Construction

Too often I am in homes that it's clear have not either had renovations done correctly, were never properly maintained, and have been the subject of haphazard renovations by well meaning but unskilled home owners. It is NOT ALWAYS possible to watch something done on DIY TV show and be able to replicate that to your own home. All too often the DIY TV show is programming from the US, often produced in California or elsewhere in the sunbelt, where they do not have freezing temperatures, frost or even basements. Ever Canadian programming, while better, does not take fully into account variations across the country in regards to building codes and climate.

The older the home, the more issues it has. Building technology changes, complicated by substandard maintainence and/or renos. A 50 or 60 year old home has ALOT of history. As technology changes we "grandfather" in old code and technology. We find 60 amp services in homes. A mix of old copper (high lead concentration), newer copper, polyB (polybutylene), and PEX (cross linked polybutylene). Heating systems have progressed from coal to natural gas; from systems DESIGNED to be 50% to systems that are 94% efficient. Even wood framing has evolved over the years, from dimensional lumber to the I-joists, and from plywood to OSB. As we view the different homes, I will explain the advantage and disadvantage of the various building methods, and how to best incorporate them together (for instance, you can no longer buy replacement polyB piping).

I have also seen lots of people complete their own home renovations and have failed to properly complete the work. I have seen dolloar store extension cords (the thinner ones with only 2 wires), ran inside the wall instead of the thicker 3 wire cabling (includes a ground) that should be there. I have seen improper ventilation. Gaps in the building envelope. Poor roofing practices. Bulging of the rim board (related to a water leak, ice formed, and pushed the rim board). As I see it, I will inform you of what I see.

We have yet more skill sets (land development amongst them), but these 6 are the major ones clients find most useful.