Profile Fall/Winter 2012 by Source Media Group

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content s FALL WINTER 2012 • VOLUME 19 • ISSUE 4 CANADIAN HOME BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION – CALGARY REGION represents professionals in the housing industry. CHBA – Calgary Region has been in existence for over 60 years and is a network of professionals that manages industry issues to provide value to our members. 100-7326 10 St. N.E., Calgary, AB, T2E 8W1 Tel: 403.235.1911; Fax: 403.248.1272 E-mail: info@chbacalgary.com Website: www.chbacalgary.com Donna K. Moore | Chief Executive Officer donna@chbacalgary.com Val Veldhuyzen | Director, Finance and Administration val@chbacalgary.com Amie Blanchette | Director, Government Affairs amie@chbacalgary.com David Bears | Director, Programs david@chbacalgary.com Kathy McCormick | Profile Editor, Director, Communications kathy@chbacalgary.com Habiba Gulnaz-Khalid | Accounting Co-ordinator habiba@chbacalgary.com Kelsey Williams | Event Co-ordinator kelsey@chbacalgary.com Rudeen DuPlessis| Executive Assistant rudeen@chbacalgary.com Deanna McArthur| Communications Assistant deanna@chbacalgary.com

A SSOCIATION INFORMATION 7 Message from the President, CHBA – Calgary Region 9 Message from the CEO, CHBA – Calgary Region 11 Message from the President, CHBA – Alberta 13 How well do you know your city? You might be surprised… 17 Calendar Events 23 New and Cancelled Members A SSOCIATION E VENTS 14 Golf Mix & Scramble 16 Safety Barbecues 18 President’s Charity Golf Tournament A SSOCIATION NEWS 26 Board of Directors 2012-2013

INDUSTRY NEWS 21 Alberta Awards of Excellence in Housing 27 Online trade permits 28 Adapting to a changing Internet 29 Let the sun shine! FE ATURE 24 HomExpo Lesson #1: A home is much more than just an investment

14 Published by Source Media Group Corp. 207, 5809 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 0J9. Tel 403.532.3101, Toll free 1.888.932.3101 Fax 403.532.3109 email: info@sourcemediagroup.ca web: www.sourcemediagroup.ca Associate Publisher | Jim Zang Art Director | Jean Faye Rodriguez Graphic DesignerS | Dave Macaulay, Megan Sereda Production Co-ordinator | Colleen Leier Accounting | Donna Roberts Advertising Sales | CHBACalgary@sourcemediagroup.ca Copyright 2012 by Source Media Group Corp. Material cannot be reprinted in whole or in part without the expressed written permission of the publishers. Source Media Group agrees to advertise on behalf of the advertiser without responsibility for claims or misinformation made by the advertiser and acts only as an advertising medium. Source Media Group reserves the right to refuse any advertising at its sole discretion. Profile is published quarterly per annum and is distributed to every member of the Canadian Home Builers’ Association – Calgary Region. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to Source Media Group Corp., 207 - 5809 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 0J9. Publication Agreement # 41072011

We’d love to hear from you… Letters to the editor, article suggestions, columns, topics and opinions are all welcome and encouraged! Please nail us a notice, saw us a yarn, measure us a metre of your thoughts. We’ll print the best ones in the next issue. Contact Kathy McCormick, Director, Communications at 403.730.4255 or kathy@chbacalgary.com

Need to change your contact name or address? Let us know at info@chbacalgary.com

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President ’s message | association Information

By Charron Ungar President, Canadian Home Buiders’ Association – Calgary Region

Get involved: CHBA is our voice Our industry is made up of thousands of committed home builders working for hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses. That’s roughly one out of every 10 working Calgarians helping to build our community every single day. This means that those decisions that affect our industry have an effect not just on our market but on a sizable proportion of one of our city’s economic engines. Unlike other major industries, think energy or automakers, our industry is not dominated by major players that can essentially represent a vast majority of the industry voice as one employer. Each one of us represents one small cog in an extremely large and complex machine.

The point being that we need our associations to represent our voice. We need them to bring our years of experience, knowledge and dedication to the well-being of our community, to the forefront through unified representation. At the CHBA - Alberta conference in Jasper recently, the attendees were treated to a 50th anniversary video that highlighted the terms of several influential past-presidents of that association. I found it amazing that the problems we face today — governance, building code, affordability, and safety — have been present for

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generations of builders. The key difference is the complexity of those issues. The problems of yesterday were just as serious to the building community then as they are now, but I believe that today we are faced with a vocal stakeholder group disinterested in continuing on the same growth path as we had in years past. It is therefore our job to communicate, as effectively and firmly as we can, how integral growth is to the success of our city. We do this through continuous engagement with decision makers utilizing the most sophisticated professional approach we can muster. This, however, takes a huge commitment from our volunteers and our association staff. It takes money. It takes membership. If you are a member then get involved. Volunteer and attend our dinner meetings and breakfast forums. Sign up for events and give us your feedback. The voice of our industry is made up of thousands of individuals coming together. We need to keep that fact front of mind. On a personal note, I would like to thank the industry for the honour bestowed on my father, Avi Amir, regarding his recent induction into the CHBA - Alberta Hall of Fame. He has taught me many things over the years; most importantly, the commitment to serving our industry. I am proud to be a member of an industry that puts such strong effort into recognizing its dedicated volunteers.

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ceo’s message | association information

By Donna Moore

CEO, Canadian Home Buiders’ Association – Calgary Region

Get engaged. Get informed. Make a difference There’s no doubt about it. The winds of change are blowing through this city, this province and, in fact, throughout the whole world — and many of these changes affect the residential construction industry. Locally, changes include the much-talkedabout Framework for Growth and Change, which has the potential to affect the way we do business. The vision of the new general manager of planning, development and assessment at the city could mean a different way of doing business, and the next municipal election is less than a year away. At the provincial level, we have the implementation of mandatory warranty, the opening of the MGA and the implications of city charters. Globally, we still have the uncertainty of other countries’ economies affecting our industry and consumer confidence. It’s never been more important to be a united voice of the industry — together, we can affect change. We are a dynamic force for the benefit of our members, housing consumers and society at large at all three levels of our Association. There is strength in numbers. Membership also benefits individual companies in many ways. It gives you the chance to have a say in your industry. It brands you as a professional; it says something important about your company and business. A set of criteria must be met in order to become a member: signing the Code of Ethics; having a business number or GST number; Workers Compensation coverage; warranty

coverage; references; including a financial institution; and more. The Code of Ethics, in part, means you will comply with applicable building codes as a minimum standard; construction will conform to the principles of good community planning and support for the environment; you will keep up-to-date on new building practices and techniques, products and technical advancements; and conduct will be honest, fair and respectful, with an emphasis on such things as safety and health principles. In short, becoming a member of our Association means you have met the tests of quality and professionalism. Of course, members receive many benefits, from meetings to be kept informed of industry news and to provide networking opportunities, to the important government advocacy and representation at the table to ensure our voice is heard on issues that include affordability and choice of housing.

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We also have a responsibility to be the voice of the new homebuyer — and we take that very seriously. We encourage everyone to not only ‘Get engaged. Get Informed. Make a Difference’, but to help us build a stronger membership by telling others in the industry about our Association, the value of belonging and why strength lies in the numbers. Our members come from all facets of the industry — from builders and renovators, to residential land developers, financial institutions, trades, suppliers, manufacturers, and other businesses connected in some way to the residential construction industry. And we need representation from all these groups to be truly effective and to make sure every business has its voice heard. Our members are our best recruiters. We need you to keep us strong, united and effective in building a powerful voice for industry and new homebuyers. Membership makes a difference.

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CHBA — alberta | association information

By Dave Hooge

President, Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Alberta

Strong leaders are our legacy for future It is an honour to be taking the reins as CHBA – Alberta president for 2012-13. I would like to congratulate Sandra Young on doing a commendable job as president over the past year. Her steady, calm leadership has served our Association exceptionally well. Our Association’s past is crowded with strong leaders and successful business people, who have represented the members so well and led with passion and by example. They have led us through countless industry issues and towards our common goal of making the Alberta residential construction industry a strong and viable industry now and for years to come. They have led us to create and to sustain a healthy environment so we can successfully conduct business, and the opportunity to serve in their prior place is a humbling and daunting task. We are part of this great association because we agree to be better, to challenge each other, to push and to compete with each other, and to work on solutions with government as partners in industry. We are passionate about our industry and what we do because it allows us to live out the individual dreams and aspirations that each of us has. On a larger scale, we are creating the communities where people and families can thrive. A substantial amount of this passion during my term as president will be directed toward discussions with Municipal Affairs Minister Doug Griffiths as the Municipal Government Act is reviewed with substantial changes likely. Protecting affordability in the

piece of legislation that most impacts our industry is both a challenge and an opportunity we are ready to face. Fundamentally, we are looking to get things done. This means: engaging members; preparing reports and briefs; sitting on advisory boards; rallying membership support; and creating a positive public image. These items are ongoing year after year. Specifically in this coming year to get things done means addressing these critical issues: 1. Strengthening our provincial/local association alignment; 2. Continuing our discussions with the provincial government on Mandatory Home Warranty legislation, including ensuring that all new homes in Alberta are protected with a warranty; 3. Working with Municipal Affairs Minister Doug Griffiths on changes to the Municipal Government Act; 4. Partnering with government on improving workplace safety; and 5. Continuing to forge new partnerships and alliances with like-minded associations. We are just one of 600 industry associations in Alberta and we are competing with many organizations for the minds and hearts

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of government decision-makers, media and consumers. Not only do we have to do our job well, we have to align ourselves with other like-minded interests to ensure we have the strongest voice possible. This past year, much has been done to create strategic alliances and partnerships with groups across the province, including signing strategic partnerships with UDI Wood Buffalo and UDI Cold Lake, continuing our work to ensure we will have a provincial perspective.

We are part of this great association because we agree to be better, to challenge each other, to push and to compete with each other, and to work on solutions with government as partners in industry. We have also reached agreement on a strategic partnership and memoranda of understanding with the Alberta Construction Safety Association and with Occupational Health and Safety. This will emphasize a clear association priority, and that is workplace safety. I look forward to serving as President for 2012-13, and will do my very best to continue the good work of this Association.

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CHBA – C algary Region | association information

By Amie Blanchette

Director, Government Affairs, CHBA – Calgary Region

How well do you know your city? You might be surprised… The impact of employment and demographics on development It’s time to stop dealing in misperceptions and negative attitudes when it comes to thinking about growth and our city. Let’s see if we can bust even more myths about Calgary. Myth #1: The majority of Calgarians work downtown, so it makes sense to limit residential growth away from the city centre. The Facts: Actually, just over 25 per cent of all jobs (approximately 160,000) are located downtown. The majority of jobs are found outside the downtown core. About 70,000 jobs are located in employment centres such as the University/Foothills Hospital area, Macleod Trail south of Chinook Mall and 32nd Ave east of Deerfoot Trail. A further 150,000 jobs are found in the industrial areas surrounding the airport, and in Calgary’s SE. The rest are dispersed through the city. The City of Calgary has a plan (Employment Centre Strategy) to create concentrations of employment in strategic locations throughout the city. Encouraging more suburban employment will provide Calgarians the opportunity to live closer to where they work and increase reverse traffic flow in peak periods. Calgary is a hub for the logistics, warehousing and goods movement industry. These operations generally require big parcels of land to accommodate large buildings, parking and storage for a vehicle fleet, including trucks

and other huge machinery. In some cases, they also include massive service yards for rail and air. In many other large cities, these uses fall outside municipality. This is important to note as this again impacts Calgary’s overall density numbers and ‘footprint’. We must take into account that these non-residential uses render large parts of the NE and SE inappropriate for residential development. Myth #2: Why do we keep building single family homes? There are too many in Calgary already and it’s contributing to ‘sprawl’. The Facts: Currently there are 264,445 single family homes in Calgary out of 459,339 total dwelling units. That’s only about 60 per cent of the total. Calgary’s demographics also play a role in determining what kind of housing our citizens are looking for. We are a young

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city with a median age of 36.4, an average household size of 2.6 people and a recent ‘baby boom’ where children under four increased by almost 21 per cent from 2006 to 2011. All of these factors influence what type of housing is needed to meet the expectations of both existing and future citizens. If we were to severely limit the ability of families to obtain or afford a home of their choice (in any area of the city) through restrictive policy or regulation, we could lose the ability to attract future growth to our city. They may decide to live outside our boundaries which would mean more commuters on the road for longer distances. It’s worth paying attention to in light of recent census numbers. From 2006 to 2011, our neighbouring municipalities grew at a much faster rate than Calgary itself. While Calgary increased by only about 11 per cent, Cochrane grew by almost 29 per cent, Okotoks jumped 43 per cent, Airdrie 47 per cent and Chestemere just under 50 per cent. Hopefully some of these facts have got you thinking a little differently about development in Calgary. We are achieving so many positive things. Let’s celebrate our uniqueness and this incredible place we call home. Source: Facts and figures taken from City of Calgary reports; ‘Calgary Snapshots 2011’ and ‘Developed Areas Growth & Change 2010’ as well as from Calgary Economic Development’s ‘Calgary Advantages’ presentation and Stats Canada. All reports are available to the public on-line.

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association Events

By Kelsey Williams

Event Co-ordinator, CHBA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Calgary Region

Golf Mix & Scramble CHBA - Calgary Region hosted its second Golf Mix & Scramble on July 17 at Heritage Pointe Golf Club. Members enjoyed a day of Texas Scramble, networking, prizes, and sunshine.

(L-R) Board Members: Wayne Copeland, Marion Murray, Laura Parsons, and Doug Whitney

(L-R) Peter Brown, Deep Shergill, Donna Moore, and Bob Dubask

Golf Mix & Scramble Winners: Tim Crough Warren Martz Wilf Richter Mark Waldron

Second Place (L-R): Anul Patel, Norma Robertson, Heather Bonnycastle and Paul Bortoluzzi profile

Scramblers (L-R): Keith Neilson, Joe Anderson, Tracy Lowery and Anita Niven

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association Events

Thank You sponsors!

(L-R) Charron Ungar, Carol Oxtoby and Rick Fraser

Thank you to the Golf Scramble Tournament Sponsor: Gienow Windows & Doors, as well as the Scramble Sponsors: Broadview Homes, DaVinci Homes, Fish Creek Excavating, Heritage Pointe Properties, Prestige Railings & Stairs, and Prominent Homes.

(L-R) Mark Chupik, Pal Shergill and Randy Lewis

(bottom photo, from left) Third Place: Tony Suberlak, Joe Calvitti, Jackie Rainforth and Georgina Nicholls

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association Events

Safety Barbecues CHBA - Calgary Region held the 9th annual Safety Awareness Barbecues in September in four developing communities in the Calgary Region. The Safety Barbecues are geared to inform and educate residential construction site workers regarding virtually every aspect of job-site safety. Exhibitors included ATCO Gas, Calgary Police Service, Fall Protection Group, Guillevin International, Occupational Health & Safety, Safe 101, and WCB â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Alberta. The Barbecues ran from September 11-14 and brought out 150 to 200 people each day.

Safety Barbecue Volunteers

Thank You sponsors! Thank you to ATCO Gas, Excel Homes, Hopewell Residential Communities, Jayman MasterBUILT, Morrison Homes, ReidBuilt Homes, Shane Homes, Stepper Custom Homes, Wolseley Mechanical, and all the volunteers for your support!

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Events C ALENDAR

By Kelsey Williams Event Co-ordinator, CHBA – Calgary Region

DECEMBER 2012*

Mix and Mingle, Coast Plaza Hotel

Children’s Christmas Party Location TBD

JANUARY 2013*

Dinner Meeting: Economic Forecast, Coast Plaza Hotel

TO JANUARY 13: HomExpo, Stampede Park, BMO Centre

SAM Awards Deadline: Industry Achievement, New Home, Multi-family, Sales & Information Centre Awards

Builder Breakfast, Glenmore Inn

FEBRUARY 2013* Builder Breakfast, Glenmore Inn

For more information visit www.chbacalgary.com

*Subject to change profile

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industry Events | c algary home builders foundation

By Val Veldhuyzen

Director, Finance and Administration, CHBA – Calgary Region Staff Liaison, CHFB Board of Directors,

Presidents’ Charity Golf Bright skies and gorgeous summer weather greeted golfers, volunteers and organizers on the links of Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club for the 14th Annual Presidents’ Charity Golf Tournament August 23. Outstanding support from over 100 sponsors and donors made this event enjoyable for 256 golfers, raising funds for the 13th project undertaken by Calgary Home Builders Foundation: the replacement of two dormitories at Camp Horizon in Kananaskis Country. Camp Horizon is a year-round camp for children and adults with visible and non-visible disabilities. The only camp of its kind in Alberta, it caters to Albertans and groups across Canada to provide much needed opportunities for empowerment and escape from the day-to-day struggles of the campers. For some campers and their caregivers, the camp experience provides the only break they receive all year long, but dormitories at the camp are cramped and antiquated. Bright, new, larger dorms will allow more campers to experience the benefits and opportunities that are provided. This project follows on the heels of other shelter-related projects for various groups throughout our region including, Safe Haven, Inn from the Cold, YWCA, and the Children’s Cottage among others. Calgary Home Builders Foundation has returned over $5.5 million back to the community and is responsible for providing over 6,000 safe homes

and shelter for those in need. Each year the Presidents’ Charity Golf Tournament also takes time to recognize the leaders of our industry, the current and past presidents of both Calgary Home Builders Foundation and CHBA – Calgary Region. Winners of the Presidents Flight were: Dave Gladney, Morrison Homes, with a low gross score of 79, and Charron Ungar, Avi Urban, with a low net score of 68. Peter Maher, of Rogers Sportsnet and the ‘Voice of the Calgary Flames’, emceed the event and regaled all in attendance with media insights and never-before-told amusing stories. Extreme thanks also to the committee members and volunteers who made this superb event possible.

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c algary home builders foundation | Industry events

Tournament

Celebrates another resounding success with $120,000 raised

Thank You sponsors! Committee Warren Banks, Breckenridge Builders Don Davies, Condominium First Mgmt. Ltd. Glenn Davies, Dannburg Floors Aleem Dhanani, Bri-Mor Developments Darrell Haase, Astoria Homes Jim Kerr, Woodland/Aya Kitchens Carol Lewis, Calgary Herald Sandy Van Someren, Ply Gem Morley Woloschuk, Contempa Carpets Robert Zimola, Burnco Rock Products VOLUNTEERS Jane Audet, Stonetile Mandi Devereaux, Toole Peet Ann Donald, BFL Insurance Services Charlene Francis, Homes By Avi Cathy Huth, Hard Rock Developments Ben Kawaguchi, Investors Group Fred Lamoreux, Bank of Montreal Tyler Leonard, Pella Windows Doug Lind, Gunther’s Building Centre Georgina Nichols, Stepper Homes Anita Niven, Jertyne Interior Services Laura Parsons, Bank of Montreal Janelle Sergeant, TimberCreek Electric Thomas Shibata, Investors Group Aneeta Sudan, Landmark Homes Walter Thompson, Investors Group Jackie Veldhuyzen Laura Wong Kelsey Williams

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Industry NEWS

By Deanna McArthur

Communications Assistant, CHBA – Calgary Region

Alberta Awards of Excellence in Housing Calgary builders recognized at annual provincial conference Jasper was home to the Alberta Awards of Excellence in Housing this September. This event is an example of one of the ways the Canadian Home Builders’ Association brings value to its members.

Congratulations go out to all of the winners of Alberta Awards of Excellence in Housing, especially our very own leaders: • Douglas Homes: Single Family Under $250,000 • Mattamy Homes: Single Family $285,000-$325,000 • Morrison Homes: Single Family $575,000-$750,000 • Broadview Homes: Multi-family Townhome or Duplex Under $325,000 • Newcastle Homes & Renovations: Renovation over $200,000 • Jayman MasterBUILT: Award of Merit.

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A special recognition to Jayman MasterBUILT and Broadview Homes, the finalists for the Ralph Scurfield Builder of the Year top award. Broadview also was winner of the Safety Leadership Award for the second year in a row in its category, and Sterling Homes was a finalist in its safety category. Individuals, too, were recognized. Congratulations to Deep Shergill, president of Prominent Homes, who was awarded the top honour in the Industry Leaders Awards — the George Frieser Award. He, along with Andrew Thompson of Ply Gem, was also given a

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industry news |

Presidential Award of Honour. And Avi Amir, founder and chairman of Homes by Avi, was inducted into the CHBA – Alberta Hall of Fame. The association is proud to acknowledge its industry leaders with awards at all three levels, municipal, provincial and national. Next up is the 2012 CHBA National SAM Awards, which honour outstanding performances by Canada’s new home builders, renovators and residential developers. Entrance forms are now available on the CHBA website, www. chba.ca, and the deadline is fast approaching. Get your entries in by November 9. The winners will be announced March 8, 2013, as part of the CHBA National Conference in Lake Louise, which is also open for registration. Newcastle Homes & Renovations - Hart Residence

The 2012 Calgary SAM Awards April 13 celebrate the most creative and professional work in the Calgary homebuilding industry and over 150 volunteer judges will be involved in selecting SAM Award winners. With fierce competition for awards and the reputation of excellence that accompanies them, the Calgary SAM Awards continually promote innovation within the industry. We are now accepting entries for these award categories: New Home, Multi Family, Sales and Information Centres, and Industry Achievement awards. The deadline to enter is Friday, January 18, 2013. To enter visit www. samawards.com. For more information on the Calgary SAM Awards contact David Bears (david@chbacalgary.com). For inquires regarding entry, eligibility or payments contact Kelsey Williams (kelsey@ chbacalgary.com). Developer and Renovator entries are now closed, along with Advertising and Marketing, Sales Achievement and Partner entries. profile

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| association Information NEW MEMBERS n June 2012 Cal-Gas Inc.

REP: Wade Schultz Propane Sales & Services

Fab Pads Inc.

REP: Leslie Desreaux Custom Home Builder

Harder Homes Ltd.

REP: Wayne Harder New Home Construction

Rielly Homes Ltd.

REP: Brady Whitman Custom Home Builder

Signature Valley Homes Ltd. REP: Gurbinder Singh Single Family Home Builder

Thompson’s Plumbing & Gasfitting Ltd. REP: Dawn Thompson New Home Residential Plumbing & Gasfitting

n September 2012 Integrity Building Products Inc. REP: Steve Murray Home Builder

Kingswood Interiors Ltd. REP: Kevin Tan Cabinet Manufacturer

Lexi Park Homes Inc. REP: Shiv Sudan New Home Builder

ProWest Exteriors REP: Mark Morin

Reliant Comfort Systems Ltd.

REP: Nancy Molnar Custom Heating, Cooling & Air Quality Systems & Solutions

Rhino Print Solutions Inc. REP: Helen Au Commercial Printer

CANCELLED MEMBERS n June 2012 Durkee Construction Ltd.

n September 2012 Acacia Custom Homes Ltd. Calgary Municipal Land Corp. Conscious Urban Form Inc. (Battistella) Copper Rock Homes Corecon Construction Software ENMAX Corporation Fric, Lowenstein & Co. LLP Granite Worx Home Innovation Distributors Investco Properties Inc. Melcor Developments Ltd. Miller Thomson LLP Sandlewood Developments Ltd. West Canadian Digital Imaging Inc. profile

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feature | HOME XPO

By Kathy McCormick

Director, Communications, CHBA – Calgary Region

HomExpo Lesson #1: A home is much more than just an investment She’s the tough-love designer of the tube … the no-nonsense co-host of the hit TV show Love it or List it, shown in Canada on W Network. And Hilary Farr is coming to Calgary — the main presenter at our very own HomExpo consumer home, renovation and decor show at BMO Centre, Stampede Park January 11 to 13, 2013. Farr is sure to bring in her fans, who want to learn how good and sensible design around the essential parts of the home can be both innovative and affordable. Farr understands the home design industry inside-out and she has a knack for anticipating industry trends. We know she will be a big draw for those interested in home design and décor, as well as those looking to update, upgrade or move to a new home. It’s perfect timing in a world where we have been shielded from the worst of the recession that has had such an impact everywhere — and where we have heard so much positive news about our economy and the future of our province and city. Consumer confidence is here — and the first home show of the year is the place where people will start to plan their next moves. We had the chance to ask Farr a few questions that our HomExpo visitors will be sure to want to know to get ready for their next steps. Here is the conversation: Question: What are your top three tips on home décor and design? Answer: Here they are. 1) Figure out your budget before you begin to tear down the walls or pull up HomExpo Quick Facts the floor — and make the Where: BMO Centre, Stampede Park floor plan with careful When: January 11-13, 2013 measurements before you What Time: Friday - Noon – 9 p.m. start anything. Saturday - 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. 2) Do your research and Sunday - 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. remember both form and How Much: Adults - $12 function count. Form — Seniors/Students - $10 That insanely expensive Children 12 and under- FREE and gorgeous sofa is a thing Special Seminar: Hilary Farr, of great beauty. Function popular designer from TV show — Will it overwhelm the “Love It, Or List It” space with its size? Will it fit Anticipated Attendance: 18,000 people through the front door? profile

3) Think outside your comfort level with something that isn’t permanent and won’t break the bank if it doesn’t work out. Paint is a great choice. Choose a bright colour on a wall to completely change the feel of that space. Live with it for a day or so and you may be surprised to find that, in fact, you like it better than the neutrals you had always used in the past. Question: What is a current trend/ what is currently hot? Answer: I am not a big fan of following design trends. They come and go and can make your home look dated in a couple of years. However, most trends derive from the way we are feeling as world events affect our lives. Right now the uncertainty in which we live has led to a desire for creature comforts such as deep, downy seating, natural fibre rugs and floors, but all with a twist, usually playing with scale. An example: Low slung sofas with sleeker lines, but with ornate, oversize turned legs which make them “now” with a nod to, “then”.

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home xpo | feature

No matter what, trends seep into our daily life as fashion and interior design go hand in hand, and it’s impossible to ignore. But rather than go all out, incorporate small elements, the essence of current trends and hot designs. Warm woods paired with luxurious, textured fabrics are big. Industrial design with hard edges and metals is still big, but now mix it up with softer rugs and light fixtures such as an ornate chandelier that is way too oversized and has LED bulbs. Eco-responsible design is now an essential ingredient and I see more and more choices that meet that consumer demand without giving an inch to great design choices. Question: What décor and design updates produce the most profit when reselling your home? Answer: The usual still applies — kitchens and baths. These are the two most essential areas for any house to function well, and they are the most expensive. No-one wants to buy a house and have to renovate either of these spaces. With open-concept designs, the kitchen is the first thing a purchaser will see when he/she walks in. Make sure it has impact and works with the rest of your home design. The bathroom has become more and more important to a homeowner. The expectation is that it will be luxurious and spa-like, way beyond plain, old functional. I will be talking about bathrooms at the show; it’s a difficult renovation space with seemingly endless choices. Question: Do you have any other tips for prospective home buyers or renovators? Answer: Try and think of your home as just that, rather than as an investment. I realize a house is a huge purchase and trading up is a driving ambition, but you will never discover your own design aesthetic or develop your own look if you are always second guessing your choices based only on adding value for resale.

Why register for HomExpo? Because being in the building business requires building your business It’s been more than four decades since the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Calgary Region decided to help its members showcase their products and services to the public — and obviously, it’s been a success, because it is still one of the most valuable trade shows to hit our city. January 11, 2013 marks the beginning of the 41st annual HomExpo at the BMO Centre in Stampede Park and this year has even more to offer both the visitors and those with exhibits and booths. HomExpo, which is the first home show of the year, runs until January 13 and provides visitors with their first presentation of new products and ideas related to the home. “Consumer trade shows work as a sort of ‘lightning rod’ for new products and technologies,” says Rick Young, producer of the HomExpo. “It allows for participating companies on the exhibit floor to get in front of thousands of consumers quickly to stimulate interest and sales.” The HomExpo is a unique chance for participants to meet and impress the most anxious and interested buyers looking for products and services. The one-on-one experience is exactly what consumers want and it is an opportunity which should not be passed up. “Finding ‘stuff’ on the internet is one thing, talking face-to-face with a group of serious professionals about your next home or home renovation is priceless,” says Young. For the second year in a row, the CHBA – Calgary Region will be giving away bags with free Consumer Directories with all members’ information to every visitor, providing another way for members to gain exposure and get their name out to consumers. A crowd of 18,000 people is expected, but with the added bonus this year of having Hilary Farr, popular designer from the TV show ‘Love It, Or List It’, as the main presenter, even higher numbers are possible. Farr will be speaking on how good and sensible design around the essential parts of the home can be both innovative and affordable. Her shows are on Friday, January 11, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, January 12, at 1:30 p.m. Some extra perks that will be available, include the complimentary pass program and the free parking offer. Numerous complimentary tickets to the HomExpo will be distributed amongst our members and exhibiting companies and the first 300 vehicles to arrive every day will receive free parking. Another must-see event that will bring in consumers is the Calgary Herald Recreation and Investment Properties show, which provides important information and showcases recreation properties around North America and beyond that consumers always find interesting. Look for prize giveaways and much more at this year’s HomExpo and support our trade show. For more information on the HomExpo or how to register visit www.homexpo.ca.

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ASSOCIATION newsâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A; Board of directors

Board of Directors 2012-2013

L-R, back row: Laura Parsons, Larry Noer, Larry Thomson (second vice-president), Jim Stinson, Wayne Copeland (secretary/treasurer), Blaine Wickerson. Front row: Wendy Jabusch, Donna Moore (CEO), Charron Ungar (president), Marion Murray. (missing: Carol Oxtoby (past president), Douglas Whitney (first vice-president), Shane Wenzel, Howard Tse)

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cit y of c algary | industry news

By Vanessa Gash

Residential Plans Examiner, Building Regulations Division, City of Calgary

Online trade permits Streamlining the process for certified tradesmen

As part of the Mayor’s Cut Red Tape initiative the City of Calgary has been offering online permits for City-qualified electrical, gas fitting, fireplace, HVAC, and plumbing tradesmen since November of 2011. For those not familiar with this service, a visit to the City of Calgary website www.calgary.ca provides a wealth of information to navigate you through the process quickly and painlessly.

Vista makes working with the City easier

What is a City Qualified Tradesman? If you are a certified journeyman in your trade and either have your own City-licensed company or work for a City-licensed company, you may apply to become a qualified tradesmen. To do so, you must fill out the online application, book and attend an appointment with a Safety Code Officer in that discipline and provide the appropriate documentation. This includes the email received upon submission of the online form, Government-issued photo ID, trade certificate, and a letter on company letterhead noting the Business ID for your employer. Once all the documentation is verified you become City qualified or what is known as a ‘Master Trade’. Once qualified you must set up a Vista account. This will allow you to apply, pay for and receive trade permits online. Additionally, Vista offers several other useful features. Contractors may view permit details, fees, contact information, inspections, and permit activity. Inspections are also easy to book right in Vista. For the customer, as of September 19th 2012, they are also able to view information about trade permits they have applied and paid for. This added feature is anticipated to reduce phone call inquiries to 311 as information is more accessible. Currently, customers are still required to apply for homeowner trade permits, plumbing and electrical only, in person at the Municipal Building.

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There have been cases where homeowners have come in to apply for permits for work being completed by a contractor. Please be aware that unless a homeowner is living in a property and performing the work themselves a qualified Master Trade is required to obtain a permit and conduct the work. This is intended to protect not only the customer but also reputable tradesmen who are following the proper channels when applying for permits. There are two instances where a homeowner permit will not be issued even though a customer owns a property and wishes to do the work themselves. These are for a secondary suite and for both sides of a semi-detached dwelling. The reasoning in both these cases is that the customer must be living in the dwelling where they are performing the work. Since each of these scenarios has two dwellings, and the owner is not able to live in both, a homeowner permit does not apply. To make an online application simply visit www.calgary.ca/vista or type Vista in the City browser. If you are looking for more information or need help completing your application, type Trade Permit Information in the City browser. Here you can find permit application forms for the various disciplines, online guides to assist you, FAQ and ‘how to videos’. Additionally, a new online fee estimator was made available to both contractors and homeowners in August. If you still have specific questions not answered on the website or require more information call 311 and ask to talk to a senior inspector for your specific discipline.

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PHBI | industry news

By David A. West President, KAYK Marketing Inc.

Adapting to a changing Internet What builders have to do now to be found online tomorrow

In case you haven’t heard, the Internet is changing ... and the shifts that are taking place now are both subtle and profound. They are going to have long-term impacts on the way that builders and other companies have to work online. So, what are these changes that we’re getting so excited about? In the most basic sense, they involve the continuing evolution of search engine optimization and social media, which are two of the most important online marketing ingredients for any organization. As more and more of us look to sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for professional context, buying advice, and even the answers to questions we would have traditionally found on Google or Bing, search engines are being forced to take more of that content into account… or mimic the way social sites work. The changing landscape of social marketing You can certainly see that in the recent push behind Google+, which is fueling its current millions-of-users-a-month growth spurt. You can also see it in the way that search engines are integrating real-time updates and social messages into their listings. Here are a few things you’ll have to know if you want to continue to be found online by customers in the coming years: • Content marketing is where it’s at. It’s not enough to simply have pages with lots of “keywords” on them anymore — search engines and customers alike want valuable, informative, fresh content. That means that it’s the builders groups who can appeal

directly to their buyers with cutting-edge articles and videos that are going to come out firmly ahead. • Social and search are coming together. We’ve already mentioned Google+, which is the company’s big move into the growing world of social media, but the knife cuts both ways: Facebook and Twitter are trying to find ways to mimic search engines, too. • Mobile phones and local search are changing everything. Not only is mobile computing impacting search (by emphasizing local results and replacing traditional print directories as a top geographic business resource), but technologies like GPS tracking are changing the way we interact with the web and vice versa.

The more content you have that inspires people to read, comment, and share, the more value you have given to the web community. Now that search engines are becoming more social, and vice versa, that value can be realized more quickly and efficiently. That’s because it’s going to lead to things like better search engine rankings, more exposure to local customers, higher numbers of social media fans and followers, and even the bigger potential for “viral” online marketing campaigns. The old ways of doing business and finding customers on the internet are going away. The builders who understand, and treat social networking and search engine optimization as part of the same integrated strategy, are going to find themselves with an almost unbeatable advantage in the next few years. Is your company going to be one of them?

It isn’t as much about what you have on your website and social profiles as much as it is the way customers react to it.

The bottom line on the Internet marketing shift The internet is becoming more and more behavior-driven. In other words, it isn’t as much about what you have on your website and social profiles (in terms of keywords, etc.) as much as it is the way customers react to it.

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CMHC | industry news

By Anand Mishra

Senior Research Advisor, CMHC, Prairies & Territories

Let the sun shine! Energy savings available using passive solar designs

Passive solar design is an energy-efficient concept that uses sunlight to heat and provide natural lighting in a home. Done correctly passive solar design can save money on heating and lighting costs; however, an incorrectly designed system may actually overheat a home, making rooms uncomfortable and increasing the air conditioning bill. With careful planning and thoughtful use of solar design ideas and technologies you can achieve the right balance between reducing heating bills and remaining comfortable. A good passive solar design balances the amount of solar energy that can be collected for heating and lighting during the day against the heat losses through the window that occur during the night. Cold, sunny

climates offer the greatest potential for solar heating, and a well designed house in Canada can get a third to a half or more of its heating needs from the sun. This can be accomplished with a design that addresses: • house orientation and local climate • window components • heat distribution and ventilation • and shading options. The sun’s position can vary depending on the time of day and season, so a window’s orientation and slope combined with local weather patterns will determine how much solar energy it can receive and pass through into your home. To be useful, a good window design should admit more heat than it loses during the heating season. Heat losses can vary with outdoor temperatures and wind so it is important to choose energyefficient window components. Components that protect against heat losses include glazing with low emissivity coatings, multiple pane windows that incorporate inert gases between the panes (such as argon or krypton), and well-insulated window spacers and frames. Windows are now given a specific energy rating which measures the overall performance based on solar heat gain and heat loss through the frame, spacers and glass. While

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there are a number of window performance rating systems, look for ENERGY STARcertified windows. A well designed passive solar house will aide in heat storage and distribution. Good air circulation will help even out temperature differences between rooms, while an open floor plan will permit solar gains to circulate more freely. Windows should be properly placed to promote natural cross ventilation, while ceiling fans can help maintain comfort year round. External shading provides more comfort and energy savings than internal blinds or shades and is a successful way to prevent overheating in the hot summer For more information months. The about passive solar design, most effective visit CMHC’s website shading is www.cmhc.ca to view the EQuilibrium Insight article adjustable to Passive Solar Design, or call account for 1-800-668-2642 to request seasonal and a copy of the publications. daily changes, and deciduous trees can be planted to optimize shading in the summer, while allowing sunlight through in the winter. Builders of the CMHC EQuilibrium homes have incorporated passive solar design into their award-winning houses and have seen reduced-heating energy savings of 44 per cent. Since choices such as types of windows, orientation of these windows and component selection can be daunting to consumers, it may be helpful to have a qualified designer to help make the right decisions and save the consumer money.

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Business Profile

Advertising Feature

Jertyne built on a solid foundation

Corporate success based on personal values, customer satisfaction

f a company’s success is determined by its satisfied clients, then Jertyne Interior Services must be doing a lot of things right. In fact, doing the job right the first time, the way the customer wants, within the specific time frame and budget, are all key ingredients in Jertyne’s recipe for customer satisfaction and business success. It’s all about corporate values, says Robert Legault, Founder and President of Jertyne Interior Services. “If you don’t have values you don’t have a business,” he says. And Legault definitely practices what he preaches. Managing to grow his business into one of Calgary’s top insulation and drywall contracting companies, he’s been featured in Business in Calgary’s Leaders of Tomorrow and continues to expand his company vision. Indeed, he sees this core philosophy and commitment to corporate integrity as the key component to running a profitable business in the modern world. “They (clients) need to know that they can count on us and that we will do what we say we will do.” And, for 18 years now, he’s made sure Jertyne does just that — meaning their clients can count on receiving the same consistent, reliable, quality service that Jertyne has earned a reputation for. Legault’s solid understanding of the business, both on and off the construction site, allows him to continue to seek out ways to improve the company’s products and services. “We’re constantly evolving, and we’re always looking to put in additional efficiencies, and search for redundancies,” he says. For example, not afraid to try new initiatives, Jertyne launched their own in-house foam insulation department this year and so far it’s been an overwhelming success. Spray foam

is a premium insulation and is able to control moisture, reduce noise, and provide greater insulation value to a new home. It’s a real winwin situation for both builders and the ultimate consumer — homebuyers. “Greater efficiencies, is the way the housing market is going, we will see in the future that there will be larger percentages of all homes completely sprayed in foam,” says Legault. Providing Jertyne’s clients with the best service and materials, and staying proactively involved in the industry is another way that Legault excels at his business. He’s is proud that Jertyne is one of CHBA – Calgary Region’s corporate sponsors this year, adding that they will also be involved with the CHBF and their initiative to help the Easter Seals rebuild a portion of Camp Horizon. This kind of self-motivation leading to innovation is nothing new for Legault. He has always been the type of person who tries to achieve as much as he possibly can, in work and in life, each and every day. “I have always been an extremely energetic individual, a person who puts the extra time and effort in.” And it shows. Even now, at this stage in his career, Legault is able to wear many hats due to his comprehensive knowledge of the business. This, again, translates directly into quality customer service in the form of a set of 16 checks and balances he’s labeled the ‘Jertyne

Advantage’. Essentially, it’s a set of checkpoints to ensure that the quality of work is always guaranteed and completed to a high standard. Of course, his commitment to community doesn’t stop at the construction site. Legault is a great supporter of many charities, has donated supplies and materials to Habitat for Humanity, STARS Home Lottery and the Foothills Hospital Home Lottery. As a father to three pre-mature babies, he’s also sensitive to people with family medical needs. He knows first hand the difficulties and challenges that people with extraordinary health care needs face. “My primary charity is the cancer society, I believe these are essential services in our community and I will continue to support them,” he says. Legault founded Jertyne because he saw a need in the market and wanted “to provide a better service” based on industry knowledge and personal values. Nearly two decades later, they’re still going strong, a success story that’s still writing itself. n

“If you don’t have values you don’t have a business.”

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Robert Legault Founder and President Jertyne Interior Services

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