CELEBRATING HAVAN: A LEGACY OF BUILDING AND COMMUNITY
From its humble beginnings as a small gathering of builders and suppliers in the New Westminster Legion Hall basement 50 years ago, to becoming the largest homebuilders association in BC…
DetailsHUBBA HUBBA …
The province launched a new digital Building Permit Hub on May 27 in its next step to help build homes faster and address challenges in B.C.’s housing market. Still in…
DetailsJUST BORROW AND BUILD …
As we count down—just two weeks and three days left—until HAVAN’s 50th anniversary celebration, we’ve been digging in our archives and discovered an advertisement from 1974 promoting a government program…
DetailsTWO-FERS AND TRIFECTAS …
Last week May 23 – May 25 saw the CHBA-BC Provincial Meetings and Georgie Awards taking place at the Hyatt Regency in Vancouver. These meetings include networking, education, special guests,…
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Episode 64: Kitchen Appliance Design Trends
Renovating 20+ kitchens every year, Julie Hale from Trail Appliances knows a thing or two about how to determine which appliances will work for you and how to design the ultimate kitchen that works for you. Tune in the hear the latest kitchen design and appliance trends, and optimize your next renovation!
DetailsTransform Your Bathroom: Top Renovation Strategies for Increased Resale Value
– Jamie Banfield, Principal Designer Jamie Banfield Design Inc. A well-designed bathroom can significantly boost a home’s value, making it more appealing to potential buyers. At Jamie Banfield Design Inc., we’ve…
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Episode 63: Unlocking Home Equity
According to Bobby Purba of BDC Homes, who has built many multi-plex and multi-generational homes, talking about generational wealth and real estate can be tough, but says these conversations need to S.U.C.K. Sharing insight on the new multiplex legislation, listen in as Bobby offers tips and recommends the professionals to consult before you start unlockinh your home equity.
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Episode 62: Suite Solutions
Looking at housing through a holistic lens, Sara Goldvine from BC Housing dives into the concept of housing as a system. Providing an overview of BC Housing and solutions to address our housing crisis such as the BC Builds Program and the new Secondary Suite Incentive Program, benefits of builder licensing, and the 2-5-10 Home Warranty Program are also reviewed.
DetailsWEST MEETS EAST …
Last week In Saint John, New Brunswick the CHBA National Housing Week took place bringing members, HBA staff, EOs, and sponsors together for a week of committee meetings, AMM Meeting,…
DetailsMAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU …
The grand halls of the JW Marriott Parq Hotel in Vancouver set the stage for an unforgettable evening of galactic celebration as esteemed members gathered for the unveiling of the…
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Episode 61: Multi-Family Homes
Meet Laurel James, the design-half of the award-winning Novell Design Build team. Passionate about building homes for families of all configurations, Laurel approaches design with a curious and thoughtful eye to ensure the dwelling spaces nurture our creature comforts. Listen in as Laurel shares her thoughts on multi-family dwellings and the latest provincial regulations.
DetailsMAKING HIS LIST, AND CHECKING IT TWICE …
Sorry, it’s not Santa Claus – it’s Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon. Last week the Ministry of Housing announced the next 20 communities to be issued prescribed housing targets – also…
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Episode 60: Energy Advisors
Mike and Jennifer-Lee explore the benefits of working with an Energy Advisor to calculate the building envelope, mechanical systems, and the air-tightness of your home to help provide choice, manage budgets, and above all, increase the comfort of your home when building new or renovating. A performance-based process, tune in for tips from Barb Silverthorn of Capture Energy.
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Episode 59: Windows
Looking into windows, one quickly realizes there are many considerations and potential unintended consequences that can impact the heating and cooling, plus the affordability, and comfort of your home. Speaking with Anton Van Dyk of Layton Consulting, Mike and Jennifer-Lee look into the importance of proper window selection.
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Passive Home Design
Imagine a home that’s not just a shelter, but a cozy haven that’s kind to both your living environment and the planet. That’s the essence of Passive House Design, a…
DetailsPERSISTANCE PAYS OFF …
On Friday, April 12, 2024, the Federal government announced and released details for Canada’s Housing Plan. Per the backgrounder provided by the federal government “Through Canada’s Housing Plan, the government…
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Episode 58: Zero Carbon Phoenix House
Discover the remarkable journey of resurrecting Phoenix House, a home devastated by fire, as the homeowners look to rebuild to the prestigious Zero Carbon certification standard. Join Mike and Jennifer-Lee as they delve into the extraordinary efforts of the homeowner and team of industry experts including Best Builders.
Details$HOW ME THE MONEY …
This past week there were no less than 3 major housing announcements from the Federal government totaling $21.6 billion. MAJOR FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENTS Infrastructure Fund Allocation The week kicked off with…
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Episode 56: HP Reno Review
Discover the challenges and triumphs of renovating a 112-year-old home as we bring back the builder – TQ Construction, and the homeowner, Dr Janet Simons, to review the high-performance whole home renovation project. Including lessons learned, scope creep, and pesky woodpeckers, this episode is packed with information to help you on your next home renovation.
DetailsUNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES …
As an industry, we have been busy trying to assess the impact of the many pieces of housing legislation introduced by the province over the course of the last eighteen…
DetailsIT’S AWARDS SEASON …
SAG, Golden Globes, Emmy’s, Tony’s, the Oscars, and a bunch of other awards have all been handed out over the last few weeks, but all are overshadowed by the highly…
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Elevate Your Home: Embrace 5 Home Design Trends of 2024
Are you eager to transform your living space into a haven of style and comfort? The exciting world of interior design in 2024 has plenty of trends to inspire and…
DetailsA BILLION HERE, BILLION THERE … AND SUDDENLY, IT’S GONE.
Last week the federal government announced the $4 billion Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) was exhausted, and all funds had been earmarked for about 150 communities across Canada. These monies, specifically…
DetailsIN STREAM, OR UP THE CREEK? …
“In Stream” applications are applications that have been duly submitted into the approval process with the goal of satisfying stipulated requirements of the municipality to secure a development permit or…
DetailsA LASER FOCUSED VIEW ….
Do we have a housing crisis or don’t we? Has this crisis grown to a critical point where the ability to afford a home either purchased or rental is exceeding…
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Kitchen Design Trends with Sarah Gallop Design Inc
The kitchen is the heart of the home, a space where families gather, meals are prepared, and memories are created. Whether you’re renovating your existing kitchen or building a new…
DetailsTELL US WHAT YOU THINK, REALLY …
As noted in previous Monday Morning Briefings (MMB) and Government Relations Updates (GRU), there has been no end to government consultations on competing fronts of crisis and we encourage all…
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A LEGENDARY EVENING …
It was a full house last week as we celebrated our 2024 Legends of Housing (50-Year Retrospective and Future Outlook), as an inaugural kick-off to HAVANs 50th anniversary which will roll…
DetailsTHE COSTS OF BUILDING, AND THE COSTS OF NOT BUILDING…
2023 had been a tough year for the construction industry and between rising construction costs, development cost charges, community amenity charges, interest rates, inflation, etc., the private sector continued to…
DetailsHEADWINDS PREVAILING …
HEADWINDS PREVAILING … The prevailing interest rate environment, a key factor shaping the 2024 housing landscape, is poised for the first Bank of Canada Rate announcement scheduled this Thursday, January…
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Preserving Charm: A Guide to Renovating Your Character Home
Renovating a character home in Vancouver can be both exhilarating and challenging. These homes, with their unique features and historical significance, demand meticulous planning and execution to retain their charm…
DetailsBRANCHING OUT …
Looking towards a more sustainable future. As we embark on a new year, a holistic approach to the homes we are building is predicted for 2024 and beyond. Recognizing the…
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HAVAN END OF YEAR RAPP-UP …
As we begin our new fiscal year and look forward to 2024, I wish to extend a warm welcome to our new Board Chair, Henri Belisle of TQ Construction, who,…
DetailsUNPRECEDENTED … YET AGAIN …
The fall of 2023 has witnessed an unprecedented surge in announcements and housing-related legislation, surpassing the cumulative measures introduced over the past decade. The sheer scope, scale, and volume of…
DetailsDays at the Legislature …
Submitted by Diana Dilworth, Director of Government Relations December 4, 2023 It was a few long days spent in Victoria last week as HAVAN participated in CHBA-BC’s Day at the…
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EP55 ZED Studio – Designing Dreams, Building Reality
Zane Erickson from ZED Studio believes every home has a soul, and dreaming of homes on a large luxury scale, Zane’s passion for design helps to navigate building realities. Tune in and learns how Zane navigates dreams and reality.
DetailsIT IS BROKEN…AND IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED.
The recent string of housing announcements by the Province since the beginning of November represents the most significant changes in how we approach zoning, approvals, as-of-right zoning, infrastructure financing, short-term…
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EP54 HAVAN Awards Renovator of the Year
Graeme Huguet, Renovator of the Year from My House Design Build Team, is joined by the Chu family and together they recount their renovation journey through the pandemic. Recognized as the first certified Platinum Built Green Plus Net Zero renovated home in British Columbia, it’s a winner!
DetailsANNOUNCEMENTS FOR YOU, … AND YOU, … AND YOU …
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR YOU, … AND YOU, … AND YOU … Over the past few weeks, the Province of BC, with Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, has made four noteworthy announcements addressing…
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EP53 HAVAN Awards Interior Designer of the Year
How do two siblings take their grandma’s home gifted to them and transform it into a duplex for two growing families? They connect with Interior Designer of the Year Katerina Vastardis of Designs by KS and Paul Shepski of Geography Contracting for award-winning design building solutions.
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EP52 HAVAN Awards Best Reno $1.5 Million and Over
Award-winning duo Madeleine Design Group and Quinton Construction share the secret of their success as they transform a heritage-style home to bring it back to ‘what it wants to be when it grows up.’ A great renovation story, tune in and learn about this amazing transformation.
DetailsVAGUELY ENTERTAINING …
This past Wednesday, HAVAN hosted its annual Connect: Municipal Dinner, presented by BC Housing and Patron Sponsor FortisBC at the Paradox Hotel Vancouver with 190 registered members including 24 elected…
DetailsTHEY CARE … JUST NOT THAT MUCH.
Following on last week’s MMB concerning the pending increase in DCCs being considered, a letter sent by Federal Housing Minister Sean Fraser to the Metro Vancouver Regional District Board was…
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EP51 HAVAN Awards Best Kitchen Renovation
What’s the recipe for an award-winning kitchen renovation? For best results, according to Dan Klassen of Jedan Brothers Contracting and Laura Grist Interior Design, it starts with an experienced team, a detailed plan, and an accurate budget, and always a splash of humour.
DetailsDCCs and Cs, and Cs, and Cs …
The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs, one of Aesop’s Fables, is a story of an impoverished farmer and wife who have the good fortune of coming into possession of…
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EP50 HAVAN Awards Best Energy Labelled Home
Architrix Studio and Kingdom Builders take a collaborative approach when helping homeowners design and build their passive home. With lofty goals including in-floor radiant heat and a floating stairway, this is not your average passive house design.
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Episode 49: HAVAN Award Winner Best Interior Design Custom Home
Listen in as Karly Kristina Design and Marcraft Homes share the design and cliff-dropping geo-technical building challenges as their clients with waterfront property including ultra-modern home plans look to build their classic Hamptons dream home, without going back to the architect!
DetailsASSOCIATION ELECTS 2023/2024 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Members of the Homebuilders Association Vancouver (HAVAN) elected Henri Belisle, President and Co-owner, TQ Construction as their 2023/2024 Chair at HAVAN’s Annual Election Meeting online, on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. A HAVAN…
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Episode 48: HAVAN Awards Best Environmental Home
Todd Best of Best Builders teams up with Ian McLean Architecture sharing the story of Triadic, an award-winning home recognized for its environmental initiatives, housing solutions, and excellence in energy efficiencies, with two mortgage helper suites, including one stratified suite. It’s a winner!
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Episode 47: Custom Homebuilder of the Year
Jim Smith of Smithwood Builders talks about his journey of becoming Custom Homebuilder of the Year while sharing his experiences including two award-winning projects, highlighting the value of bringing the builder on early in the process making ‘the Magic of Three.’
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Episode 46: Housing Minister Kahlon Discusses the Housing Supply Act
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon kicks off Season 6 sharing his outlook on the impact of the Housing Supply Act, with Jake Fry of Smallworks and HAVAN CEO Ron Rapp chiming in with a few thoughts from the builder’s and industry perspective.
DetailsUBCM 2023 HIGHLIGHTS
With the attendance of the Province’s Premier, Ministers and MLAs, and over 2,000 local government officials debating over 200 resolutions, it was a record Union of BC Municipalities Convention (UBCM)…
DetailsA SWEEPING FIRST STEP FOR CoV …
Last Thursday, after a lengthy eight-hour public hearing, the Vancouver Council unanimously passed a motion for lower-density neighbourhoods to allow up to eight homes on a single lot. The new…
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Splash Out with a Bathroom Renovation!
Embarking on a bathroom renovation is an exciting endeavor for homeowners seeking to infuse new life into their living spaces. From luxurious spa-like retreats to modern functional designs, three latest…
DetailsWILL RATES RALLY? …
This past week the Bank of Canada held its rate at 5% after raising its benchmark rate 10 times since 2022. Creating a sense of relief across the housing industry,…
DetailsRon’s Rant
As summer closes in, Ron has taken a few days to catch up with family in cottage country and scour the streets of Toronto, as seen in this shot below…
DetailsPeter’s Post
When Ron Rapp asked me if I would provide a guest Monday Morning Briefing (MMB) column while he is visiting family in Ontario, I jumped at the chance. MMB is…
DetailsDON’T PUT THE LOAD ALL ON ME…
We are once again in the grips of a heat wave in Metro Vancouver and while a lower order of magnitude than the “Heat Dome” of 2021, it is still…
DetailsUP, UP AND AWAY …
On July 10 of this year, the Township of Langley (TOL) staff presented to council a proposal for increases in DCCs that amount to significant increases in the charges levied…
DetailsSEARCHING FOR THE MISSING MIDDLE …
This week, the City of Vancouver will consider staff reports in regard to the program of “gentle densification” and the creation of the opportunity to apply four to six units…
DetailsNEW HEIGHTS …
The Bank of Canada (BoC) has raised its benchmark overnight lending rates by another 0.25% to 5%, the highest level since 2001, in a continued battle to bring down inflation…
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Eight top tips to consider before renovating a child’s room!
Renovating a child’s room can be both exciting and challenging. You want to create a space that is functional, fun, and reflects their personality. To help you get started, here…
DetailsCH-CH-CHA-CHANGES …
The City of Vancouver on May 30 approved a motion to expedite approvals and permits through a triage and prioritization process that will provide the most units in the fastest…
DetailsBENEFITS FOR EVERYONE …
Ron is taking a well-deserved few days to get some R&R, and in his absence, I bring you this week’s MMB. ICYMI Last week, HAVAN presented ‘Let’s Talk Mental Health…
DetailsMISSING MIDDLE, MISSING THE TARGET …
With the recent announcements from the province identifying ten municipalities to be focused on in terms of increasing housing supply under the umbrella of the Housing Supply Act (HSA), Vancouver…
DetailsTHE NAUGHTY LIST …
Last Wednesday Housing Minister the Honourable Ravi Kahlon announced the first group of ten municipalities that will be dealt with under the terms of the Housing Supply Act previously enacted…
DetailsCONVERSATIONS WITH THE MINISTER …
Falling on the Victoria Day long weekend there was no MMB last week, but I would like to take a moment to recap the meetings and events that took place…
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Episode 45: Passive House Passion
Passionate about building to Passive House standards, Shaun St-Amour from Clay Construction talks about associated costs, energy savings, consumer choice, and the importance of challenging the status quo as the industry looks to build resilient, healthy homes with a lighter footprint on the environment.
DetailsHAVAN GOES TO OTTAWA …
As I was away last week, I wanted to thank Dawn Sondergaard for stepping in to post last week’s MMB and providing an insightful article focusing on mental health issues…
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Episode 44: Net Zero Solar Home
Recognizing net zero was within reach of being a reality, Perspective Homes by Pacific adapted the project to help the homeowner realize their goal to build a design-forward, future-proof home with sustainable features using renewable energy.
DetailsMENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
May is Mental Health Awareness Month across North America and an issue that impacts our industry sector particularly hard. Of the many issues faced throughout the past few years with…
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Outdoor Living Ideas
Designing your dream outdoor living space can be a great way to extend your home and create an inviting space to entertain and relax. Whether you’re looking to add an…
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Episode 43: Build Smartr
Harv Sidhu of Build Smartr shares his insights on the benefits of building steel-framed homes, and Build a Box, a plug ‘n play one-room solution for added space.
DetailsGENTLE DENSITY …
We need to find ways to enhance flexibility and choices, to encourage innovative and creative solutions, and not to reach into the “old bag” of compounding and conflicting regulations as…
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Episode 42: Bryan Baeumler – Value Working With the Pros
Special Guest Bryan Baeumler of Baeumler Approved and HGTV fame, along with Graeme Huguet of My House Design Build Team join Mike and Jennifer-Lee in the studio to talk about the value of working with the professionals.
DetailsNIGHT OF NIGHTS …
The 14th annual HAVAN Awards for Housing Excellence gala took place on Saturday night, April 22 at the JW Marriot Parq Hotel in Vancouver, with 550 guests in attendance to…
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Episode 41: Net Zero Ready Townhomes
Exploring the future of townhomes and the challenges faced by industry building with a smaller footprint, for the benefit of the homeowner and future generations, Jonathan Meads of Streetside Developments shares lessons learned.
DetailsREALIZING RESULTS …
The Province, on Monday, April 3, announced the Homes for People initiative that is focused directly on producing housing for the “missing middle” and includes the concept of extending province-wide…
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Episode 40: Infill Homes
Naikoon Contracting and One Seed Architecture + Interiors tackle Vancouver’s missing middle housing with a stratified Passivhaus+ duplex project including two lock-off suites, as a smart in-fill solution.
DetailsFEDERAL BUDGET GIVETH … TAKES … OR DOES NOTHING
The federal government tabled its 2023 budget last week and in many ways, it was characterized as a relatively light budget seeking to provide some relief for Canadians challenged by…
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Episode 39: Small Houses
Jake Fry of Smallworks talks with Jennifer-Lee and Mike about the concept of attainable housing for the missing middle and building thriving modern-day communities, suggesting we keep an open mind to solutions and focus on sophisticated conversations, versus complicated ones.
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Episode 38: BOSS Building Solutions
Faced with a housing crisis, rising building costs, labour shortages, and the need to reduce the footprint of how we build our homes, Chris Hill of BCollective talks us through the BOSS system.
DetailsHURRY UP AND WAIT …
It was widely reported last week that for the first time in this country’s history, our population grew by over 1 million people, year over year in 2022. International migration…
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Episode 37: Iceberg Homes
Faced with limited land and soaring real estate prices, homeowners are digging deeper for solutions. Father and son duo, John and Jeff Gunson, of Euro Canadian Construction, share the process of building iceberg homes in Vancouver.
DetailsMORE BILLIONS HERE, AND BILLIONS THERE …
Following up on the last Federal budget on Friday, March 17, Prime Minister Trudeau announced the launch of the $4 billion Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) directed toward funding local governments…
DetailsThey Will Come – Now We Have to Build It …
It has been extensively reported that the immigration targets set by the federal government will require effectively doubling housing starts, and it has to start now. The number of newcomers…
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Episode 36: High Performance Trends
Shedding light on high-performance building trends, Eric Lee of VictorEric Design+Build shares insight on the latest in AI technology including electrochromic windows, and the importance of a design-solving client-goal approach when building a high-performance home.
DetailsA Billion Here, a Billion There …
… pretty soon it starts to add up to real money! On Tuesday last week, Finance Minister Katrine Conroy presented the 2023 BC budget, the first budget under new Premier David…
DetailsWINNERS WINNERS …
Last week was Family Day with no MMB, and the week prior I was away in Banff, Alberta, attending CHBA National Home Building Week 2023, from Sunday, February 12, to…
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Top Ten Small Kitchen Ideas and Design Tips
Designing a dream kitchen in a small space can be a challenge, but with the right inspiration and design tips, you can create a functional and stylish kitchen that works…
DetailsLEVERAGING YOUR MEMBERSHIP
Byline: Dawn Sondergaard, Senior Director, Marketing Communications, first published in the HAVAN Monday Morning Briefing Members-only email, February 13, 2023 Ron is in Banff AB this week at CHBA National…
DetailsFINDING ROOM FOR THE MISSING MIDDLE
Byline: Ron Rapp, HAVAN CEO, first published in the HAVAN Monday Morning Briefing Members-only email, February 6, 2023 Connect with Ron on Twitter @havan_ceo Last week, City of Vancouver staff…
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Award-winning Basement Renovations and Ideas
Basements are often overlooked when it comes to home renovations, but they have the potential to be some of the most versatile and functional spaces in a house. With a…
DetailsRECKLESS OPTIMISM OR REALISTIC?
Guest Byline: Diana Dilworth, HAVAN Director, Government Relations, first published in the HAVAN Monday Morning Briefing Members-only email, January 23, 2023 Connect with Diana on Twitter @DianaDilworth This past week…
DetailsSTEPPING UP …
Updated January 23, 2023 MMB CORRECTION In last week’s MMB we highlighted changes coming forward with the adoption of Step Code into the BCBC and spoke of mandating Step 3…
DetailsA NEW YEAR …
Byline: Ron Rapp, HAVAN CEO, first published in the HAVAN Monday Morning Briefing Members-only email, January 9, 2023 Connect with Ron on Twitter @havan_ceo Happy New Year to all and…
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