Spring 2016 - Pioneer Craftsmen

SPRING NEWSLETTER
2016
Inspired
by Pioneer Craftsmen
Inside you’ll find:
Retiring In Grand Style
A change in lifestyle prompts major
renovations—with dramatic results.
Mandatory Energy Labelling
How a provincial plan could affect you
and your next home renovation.
National Finalist
Our Waterloo kitchen remodel is
named one of the best in Canada!
Creating Inspired Renovations in Kitchener, Waterloo,
Cambridge, Guelph & Area for over 60 Years.
View our complete online portfolio
at: www.pioneercraftsmen.com
From the Corner Office
W
hat happened to Old Man Winter this year? If you’re a winter
sports enthusiast like I am, you were disappointed with
our above seasonal temperatures and lack of snow. It made it
challenging to enjoy snowmobiling and skiing, not to mention
the almost non-existence of outdoor neighbourhood hockey rinks!
On the other side of the coin however, the conditions were ideal
for our carpenters and crews who were able to work on renovation
projects in bearable conditions for a change. What a difference a
year makes, and what a great team we have! Thanks to all of them
for a tremendous winter season.
Our milder than usual weather prompted many of you to contact
us early this spring to plan your next project. You have also referred
your family and friends, and we thank you for entrusting us with
their Inspired Renovations. We are thrilled to be working with all
of you!
This Newsletter is packed with information. You’ll learn about proposed legislation that could affect you and
your home. We profile two community fundraising
projects, and a kitchen remodel that was recently
named one of the best in the country. Our Client’s
Corner comes from two “seasoned veterans”, and
our feature home is another stunner — remodelled
in time for retirement.
I hope you enjoy it. Welcome to Spring!
Jamie
Sincerely,
2
Jamie Adam, President
Feature Renovation
O
ur Kitchener homeowners recently retired from
busy careers, and they wanted their home to
reflect their new lifestyle. They embarked on an
Inspired Renovation, with a redesign of their main
floor and upper level to provide better function and
flow. The result is stunning — a warm, welcoming
place to enjoy retirement together and to entertain
family and friends!
The staircase was moved and is now the focal
point when you enter the home, a work of art unto
itself. The Ledgestone wall runs from the basement
through the top floor. The wrought iron railing
emphasizes the beautiful open space.
The stone work is carried into the family room,
where it frames the fireplace and custom built-ins.
A coffered ceiling gives the room an elegant look.
in
Grand
style
Engineered hickory hardwood flooring throughout
is practical and durable for the family’s dog, Nicole.
The hickory is also used on the underside of the
stairs, providing a dramatic effect.
A small kitchen island houses a dog feeding station
with sensor lights, and storage for Nicole’s food
and treats.
w w w. p i o n e e r c r a f t s m e n . c o m
3
With walls removed, the kitchen has become an open inviting
place. The massive island with its leather textured granite counter
top provides plenty of seating and storage, with prep space for
any number of cooks.
White maple kitchen cabinets complement the dark tone of the
islands, and the glass and slate mosaic backsplash provides a pop
of colour.
A much-desired pantry was built just off the kitchen, where a powder
room used to be. Its glass pocket door conceals shelving and counter
space to house food staples and small appliances.
The dramatic changes continue on the upper level. At the top of
the stairs you are greeted by stunning glass pocket doors with a
whimsical pattern, designed and created by a local artisan. Inside
is an office with custom cabinets to showcase the homeowner’s
farm collectibles which had been hidden away for years.
The once overly large master bedroom was downsized to create
a larger luxurious master ensuite. A corner tub was removed and
replaced with an under mount jetted soaker tub. Tumbled travertine
tile was used on the floor and the walls, with river rock on the base
of the massive walk-in shower. It’s a true spa-like oasis for those
retirement years ahead!
The laundry room was moved upstairs from the main floor and
is now within easy access of all three bedrooms. It features quartz
counter tops and custom cabinetry. Our homeowners are thrilled
with the changes, and when asked, have a hard time pinpointing
any one favourite space. We certainly understand why.
4
Designer
notes
River rock for shower
floors not only looks
great, but feels great
on your feet!
PC News
IT
CH E N
R
O
N
K
L
IONAT!
NATA
IS
FIN L
T
EN
O VA
I
We are thrilled to announce that our Waterloo renovation project – “Comfort Kitchen” –
has been named a finalist in the Canadian Home Builder’s Association’s 2016 National
Housing Awards for Excellence in the category “Kitchen Renovation $65,000 and Over”.
The winner will be announced May 6 at the CHBA’s Annual Conference in Kelowna, B.C.
Congratulations to our designers, project managers, carpenters and crews who worked
on this stunning remodel!
In Support of the Symphony Mark your calendars!
The 18th annual House & Garden Tour of Note in support of the Kitchener-Waterloo
Symphony is being held on June 11, and we are a proud sponsor. The tour features
six exceptional properties in Kitchener and Waterloo, showcasing a variety of architectural
styles and décor – one of which was renovated by our team of craftsmen! Tickets are $30
each, with proceeds going to help the Symphony’s various community projects.
For more information visit: www.kwsymphony.ca/housetour.
6
CAN Do!
Our design-build team put their skills to the test at
CANstruction in March. The annual fundraiser pits companies
against each other in a build competition using boxes, cans,
bags, cases and packets of food, with proceeds going to
the Food Bank of Waterloo Region. All entries were on
display at Waterloo’s Conestoga Mall and judged in various
categories including a People’s Choice award. “The Hearth
of the Matter”, our masterpiece, was comprised of more
than 2,800 food items that are now being distributed
to needy families. We are proud to have helped alleviate
the hunger that affects 1 in 20 households in the region,
and we thank all of you who visited and voted for us!
Visit www.thefoodbank.ca and click on the
link to view the completed entries.
CLIENTS’ CORNER
Our
Renovatione Story
by: Janis & Bruc
A wall mounted
sink provides
more accessibility.
Janis and Bruce have worked with the Pioneer Craftsmen team for more than a decade. As their
lifestyle has changed over the years, so have the projects they’ve undertaken in their Waterloo
home. In this edition of Clients’ Corner, we get a peek at their perspective!
We have had three major renovations done by Pioneer. The first was the kitchen in 2003; then in 2010
we remodeled two upstairs bathrooms and our family room. The biggest job however, was in 2015
when we embarked on a main floor addition that will ultimately serve as a bedroom with an accessible
bathroom. This latest project will enable us to “age in place”.
The kitchen renovation was the most stressful because it caused a major disruption to our daily lives.
Thankfully, Pioneer set up a temporary kitchen in our laundry room to help us through.
The most challenging part for us was making decisions about design and materials, particularly for the
addition. We spent a lot of time looking through magazines, websites, show rooms, etc., and that did
help in the long run. One memorable moment was when a supplier asked me if I would like him to help
me choose cabinet hardware. When I said that I needed to make the decision myself, he replied: “I wish
everyone knew that!”
All of the renovations have exceeded our expectations. In particular, the main floor addition last year
integrates beautifully with both the interior and the exterior of our home.
“We look forward to enjoying every area of our home in the years
ahead, but especially the sunny and bright addition! ” - Janis
Not surprisingly, each project also exceeded our original budgets; however, this was due to changes we
made to the design and/or upgrades of materials.
A walk-in shower
with grab bars and
a removable bench
ensures safety and
maneuverability.
We have been delighted with the responsiveness and attention to detail of the Pioneer team. For example,
when we noticed a minor design issue with the addition, Jamie was on-site within 12 hours of receiving
my e-mail message! Further, we have been extremely pleased with the Pioneer warranty service.
If you’d like to share your renovation story in our Fall Newsletter, please email us at:
[email protected]. We would love to hear from you!
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News & Ideas
Home Energy Audits
What you need to know!
The EnerGuide Rating System (ERS) is a program managed by Natural Resources Canada, where new home
builders team up with energy advisors to choose energy efficient upgrades to a house before it is constructed.
It takes into account things like insulation, heating and cooling systems, windows, doors, hot tubs, even
driveway ice melting systems. With rising energy costs and environmental concerns over greenhouse gas
emissions, ERS has become an important aspect of the new home construction industry. A good rating is
good for the environment and in the long run, it’s good for a new homeowner’s pocket book.
Here’s how it will work:
Your home will be evaluated by a trained,
third-party inspector and a detailed
report / audit will be issued.
The report will show the estimated annual
energy use, and give your home a rating.
It will provide statistics per square metre, so
a larger home will not be negatively affected.
It will compare your home with those
in your neighbourhood.
Copyright © Pioneer Craftsmen Ltd. 2016
ERS may soon affect your home if you decide to sell.
The Ontario government has plans to implement mandatory ERS audits on every resale home. The start date
is still unclear, but the goal is to make testing and “labelling” required before your home can be listed on MLS.
What does this mean for you and for us at Pioneer Craftsmen?
Every home renovation project needs to include energy conservation measures wherever possible. If the
legislation is passed, the bottom line is that it will affect your resale value if, and when, you decide to move.
The Ontario Home Builder’s Association supports the new ERS audit program and according to “Green
Communities Canada”, so do the majority of Ontarians. It is a system that will have a positive impact on the
environment and it will allow buyers to know what their energy costs (or savings!) will be prior to purchasing
a home.
If you’ve enjoyed reading this Newsletter, please pass it on to family or friends who may enjoy it as well, or give us a call
and we’ll be happy to send you additional copies. The Newsletter can also be viewed on our website.
There’s more to see!
Get inspired by our award winning projects at: www.pioneercraftsmen.com
1510 Victoria Street N., Kitchener • (K-W): 519-743-4461 • (Guelph): 519-822-2709
Stay connected with us:
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[email protected]