liquid Backfill, a special lowshrink impervious clay-based material, in conjunction with the Canadian Research Council in the early ’90s, after the company acquired the equipment needed to do large-volume installations. Since then, Liquid Backfill has proven to be a cost-efficient fill material, used in such places as utility trenches and under driveways, walks and patios where it is important to prevent water from collecting and causing freeze/thaw, shifting and crack damage. “There is no settling with our material,” says Kimery. “It’s equal to an undisturbed ground condition, providing maintenancefree landscaping over the lifetime of your home.”

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Liquid Backfill prevents structural and cosmetic maintenance costs because it preserves the moisture condition of the bearing soil in a stable environment, similar to the original preconstruction moisture condition. “Liquid Backfill provides long-term maintenance-free stability, so the homeowner is not required to annually chase a settling grade with a wheelbarrow of dirt and a shovel,” Kimery says. Unlike Liquid Backfill, the chunks and lumps of clay typically used as backfill tend to consolidate and settle, year after year, creating a negative grade condition that directs rain water and melting snow towards the foundation.

Don’t rely on weeping tile While the weeping tile installed along the footing may handle the bulk of this water, it is not a system a homeowner should rely on. Weeping tile is never installed on a slope to drain, so water is retained in every dip, which facilitates a thin membrane of softened clay directly under the concrete spread footings. The natural character of clay creates a thin self-sealing membrane that prevents moisture from deeply saturating the bearing soils and causing foundation heaving, but this membrane is too soft to support the weight of the concrete foundation. As a result, the structure fractionally settles on each occasion. Eventually the settlement is measured in inches, which is accompanied by the notorious cracking of Regina foundations and deterioration of interior finishes. Liquid Backfill, by controlling water runoff away from the foundation, avoids this problem. Basements not only stay dry, they are less prone to mildew and molds. Too often topsoil or sand is used as a re-grading material. While both are easy to handle and may look good initially, when this material becomes saturated water simply runs straight through it and continues towards the foundation. The lack of backfill compaction at the time of construction, the use of improper materials, negligent grading practice and too great a reliance on weeping tile are the primary problems undermining the housing market in Regina. With proper backfilling practice, Regina, with its expansive clays, “should have the reputation for the driest foundations in all of Canada,” Kimery says. “Instead the City is best known for its unstable foundations. “New home owners place far too much reliance on their builders to initiate innovative options and fail to appreciate the importance of specifying backfilling standards until it is too late.” Fine Homes Regina

Specify Liquid Backfill New homeowners must insist on proper backfilling standards and then hold their builder responsible. Liquid Backfill provides this foolproof proper backfilling assurance to the homeowner. Once Liquid Backfill is poured into an excavation area it solidifies, equaling the original undisturbed ground condition. The key component of Liquid Backfill is clay, and the important characteristic of clay is that it doesn’t get wet very easy and it doesn’t get dry very easy. It actually creates a “control grade” that preserves the pre-construction ground-moisture condition, which is so critical to long-term foundation stability. How much does it cost to annually re-landscape your yard, to realign, replace or support a settled and shifting foundation, or to replace or mudjack your driveway, patio, steps or sidewalk? All of this can be avoided, along with the disappointment, worry, tens of thousands of repair dollars and long hours of back-breaking work, by simply insisting on Liquid Backfill. “Liquid Backfill is a prized sales feature that protects your investment,” says Kimery, adding, “With the price of homes nowadays, the cost of a Liquid Backfill installation is miniscule.” Many other uses Liquid Backfill can be applied to improve existing grades around older homes, under hard-to-access existing decks and concrete steps, to fill washouts under concrete slabs, and to fill utility line trenches. It also provides a firm base for new concrete slabs or new paving stone installations. It is flexible to work with, can be installed in a matter of hours and can be molded into a variety of landscaping contours—and, if necessary, can be easily re-excavated. Gunner’s full line of services also include “Mudjacking” realignment of settled concrete slabs, “Compaction Grouting” realignment of settled foundation systems and Concrete Pumping. Gunner Ltd. has the years of skill, experience, and equipment to address any backfilling issue, residential, commercial or industrial. Although the company primarily works in and around Regina, it does accept projects throughout the province and even beyond its borders. fhr Gunner Ltd. 682 Adams St. Phone (306) 775 2626 Toll-Free (306) 1 800 470 7066 www.gunnercorp.ca

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Green

> PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN DIGNEY

is the colour

The McDonald Residence LEED for Homes Project 60 | summer 2010

Fine Homes Regina

Going green doesn’t have to be hard... and it’s the smart thing to do Written By Sheena Koops

In Regina, green is the colour, and we’re not just talking about our beloved Roughriders; SunSmart Homes is Regina’s foremost builder of green homes. As environmental issues become more and more real to the public, homeowners are looking for environmentally conscious companies. SunSmart Homes delivers. Darren Matity, general manager, says, “We’re a unique organization, focusing exclusively on building environmentally sustainable, healthy and energy-efficient hopes.” He adds, “We all want to do our part for the environment; we can make sure that your biggest investment, your home, is consistent with your environmental lifestyle. Together, we can make a difference.”

Putting green back in your wallet SunSmart Homes provide a win-win scenario; not only do they reduce your environmental footprint, but they are economical too. In a province where our summers are hot and winters cold, we need the very best technology to cut air-conditioning and heat bills. SunSmart leaves no stone unturned in creating energyefficient homes, incorporating options like geothermal heating and cooling systems, solar water-heating and photovoltaic electricity generation, to name a few. SunSmart also chooses materials that are “easily renewable,” and all homes meet and exceed Energy Star Standards— which make homes 30 percent more efficient, according to Natural Resources Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency, than homes built to the minimum provincial building codes, saving you money on an ongoing basis. The team at SunSmart will also put the green back in your wallet with its unique project-management approach. Derek McDonald, SunSmart’s designer and project manager, says, “We use the LEED framework when designing and managing the homes we build.” LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the next evolution in residential construction. McDonald adds, “Using LEED principles has shown us that we need to be more interactive in the design of homes, not with just the owner but with our trades people.” SunSmart uses an on-line construction-management program which allows trades people and clients to access the construction schedule and change orders, documents, blueprints and warranty items from their home and office computers. An online demo of this collaborative project management is on SunSmart’s website, www.sunsmarthomes.ca. Fine Homes Regina

“We all want to do our part for the environment; we can make sure that your biggest investment, your home, is consistent with your environmental lifestyle. Together, we can make a difference.” Communication among client, builder and trades results in a transparent process; it makes a more efficient build with less chance of miscommunication, a common complaint of people building homes. McDonald adds, “By including the trades within the design process SunSmart eliminates many on-site errors that could occur before a hole is even dug. It also gives the trades a better sense of ownership on the project because they had a part in the design and construction of it.” With the reduction in delays, communication problems and scheduling, SunSmart’s increased efficiency and cost-effective development and construction process will translate into money saved for you. For example, SunSmart uses materials built especially for SunSmart projects, thereby reducing waste in the construction process. As well, SunSmart materials last longer, which reduces your maintenance and replacement costs. As government agencies get more and more attuned to the need for green, there are grants and incentives like the EnerGuide for Homes program, as well as specific government grants for making use of solar and geothermal energy.

A smart name says it all SunSmart’s name marries two great resources: natural energy and human intellect. For example, SunSmart employs passive solar design, creating homes which—by design alone—capture up to 50 percent of their heat and light needs. SunSmart also minimizes site disturbance and employs rainwater collection, storm-water management and construction-waste management. “There is some greenwashing going on in the marketplace,” says president Mark Lemmerick, “and it is important to us that people know that our product and services are authentic. When we say green building, we are talking about sustainable, healthy, highly energy-efficient homes.” Not only are the folks at SunSmart smart, so is the technology they bring you: technology like Structured Insulated Panels (SIPs), which replace wood-frame construction in floors, walls and roofs for residential and light commercial buildings. SIP homes are quicker to build than traditionally framed buildings, and reduce construction time and therefore labour costs because they use 70 percent less structural lumber than a stick-built home. >>

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> PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN DIGNEY

Foundations are built using the latest in insulated concrete forms, creating a basement ready for finish, both exterior and interior. The high insulation value of SunSmart Homes produces not only a comfortable home in summer and winter, but also lower energy bills. In fact, SunSmart Homes is so with it, it gives you options to prepare your home for new technology that isn’t even on the mainstream market yet.

SunSmart satisfied SunSmart has a loyal customer base because the company has earned it. Shawn Zimmer of Pilot Butte built with SunSmart two years ago. Shawn says, “I chose this company because of the green side; energy efficiency and environmental responsibility is a priority for us.”

Lemmerick says, “A one-size-fits-all approach is often used by developers and builders with poor results. To the contrary, each customer has different histories, ideas and preferences and the homes we build for them should reflect their unique characteristics.”

Shawn explains that he was having his home designed and his designer gave him Darren’s card. Shawn says, “I researched, visited Darren’s sites. I did my homework, and I was convinced this was how I had to build.” This happy homeowner has recommended SunSmart to friends and family.

A team that works for you “We have a great core of people who all bring their own set of skills to the company,” says Matity. James Drake is the primary site supervisor and project manager, implementing the building schedules for clients and trades. Derek McDonald, design and project manager, is the newest member of the team. He comes from a construction background and uses his expertise to design aesthetically pleasing and efficiently constructed homes. The SunSmart employees respect one another for the expertise they each bring, and Matity adds, “We’re too busy around here for egos.”

Second to SunSmart’s green benefits, Shawn says he recommends SunSmart because of the customer service. He says, “This is my third new home, and from a new homeowner’s perspective, they don’t treat you like they’re a big builder making a transaction. They treat you like you’re a partner in a partnership, and that’s what everyone wants.” He adds, “It was a good experience for us.” Darren Matity, general manager, says, “We work with clients who are aware of their environment and care about the future of our planet. These people come from all walks of life, including engineers, business executives and young familes.” SunSmart invites input from its clients and regularly incorporates new design ideas that come straight from the collaborative process. Matity adds, “We are always learning, on the leading edge, working with customers who have ideas.” 62 | summer 2010

As anyone who has built a home knows, the struggle of organizing contractors, inspections, permits and blueprints that meet your needs can be overwhelming. SunSmart’s green consultants have a saying: “We ‘put it all together’ for you.” And they mean that literally. Matity says, “We can work with you to create and construct the custom home of your dreams, or we have a variety of previously designed homes we can draw from.” In fact, SunSmart Homes prides itself in identifying the environmentally sustainable features that fit you and your family’s lifestyle. Matity and McDonald are always happy to take you on a tour of a completed customer’s home. Fine Homes Regina

The BreezeWay at Sundale

It all starts with design SunSmart will take preliminary ideas and preferences and turn them into working drawings. The company uses advanced software that gives rough pricing, cost of ownership and energy component rating assessments early in the design process to help customers make informed decisions. Your dream home may be highly efficient, but that doesn’t mean you will sacrifice beauty, style or health. On the contrary, all SunSmart Homes use low-emission biodegradable waterbased paints, varnishes and stains, in all colours of the rainbow, not just green. Healthy homes are trendy too, and green homes are leading the way with low-emissions interior decorating and products. Likewise, Matity says, “With higher levels of air tightness and a heat-recovery ventilation system (HRV) our homes give you a higher level of comfort, keeping indoor air fresh and at comfortable humidity levels.” SunSmart Homes is one of four companies selected to create Sun Dale, Last Mountain Lake’s newest resort development. The Breezeway, located at Sun Dale, is a funky housing cluster for those interested in purchasing smaller properties. Each unit in this seven-unit condominium boasts lake-front views, private patios and eco-friendly features like “green” roof-top decks. With six different floor-plans to choose from, these openconcept condos promise to meet your resort lifestyle needs.

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SunSmart’s motto: “Green homes today… for a healthy planet tomorrow” Matity says, “In 2010, building sustainable, healthy, energyefficient homes is win-win-win: beautiful, responsible and economical. Reducing greenhouse gases through leadingedge homes and commercial building design is a trend that’s here to stay.”

It’s not so hard being green Kermit the Frog once said, “It’s not easy being green.” But joking aside, who can argue with SunSmart’s motto: “Green homes today… for a healthy planet tomorrow”? So next time you’re at a Rider Game or dressed up for St. Paddy’s Day or camping in the woods, remember that green is the colour and a responsible choice. Give Darren Matity a call at SunSmart Homes and check out the website at www. sunsmarthomes.ca. His green-dream team will be right there with you, making it smarter and easier to go prairie green under the Saskatchewan sun. fhr SunSmart Homes 2445 Broad St. Phone (306) 584 7678 www.sunsmarthomes.ca summer 2010 | 63

> PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN DIGNEY

The Creeks Another jewel in Regina’s crown Written By Brian Bowman

Located in Regina’s east, The Creeks provides a different kind of upscale living. Voted 2008’s best subdivision by the Regina and Region Home Builders’ Association, The Creeks has lived up to that honour ever since. The development occupies one of the most attractive areas of the city, featuring plenty of green space and park areas. The lots are generous, ranging from 48 to 60 feet wide and up to 140 feet deep. Several design guidelines to enhance the streetscape have been implemented, and home plans are reviewed by Robinson Residential Designs to ensure their consistency. Boulevard landscaping and old-fashioned street lighting also add character, while the decorative, concrete perimeter fence further reinforces the street appeal. It’s the kind of planning that attracts customers from all walks of life, from young professionals to the established boomer generation. As Kevin Reese, General Manager for The Creeks, puts it, “Beautifully designed homes in a good neighborhood will always increase in value over the long term.” The contractors in The Creeks comprise seven of Regina’s best homebuilders to ensure the highest construction standards. So far, about 40 homes in the Creeks are either completed or under construction.

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In early 2010, due to increased demand for this subdivision, The Creeks pushed forward with its Stage 2 development of 58 lots, which include many of the same features as the first stage. Cul-de-sac, park-backing and environmentreverse backing lots are also still available. And the prices are affordable: some very attractive lots are priced in the low $100,000s. “The affordability of these lots offer exceptional value for a subdivision of this quality,” says Reese. Ultimately, The Creeks is planned for 625 single family homes and 100 medium-density units for a total population in the development of about 2,000 people. There is no commercial development in this neighborhood, which keeps traffic to a minimum. That said, The Creeks has great access via Arcola Avenue to leisure facilities, the University of Regina, SIAST and numerous shopping locations, many within a 10-minute drive. Currently, five show homes are open for viewing, including the Regina Public Library Lottery Home, and all of the builders have lots available for immediate construction. The show homes really need to be visited to fully experience the neighborhood and appreciate the full scope of this development. For more information about the Creeks, visit www.thecreeks.ca or call 522-2300. Fine Homes Regina

expert ADVICE By Rebecca Nadler Mortgage Specialist TD Canada Trust Phone (306) 591 6239 rebecca.nadler@td.com

â&#x20AC;&#x153;A home is the largest investment that most people will ever make, and the selection of a mortgage product is not something that should be taken lightly.â&#x20AC;?

Mortgages

With a fixed-rate mortgage your interest rate is typically higher than a floating rate, but you have the opportunity to lock in your rate for a long period of time.

When most people think about mortgages the first thing that comes into their minds is interest rates. Although interest rates are very important, there is much more to selecting the right mortgage than just getting the lowest rate. Each homeowner or homebuyer has unique financial circumstances and there is no one-size-fits-all solution when choosing a mortgage. As a Mortgage Specialist with TD Canada Trust, I spend all day helping my clients analyze their own finances and choose the mortgage product that is right for them.

History shows us that a variable rate mortgage will save a homeowner money over the life of a mortgage about 80 percent of the time. However, having a fixed rate and fixed monthly payment can make it easier for families to determine and follow a household budget.

By Rebecca Nadler

A home is the largest investment that most people will ever make, and the selection of a mortgage product is not something that should be taken lightly. Interest rates are important, but in my experience the flexibility of the final product is usually much more important. Because a mortgage is such a long-term investment, being able to increase your monthly payment, make a lump-sum payment or take equity out of your house is usually much more important. Often, these options can help save a household much more money than just a few 10ths of a percentage point in the interest rate. Two other important topics to consider are the amortization period and whether your new mortgage should have a fixed or floating interest rate.

Amortization Amortization is the length of time you will take to pay down the interest and principal of your home. The longer amortization period you choose, the lower your minimum monthly mortgage payment will be. This can be advantageous for many people, as it provides more flexibility if unforeseen financial circumstances arise. Longer amortization periods do have their drawbacks, however. Because you are extending the life of your loan you will pay more in interest over the life of the mortgage, and because your payments are lower it will take longer to build equity in the home. It is important to choose an amortization period that suits your future plans, including work, family and education.

Fixed rate versus floating rate

How a mortgage specialist can help As a Mortgage Specialist, I help my clients in a variety of ways. First and foremost is the flexibility that I have to serve you in a way that is most convenient for you. I can literally bring the bank to you wherever you are. In addition, I can meet you outside of normal banking hours, even on evenings and weekends when you may have more time to look at your options and carefully consider your choices. Because I only work with mortgages, I can take the time to uncover your financial situation and your future goals and help you select a product that truly meets your needs. I offer my clients a variety of competitive rate options and even provide access to alternate vendors if it becomes necessary to secure you the best mortgage productâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;I truly have your best interests at heart. Homebuyers are not the only people that I serve: I can also help you with construction draws, equity take-out, refinancing and financing rental properties. Also, because I work so closely with Realtors, Builders, Financial Planners, and Lawyers, I may be able to help you find other professionals who can serve you in the process. It is easy to become overwhelmed when shopping for a mortgage, but truly understanding your situation and becoming educated on all of your options will allow you to feel comfortable with the process and make a confident decision. I personally take pride in making sure your household understands the financial commitment you are making and the benefits and drawbacks that lie within. Please give me a call to see how I can help you find the best mortgage for your situation.

The difference between a fixed-rate and a floating-rate mortgage is the level of risk and security involved in each. With a floating-rate mortgage, you assume the risk of uncertain future interest rates versus a potentially lower initial rate and lower payments. Fine Homes Regina

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> PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN DIGNEY

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Fine Homes Regina

• Specializing in Exterior Insulation Finishing System, paper & wire, stucco, vinyl siding, fiber cement siding, decks – Moistureshield and Weatherdek, aluminum railing and PVC fences • Serving Saskatchewan since 1983 • Commercial and Residential Exteriors

1150 Park Street Regina, SK (306) 789-9777

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> PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN DIGNEY

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> PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN DIGNEY

built

STRONG A local company built on a solid foundation Written By Ryan Holota

GCA Construction Inc. (gcaconstruction.ca) has been in business in Regina for 10 years, working with homeowners and businesses to maintain and repair the foundations and basements of their buildings. “If you live in the Regina area, sooner or later you will need to have your foundation looked at by a professional,” says Greig Amor of GCA Construction Inc. “The heavy clay soil that is in this area wreaks havoc with foundations and basement walls.” Regina’s poor soil conditions are no surprise to anybody who has owned a home in the area, but modern technology has brought new solutions to this old problem. Failing footings and walls Today, serious foundation settlement problems are repaired with steel helical screw piles. Repairs begin by excavating the soil from around the foundation of the home, and long helical screw piles are turned into the ground. A steel lifting bracket slides over the helical screw pile and then the assembly is attached to the foundation, allowing professionals to level the home safely. Because the screw piles go down into the earth deeper than a traditional foundation, a repair made with this method is actually stronger than the original. Sometimes homes have problems with basement walls, while the foundation itself is fine. When walls buckle and crack, they can be braced from the inside to restore structural strength. Basements built with block often break apart in the moving soil. The repair for this type of problem is to pour a new concrete knee wall against the old wall, supporting and bracing the structure.

Basement moisture As long as water is getting into a basement, it is causing damage to the foundation. Over time, this could lead to severe basement problems.

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To prevent water from getting into your basement, GCA Construction excavates the soil around the basement, repairs any cracks or holes as needed, and then wraps the basement with a rubber membrane that seals the basement walls. The type of soil used to backfill is important too. “Sand is the best type of fill, because it lets water drain away. The worst thing you can do to a basement wall is to backfill with the same natural clay that came out of the hole.” Proper grading can help to prevent these issues from arising, but if a basement leaks once, it will leak again. “If the concrete has a crack in it that has allowed water through, it should be addressed, or these problems will come back,” explains Amor.

Complete basement work GCA Construction also creates new basements and is a leader in the field of insulating concrete-form (ICF) basements. These lightweight blocks stack like Lego; once built, the structure is filled with concrete. The end result is a wall that is strong, wellinsulated, easy to finish and waterproof. ICF basements aren’t just for new buildings. Old homes can have basements with ceilings as low as six feet. These homes can be lifted from their foundation while the old basement and foundation are excavated out. Then, a new foundation and taller basement is created and the house is lowered back down onto the new basement walls.

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Preventing serious foundation problems should start when a home is first built. “Because of the soil in southern Saskatchewan, it makes sense to have us come out before a house is built to install helical screw piles before the foundation is poured. The cost of doing this before the house is built is minimal compared to the expense of repairing a foundation at a later date.”

Do your homework Foundation work is one of the most expensive things you can do to your home. GCA Construction understands that it is important to get the most for your money. Here are six tips to help you choose the right company for your foundation repairs: 1. Licensing. Make sure that the business you choose is properly licensed for the type of work that you need done. 2. Insurance. Only look at firms that are fully insured for their work and with liability. 3. Permits. Some construction businesses will not get the proper permits for your work. Permits help to make sure that the work is done properly and inspected after the work is complete.

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4. Workers’ Compensation. Make sure that your construction company pays Workers’ Compensation for its staff. As a homeowner, you can be held responsible for injuries that take place on your property if the company is not properly covered. 5. Engineer’s reports. Make sure that a qualified professional engineer is inspecting the work and delivers a satisfactory final report. 6. References. Any construction firm should be able to supply you with a list of past clients who have used its services.

Not just basements GCA Construction’s experience with basements made other concrete work a natural fit for them. GCA also creates driveways and sidewalks, using the same meticulous attention to detail that they use with their basement repairs to ensure the finished product has the longest possible lifespan. Greig Amor and his team at GCA Construction Inc. have years of experience repairing and rebuilding basements and concrete foundations. fhr GCA Construction Inc. Phone (306) 527 9960 GCA@sasktel.net

www.gcaconstruction.ca

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floform.com

1-877-FLOFORM

530 Henderson Drive Regina, SK 306.721.2220

72 | summer 2010

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With you every step of the way REAL ESTATE - REAL SERVICE - REAL SOLUTIONS

Dave Markus, REALTOR 4420 Albert St. Regina, SK S4S 6B4 Office: 306.790.3629 Cell: 306.535.6853

www.DaveMarkus.com

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Connie Chaulk, AMP / Mortgage Agent 4420 Albert Street, Regina, Sk. S4S 6B4 Office: 306.790.3748 Cell: 306.737.4740 E-mail: connie_chaulk@centum.ca Apply Online: www.centum.ca/connie_chaulk summer 2010 | 73

> PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN DIGNEY

Modular homes offer affordability, flexibility, cost-savings and more Written By David Robinson

Ask anyone who’s done it: building your lakeside getaway home can be a dream, or a nightmare, and sometimes both. For many, there will never be a bigger, more complex or costlier project. The journey to your dream cottage, from first sketch to first stretch out on the deck, can be fraught with delays, complications and escalating costs. For Regina-andarea residents with visions of weekends on the water, there is an option well worth considering: modular lakeside homes. “There are a lot of misconceptions out there about modular homes,” says Allan Hall, who with his wife, Bonnie, has owned and operated Sherwood Modular Homes in Regina for 10 years. “Some people associate them with mobile homes, others have no idea what they are.” Unlike the traditional mode of house construction, modular homes are built almost entirely in a factory and then transported to the owners’ site. As the modular home industry has grown more sophisticated, so has its ability to customize homes with nearly any feature desired by the owners. And today’s modular homes conform to the same national building codes as site-constructed homes. For first-time homeowners and others who must be conscientious about costs, modular homes can be an excellent choice. “You hear all the time that when you build a house, you should budget in 10 to 15 percent extra,” Allan Hall says. “But when we build a home on paper, the price for the final product doesn’t change, unless there are changes in what the owners want.” 74 | summer 2010

Price certainty This price certainty is based on the controls inherent in factorybuilt homes that are not possible with on-site construction. Building a home in the traditional fashion can take six to eight months, with the schedule often dependent entirely on the availability of trades people and supplies. “Let’s say in conventional building they get to the framing stage and it’s time to put the tub in but it’s on back order with the supplier,” Hall explains. “The homeowner then has two options: hold up production and wait, or pick out another tub, which may end up costing more.” When these kinds of budget deviations are repeated several times—and they often are during construction—the result can be thousands of dollars in unforeseen costs. Most factories, however, have agreements in place with suppliers up to a year in advance so that the agreed-upon materials, appliances and accessories are available at the agreed-upon price. Cost-efficiency is particularly strong for modular homes situated on lakeside property; constructing a cottage on the site can mean significant cost and inconvenience in delivering materials and driving expenses. “In cottage country, we’re not close to any towns, so about 20 percent of your costs would be from driving time going to the site and back,” Hall says. Those costs are hardly a factor when your lakeside home is nearly complete by the time it arrives.

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For first-time homeowners and others who must be conscientious about costs, modular homes can be an excellent choice.

Minimal environmental impact On-site construction, with its abundance of materials and machinery, can also take a toll on the pristine nature of your lot. “We don’t have a lot of environmental impact on the site like you would if you were site-building,” Hall says. “You have cars and engines and generators and things like that going for six months or so when you’re building a home. Factorybuilt homes arrive at the destination pretty much 85-percent complete.” In fact, modular construction is generally a greener method of homebuilding. “Because we’re consolidating all the labour in a small area, there is 50 to 70 percent less material wasted,” Hall explains. “Modular homes are also very energy-efficient because of their air-tightness. And we can do anything you want as far as heating systems go.” Property security has been another selling point for the growing number of cottagers opting for modular lakeside homes. A cottage that is near completion is much less of an invitation to would-be thieves or vandals. “When the home arrives, it’s in two pieces,” Hall says. “But by the end of that first day, the roof is closed in and we can basically lock the doors on it. People can’t wander in and out.” Whether you are looking at a weekend property or a primary residence, modular home construction offers you affordability, endless customization, and flexibility for the future that you will never find in a site-constructed home. Fine Homes Regina

While some would-be homeowners may not ever have considered the modular route, Allan Hall reasons it is not as radical a concept as some may think. For one thing, protecting your home from unpredictable Saskatchewan weather during construction makes perfect sense. For another, even traditionally built homes are becoming more and more “modular” in their construction. “A lot of components are factory-built now, compared to 30 years ago,” Hall says. “Most kitchen cabinets, roof trusses and other things. We’re just taking it one step further.” If you’re in the market for a new home, or dreaming of building your own, come pay a visit to Sherwood Modular Homes. Take a look at the model homes on site and talk to one of their knowledgeable home consultants about what you want in your dream home. You can also find more information, including sample home plans, at www.sherwoodhome.ca. fhr Sherwood Modular Homes Junction of Highway 1 and Highway 6 Phone (306) 352 7744 Toll-free 1 866 838 7744 Estavan #121 Hwy 47 South Toll-Free 1 877 878 7744 www.sherwoodhome.ca

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> PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN DIGNEY

Skyline Spring 2010

76 | summer 2010

(306) 565.0797 home dĂŠcor 1

1938 Dewdney Ave. Regina www.skylinehomedecor.com

fine lifestyles regina

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olymipic paving

PAVING THE

WAY

Olympic Paving Stone: A love of the craft, a dedication to doing the job right Written By G.H. Lewmer

Chances are if you have driven anywhere around the Regina area you have seen and admired Olympic Paving Stone’s work, renowned for its excellence and durability. Owners Bruce and Rob Smutt not only share the common bond of brotherhood, they also share a commitment to quality and assured service at an affordable price for the home or commercial property owner. Bruce and Rob offer a complete residential and commercial landscaping service, from fence to lawn, guaranteed. With their unique, creative expertise, they make homes and businesses look beautiful—guaranteed. One thing that sets Olympic Paving Stone apart is its use of the environmentally friendly Cindercrete Paving Stone from the Saskatchewan-based family business of the same name— paving stone for your driveways, patios, walkways or stairways that will never crack and will look just as beautiful in 20 years as it does today. Bruce and Rob are creative artisans who care about their customers—and the quality of their own work.

They love what they do When you sit down for coffee with Bruce and Rob it immediately becomes apparent that they love what they do. Their love of and dedication to their craft reminds one of the medieval stonemasons who built the great cathedrals of Europe, artists who worked tirelessly to ensure their work met the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship.

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As Bruce explains, “We’re working professionals who have a combined 25 years’ experience in the field of construction and landscaping. When we first started Olympic Paving Stone we noticed right away that a lot of our work involved repairing previously done work that for whatever reason was not completed correctly the first time. We understood right there and then that our most important goal for this company was to ensure that the work we did would be of the highest quality, and long-lasting for the customer. We know that the excellence of our work and the professionalism that we pride ourselves on is the main reason why we have so much referral work.” As siblings raised in Regina, Rob and Bruce understand the importance of the community as well as the importance of supporting the local suppliers of all their materials. They insist on maintaining strong and committed business partnerships with these companies and individuals. Bruce believes strongly in this principle. “I think it’s important for people to understand that Olympic Paving Stone purchases the majority of its materials from Saskatchewan-based companies and individuals.”

Local suppliers “We were flying the ‘Buy Local’ flag before anyone knew what it meant!” Rob puts in. “In all seriousness, the reason why we buy local is because we know and have learned that our local suppliers offers the highest-quality materials at reasonable prices. >>

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> PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN DIGNEY

We know where everything is coming from, and we make sure we’re 100-percent satisfied with the quality of the material before we invest in it. That’s something you can do when you buy local. “We can’t always get that guarantee of quality if we purchase out of province. We know that if we buy quality, we will create quality. We also know that when we create quality, we create work that will last. We also know that when we create work that will last, it means the work is done right!” A testament to that “work done right” that the brothers are justifiably proud is their clients’ increased demand for the Saskatchewan-based Cindercrete Paving Stone they specialize in. This increase in client demand doesn’t surprise Rob or Bruce one bit. “We’ve found a world of difference when working with Paving Stone,” Bruce says. “As opposed to concrete, Paving Stone is made up of individual stones that can move and never cracks. By being such a simple and efficient means of creating a walkway, it also becomes a long-lasting, aesthetically gratifying change in approach to the way that home or business owners see their living environment. “People really notice the contrast when they walk or drive on a Paving Stone driveway or walkway. A lot of owners tell me that when I meet with them after the installation. They are appreciative and thankful for the creative difference that they now embody. It makes a world of difference!”

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The best people, the best equipment When it comes to landscaping, Rob and Bruce’s extensive experience has served them, allowing them to better understand and meet their clients’ needs. As Rob notes, “We’re extremely conscientious in working with the best people on our crews and working with the best equipment. We’re not interested in just putting money into our pockets, we want to put it back into our company by upgrading our machines and tools. “We’ve learned that being the best means you have to invest in yourself. It’s imperative that we maximize our ability to give the client outstanding service. The only way to do that is by listening to their needs and ensuring that their needs are met. “Public satisfaction is a lost art-form. You can’t imagine how many times Olympic Paving Stone has been complimented because we still believe in this principle!” Bruce adds, “That’s why we use all our own equipment. Our clients are impressed by the fact that we own all our Bobcats and gravel trucks. It’s not like we’re a fly-by-night company that pulls up and everything is a rental and usually falling apart. It brings an efficiency to the job because we don’t waste time fixing or working on our own equipment! All of our work is concentrated on the job itself—which is how it always should be. It’s frustrating knowing that quality service isn’t valued and revered as much as it should be.”

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“People really notice the contrast when they walk or drive on a Paving Stone driveway or walkway. A lot of owners tell me that when I meet with them after the installation. They are appreciative and thankful for the creative difference that they now embody. It makes a world of difference!” - Bruce Smutt Our coffee comes to an end; Rob and Bruce have to get back to work. “Time’s a wastin’!” Bruce says.

“Quality service at an affordable price!” Before we part, Rob shares the philosophy he and his brother work and live by. “We are part of a profession where we know image is very important. We are extremely proud of what we do and we always want to be known as a company that does the job better than anyone else. We like to say ‘Quality service at an affordable price!’” Rob pauses for a moment, trying to find the right words to describe how he feels about his livelihood. “Bruce and I have worked very hard our entire lives to dedicate ourselves to a principle of business that values responsibility and accountability—not only to Olympic Paving Stone, but also to our families, to our clients, to everyone we meet. I love my work and I feel very fortunate that we wake up every day wanting to go to work, wanting to be responsible and accountable for our craft.” Of course, Bruce, being his brother, had to get in the final word. “Eighty percent of the work we get is based on referrals. That’s something special that no money can buy, knowing that our clients are so impressed by our work, they’ll go out of their way to tell their friends to hire Olympic Paving Stones, they’ll do the job right for you. “That’s what we’ll always promise to do for anyone who hires us. We’ll do the job right!” fhr Olympic Paving Stone Phone (306) 540 3249 or (306) 5403248 www.olympicpavingstone.com

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summer 2010 | 79

TIME TO

RELAX The future of fences is maintenance-free Written By Carol Todd

Plastic used to be known as the “space-age” material. Thirty years on, modern plastics like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are being put to uses that not even NASA could have foreseen. Increasingly, Saskatchewan homeowners are using these space-age products to build the maintenance-free fences of the future. PVC fencing won’t rot, rust, corrode, chip or peel. And best of all, it will never need to be scraped, sanded or painted. That means no more wasting the limited Saskatchewan summer working in the yard instead of enjoying it! Kevin Digney, co-owner of Future Fence with his wife, Teresa, says the maintenance-free aspect of the product is what makes it so attractive. “A lot of the new homes are maintenance-free, and a lot of people want everything to be maintenance-free,” he says. The fences require no more than a quick blast with the garden hose in the spring and stay looking new for years. The way they are built also makes for easy installation and allows for flexibility, especially important with that wonderful Regina-area clay soil, a.k.a. “gumbo.” “The hot weather and the freezing temperatures cause the gumbo to swell and then contract,” Digney says. “What makes this system a lot better than any other is that, if you do get any heaving, we can adjust if need be.”

Grew out of their own research The Digneys started Future Fence in 2005 after their research into materials for their own fence led them to the Westech products, which they now offer to their clients. With a young family, they’re exactly the kind of household PVC fencing is geared toward. “We obviously see the benefit. We have busy lives, we have three young children,” says Digney, “We love the maintenance-free aspect of it.” But it isn’t just young families who can enjoy the benefits of PVC fencing. Digney says the strong resale housing market has spurred many people to invest in their current property. “So, we’d go in and take down their old fence and put in a new one,” he says. 80 | summer 2010

That process is a lot simpler with Future Fences, which don’t require post holes or the heavy equipment needed to dig them. “We have hand-held pneumatic pounders and we pound steel pipe in the ground and the fence sits on top of that, which allows for adjustments if there is any ground settle. That’s good for new areas where the ground tends to be backfilled,” Digney says. But the Digneys don’t just come in and build or replace your fence and then leave. Digney says they are committed to offering after-sales service. “That’s very important,” he stresses, adding that to do otherwise would be counterproductive. “Regina is still not a big place. Word of mouth is still the best way to grow your business. Our customers are very important.”

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Durability pays for itself Durability is another advantage that helps offset the initial higher cost of the PVC fencing. “You are reaping the benefits of maintenance-free and, at the same time, the fence will always look new,” he says. That allows Digney to offer a lifetime warranty to the original purchaser: if the house is sold, the new owners still benefit from a 50-year limited warranty. One of the reasons they can offer that kind of warranty, and why the fences stay looking good for years, is that Future Fence uses Westech products, which are relatively impervious to the effects of ultra-violet (UV) rays, which can break down and/or discolour some PVC. “They’ve been around for many years,” Digney says of Westech. “They use the latest technology to make the materials, and they only put 100percent-virgin materials in their product, which allows for the extended warranty.” Digney advises do-it-yourselfers to be cautious when buying PVC fencing materials from other suppliers, who often use recycled PVC in their products. “Box stores will sell a blend of recycled material or 100-percent-recycled material that is not as strong and reacts differently to UV,” he says, “so parts of your white fence may end up grey or yellow.” And he warns that some companies buy their product from overseas, which has different regulations for PVC production. These materials can, in fact, contain lead, which can be hazardous to work with.

Not just white! But don’t think that the future of fences is all just white— they’re available in five colours, including almond, white, pebblestone, clay and stone. There are six basic fence styles: privacy, open-picket, ornamental, semi-privacy, closed-picket and ranch, all available in a range of heights, with a variety of post-cap choices. Whatever colour or style you choose, Digney and one of his two experienced crews can bring the maintenance-free future to your yard, wherever that may be in the Regina area. He suggests checking their website, futurefence.ca, for more information before calling for a free estimate. The future looks bright for the Digneys and their space-age fences. The strong real estate market in the Regina area means there are a lot of new yards to fence and older ones to revitalize. “Business has been very strong,” he says, so prospective clients should book early. fhr

“You are reaping the benefits of maintenancefree and, at the same time, the fence will always look new,” ....and if the house is sold, the new owners still benefit from a 50-year limited warranty.

Future Fence Phone (306) 530 8455 futurefence@accesscomm.ca www.futurefence.ca

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FINISHING

ON TIME +

ON BUDGET

The keys to homeowner satisfaction Written By Trilby Henderson Photography By Kim Digney

Completing projects on schedule and on budget may seem like a simple philosophy, but when it comes to residential renovations, Sinisa and Zeljko Stefanovic understand that maintaining a focus on these two goals is key to building successful relationships with their clients. In fact, it’s this strong work ethic and dedication to serving their clients that has enabled the brothers to establish a solid reputation for their company, Armada Construction Corp. “Our jobs speak for themselves,” says Zeljko. “We finish the jobs, and we finish the jobs on time, and we finish the jobs on budget.” Although exterior renovations are the company’s forte, Armada Construction can take on any renovation project, from installing new siding and windows to completing largescale home additions. Most of the company’s clients are rural residents located in the Regina and Moose Jaw areas; however, Armada has worked on several renovation projects across Saskatchewan, and into Alberta and Manitoba. Both Zeljko and Sinisa got their start in the industry at a young age by accompanying their father, Mato Stefanovic, while he worked. Mato continues to play a huge part in the family-run business, bringing more than 35 years of experience to the table. “Having been in the business so long, there really aren’t any projects out there that we haven’t seen or been involved with,” Zeljko says.

“Our jobs speak for themselves,” says Zeljko. “We finish the jobs, and we finish the jobs on time, and we finish the jobs on budget.”

82 | summer 2010

In-home consultation a priority Armada Construction makes it a priority to meet with new clients for an in-home consultation soon after it is first contacted. This enables the company to get a good understanding of the type of project the client has in mind, to share ideas and suggestions, and, ultimately, to get the project rolling. The company strongly encourages potential clients to visit the homes of its past customers to get a first-hand view of the company’s work. “Homeowners have to take a few minutes, if they are planning on spending money, to go and see the previous work of the people who are going to work on their house,” says Sinisa, noting that all of their former customers are happy to share stories of their experience with the company. “Those are the kind of relationships that we pride ourselves on with the work that we do.” Denise Woodley says she is very pleased with the work Armada Construction did on her home, located near Drinkwater, Sask. The entire project entailed adding a large garage to the home, pouring a new driveway, replacing a wrap-around deck, and redoing the shingles and siding. “They were very nice to work with,” says Woodley. “They were very accommodating.” Scott and Jennifer Jacobson were also very impressed with the total exterior renovation that Armada Construction completed on their Moose Jaw home last year. Describing the Stefanovics as hardworking, honest and reliable, Jennifer also noted that they didn’t stop searching until they found the specific exterior colour she was looking for. While many homeowners know what they want, they often aren’t sure whether it can be done or how it will look. Armada Construction often works with homeowners to advise them on new products and trends so that they can select a look that will best suit their needs. “It’s finding a blend of materials that you can use to improve on your home,” says Sinisa. “Something that makes your home stand out from everybody else’s.” Fine Homes Regina

Written By Trilby Henderson Photography By John Morrell Photography

Armada Construction employs a certified architect to design a blueprint of each project to give homeowners a visual idea of how the final results will look. “Everybody feels so much more comfortable and relaxed when you know that you have something on paper that you can work from,” says Zeljko.

A strong crew of professionals Armada Construction also employs a strong crew of professionals, all of whom are trained journeymen. “We have a repertoire of artisans,” Zeljko says. “They’re very skilled trade workers. They know their trades extremely well.” Above all, the company encourages homeowners to be closely involved in the renovation process. “We want the homeowners to be involved because they are the ones making the decisions,” says Sinisa. “There haven’t been too many renovations where somebody hasn’t changed an idea or two along the way. Those are the things that can happen and do happen on a regular basis.”

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Their experience in the industry enables Armada Construction to offer several services that newer and smaller companies are unable to provide, including flexible payment schedules and a modest down-payment requirement. “It allows the homeowner to feel at ease because he’s not out all of this money before the job is even started, and it keeps us on the hook for finishing the job correctly because the onus is on us to finish the job to the owner’s liking,” explains Zeljko. Armada Construction is fully licensed, insured and bonded, and maintains a valid account with the Workers’ Compensation Board. It also offers a five-year labour warranty in addition to the warranty provided on the materials the client selects. If a problem does arise on a past project, Sinisa says the company is committed to fixing any issues immediately. “How you solve these problems is what counts to homeowners,” he says. “If you did the work on the house, you should be responsible for it.” fhr Armada Construction Corp. 1643 General Cres. Moose Jaw, SK S6H 6M2 Phone (306) 692 1491 summer 2010 | 83

> PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN DIGNEY

sit back +

enjoy

Getting soaked never felt so good Written By Carter Haydu

From the Ancient Roman baths to Japan’s historic hot springs, great civilizations seem to understand the pleasures and luxury of a good soak. However, one doesn’t need a time machine or international plane ticket to enjoy this ancient, relaxing and cleansing pastime. 84 | summer 2010

Mike Patterson, owner of Sunset Bay Hot Tubs Ltd. in Regina, has completely submerged himself (so to speak) in the hottub business. Quite simply, he says it feels good knowing the satisfaction his products bring customers

“A very enjoyable product” “Aside from being very therapeutic, it’s a very enjoyable product,” Patterson says, adding that hot tubs are great for socializing with friends, family and neighbours. Getting his feet wet in Saskatoon’s hot-tub industry, Patterson moved to his Regina store about 12 years ago. Located at 1333 Albert St., Sunset Bay was originally one of four independent western Canadian dealers selling Blue Falls spa products, which are manufactured in Thorsby, Alta. Now called Blue Falls Manufacturing/Arctic Spas, the parent company has more than 250 dealers in 30 countries.

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“So it’s quite a success story,” Patterson says, adding his particular store has sold products to a seemingly countless number of appreciative prune-fingered customers across southern Saskatchewan.

A year-round delight Although Arctic Spas hot tubs have reached a worldwide market, Patterson says key to the product line’s success is its Alberta manufacturing location, which builds an outdoor hot tub capable of extensive use all year round, even in the long and frigid prairie winters. “It’s the heat-lock feature that separates us from other manufacturers,” Patterson says, noting that his hot tubs are insulated similar to a well-built North American home, with the floors and walls of the structure thoroughly protected to keep extreme weather outside. The tub and plumbing are both safely cocooned and a fiberglass shell transfers heat to and from the equipment bay. Patterson says the extra-thick hot tub cover acts like the attic in a house, creating a warm protective air space when the tub isn’t occupied. The result of all this sturdy western-Canadian design, according to Patterson, is one of the most energy-efficient hot-tub products on the market, enabling users to enjoy a particularly revitalizing, yet meditative and relaxing, wintertime treat (without extensive expense). Over the years, Patterson says, customers have slowly come to realize the absolute thrill of the outdoor winter hot-tub experience. “The heat, the fresh air—it’s hard to describe. ‘Invigorating’ might be the word.” According to Patterson, originally 75 percent of his sales were for indoor tubs, but now about 99 percent of his sales are for outdoor products.

Most sales in spring Although his products can be installed all year round, Patterson says Sunset Bay typically starts selling outdoor hot tubs near the end of March, around the same time homeowners begin thinking about outdoor landscaping projects for the spring and summer ahead. It takes about four to five weeks from the time a customer orders a hot tub to the time Patterson’s staff installs it at the person’s property. He suggests those planning to purchase an outdoor tub place an order as soon as possible, so as to ensure they get the most use of the product throughout the year.

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From the Ancient Roman baths to Japan’s historic hot springs, great civilizations seem to understand the pleasures and luxury of a good soak. Hot tubs come in a range of styles and colours, and Patterson says he sells products as diverse as the customers’ needs. For example, there are tubs to accommodate small and large groups of people, models allowing users to lie horizontal, hot tubs with built-in stereos and wireless TV sets, and a range of pump and jet options to satisfy every customer expectation. “When you’re in the store looking at hot tubs, we try to steer you to the one that best meets your needs,” Patterson says. Popular with growing families While all age groups enjoy hot tubs, Patterson says the fastest-growing customer demographic at his store is people between the ages of 30 and 45, who own homes to accommodate the products and often have young families to enjoy them. He says people who purchase hot tubs are often the same people who might purchase boats or RVs. However, Patterson believes his product has a unique edge on the competition, simply because a hot tub is a luxury item an individual or family can enjoy 365 days of the year. “It’s nice to have your fifth wheeler, but how many days of the year are you going to use it?” The fact hot tubs lend themselves to social interaction also bodes well for Sunset Bay: Patterson says a lot of his customers decide to purchase hot tubs because they had the chance to enjoy a friend’s tub at some point. Aside from hot tubs, Sunset Bay sells other products such as gazebos, steam showers and saunas. For Patterson’s longtime dedication to selling quality hot-tub products, on January 27 Sunset Bay received the coveted Spasearch 2010 Certified Retail Store award, the only independent retail endorsement in the hot-tub industry. Hot-tub retailers demonstrating excellence in everything from employee training to consumer satisfaction receive the award based on an independent third-party decision. fhr

Sunset Bay Hot Tubs Phone (306) 525 0546 mike@sasktel.net www.sunsetbayleisure.com summer 2010 | 85

> PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN DIGNEY

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Fine Homes Regina

expert ADVICE By Dustin Cross Cross Appraisals Inc. Phone (306) 790 3764 dustincross@sasktel.net

A common misconception is that you can increase the value of your home by the amount spent on your renovation when you replace something currently in good condition with something new. The value of the renovation usually equals the cost of the renovation minus the value of whatever was replaced. For example, a $30,000 kitchen cabinet renovation to a home with existing cabinets worth $20,000 would merely add $10,000 of value. Kitchen and bathroom renovations are effective in increasing your home’s value, as are changing the flooring and adding energy-saving features such as new windows or a high-efficiency furnace.

Renovating to Increase Value

While there are various methods of assessing property values, for residential properties mortgage companies provide financing based on the appraised market value. This is derived from the Direct Comparison Approach, which involves comparing sales of similar homes in the area and making adjustments for the differences among those homes.

It’s almost time to re-finance the mortgage on your home, and your mortgage company has told you you’ll require an appraisal. The outcome of that appraisal may be important if you want to use the extra equity in your home to pay for future renovations, eliminate outstanding debt, or make a down-payment on a revenue property or vacation home.

Since appraisals are based on the past sales of other homes in your area, it’s important to consider the limitations inherent to your location and avoid overbuilding or contracting renovations too great for your area. This is not to say that you shouldn’t build or renovate to meet your wants or needs, but only that the value the build or renovation has to you may not be supported in an appraisal if your location has limitations.

By Dustin Cross

If you have a limited time to prepare your home before an appraisal, clean, remove clutter and repair damage (such as holes to the drywall or doors). A fresh coat of paint will also improve its appearance. If time is not an issue and your goal is to get the most value out of your renovation, consider adding a feature, such as a garage to a home without one, or a basement development to a home with an unfinished basement.

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Following these guidelines when renovating will assist you in getting the highest value from an appraisal. Unfortunately, not all of your home’s value is within your control: although improvements generally increase property value, equally important are the recent sales of similar, neighbouring properties—and those are determined by the current local real estate market.

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> PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN DIGNEY

More outdoor living... Screen enclosures make Saskatchewan summers more enjoyable Written By Amy Nelson-Mile

We’d all choose to spend more time outdoors if we didn’t have to fight the bugs and the wind. Well, good news! There is a local company that offers the perfect solution: DGL Suncoast Screen Enclosures. Owner Don Larwood lives in Regina and operates his company throughout Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northwest Ontario regions. He began his company nine years ago after being in a Suncoast Screen Enclosure at his sister-in-law’s house in Winnipeg. Since he worked in the construction business, Larwood could appreciate how unique and practical Suncoast Screen Enclosures are, and in a short time contacted the manufacturer and headed off for training.

“The neatest things” “I thought they were the neatest things and immediately knew that I had to bring them back to Saskatchewan,” says Larwood. With continued success and increased demand, DGL expanded to the other provinces and still continues to grow while maintaining and providing the top-notch quality it believes in. 88 | summer 2010

DGL Suncoast understands the challenges of outdoor living in Saskatchewan. “Being able to enjoy all the outdoor benefits, without all the nuisance, is something we actually need to engineer,” says Ken MacMurchy, Sales and Marketing Manager. ”We create the room so that it has a real open feeling, and not a sense of being enclosed in an indoor space.” DGL Suncoast’s Screen Enclosures offer effective protection from the wind. “One of our customers had a magazine sitting on a table in her screen room and although the wind reached 106 kph, the magazine stayed intact,” MacMurchy notes. Screen enclosures allow homeowners to leave their patio furniture out without the worry of it being blown around or sun-bleached: the screens can cut ultraviolet rays by up to 80 percent. Sun blockage is very appealing to those with children, as is protection from the threat of mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile Virus.

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“We enjoy our family nights in our screen room. It’s a whole new living space added to our home.” - Trudy Kohonick The temperature within the screen enclosure can be kept ideal as well. MacMurchy says that on hot days the temperature is not like sitting in direct sun. People can monitor the room by installing a ceiling fan for extra air flow, or patio heaters for evenings and the cooler months. “Some of our customers make them into a complete living space, adding kitchen systems, furniture, TV, lamps, etc. It makes a perfect area for entertaining or spending quality family time playing board games or enjoying a nice meal.”

Add-ons or free-standing DGL Suncoast offers screen enclosures as both add-ons to a house or as free-standing structures over hot tubs or pools. They are very helpful in minimising the debris that can get into the water. Less cleaning means more relaxation time and enjoyment. Gazebo-style standalones work well when you have a special place in your yard where you like to spend time. “Unlike other companies, our product is custom-built on site,” MacMurchy says. “We retrofit, because all homes are completely different with deck sizes, roof lines and posts. There are so many variables. Screening walls to a building with an existing overhang is very popular as well.” For those customers wanting a “Three-Season Room,” says MacMurchy, “we have incorporated into our design the ‘Vertical Four-Track’ window system. These windows can be fitted to an enclosure when it is constructed, or anytime in the future. The window panels slide up or down to expose the screen on the other side, thus opening the entire wall to the outside. They can slide back into place to provide a threeseason room, allowing a more controlled room temperature even on those extra-cool days. “These rooms are an excellent storage space in the winter because all the outdoor furniture can simply remain in it,” McMurchy adds. “This eliminates all the hassle of trying to pack it in storage sheds.”

Lifetime warranty All of the structures are made of powder-coated aluminum framing, which comes with a lifetime warranty. In addition, homeowners have a choice of three options for their roofs: a screen roof, a Lexan roof (a transparent roof made of polycarbonite), or one that completely blocks the sun. Fine Homes Regina

“We have enjoyed our screen enclosure and only wish we had done it a lot sooner.” - Art and Linda S. “The Lexan roof is a top option,” says MacMurchy, “because it can withstand hail and it allows a soft light in that gives an effect almost like a greenhouse.” It is available in three different tints and has a 10-year warranty. Customers sometimes wonder about the durability of the screen enclosures because they have pets. MacMurchy says that this is definitely not a problem, because the screens are made of fibreglass: pets can’t scratch through them. ”We have a client whose cat loves to climb up and soak in the sun.” Customers can even have a doggie door installed, allowing their pets freedom to roam without disrupting their owners’ lives. Homeowners who are interested in obtaining a quote for a DGL Suncoast Screen Enclosure are advised not to procrastinate: during the busy season a typical turnaround time is six to eight weeks. fhr To view photos or for an estimate quote, contact DGL Suncoast Screen Enclosures Phone (306) 761 1801 Toll-Free 1 877 449 5106 www.dglsuncoast.com summer 2010 | 89

Skyline Spring 2010

90 | summer 2010

(306) 565.0797 home dĂŠcor 1

1938 Dewdney Ave. Regina www.skylinehomedecor.com

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