In a world that moves so fast sometimes the concept of quality is the first casualty in this war of speed. Are we seeing a shift in the market as quality and an increase in appreciation for craftsmanship?

The question we often hear.  It is complicated and it really needs a road map to navigate all the issues that you need to address to ensure that you find the right partner.

Effective space utilization and an understanding of the factors that drive space costs are key concepts that should drive the downsized home design.

The many benefits of the smaller home – construction money used for higher quality finishes, lower taxes, cheaper upkeep, seem to be gaining traction with the boomer.

If you have a family cottage or vacation property, it’s especially important to do some planning.

One of the most commonly asked questions I get is whether I should take CPP early or not.

As a builder you understand the need for the cost and you genuinely want to help and give the most realistic answer possible, but… often it is a question that does not have a realistic answer.  Without a lot of assumptions…

Be careful in selecting your builder but when you do, you need to trust his judgment and expertise. He has done this many times before and sometime circumventing his advice can be very costly.

Many decide to start the project with many decisions are left unanswered as they embark on the start of construction. Budgets must be firm before the shovel hits the ground.

With an improved shell construction, what used to be considered a damp and at times even unusable space now becomes prime real estate in any new home or cottage.

Complex projects with large amounts of money at stake are inherently risky.

The smell of rotting wood and mold is now mistaken for that “old great cottage smell”!

We always need to remember that the costs of “changing of the mind” are much lower in the brief then they are on the construction site.

The design brief is the direction and parameters that are given to the creative person(s) who is charged with the task of the creating a home or cottage for you.

Our clients consistently request to include elements such as real timber, real stone, a fireplace that works, and a view that connects them intimately to their surroundings.

Expertise matters. Not just for what is done but more importantly dealing with the unexpected and the occasional misstep.

Like any decision-making process, and understanding of what is most important to you, is the critical starting point? But how do you know what is important?

The first step was to assess the trade-offs that are particular to the property, fuel availability and affordability, the family lifestyle, as well as the financial implications (both installation costs and on-going fuel costs).