ADAPTABLE HOMES – 12 Tips to Help You Design Your Forever Home and Age-in-Place
As the saying goes – “your home is your castle”, it’s your safe place, a place you make memories, grow your family, enjoy friends old and new, meet new neighbours,…
Provincial and Local Government Elected Officials Meet Next Week….
Next week in Vancouver the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) will be hosting its annual convention, a gathering of over 2,000 local government elected officials, influencers and provincial government representatives. For over…
IN RETROSPECT, SOME THINGS CHANGE, AND SOME THINGS REMAIN THE SAME …
It is with a heavy heart that I write this guest edition of MMB. Ron Rapp and I knew each other in Toronto, where he held a senior position with…
UNITING A COLLECTIVE VOICE TO ADDRESS THE HOUSING CRISIS …
As we look forward to the fall, the pending provincial election is top of mind. HAVAN, with our 1,100 members across the Lower Mainland’s 21 municipalities, collectively represent a powerful…
THE ONGOING QUEST TO BUILD HOMES, AFFORDABLY …
The need for affordable housing solutions has never been more urgent. While advancements in building science have paved the way for more energy-efficient and sustainable homes, they are not a…
COMMON SENSE IN CITY HALLS? …
As we head into a summer lull, we look to local governments that recently are realizing that some of their well-intentioned decisions have consequences that might have been previously considered.…
A FAREWELL TO RON RAPP
HAVAN Members, By now, many of you have heard former HAVAN CEO Ron Rapp passed peacefully last Thursday, July 18 surrounded by family and friends. We are re-posting the following…
Some Did, Some Will, and Some Won’t…
Well, the June 30th deadline for local governments to enact legislation to align with the Provincial Government Bills 44 and 47, has come and gone. And across the region, there has been…
RON RAPP STEPS DOWN AS HAVAN CEO: ANNOUNCED JUNE 19
In case you missed the original announcement last week, we announced that Ron Rapp, HAVAN CEO, stepped down to focus on his health and family. As many of you…
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…
HUBBA 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…
JUST 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…
$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…
UNINTENDED 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…
IT’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…
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…
VAGUELY 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…
ASSOCIATION 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…
WILL 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,…
Ron’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…
BENEFITS 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…
HAVAN 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…
MENTAL 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…
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…
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…
LEVERAGING 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…
BRANDING YOUR CONSTRUCTION SITE
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT, AND HOW TO DO IT Guest Blogger: Joanna Bieda, Director of Marketing and Communications, Modu-Loc Fence Rentals October 19, 2022 Editor’s note: this blog post was originally…
Homeowners embrace smart home technology to fight against climate change
79 per cent of Canadian homeowners say they are familiar with smart home technology and 4 in 5 (78 per cent) believe smart home technology can reduce their bills by…
BLANCO’s VINTERA Collection in Coal Black
A Contemporary Upgrade to the Farmhouse Sink Looking for a modern solution to the classic farmhouse sink? BLANCO, a leading granite-composite sink manufacturer, is now offering the VINTERA farmhouse sink collection – a clean,…
Anti-Theft Work Site Solutions
The skyrocketing cost of lumber is wreaking havoc on construction. Not only is it adding a significant cost increase to the builder and or end-user, it is also creating a…
Predict the Winners for a Chance to Win!
Do you like viewing new homes, renovations, and design? You’re going to love playing this game! The doors are swinging wide open once again to showcase HAVAN’s Awards for Housing…
Rebates up to $15,000 available through CleanBC Better Homes New Construction Program
The CleanBC Better Homes New Construction Program provides rebates of up to $15,000 for the construction of new, high-performance electric homes. It is open to builders constructing new Part 9…
Breathe the best air with Air Excellent, Fantech and Barclay Sales
You see health, food, and miracle diet commercials at every single TV station break. Pillows, protein powders, powerful pills, and everything in between tout their respective health benefits. You may…
JUST ENOUGH
How much is enough? Jake Fry, Founder of Smallworks and Co-founder of Small Housing BC, and Richard Bell of Bell Alliance LLP, and Director of Small Housing BC know how to reconfigure a single-family home to find a variety of affordable housing solutions for families of all configurations. Listen in as co-hosts Mike and Jennifer-Lee hear about creative ideas for single-family home ownership in Metro Vancouver.
Empower Yourself with Knowledge, When Hiring an Electrician in Vancouver
Electrical contractors and companies hold a lot of power. Hiring the wrong person or company for your project could cause delays, damages, impact your home insurance, and ultimately create an…
Design Inspired Hand Sanitizing Solutions
Helping you and your clients stay healthy is a top priority for Cantu. Introducing a NEW set of dispensers, available as tabletop or wall-mounted versions. In times where personal hygiene,…
Building Blocks
Like shoring up blocks for a solid foundation, HAVAN Chair, and President of Shakespeare Homes & Renovations Mark Cooper, walks us through finding the right builder for your home building project.
Home Renovation Budgets: Reality vs Television
Photo credit: TQ Construction Ltd. Guest Blogger: HAVAN Member Alisa Aragon, Bridgestone Financing Pros Home renovation shows are one of our favorite TV programs to watch. They are entertaining and…
Great partnerships start with a simple introduction.
As a proud member of the Homebuilders Association Vancouver, helping you do more business is our business. Find comfort in knowing that American Express® has your back during uncertain times;…
Proper Worksite Policies Help Avoid Hazards
Every construction project comes with its own set of risks – from fire and water damage to equipment theft, slips and falls, cyber attacks and even infection control. These risks…
Improve Sales with Psychometric Testing
In the Post Covid-19 environment, do you know what core behavioral competencies are required for your team members to succeed in your “New Normal” working environment? You can have excellent…
GALA Home Edition: Best Dressed Competition
We can’t wait to reveal the winners of the 2020 HAVAN Awards for Housing Excellence and we know you are excited too! A highly anticipated evening, the Gala showcases the…
Awards Gala: Home Edition Dance Party
Bust out Your Best Dance Moves for the chance to WIN A PRIZE! HAVAN’s Online GALA Home Edition Friday, June 19th We can’t wait to reveal the winners of the…
Predict the Winners Game Rules and Regulations
Homebuilders Association Vancouver (HAVAN) “Predict the Winners” Game. TO ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN: The HAVAN Predict the Winners” Game (“the Game”) begins April 23, 2021. To enter for…
Win $1,500 Jamie Banfield Design Consultation!
Home Design Consultation. $1,500 Value! Offered exclusively through the 2020 HAVAN Awards for Housing Excellence Predict the Winners Game Review rules and regulations @ www.havan.ca/awards This offer entitles the…
Win $1,500 Vancouver Development Design Consultation!
Home Design Consultation. $1,500 Value! Offered exclusively through the 2020 HAVAN Awards for Housing Excellence Predict the Winners Game Review rules and regulations @ www.havan.ca/awards Offering a full spectrum…
Win $1,500 Llano Developments Design Consultation!
Home Design Consultation. $1,500 Value! Offered exclusively through the 2020 HAVAN Awards for Housing Excellence Predict the Winners Game Review rules and regulations @ www.havan.ca/awards Offering a full spectrum…
Win $1,500 Abstract Home & Renovations Consultation!
Home Design Consultation. $1,500 Value! Offered exclusively through the 2020 HAVAN Awards for Housing Excellence Predict the Winners Game Review rules and regulations @ www.havan.ca/awards Offer can be used…
Win a $1,500 Home Design Consultation!
The doors are swinging wide open to HAVAN’s 2020 Awards for Housing Excellence Gala: Home Edition. To celebrate, HAVAN is offering the chance to win one of four design consultations,…
BCCSA – Ergonomics: Working From Your Home Office
Having a proper ergonomic set up whether at the office or your home office is important to help reduce the risk of strains and sprains and other musculoskeletal injuries…
Phase 2 Reopening – BCCSA’s Recommended Phased approach
As British Columbia enters Phase 2 of the provincial restart during the COVID-19 pandemic, employers are now considering how to manage office-based staff who have been working at home during…
New COVID-resistant coating promotes safer hand washing
HAVAN member, Valley Acrylic Bath, in partnership with the University of Victoria, is excited to announce it is working on an innovation to fight Covid 19, by creating a new…
Best Practices for Operating Safely during COVID-19
May 6, 2020, the Government of BC released BC’s Restart Plan, with timelines on the re-opening of the economy and the repealing of certain COVID-19 restrictions. What the New Normal…
AVOIDING ONLINE SCAMS
Cyber threats are on the rise with COVID-19. HAVAN member Federated Insurance has prepared a list of resources to protect you and your business from phishing scams including outlining how…
Shop@Home initiative offers consumers free samples & advice.
TORLYS Introduces “Shop Globally, Buy Locally” Program “Shop@Home” initiative offers consumers free samples & advice from the comforts of home. TORLYS, a global flooring company specializing in beautiful, responsible flooring…
Preparing Workplaces with Pending Economic Re-Opening
Surrey Board of Trade Releases Call to Action and Planning Guide to Prepare Workplaces with Pending Economic Re-Opening The Surrey Board of Trade has released a call to action to…
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH VIDEO CONFERENCING
Lessons from a long term user Audio Insider is pleased to present a free webinar, offered over a series of dates, on how to effectively use Zoom and other video…
Global Passive House Happy Hour
Dear Passive House enthusiast; This is social distancing at its finest! This weekly event enables our Passive House community to come together to continue to share all the great…
Home Office Design Guide
These unprecedented times are filled with anxiety and stress, yet they present us with a unique opportunity that is worth noticing. We are now seeing more and more people…
COVID-19: Making sense of federal resources
During COVID-19, the Federal Government is offering business resources to help keep employees working with the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, and businesses operational with access to credit, deferred tax payments,…
Business Continuity Planning & COVID-19
Federated Insurance is sharing resources to help members during COVID-19, including business continuity planning guides, checklists plus signage to ensure you and your business are protected. In order to…
Bounce Back Surrey with Minuteman Press
Bounce Back Surrey, an initiative created by Minuteman Press, offers two free services to help support neighbouring businesses as we find a way to work together through these unprecedented times.…
A Few Good Lads Clean Sites for Peace of Mind
A Few Good Lads have undertaken COVID-19 cleaning services to ensure job sites can stay operational and running as smoothly as possible. Offering their current client base this service…
EMOTIONAL WELL BEING AND COVID-19
As we head into the Easter long weekend, many people will be facing what is typically a weekend spent with loved ones and family, alone. Faced with unprecedented times,…
BCCSA: Resources & Frequently Asked Q&A During Covid-19
The BC Construction Safety Alliance BCCSA has been developing, posting, and sharing many resources around Construction and COVID-19, such as safety notices, sign downloadables, FAQs, and mental health resources. Check…
Credit Card Fraud Prevention
At a time when social distancing is profoundly impacting many of our businesses, the last thing any of us want is for losses to be compounded by the action of…
ABSTRACT HOMES WORKING THROUGH COVID-19
How Abstract Homes & Renovations is preparing its construction company during Covid-19. As with any safety measures, Abstract Homes & Renovations is reminding its workers how to minimize risk on…
BC Design + Construction Forum
Jamie Banfield Design has created a Facebook forum for British Columbia Design + Construction industry members. Designed to assist, educate, and create innovative, successful ways for the design industry…
FortisBC Support During COVID-19
As businesses and government take additional steps to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, FortisBC has taken several steps to protect the health and safety of our…
Kuhn LLP: How COVID-19 Impacts Construction Contracts
Introduction The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is significantly impacting the construction industry in British Columbia. But is it enough to legally justify changing or terminating your contractual obligations? Business is becoming…
Trillium Project Shares Covid-19 Operating Procedures
Trillium Projects is a Vancouver based construction and project management company. Over the past 20-years, they have developed over one billion dollars of real estate ranging from townhomes and condominiums,…
COVID-19 Construction Site Signage
Maintain the health and safety of your onsite workers. Post these Site Safety Signs to remind everyone of the new protocols required to help stop the spread of…
ALAIR HOMES Invites Industry into their Weekly All Partner Calls
Feeling overwhelmed and alone? We get together every Wednesday. Join us. Every day in communities all across North America, we help people live happier, healthier and more productive lives. Whether…
Insightful Healthy Homes: Site Policy During Covid-19
As a small builder, Insightful Healthy Homes is organizing site activities as follows, to achieve social distancing: Divide crew into teams of ~three, and each of these teams would…
Capital Home Energy – Release Covid-19 Work Site Policy
ATTENTION Important information about the site visit: As the COVID-19 situation continues to develop, Capital Home Energy is sharing some best practices and our policies for site visits. These policies…
HAVAN Spotlight: Vanessa Swanson
We interviewed HAVAN Staff Vanessa Swanson, Manager of Online Education & Marketing, and asked her a series of questions about herself! She shares a moment in HAVAN’s Spotlight. Members and…
25th Annual Homebuyer Forum
It’s a great time to buy in the Lower Mainland. For the first time since 2012, Vancouver has become a buyers’ market. Gain expert advice at the upcoming 25th annual…
Buying a New Home: Community Included.
Read Bob’s latest article in Next Home magazine talking about community considerations, when buying into a strata complex. Featruing Tien Sher Home’s project ‘Venue’ there are five key tips to…
Solutions to Help Reduce Energy Use this Winter.
REDUCE YOUR USE. On October 9, 2018, an Enbridge-owned natural gas transmission pipeline ruptured near Prince George, BC. While the pipeline has been repaired and returned to service, it is…
Creating That Dream Ensuite
“Timeless, elegant, simple and uncluttered.” Marg knew the style she wanted for her renovated master bedroom ensuite, but she didn’t know where to start. She went online and visited…
Kitchen Design Trends for 2019
With every new year comes new trends for the world of interior design and 2019 will not disappoint with what it has in store. Keep reading to see a snapshot of how the world of kitchen design is evolving and what we at Designs by K&S predict to be the market leaders in trends for the new year.
Energy efficiency upgrades for your home
In the last few years there has been a National effort to reverse Climate Change and one of those efforts is to make homes more energy efficient.
The energy used to cool homes in Canada is increasing each year and efforts to reduce this will help everyone, as the energy used will usually make the environment hotter outside.
STONE CAN ADD A TOUCH OF MODERN STYLE TO ANY ROOM OF YOUR HOME
Stone has long been one of the foundations for home construction. Its rounded shape and smooth texture make it the perfect decorative accent for any room in your house. Incorporating stone into your design can add a touch of modern elegance to a bedroom or a bit of rustic class to a kitchen. Your possibilities are endless when you are looking to incorporate this material into everyday décor in some of the most commonly used rooms in your home.
FIRST IMPRESSION
Make sure the Material you Choose for the Outside Reflects what you want to Achieve on the Inside.
Building a home can be extremely stressful – choosing finishes and styles, and working with builders, contractors and trades to ensure at the end of the day you and your family are choosing the best materials representing who you are.
Get It in Writing
A home renovation is both a financial and emotional investment. We have heard hundreds of renovations stories, most of the tales end with happy homeowners, but that is not always…
Coalition Based Advocacy in Support of Adequate Provincial Funding
Creation of a broad-based Coalition to advocate for adequate provincial funding of new schools in fast-growth areas of Surrey, effectively cutting off a group advocating for a development ban until…
Gather market intelligence at the HAVAN Homebuyer Forum
Whether you are planning on buying your first home, thinking of helping a millennial get a foot in the door, or a new-comer to Vancouver, there is one golden rule to follow: prepare before you purchase. Read Bob’s article in the February 17 issue of New Home and Condo Guide.
Where Sustainability and Livability Come Together
To understand the direction of residential building, it is important to understand what is shaping the homes of today and what will ultimately determine the future of Metro Vancouver.
Bob de Wit’s Province column
Densification and ways to supply Metro Vancouver’s continued demand for housing is discussed in Bob de Wit’s monthly guest column in The Province.
Colour me YIMBY – The Province
The rise of NIMBYism isn’t surprising: it reflects the normal growing pains felt by a region increasing in population by an average rate of 30,000* new residents per year. To solve the housing supply challenges of 2017 and beyond, we need to change from NIMBY to YIMBY – “Yes in My Back Yard.” How does that happen?
West Coast Condominium – Guest Blog Post by Bob de Wit – Choosing your neighbourhood.
Bob de Wit, CEO, GVHBA is featured in Glacier Media’s bi-weekly West Coast Condominium Magazine.
Guest Blogger: Larry Clay of Clay Construction featured in CHBA Newsletter
Larry Clay of Clay Construction featured in CHBA Newsletter discusses social media.
