I am so proud of my fellow CHBA – Calgary Region members for

content s
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: [email protected]
Website: www.chbacalgary.com
Donna K. Moore | Chief Executive Officer
[email protected]
Val Veldhuyzen | Director, Finance and Administration
[email protected]
Amie Blanchette | Director, Government Affairs
[email protected]
David Bears | Director, Programs
[email protected]
Kathy McCormick | Profile Editor,
Director, Communications
[email protected]
APRIL 2014 • VOLUME 21 • ISSUE 10
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
12 Events Calendar
13 Inclusionary zoning
16 New and Cancelled Members
A SSOCIATION EVENTS
14 Breakfasts, lunches and seminars
19 Corporate sponsors
Deb Mansfield | Executive Assistant
[email protected]
COVER FE ATURE: SAM COVER AGE
20 2013 SAM Awards Gala –
a night to remember
22 SAM winners’ list
25 Thank you sponsors
26 Customer satisfaction celebrated
at the 2013 SAM Awards
28 View from the top is all
about the customers
Published by Source Media Group Corp.
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web: www.sourcemediagroup.ca
INDUSTRY NEWS
31 The power of integrated design
32 Building a better tomorrow
33 Residential ePermits
34 Building for the future
35 Home builders help out
38 Kitchen trends
Habiba Gulnaz-Khalid | Accounting Co-ordinator
[email protected]
Kailey Mitchell | Event Co-ordinator
[email protected]
Deanna McArthur | Communications Assistant
[email protected]
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refuse any advertising at its sole discretion.
Profile is published quarterly per annum and is
distributed to every member of the Canadian Home
Builders’ Association – Calgary Region.
20
Cover photography
by Don Molyneaux
38
7
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
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President ’s message | association information
By Douglas Whitney
President, Canadian Home Buiders’ Association – Calgary Region
Change is in the wind
It’s hard to believe that the first quarter of 2014
is already over — and so much has changed.
Little did we know that the world
politics and our own drama with our
provincial leader would unfold, changing
the way the world order had been. And we
have many other things impacting the way
we do business today, including within our
own organization.
We have two new important initiatives
we are working on with our partners
at UDI – Calgary. While still very
preliminary, here is a brief summary —
and you can be assured we will continually
update you as things unfold.
Firstly, we are in the planning stages
of a comprehensive new Engagement
Campaign that our industry members have
generously supported and which we believe
will have a positive impact on our industry
in future.
Secondly, the boards of both
organizations have embarked on a joint
venture to evaluate current mandates
and structures of CHBA – Calgary Region
and UDI – Calgary organizations and
membership services and what that may
look like in future.
Watch for more as details are solidified.
There’s much more to talk about starting
with my sincere congratulations to all
the finalists and winners of the 2013
SAM Awards. When you see the quality of
workmanship, the outstanding creativity
and the dedication to building — and
rebuilding — our city, I am so proud to be
part of this great industry. The SAM Award
winners are truly the best of the best and I
salute them.
Here are some of the other changes we
have been — or shortly will be — dealing
with this year:
• Locally, the implementation of
some of the goals of the Municipal
Development Plan (MDP), including
the first look at the sequenced list
that aligns new growth with the city’s
ability to pay for the infrastructure to
support it.
• The opening of the Municipal
Government Act, which could include
a new city charter for Calgary and
Edmonton, changing the way the
province and city regulate some
aspects of living or working in
the big city.
• The implementation as of
February 1 of the New Home Buyer
Protection Act, making warranty
coverage mandatory for new homes
and condos.
• Changes to various aspects of the
Building Codes, again impacting the
way we do business.
• Updates to the Condo Act and its
implications for the building industry.
• And talk of the next development
agreement between the residential
land developers (Urban Development
Institute) and the city, which comes
due next year.
And that’s just a sampling of the areas
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we are working on to ensure we have a
voice.
We have strong representation at the
table as stakeholders with a dedicated
staff member and volunteers offering
expertise, opinions and guidance on issues
of importance to our businesses and our
city. This collaborative approach to doing
business has made us a valuable partner
with the changing governments for more
than 65 years.
At the same time, we are continually
trying to improve, trying to ensure our
voice is heard and trying to advocate
for more choice for more people in more
places.
That means we are working on some
areas that we believe are important to
the future of our city. Things such as
secondary suites, easier and more plentiful
permitted uses for multi-family units in
both the established communities and
suburbs, and an adequate supply of
serviced lots in new communities
to foster growth.
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ceo’s message | association information
By Donna Moore
CEO, Canadian Home Buiders’ Association – Calgary Region
Twenty-seven years
of excellence!
It is with great pleasure — and pride — that we present
our tribute to our 2013 SAM Award winners in this issue
of Profile. The award gala itself was a spectacular night of
celebrating our best, and we were so honoured to be able
to plan this special occasion with so many of our friends
and colleagues.
As our president, Doug Whitney, has
already said, every finalist and winner
deserves huge congratulations for a job so
well done, in spite of the hard year we went
through in 2013. Thank-you to everyone
for their dedication, hard work and courage
last year.
Competing in the annual SAM Awards
means more than being the best at what you
do; it’s not just about the challenge and fun
of competition the industry is known for;
and it certainly is more than simply adding
another silver goose to the awards’ shelf.
Everyone loves to win, but that is just
the beginning of the value our SAM Awards
offer our members.
It’s a way to show your team that they
are, indeed, doing a great job which is
recognized by their own industry peers
— and it’s a mark of excellence that
homebuyers look for when deciding on
which home or neighbourhood, which
builder, renovator or supplier they will deal
with when they are looking to change their
lifestyle.
And that message gets out to everyone
in a positive way. Thank-you to our
print media members, Calgary Herald
and Calgary Sun, for their platinum
sponsorship. Their involvement meant news
stories leading up to the awards in both
papers, a SAM Awards Finalist magazine
that went out to all the people within the
Sun’s circulation, pre-SAM excitement
building up to the awards from other news
stories in other sections of the papers and
online, and extensive coverage afterwards.
Our other media partners, too,
have helped spread the word about the
excellence, creativity and accomplishments
of our members — and it is added value for
your businesses.
In addition, we have had tremendous
interest in our SAM Awards’ finalist and
winners listing on our website — over
3,489 visits within February and March for
both finalists and winners — and through
the many Twitter posts and Facebook
items. We created a fun #SAMSelfie Twitter
handle as a take-off of the Academy Awards
when Ellen DeGeneres posted the famous
selfie of the actors — and it, too, created
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buzz within the industry and in the general
public. In fact, our Twitter handle
(@chbacalgary) and hashtags (#SAMCalgary
and #SAMSelfie) were trending in Calgary
that night — a huge accomplishment. And
#SAMSelfie was so popular, it actually
trended across Canada, meaning more
people were talking about it (or taking
photos and posting) than ANY other topic
in Canada. That is truly impressive.
What a great way to bring your company
to the public in a fun, positive way.
SAM finalists and winners, of course,
also have the privilege of promoting their
win in their show homes and in their
PR campaigns, their ads, and with their
customers and prospective homebuyers.
There isn’t a better way to highlight your
business and this industry — one we are all
proud to be part of.
Thank-you to everyone who helped make
this year’s SAM Awards and Gala the best
it could be — and if you weren’t part of it
this year, I encourage you to submit your
entries for the next SAM Gala — the 28th
year we have celebrated our industry.
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CHBA – alberta | association information
By Stephen Amonson
President, Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Alberta
New neighbours
Strong net migration key to Alberta’s success
A growing Alberta is a great opportunity for CHBA – Alberta
members. Welcoming newcomers to the communities we build
is a primary driver of the residential construction industry.
There are also challenges, as the cyclical
relationship of a growing province needing
workers and those workers needing a place
to live requires more workers to build those
houses. We have worked hard as an industry
to keep on top of shifts in the economy
and demographics over the years, building
businesses to stand the test of time and leave
our mark on the province.
It is incumbent upon us to keep our eyes
on trends as they arise. Recently, Statistics
Canada released its quarterly population
estimates for Canada and the provinces.
What is key for the new housing industry
in Alberta is the relative strength of net
migration. Alberta continued to lead all provinces
in terms of yearly growth (+3.3 per cent) in
2013, followed by Saskatchewan (+1.8 per
cent). Alberta was the province with the
highest net gain in interprovincial migration
in 2013 (+43,100). However, compared to
the fourth quarter in 2012, Alberta’s net
interprovincial migration in 2013 was
reduced by half. It remained, however, the
province showing the highest net gain in
interprovincial migration (+5,700).
Overall, increases in net international
migration were offset by lower levels of
inter-provincial migration during the fourth
quarter. So, although Alberta continued to
lead all provinces in population growth in
the final months of 2013, the rate of growth
slowed compared with the last three months
of 2012 due to fewer newcomers from other
provinces.
As of January 1, 2014, the population
of Alberta was estimated at 4,082,600, an
increase of 21,900 (+0.5 per cent) from
October 1, 2013. Since the first quarter
of 2011, Alberta has continuously led all
provinces in terms of population growth
rate. While the major factor of this province’s
population growth was net international
migration (+8,700), both natural increase
(+7,400) and net interprovincial migration
(+5,700) also contributed. Due to high level of immigration (+8,800)
and net flow of non-permanent residents
(+1,100), Alberta’s net
inflow of international
migration was the highest
for a fourth quarter since
1971. In fact, Alberta
was the only jurisdiction
in Canada that posted
a positive net flow of
non-permanent residents
over the last quarter of
2013. Alberta remained
the province showing
the highest net gain in
interprovincial migration
(+5,700). A large portion
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of these gains resulted from exchanges
with Ontario (+2,600), Quebec (+1,000) and
British Columbia (+900). This is an important trend for both
industry and government to monitor.
There is a lot of political sensitivity
regarding the issues of immigration
and unemployment in other parts
of Canada. Government has often pressed
industry to recruit more Canadians — but
there simply are not enough workers out
there to fill Alberta’s needs. Even if a great
deal more Canadians flocked to Alberta,
this would increase skilled labour shortages
in other parts of the country where shifts
in demographics mean that despite a lack
of growth, retirements are thinning out
the labour force. Bringing new immigrants
to Alberta and retaining them as longterm members of our communities is key
to continued economic prosperity both in
Alberta and across the country.
Events C ALENDAR
MAY 2014*
Education Month
8
Professional Development
Breakfast #1
Topic: Business Continuity
10
RenoMark™ Renovation
& CHBA – Calgary Region
Infill Tour
14
Dinner Meeting,
Student House Awards
Keynote Speaker: Hon. Doug Horner, Minister of Finance
Coast Plaza Hotel
22
Professional Development
Breakfast #2
Topic: Succession Planning
29
Builder Breakfast
Glenmore Inn
JUNE 2014*
Education Month
5
TO JUNE 7:
Fairmont Golf Classic
Fairmont Hot Springs
12
Professional Development
Breakfast #3, Topic: TBD
18
Annual General Meeting,
Dinner Meeting
(Presidential Tribute
& Volunteer Awards)
Coast Plaza Hotel
26
Builder Breakfast
Glenmore Inn
For more information visit
www.chbacalgary.com
*Subject to change
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CHBA – C algary Region | association information
By Amie Blanchette
Director, Government Affairs, CHBA – Calgary Region
Project Manager, VoteCalgary
Inclusionary zoning
Is it the answer to subsidized housing?
Affordable housing has
become a hot topic of late.
City council is in the midst
of creating a strategy
to address this growing
problem.
Given the resulting media coverage on this
issue, there are clearly differing opinions
about the role our industry should play
and what we currently contribute.
The suggestion was made that builders
should be required to address the
affordable housing shortage through a
process called Inclusionary Zoning. This
traditionally means a builder/developer is
required to provide a percentage of units
in their at-market project for subsidized
housing. In response to this suggestion,
we developed a tool to help educate our
policy makers and the general public about
the impact Inclusionary Zoning can have
on homebuyers and the market overall.
While Inclusionary Zoning is not
currently allowed under our existing
Municipal Government Act, we know the
provincial government is in the midst of
reviewing this legislation. CHBA – Calgary
Region will be working closely with CHBA
– Alberta throughout the review process
and attending local stakeholder sessions
with the government to ensure our voice is
heard on this important issue.
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association Events
Breakfasts, lunches and
A great way to connect with fellow industry professionals
How to Hire a Renovator Seminar
With flood remediation still underway and the spring renovation season just around the corner, it
was a perfect time to educate homeowners on how to hire a contractor to ensure that renovation,
remodeling, retrofitting, and remediation are done properly. The free seminar which promoted
our RenoMark™ program and its members included speakers from Canada Mortgage and Housing
Corporation, the Better Business Bureau, SAIT Polytechnic, Canada Revenue Agency, and the City
of Calgary Development and Building Approvals. Special thanks to Canada Mortgage and Housing
Corporation, Gemini Group Inc., Kurmak Builders Inc., Litwiller Developments, Lynn Donaldson &
Associates, and Wilson Homes and Renos for sponsoring this important event.
Thank You sponsors!
Builder Breakfasts
CHBA – Calgary Region provided a lineup of important educational Builder Breakfasts, which kept members up-to-date on all
aspects of the residential construction industry. January’s Builder Breakfast focused on the association’s dedication to safety
with keynote speaker Bev Preece from the Alberta Construction Association covering upcoming changes to the Certificate of
Recognition (COR) and Small Employer Certificate of Recognition (SECOR) programs. James Wilson from Workers’ Compensation
Board also spoke on the Partnerships in Injury Reduction (PIR) program and its importance for our members.
February’s Builder Breakfast brought experts all the way from British Columbia to talk
about moisture problems and solutions. Jan Rasilainen, assistant vice-president of technical
services/new home warranty at Travelers Canada, gave those in attendance a firsthand
account of the many lessons learned when the leaky condo crisis hit, how the industry
suffered a major hit to its credibility and the significant changes that have occurred since to
ensure future buildings are adequately protected from the elements. Special thanks to Siding
Contractors Association of Alberta for sponsoring this Builder Breakfast.
New to CHBA – Calgary Region this year is the opportunity to sponsor these very
popular learning sessions. If you are interested in sponsoring a Builder Breakfast contact
David Bears, [email protected].
Thank You sponsor!
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association Events
seminars
Mentorship Luncheon
The Young Guns held their popular mentorship
luncheon Wednesday, March 5 where the next
generation of leaders had the opportunity to
talk with many of the industry leaders. Special
thanks to all of the mentors who attended: Wayne
Copeland, Double R Building Products; Tim Logel,
Cardel Lifestyles; Ryan Scott, Avalon Master Builder; Deep
Shergill, Prominent Homes; Larry Thomson, Calbridge
Homes; and Charron Ungar, Homes by Avi Urban (Calgary).
SAM Awards Gala
Over 1,650 members and guests attended the biggest
event of the year where the best-of-the-best in the
residential construction industry were named.
Congratulations to all of the winners. Take a look at
pages 20-30 for full coverage of this glam filled night.
Special thanks to all of the SAM Awards sponsors who
made this important event possible. See page 25 for a
full list of sponsors.
Growth Management Framework
Members Luncheon
Where new suburban growth will take place was brought into
the spotlight in March when city council debated the next steps
in managing growth. This very important topic for our members
was discussed at a special luncheon featuring
Ryan Vanderputten, manager, corporate growth
management with the City of Calgary. Members
received an update on the Growth Management
Framework and what to expect for the next
steps, including the much-talked-about priority
sequencing of new developments. Special thanks
to Homes by Us for sponsoring this important
luncheon.
Thank You sponsor!
rk luncheon
th management framewo
New members at the grow
Region president (centre)
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Calg
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CHB
,
tney
with Doug Whi
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association Information | Ne w and C ancelled members
NEW MEMBERS
n JANUARY 2014
Cardinal Capital Management Inc.
Rep: Kim Gibson
Service/Professional
Electrim Development Ltd.
Doing Business As (DBA) District Homes
Rep: Marian Minorczyk
Builder
Home Garden Business Ltd.
Rep: Hoa Tran
Supplier/Manufacturer/Trade
Kerridge Concrete Ltd.
Rep: Ivar Alvarez
Supplier/Manufacturer/Trade
Manor House Crafted Homes Inc.
Rep: Chris Hone
Builder
Modify Homes Corp.
Rep: Deanna Taylor
Renovator
Northern Property REIT
Rep: Steven James
Developer
Qualex-Landmark Western Inc.
Rep: Cristin Tolfree
Builder
Royal Design Centre
Rep: Devinder Gill
Supplier/Manufacturer/Trade
Rusch Projects 2010 Ltd.
Rep: Oliver Brown
Builder
Sandstone Realty Associate Ltd.
DBA Sandstone Associates
Rep: Mike Leeds
Renovator
Selkirk Stone Distributors Ltd.
Rep: Terry Hagen
Supplier/Manufacturer/Trade
Urban Roofing
Rep: Greg Pender
Supplier/Manufacturer/Trade
Fontile Calgary Corporation
DBA Porcelanosa
Rep: James Kershaw
Supplier/Manufacturer/Trade
n FEBRUARY 2014
Caesarstone
Rep: Mary-Jo Lough
Supply/Manufacturer/Trade
Cloverdale Paint Inc.
Rep: Darlene Ell
Supply/Manufacturer/Trade
HGC Construction Ltd.
DBA Moderno Homes
Rep: Michael Palmer
Builder
Newland Construction Limited
Rep: Kevin Brookes
Builder
Radiant Custom Homes Inc.
Rep: Jackie Balson
Builder
Sunview Custom Homes Ltd.
Rep: Sunny Sharma
Builder
CANCELLED MEMBERS
n JANUARY 2014
Western Financial Group
n FEBRUARY 2014
Brighton Interiors Inc.
Fab Pads Inc.
Gienow Windows
Metropolitan Hardwood Floors Inc.
Nuera Platinum (Canada) Ltd.
Plumb-Line Residential Services Inc.
SKYLINE Building Envelope Solutions (CGY) Inc.
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2013-2014 Corpor ate sponsors | Association information
Thank-you corporate sponsors 2013-2014
Thank you sponsors!
Without Canadian
Home Builders’
Association – Calgary
Region Corporate
Sponsors, we couldn’t
provide the many
services, events,
information, and
advocacy for our
members that we do.
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2013 sam awards gala - a night to remember
2013 SAM Awards
Gala – a night to
remember
The 2013 SAM Awards Gala really highlighted the
great industry we are in — an industry that fills
us with pride. More than 1,650 people attended
the spectacular event that honoured the winners,
finalists and our members.
Thanks to the sponsors, the people who attended
and the great entertainment for a night to
remember.
A special thanks to all who worked tirelessly and
unselfishly throughout the flood last year – we hope
you enjoyed the tribute to our volunteer members.
And we congratulate all the winners and finalists
who built such amazing homes and neighbourhoods,
in spite of the challenges. We had a record number of
submissions from so many of our members in every
category.
We are proud and grateful.
See you next year!
Thanks for
coming
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Photography by Crystal Image Photography and Don Molyneaux
#SAMSelfies
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Proud
of our
sponsors
Congrat
to winner s
s
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COVER FEATURE: sam awards 2013 WINNERS
GRAND SAM WINNERS
Partner of the Year
Sponsored by NuVista Homes Ltd.
PHI SYSTEMS INC.
Builder of Merit
Sponsored by Aviva Canada Inc. &
National Home Warranty Group Inc.
EMPIRE CUSTOM HOMES LIMITED
Builder of the Year
Sponsored by Genstar Development Company
MORRISON HOMES
Renovator of the Year
Sponsored by JELD-WEN Windows & Doors
Albi Renova ltd.
Multi-Family Builder of the Year
Sponsored by Hopewell Residential
JAYMAN GROUP OF COMPANIES
DEVELOPER AWARDS
Show Home Parade of the Year
Sponsored by Sabal Homes LP
HOPEWELL RESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT LP
LakeFront Show Home Parade,
Mahogany, Calgary
ADVERTISING & MARKETING AWARDS
MULTI-FAMILY DESIGN AWARDS
Best Billboard (Indoor/Outdoor)
Sponsored by Prominent Homes Ltd.
CALBRIDGE 2010 LTD.
Move In Date Guaranteed |
Move-in-itus Billboard
Best New Design
Apartment Style Condo up to 899 sq. ft.
Sponsored by All Weather Windows Ltd.
QUALEX-LANDMARK WESTERN INC.
Mark on Tenth – E Plan, 1120 – 10th Avenue SW,
Calgary
Best Direct Mail Piece
Sponsored by Stepper Custom Homes Inc.
ICON STONE & TILE
Simpler & Better Stone Program
Best Brochure
Sponsored by Watermark Development LP
ALBI HOMES LTD.
Vistas Brochure
Best Print Ad
Sponsored by Stonetile (Canada) Ltd.
DOUGLAS HOMES LTD.
Find Your Perfect Fit
Best Moving Media
Sponsored by Rockford Developments Inc.
LUX WINDOWS & GLASS LTD.
Lux – Brand Television Commercial
Best New Design
Apartment Style Condo 900 sq. ft. and over
Sponsored by Mattamy Homes
QUALEX-LANDMARK WESTERN INC.
Mark on Tenth – K Plan,
1120 – 10th Avenue SW, Calgary
Best New Design
Villa/Duplex/Townhome up to 1,199 sq. ft.
Sponsored by All Weather Windows Ltd.
JAYMAN MODUS, A DIVISION OF
JAYMAN GROUP OF COMPANIES
The Esprit II, 211 Mahogany Way SE, Calgary
Best New Design
Villa/Duplex/Townhome 1,200 sq. ft. and over
Sponsored by Renfrew Insurance Ltd.
CALBRIDGE 2010 LTD.
The Silverton, 4 Cranbrook Landing SE, Calgary
Best Audio Media
TRUMAN HOMES
No Excuses
MULTI-FAMILY COMMUNITY AWARDS
Best Website
Sponsored by Kon-Strux Developments Inc.
MORRISON HOMES
Morrison Website
Best Multi-Family Community
Sponsored by Timber Tech Truss Inc.
HOMES BY AVI URBAN (2006) INC.
The Enclave at Castle Keep, Calgary
Janine Coughlin Marketing
Campaign of the Year
Sponsored by WALL2WALL Media Inc.
HOPEWELL RESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT LP
Mahogany Lakefront Grand Opening
Homes by Avi Urban
Hopewell Residential
Mahogany, Calgary
Community of the Year – City of Calgary
Sponsored by Homes by Avi (Calgary) Inc.
HOPEWELL RESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT LP
Mahogany, Calgary
Community of the Year – Calgary Region
Sponsored by Shane Homes Ltd.
WATERMARK DEVELOPMENT LP
Watermark at Bearspaw,
Rocky View County
New Community of the Year
Sponsored by Shane Homes Ltd.
HERITAGE POINTE PROPERTIES INC.
Artesia, DeWinton
MULTI-FAMILY HOME AWARDS
Best Town Home – up to $294,999
Sponsored by CustomerInsight
TRUMAN HOMES
Evolve Townhomes,
5 Skyview Point Heath NE, Calgary
Best Town Home - $295,000-$349,999
Sponsored by Superior Cabinets
STREETSIDE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Evanston Square,
103 Evanston Square NW, Calgary
Best Town Home - $350,000 and over
Sponsored by Classic Kitchens & Cabinets Ltd.
JAYMAN GROUP OF COMPANIES
The Westwynd in RiverReach,
12 Riviera Way, Cochrane
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Best Villa / Duplex – up to $349,999
Sponsored by United Drywall Ltd.
BEYOND HOMES
Project b65, Private
Best Villa / Duplex - $350,000 and over
Sponsored by I-XL Masonry Supplies Ltd.
ALBI HOMES LTD.
Vistas of Tuscany Unit 3,
347 Tuscany Estates Rise NW, Calgary
Best Apartment-Style Condo
Sponsored by NORR
Architects Engineers Planners
REMINGTON DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Champagne Suite #405, Private
COVER FEATURE: sam awards 2013 WINNERS
NEW HOME AWARDS
Best New Home – up to $229,999
Sponsored by Ply Gem
MORRISON HOMES
Love Residence, Private
Best New Home – $230,000-$269,999
Sponsored by The Sterling Group
REIDBUILT HOMES
The Opus in Kincora, Private
Best New Home – $270,000-$309,999
Sponsored by Classic Kitchens & Cabinets Ltd.
BROOKFIELD RESIDENTIAL
Belvedere – Cranston SF,
213 Cranford Drive SE, Calgary
Best New Home – $310,000-$349,999
Sponsored by RBC Royal Bank
DOUGLAS HOMES LTD.
Barcelona, Kinniburgh,
128 Kinniburgh Close, Chestermere
Morrison Homes
Best New Home – $400,000-$459,999
Sponsored by Artistic Stairs Inc.
REIDBUILT HOMES
The Ridgeway in Westmere,
602 Marina Drive, Chestermere
Best New Home – $460,000-$534,999
Sponsored by Ply Gem
HOMES BY US LTD.
The Ashton in Aspen Woods Estates,
110 Aspen Summit Drive, Calgary
Best New Home – $700,000-$849,999
Sponsored by Legacy Kitchens
Design Group Inc.
CANTERRA CUSTOM HOMES LTD.
The Armani, Private
Best New Home - $850,000-$999,999
Sponsored by The Sterling Group
LUPI LUXURY HOMES INC.
The Lambrusco II, Rock Lake Estates,
21 Rockcliff Heights NW, Calgary
Best New Home - $1,000,000-$1,499,999
Sponsored by United Drywall Ltd.
MORRISON HOMES
The Savannah Showhome,
222 Mahogany Manor SE, Calgary
Best New Home – $535,000-$599,999
Sponsored by The Sterling Group
AUGUSTA
FINE
DIVISION
The Cézanne
by HOMES,
McKinley A
Masters
OF NUVISTA HOMES
Demo Residence, Private
Best New Home - $1,500,000-$2,299,999
Sponsored by Baywest Homes Ltd.
MCKINLEY MASTERS
The Roseview, Private
Best New Home – $600,000-$699,999
Sponsored by Albi Homes Ltd.
BRAD-MAR HOMES
Elbow Valley West, Private
Best New Home - $2,300,000 and over
Sponsored by Albi Homes Ltd.
MCKINLEY MASTERS
Circle P Estate, Private
Supplier & Installer of Products
Sponsored by Shane Homes Ltd.
PHI SYSTEMS INC.
Supplier of Products
Sponsored by Stepper Custom Homes Inc.
LUX WINDOWS AND GLASS LTD.
Supplier of Service
Sponsored by Wolseley Canada
CUSTOMERINSIGHT
SALES ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
RENOVATOR AWARDS
Sales Team of the Year – Single Family
Sponsored by Landmark Homes (Calgary) Inc.
SABAL HOMES LP
Peter Skolaude, Crystal Benner, Jesse Marshall,
Stacy Johnson, Olja Uljarevic, Andrew Bogues Mahogany
Best Home Renovation (with Addition)
Sponsored by Divine Hardwood Flooring Ltd.
THE REMODELERS LTD.
Conley Renovation
Best Kitchen Renovation – $90,000 and over
PINNACLE GROUP RENOVATIONS
BY DESIGN LTD.
Bearspaw Renovation
Best Home Renovation (without Addition)
Sponsored by WesternOne
Infrastructure Services
HOMES BY AVI (CALGARY) LP
Lakeview Condo
Best Bathroom/Ensuite Renovation
Sponsored by Allan Forrest Sales 1991 Ltd.
ALBI RENOVA LTD.
Arbour Estates Interior Improvement
Best New Home – $350,000-$399,999
Sponsored by Ply Gem
DOUGLAS HOMES LTD.
Mykanos 2 Showhome, Rainbow Falls,
76 Rainbow Falls Blvd., Chestermere
PARTNER AWARDS
Sales Team of the Year – Multi-Family
Sponsored by Brock White Canada Co.
MATTAMY HOMES
Trish Braun, Paula Roughton, Mark Verzyl Windsong
SALES & INFORMATION CENTRE AWARDS
Best Sales & Information Centre - Attached
Sponsored by Blanket Home Warranty Ltd.
STEPPER CUSTOM HOMES INC.
111 & 115 Legacy Circle SE, Calgary
Best Basement Renovation
Sponsored by Star Building
Materials (Alberta) Ltd.
THE REMODELERS LTD.
Starratt Renovation
Best Kitchen Renovation – up to $89,999
KON-STRUX DEVELOPMENTS INC.
Cliff Bungalow Kitchen Renovation
up to $89,999
Best Sales & Information Centre - Detached
Sponsored by Westridge Cabinets (1993) Ltd.
MATTAMY HOMES
10520 Metis Trail NE, Calgary
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Best Renovator’s Choice Renovation
Sponsored by Canyon Plumbing & Heating Ltd.
ALBI RENOVA LTD.
Bearspaw Interior Improvement
INDUSTRY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Best Innovation: Idea/Product
Sponsored by BFL Canada
Insurance Services Inc.
BROOKFIELD RESIDENTIAL
Augmented Reality
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SA m awards | COVER FEATURE
Thank You sponsors!
GRAND SAM SPONSORS
PLATINUM SPONSORS
EVENT SPONSORS
CONTRIBUTORS
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COVER FEATURE: sam awards 2013 WINNERS
Customer satisfaction celebrated
Calgary builders receive ‘buyers’ choice’ distinction
Customer satisfaction is key,
especially in the residential
construction industry. And
our members know this better
than anyone.
Single-Family 5-49 Possessions
Wolf Custom Homes Ltd.
“This award is a big accomplishment: it means that
the processes, systems and objectives we have put
together to provide great customer services at fair
affordable prices have been realized.
“We are very proud of this award. It takes a
very passionate team and a lot of hard work to be
chosen as a recipient. We try and look at every build
and treat every customer how we ourselves would
Shaun McKernan
like to be treated and believe that it is the little
things that make the building experience fun and enjoyable for our customers.” –
Miles Dowie, general manager of Wolf Custom Homes Ltd.
Ongoing dedication to the consumer was celebrated
at the 2013 SAM Awards gala in March as The New
Homebuyers Choice Awards™ were presented by the
Professional Home Builders Institute (PHBI) and
CustomerInsight™.
“The companies that will succeed and dominate the
market for the next several decades will learn how to truly
understand their customers and engage in meaningful
ways,” says Joe Connelly, executive director of PHBI.
“No matter how successful a company has been, if their
customers are not receiving what is promised to them, the
companies’ brands will not survive. The customers decide
if a builder has fulfilled those promises.”
Recipients of The New Home Buyer Choice Awards™
are those home builders who received the highest overall
weighted homebuyer satisfaction score in their region and
respective category of the New Home & Builder Review
program. This program measures all Alberta new home
builders registered with CustomerInsight™ through PHBI.
In the New Home & Builder Review, homebuyers
evaluate their builders in six key areas: construction
experience, pre-occupancy inspection, home readiness,
workmanship and materials, customer service, and
overall experience.
“We rank all of the builders based on their customer
satisfaction results, and the builders achieving the highest
scores in each category are the winners,” says Christian
Caswell, president and founder of CustomerInsight™.
“There is no entry process or judging panel — the results
are based entirely on the voice of the customer.”
Other Awards:
Single-Family 50-149 Possessions
NuVista Homes Ltd.
“This award means that all of our hard work
and focus on producing a quality home with
no or few deficiencies has paid off. Out of all
of the awards this is the most coveted.
“It takes a team of dedicated people who
take pride in making customers happy, while
building a quality product that they can be
proud of. It starts from the first contact,
whether through our show home, website
or any other marketing avenue. Customer
service is important to us.” – Mike Plumton,
vice-president of NuVista Homes Ltd.
Other Awards:
Mike Plumton
NuVista Homes Ltd. won seven consecutive customer
choice awards from 2000-2006 and was the 2008 winner of the J.D. Power and
Associates Highest Customer Satisfaction Award for the Calgary Single-Family
New Home Builder category.
Contributed by Deanna McArthur,
Communications Assistant, CHBA – Calgary Region
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This is the first customer service award for Wolf Custom
Homes Ltd.
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COVER FEATURE: SAM AWARDS 2013 WINNERS
at the 2013 SAM Awards
All photos courtesy Crystal Image Photography.
Single-Family 150+ Possessions
Multi-Family 50-149 Possessions
STERLING HOMES LTD.
SKYWEST CONDOS
BY TRUMAN HOMES
“winning this award is validation
that all of our efforts on a daily basis
do make a difference. i’m happy for
our staff; they can see that their
individual contributions do make a
difference.
Bill Bobyk
“it takes a lot of people from start
and Mike Cole
to finish doing a lot of little things
right and keeping our customers front and centre in our daily
duties.” – Bill Bobyk, general manager, the sterling group, which
includes sterling Homes ltd.
“winning this award means that we
are doing something right, because
the customers are choosing us and
not a judging panel. this means that
the customers are the ones giving us
Oliver Trutina (Truman Homes)
with Joe Connelly (PHBI)
high marks.
“it is about never saying
no, constantly keeping the customer happy and ensuring a direct
commitment to service at all times.” – tony trutina, coo, truman
Homes.
Other Awards: the sterling group has won three other
customer service awards in the last six years.
Other Awards:
Multi-Family 5-49
Possessions
Multi-Family 150+ Possessions
truman homes has also won customer choice
awards in 2011 and 2013.
BROOKFIELD RESIDENTIAL
CHAPARRAL VALLEY
TOWNHOMES BY
JAYMAN GROUP OF
COMPANIES
“the pinnacle of customer
service is one of our key
Joe Connelly (PHBI), Sean Nolan (Jayman)
pillars of operations. this
and Christian Caswell (CustomerInsight )
award provides validation,
energy and excitement for the whole staff.
“it has been our relentless attention to our customer service
process, stopping only when customers are happy, that has helped
us take home this award.” – graham Boyce, president and coo of
Jayman.
TM
“Brookfield has always simply measured
our success based on listening to our
customers. we are always trying to gain
an unbiased measure of how we are
doing in our customers’ eyes. Believing
that by putting the customer first, being
a customer-centric organization, and
Doug Owens and Travis McLeod
truly listening to our customers allows us
to continually meet our customers’ expectations.
“this award is a thank-you from our customers for all of the hard work
we do day in and day out, making it all worth it.” – doug owens, general
manager, Brookfield residential.
Other Awards:
Other Awards:
Jayman group of companies has consistently
won other customer choice awards in the past,
and has taken home over eight in the last two years.
profile
Brookfield residential (formerly Hawthorne and
Heartland Homes) has been recognized for their exceptional customer
service since as early as 1992. in the past 23 years, Brookfield residential
has received 20 customer services awards in calgary alone.
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COVER FEATURE: sam awards 2013 WINNERS
View from the top is all
The Morrison Homes team celebrating their Grand SAM Builder of the Year award.
It doesn’t matter if it’s the
first win or the 11th, it’s
always a surprise, says the
latest Grand SAM Builder
of the Year. That’s because
winning awards is never the
company’s first priority, says
Al Morrison, chairman of
Morrison Homes.
Builder of the Year: Morrison Homes
“Our focus has always been on customer satisfaction, so the win is great but we don’t ever
lose sight of why we are in business,” says the son of the founder of the pioneer home
builder.
Morrison Homes has become one of the city’s largest-volume builders, started in 1961
by Frank Morrison, who had the simple philosophy that the customer came first.
Hard work, the right attitude and innovative product — a winning combination, says
Morrison.
“We may have had better positioning and great product this year — everyone is
pumped. But come Monday morning, everyone had their sleeves rolled up again and was
ready to get to work.”
Morrison Homes is building on its legacy. The company was Builder of the Year for 10
consecutive years last decade, only giving up the reins to Jayman MasterBUILT in 2011
and Calbridge 2010 Ltd. in 2012.
Dave Gladney is president and CEO, and Morrison Homes has expanded to Edmonton.
“We are looking at more aggressive expansion in future,” says Morrison. “An increase
in multi-family product, which is the growth side of the industry, and maintaining, if not
expanding, our market share in Calgary and Edmonton.”
That could include expansion to outlying areas around Calgary.
Morrison took three other SAM Awards March 29: Best Website; Best New Home — up
to $229,999; and Best New Home – $1,000,000 - $1,499,999.
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COVER FEATURE: sam awards 2013 WINNERS
about the customers
GRAND SAM WINNERS (Finalists in order of finish)
Builder of the Year
MORRISON HOMES
(ReidBuilt Homes Ltd.;
Calbridge 2010 Ltd.;
Stepper Custom Homes
Inc.; NuVista Homes
Ltd.)
Builder of Merit
EMPIRE CUSTOM
HOMES LIMITED
(McKinley Masters; Canterra
Custom Homes Ltd.;
Lupi Luxury Homes Inc.;
Prominent Homes Ltd.)
Multi-Family
Builder of the Year
JAYMAN GROUP
OF COMPANIES
(Truman Homes; Homes by Avi
Urban (2006) Inc.; Calbridge
2010 Ltd.; Albi Homes Ltd.)
Renovator of the Year
Albi Renova ltd.
Partner of the Year
PHI SYSTEMS INC.
(The Remodelers Ltd.;
Pinnacle Group Renovations
by Design Ltd.; Kon-Strux
Developments Ltd.; Empire
Custom Homes Ltd.)
(United Drywall Ltd.; Lux
Windows and Glass Ltd.;
Mountain View Building
Materials Ltd.;
Timber Tech Truss Inc.)
Multi-Family Builder of the Year: JAYMAN GROUP OF COMPANIES
What did it take for Jayman Group of Companies to win the coveted Multi-Family Builder
of the Year? “Meeting or exceeding customer expectations,” says its chairman and CEO,
Jay Westman. “It’s a life-long quest.”
Started in 1980 by Westman and his father, Al, the company has grown to the point
where today, it builds homes, condos and hotels all across Alberta. If you counted the number of ‘doors’ the company will build this year, it’s in the range of 1,800, says Westman.
And that diversity has helped the multi-family division of Jayman Modus find the right
product that fits the right market, he says. “We build everything from $170,000 to $1.6
million. We rebranded in 2012 and set ourselves up with a fresh, new approach to design.”
Part of the success is the “secret sauce,” Westman says — “our systems and processes”
that have been fine-tuned to fit with the multi-family product.
But the key is the people who work for Jayman. “We have the youngest and most experienced people led by Norm Mross, an expert in construction, who we hired last September. A lot of credit also goes to Graham Boyce (president and COO) whose engineering
expertise is exemplary.
“We’re known for our design and innovation, but that needs to be coupled with a
quality product and a satisfied customer.
It’s the lifeblood of the company.”
Says Mross, vice-president of Jayman
Modus: “Winning the award keeps us
driven to lead with innovation and creativity. Modus is driven to continually find new
ways of making our product and services
unique.”
Jayman Modus captured the Best New
Design – Villa/Duplex/Townhome up to
1,199 square-feet for The Esprit II in Mahogany. Jayman Group of Companies won
Best Town Home $350,000 and over for
The Westwynd in RiverReach in Cochrane.
“We’re known for our
design and innovation,
but that needs to
be coupled with a
quality product and
a satisfied customer.
It’s the lifeblood of
the company.”
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COVER FEATURE: SAM AWARDS 2013 WINNERS
“Win all the awards
you want, client
satisfaction is our
number one focus.”
Renovator of the Year, Albi Renova Ltd.
renovator of the Year: ALBi renOVA LTD.
In the field of renovations making customers happy is a key as well, says the president and
managing partner of Albi Renova, Renovator of the Year.
“Win all the awards you want, client satisfaction is our number one focus,” says Brian
Maurer.
Still, it was a great way to acknowledge the hard work, creativity, innovation, and quality work that his team does, he says. “They work so hard trying to create great spaces and
create wonderful client experiences, and they rarely get recognized as a group. The SAMS
do that for us.
“Winning Renovator of the Year two years in a row is particularly special as it reminds
us that we are on the right track.”
Started in 1986, the company is under the umbrella of Albi Homes.
Albi Renova won Best Bathroom/Ensuite Renovation and Best Renovator’s Choice
Renovation on its way to the Grand SAM.
Builder of Merit: eMPire
CUSTOM HOMeS LiMiTeD
The Builder of Merit is an award for
a small-volume builder. It’s the fi rst
win for Empire Custom Homes,
which captured many fi nalist
nominations in New Homes and
Renovation categories.
For Empire, the transition to
boutique homes was only a natural
one. President Kevin Mullen
started Empire Kitchen and Bath
in 1990, expanded to renovations
Builder of Merit, John McLellan, Empire Custom Homes,
15 years ago, and started the
John Martin, National Home Warranty Group and Chris Berry
boutique, luxury home division in
from Empire Custom Homes.
2004.
“We are very honoured,” says Mullen. “It is not only an honour for us, but also to
all of the trades and suppliers who work on our sites daily to know that they are being
recognized for the quality work they do every day for our customers. “Our focus of providing a one-stop solution of design, selection and execution and
ensuring our clients’ personal involvement and enjoyment of their project is key to our
success. Th is, combined with our focus to build to the highest quality standard for our
clients allows us to continue to grow in the construction market of this vibrant city.”
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A p r i l 2 0 14
Partner of the Year:
PHi SYSTeMS inC.
Over at PHI Systems, owner Maurice Tran
says a passionate staff are the core of his
company.
“It’s such an amazing feeling to be recognized for the hard work my team has put
in over the past year,” he says of winning
Partner of the Year for the second time.
“Providing a high level of service at
competitive prices to both the builders and
their homeowners is the key. We represent
some of the best home builders in the city
and our quality of work and service has a
direct impact on their reputation.”
The company, in business for a decade
and a half, provides low-voltage structured
wiring — advanced and roughed in for
future electronics needs.
PHI was also recipient of the SAM award
for Supplier and Installer of Products.
Contributed by Kathy McCormick, Director of
Communications, CHBA – Calgary region
Partner of the Year, Maurice Tran, PHI Systems.
CMHC | industry news
By Anand Mishra
Senior Research Advisor, CMHC, Prairies & Territories
The power of integrated design
Creating high performance buildings
There is nothing revolutionary about integrated design.
It is a process to create a high performance building, the
structure, its systems and the site that is treated as one
interdependent system.
This approach is known as the Integrated
Design Process (IDP) and it brings together
key stakeholders and design professionals.
Goal-driven
Initially, a big-picture goal is set and it is
also necessary to set explicit subsidiary
goals, objectives and targets as a means
of breaking the goal into manageable
pieces. These goals are set with the entire
project team involved and must include
the client. The idea is to get commitment,
not compliance, from everyone involved.
People support what they help create.
Assemble the
design team;
identify missing
specialties
Consider site
development
issues
Hold a kick-off
Design
Workshop
Review
Functional
Program,
establish
targets
Facilitated
The primary role of the facilitator is to be
accountable for the process of integrated
design. This is of course the key to good
facilitation of any kind. The facilitator
allows the team participants the mental
space to do what they do best.
Structured
There is a generally recognized order to
dealing with design and sustainability
issues in IDP. The reason that we need
to deal with issues and decisions in the
right order is to avoid locking in bad
performance
by making
non-reversible
Develop
Concept
decisions.
Design
Select
building
structure type
Inclusive
Everyone, from
the owner to
the operator,
has something
critical to
contribute to
the improved
function or
performance of
the design and
everyone must
be heard.
Performance targets for:
Monitor actual
performance
Develop QA
strategies for
construction
and
operation
Integrated
Design Process
Non-renewable resources,
Emissions,
Indoor environmental quality,
Long-term performance,
Functionality
Social & economic issues
Develop
building
envelope
design
Feedback
loops
Develop
preliminary
daylighting,
lighting and
power
design
Complete
design and
contract
documents
Screen
materials for
environmental
performance
Preliminary
ventilation,
heating and
cooling
design
Courtesy: IISBE
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In addition to the design team, the core
team needs to be engaged at all times.
The core team should include the building
owner, the design facilitator, a cost
consultant, an energy simulator and, if the
procurement process allows it, a general
contractor.
Non-traditional expertise
Technical aspects of the design may
require expertise that the core team
does not possess. A day lighting modeller
can quantify daylight contribution that
can lead to changes in switching design.
An appraiser can calculate improved
development residuals resulting from
green design. A site ecologist can be
included for constructed wetland design.
Other non-buildings-related expertise may
be helpful.
Holistic or systemic thinking
The goal is to optimize the building’s
performance by considering all of the
building components and subsystems
together and their interactions, to achieve
synergies. When this is done right, you get
something where the whole is greater than
the sum of the parts and it may even be
cheaper.
Iterative
The traditional phases of the building
design process, pre-design, schematic
design and development, don’t disappear in
IDP. What does change however is how the
work gets done in each phase and how the
team moves from one phase to the next.
PHBI | Industry News
By Stephanie Rösch
Marketing and Communications Specialist
Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta
Building a better tomorrow
Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta, Brookfield
Residential, Professional Home Builders Institute and the
Calgary Board of Education launched the “Youth Building
for a Better Tomorrow” Program.
Local high school students gain
hands-on work experience credits while
participating in a charitable initiative.
About the program:
• Why did Brookfield Residential
get involved?
“At Brookfield Residential, we are
more than a home builder and a
land developer. We see ourselves as
a community builder, which means
being a partner to support Calgarians.
Brookfield has partnered with Habitat
for Humanity on many initiatives over
the years, and we see tremendous value
in these types of programs. We believe
in investing in our future and young
people like these students, as they are
our future city builders.”
• What will the students gain
from this program? “Students will get the opportunity to learn
whether a career in the homebuilding
industry is right for them, while also
gaining transferable skills and experience
that will benefit them no matter what
work they decide to pursue in the future.”
— Trent Edwards, COO, Brookfield
Residential.
• How will this program prepare
students who may want to choose a
career in residential construction?
“This program will ensure that the
students who are ‘Building For
Tomorrow’ are focused on building
a quality product. They will learn
practical skills and have hands-on
experience that will prepare them for
a career in residential construction
as a site manager, estimator, designer,
technician, inspector or tradesperson.”
— Joe Connelly, PHBI executive director.
• What benefits will the
students receive?
“Students will receive an industryrecognized Residential Construction
Site Manager Level 1
Academic Accreditation,
as well as off-campus
credits towards their
high school diploma.” — Ryan Emond, learning
leader, Off-campus
Education, Calgary
Board of Education.
How is Habitat for Humanity Southern
Alberta involved and where is the
construction site located where the
students will be working?
“Students will be working alongside
Habitat staff, volunteers and
homeowners to build affordable
homes in the northeast community of
Redstone. Students will receive training
in a variety of residential construction
skills such as footings and foundations,
framing, windows and doors, and
interior and exterior finishes.”
• How will this program help Habitat
for Humanity Southern Alberta?
“Not only will this program help build
affordable homes for a number of families,
students will also have the opportunity
to gain an appreciation of how their
involvement can help transform
lives. The hope is for students to feel
inspired to continue to give back to their
communities and have compassion for
others throughout their lives.”
— Leslie Tamagi, president & CEO, Habitat
for Humanity Southern Alberta.
Youth Building for a Better Tomorrow Program partners
with students from John G. Diefenbaker High School.
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Cit y of C algary | Industry News
By Vanessa Gash
Safety Codes Officer – Residential Building Regulations Division
Development and Building Approvals, City of Calgary
Residential ePermits
An important part of Cut Red Tape eServices initiative
In 2013 the Residential ePermit began accepting volunteer
home builder permit applications online as a part of The
City’s Cut Red Tape eServices initiative. We are pleased to
announce the last year has seen significant evolution and
development that we are happy to share with you.
Since the first Single Construction
Permit (SCP) application submission
was made in early May, the changes and
advancements have been continuous. It
was very exciting when the first application
took only six minutes to submit. Based
on the traditional paper system, this
represented a significant amount of time
and resources that could be saved for
our customers. Under the new electronic
submission, all stages of the process have
been addressed to provide a completely
paperless system — from application
submission to home occupancy. Even field
inspections are conducted by Safety Codes
Officers using an iPad to view drawings
rather than the traditional onsite pouch of
stamped drawings.
This system is quite different than
the multi-tiered system of the past.
Creating an online process that includes
online payment, drawing review, field
inspection and occupancy approval has
required full time development and
ongoing collaboration between The City
and homebuilders. In November of last
year the third release
added semi-detached
dwellings, garages and
revisions to the list
of online application
types. The ePermit
system now includes
Single Construction
Permits with garages
or semi-detached dwellings with garages
under a single permit number. Under the
paper system these would have required
two or four individual permit numbers
respectively. Ongoing feedback from
builders and staff involved in all stages
of the permit and inspection process has
helped us refine procedure, online tools
and formats used.
The fourth release of the ePermit
project was rolled out at the end of
January 2014. This newest release made
technical improvements, process revisions
and addressed the new home warranty
information. Originally the system was
tested with a small group of builders,
now all builders can submit ePermit
applications with a VISTA account and a
credit card on file.
Feedback from our volunteer
homebuilders has been very valuable
and positive. As one of the Safety Codes
Officers involved in the ePermit plans
review, I am excited by the improvements
created in the new system. I cannot wait
to see how it evolves and makes permit
applications and project tracking easier
for our customers. To learn more about
ePermits and the plans for 2014, visit
calgary.ca/ePermit.
Under the new electronic
submission, all stages of the process
have been addressed to provide a
completely paperless system...
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worKers’ comPensation Board | INDUSTRY NEWS
By Paul Tamagi
Account Manager, Workers’ Compensation Board – AB
Building for the future
The residential construction industry has met its goal in rate reduction
for the first time in five years... this is no “accident”
The residential construction industry rate decreased
by nearly 19 per cent in 2014 ($1.84) compared to
2013 ($2.26). This is expected to save employers in this
industry approximately $2.4 million in premiums in
2014 compared to 2013.
How was this accomplished?
The rate decrease is driven by lower claim
costs from employers in this industry over
the five-year experience period. Lost time
claim costs have decreased by $1.3 million
in 2012 from 2011 and a further $170,000
for 2013 claims. The average lost-time days
per lost-time claim decreased by 33 per cent
in 2012-2013 in comparison to 2011. Fewer
lost time days means lower claim costs that
impact rate setting.
$2,500,000
$2,000,000
$1,500,000
$1,000,000
$500,000
$0
2011
2012
2013
How are premium rates set?
Rates are set by forecasting the total fullfunded costs of claims occurring in a given
rate year. Full-funding means the premiums
collected on an annual basis will cover all
current and future costs of claims occurring
in the year the rates have been set.
The total cost of industry claims over a
five-year period (excluding a lag year) is used
by WCB to establish a base rate for the rate
group. For example, 2014 rates are based on
industry claims costs from 2008 to 2012 but
exclude 2013 (the lag year).
Focusing on the Certificate of Recognition
program and modified work can help build
on this foundation of success.
Certificate of Recognition (COR) program
A COR is issued by Government of Alberta
in conjunction with an accredited certifying
partner such as the AB Construction
Safety Association which helps with advice
and education on workplace health and
safety standards. In 2012, COR holders in
the residential industry enjoyed almost
$810,000 in incentives through Workers’
Compensation Board’s Partnerships in
Injury Reduction program. While only
6.6 per cent of employers in residential
construction held a COR, they cover 49
per cent of the industry’s payroll. The loss
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ratio of claim costs to premiums is 38 per
cent better for COR holders than non-COR
holders across all industries.
CHBA – Alberta has a provincial plan to
increase safety among its members. Part of
that is increasing the number of builders
with CORs. Injury prevention is plan A;
once you have an injury the most effective
way to reduce human and financial costs
is to provide modified work at the earliest
opportunity. For more information, visit:
www.wcb.ab.ca/employers/pir.asp
Modified work
Employers can positively affect premiums
by providing meaningful and safe modified
work for injured employees.
Benefits of modified work:
•Fewercostsandlowerpremiums
•Quickeremployeemedicalrecovery
•Higheremployeeretention
In residential construction, the ratio of
modified work performed to disabling injury
claims reached 83 per cent in 2012 and
dropped to 78 per cent in 2013. This means
that over three-quarters of employees
temporarily disabled at the time of their
injury returned to modified duties. An
effective strategy to stabilize costs is to aim
for an 80 to 85 per cent ratio of modified
work performed to disabling injury claims
in 2014.
Need help with developing a modified
work process?
WCB offers free seminars to account
holders to learn about effective disability
management and more.
visit www.wcb.ab.ca/employers/
seminars.asp
Communit y service award | Industry NEWS
Home builders help out
CHBA – Calgary Region flood response recognized
at national conference
The amazing generosity and hard work of our members
during the flood in June 2013 was recognized at the
CHBA national conference in Whistler in April when
CHBA – Calgary Region was named the recipient of the
Community Service Award.
The Community Service Award
recognizes the outstanding contributions
made by local and provincial HBAs to the
betterment of the way of life of the people
in their community.
“I am so proud of my fellow CHBA –
Calgary Region members for stepping
up to help the many homeowners that
were devastated by the flood in June last
year,” said Doug Whitney, president of
CHBA – Calgary Region. “We all worked
hard to build this city, and it was only
natural to dedicate man power, equipment
and our expertise to help rebuild effected
communities.”
Once homeowners began the difficult
task of returning to their homes to assess
the damage after the flood, our members
were alongside them offering manpower,
expertise, tools, equipment, supplies, food
and money to aid them in their long road
to recovery. In total, over $1.6 million
was donated to various charities’ and
organizations’ flood relief programs.
It was amazing to see everyone from
receptionists, to the president of a
company covered in mud helping wherever
was needed.
And the office at CHBA – Calgary Region
was buzzing with activity. Considered
command central, our staff was in constant
contact with officials at the City of Calgary,
sharing updates and posting remediation
information to the website as it became
available.
Any immediate need for equipment
or for skilled labour by the City was
communicated to our members through
e-mail and the response was phenomenal.
Countless sump pumps, garbage bins,
electrician hours and more were donated.
Additionally, the office was a place for
the general public to
come for information
and assistance. A live
blog was created with
calls for help from
homeowners, and the
Association spread the
word through its various
social media channels.
But it wasn’t just
“I am so proud of my fellow CHBA
– Calgary Region members for
stepping up to help the many
homeowners that were devastated
by the flood in June last year.”
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(L-R) Doug Whitney, president CHBA – Calgary
Region, Deep Shergill, president CHBA and
Donna Moore, CEO CHBA – Calgary Region
homeowners who were in need of
assistance during the aftermath; many of
our members themselves were forced out
of their offices, were without power and in
some cases, had many of their show homes
and current projects flooded. Members
worked together to help those companies
who were struggling and the Association
offered boardrooms for members to
use if they were without office space.
Members’ efforts during the flood were
also celebrated recently at the 2013 SAM
Awards Gala, March 29, 2014.
Contributed by Deanna McArthur,
Communications Assistant,
CHBA – Calgary Region
Business Profile
Advertising Feature
Star Building Materials all geared up to open new selection centre
o matter what project you’re working
on, Star Building Materials can provide
you with assistance to do the job right.
Whether you just need the supplies, or some
friendly expert advice, Star shines from start
to finish on all types of building projects.
“Our understanding of the builder process is
what makes us unique,” says Ken Crockett, Vice
President of Star Building Materials. “In most
cases we are there from the start, because
we do the layouts for permits, for both floors
and trusses. In many cases we work with the
builder’s design team, even before the plan is
completed, and we go through the house right
to the finishing,” he says.
“We have a very good handle on not only
the process of getting a house completed, but
we aren’t stuck at any one point, where we are
out of the loop,” he adds.
Having the ability to tackle a variety of
projects is one of the many services this
company has to offer, “in all of our areas,
because of the diversity in our customer
base, we find that we able to adapt to many
customers needs,” he says. “We have people
that are very good at residential renovation
and commercial markets, and that crossover in between, and that’s whether we are
estimating or we are doing designs, how
we handle managing the project with the
customer through that process, right to the
type of truck that might ship the material to it,”
he adds.
To help maintain their service advantage,
a huge new selection centre is set to open
by the middle of May. At a spacious 4,800
square-feet in size, it will offer a variety of
styles and an immense amount of options to
choose from. “There will be interior finishings,
including over 100 interior doors displays;
we show moldings, baseboards and casings;
we have all of your interior hardware, from
doorknobs to bath hardware, which includes
towel bars,” says Crockett.
As for exterior stylings, there’s also a great
selection of windows, with options for both
a more traditional and a modern designed
home. Buyers can see first-hand a wide variety
of exterior finishes such as sidings, trims, and
roofing options. Even a special display with all
their decking products and railings.
“Within all those selections, we show all the
colour options too,” says Crockett, “and we
show it in an interactive way, so buyers can
touch and feel the variations. We offer a lot of
options.”
“We are committed to every project we
work on, to complete it on time and ensure
the customer is completely satisfied.”
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Ken Crockett
Already with an abundance of experience
and quality products at their fingertips, the
added inventory and display capacity is just an
added bonus for their customers. Now, with
the new selection centre, buyers will really be
able to shop the entire package; from lumber
to hardware, design to delivery, all under one
roof.
“We are committed to every project we
work on,” says Crockett, “to complete it on
time and ensure the customer is completely
satisfied.”
It’s a philosophy that’s served Star Building
Materials and their customers well for the past
50 years, and for the next 50 to come. n
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Industry NEWS | INTERNATIONAL BUILDERS SHOW report
Kitchen trends
Clean and contemporary design is ‘in’
CHBA – Calgary Region delegates recently attended
the annual International Builders Show sponsored by
the National Association of Home Builders. Held in
Las Vegas, it included hundreds of information and
educational seminars, plus a huge trade show with
many innovative and exciting products, designs, ideas,
and services for the residential construction industry.
This is one of a series of articles written from
seminars we attended. The rest can be found at
www.chbacalgary.com under the banner IBS NEWS.
Consumers will be “cleaning up” with
contemporary kitchen facades that are clean
and minimal, the National Kitchen and Bath
Association president told International
Builders Show delegates. “The designs are
also more accessible,” said John A. Petrie.
Contemporary designs showed a 62 per
cent increase in popularity in the findings
of the 2014 NKBA Design Trends report,
added Maria Stapperfenne, president-elect
of NKBA.
“Transitional has a very small
lead and shaker is in solid third
place. Shaker lends itself to either
traditional or contemporary style.”
More than half of those surveyed
for the report said they were including
accessible design and easy maintenance
features — “and that will continue
to grow,” Stapperfenne said.
Stapperfenne noted that 63 per
cent of the 420 kitchen and bathroom
professionals surveyed in the NKBA 2014
Kitchen and Bath Design Trends forecast
saw an increase in interest in energy
savings; another 60 per cent expected
to see more demand for energy efficient
products this year. Water-saving kitchen
faucets were high on consumers’ lists.
Grey is the new colour for kitchens and
baths. “White and off-white were tied for
second place in 2013,” said Stapperfenne.
Two-thirds of NKBA kitchen designers
incorporated docking stations or charging
stations in kitchens; 56 per cent included a
flat-screen TV. Outdoor kitchens continue
to be popular.
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For cabinetry choices: cherry is number
one, maple second and alder third. “Watch
for walnut to grow in 2014,” said Petrie.
Eight out of 10 respondents said they
incorporated ‘furniture-like’ pieces in
kitchens — and that’s expected to grow.
Glass, now number three for
backsplashes, is expected to increase in
popularity, as will glass doors on cabinets.
Quartz countertops were the top choice
by far — 70 per cent of respondents – but
one-quarter specified countertops with
recycled materials and a further 40 per
cent expect that to increase in 2014.
Wood continues to be the flooring of
choice with 84 per cent of the respondents
— and that will grow even more this year.
Satin nickel is the most popular faucet
finish, followed by polished chrome; and
stainless steel continues as the favourite
sink material. Granite composite, now
number three, will gain momentum in 2014.
Kitchen features in demand:
• Induction cook tops
• Steam ovens
• French-door refrigerators
• Bottom freezer refrigerators
• Touch-activated or electronic, notouch faucets
• LED lighting
“LED lighting is far-and-away the leading
choice,” said Petrie.
Contributed by Kathy McCormick, Director of
Communications, CHBA – Calgary Region
The 2013 BALA Award winner for Room of the Year,
an annual competition of the National Association of
Home Builders in the U.S., shows the white-on-white
kitchen design that is one of the newest trends. Photo
by Michael Lowry Photography.
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