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 not only vary in size and complexity but can also evolve over the course of a project. That’s why having proper worksite policies and procedures…
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 management skills and be able to mentor or coach excellent sales strategies and techniques, but it is meaningless if you don’t have the people you…
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 industry’s best in new home construction, renovation and design in Metro Vancouver! This year, the Gala is going to look a little different, a so…
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 2020 HAVAN Awards for Housing Excellence and we know you are excited too! A highly anticipated evening, the Gala showcases the industry’s best in new…
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 (MSI’s). MSI’s is one of the most common work-related injuries in BC. When your workstation is set up right, you may: • Be less likely…
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 Phase 1. Including a recommended gradual and staged approach to returning these workers to the office. BCCSA has prepared this document including fillable forms covering:…
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 line of antiviral bathroom fixtures, a new made in Canada solution for the industry and the world. A grant awarded to the university this month…
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 Means for Employers and Public Institutions The Provincial Health Officer (PHO) identified the risk of transmission at busy workplaces and other institutions as a direct…
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 VPNs can help businesses keep remote employees secure, and tips on selecting a safe video conferencing platform and securing webcams. Item Description What is phishing…
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 solutions has launched the “Shop Globally, Buy Locally” program, aimed at offering consumers flooring options from around the world that can be easily purchased locally and…
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 their 6,000 member contacts and to Surrey’s business community with an Action Guide full of ideas and concepts to consider and implement, as we start…
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 conferencing programs. This webinar will take attendees through all of the steps required to set up and conduct impactful meetings in the age of lockdown.…
Photo: Martin Knowles Photo/Media Builder: Novak Contracting & Construction Ltd. Project: Outside In Location: Surrey Project Finalist: Custom Home:$2 million to under $3 million; Best Space: New Construction, Best Special Feature, New or Renovated (2); Best New Kitchen: $50,000-99,999; and Best Master Suite:New or Renovated Open to the stars above, this fully enclosed, two-storey interior courtyard, with automated…
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 work that we are doing to spread something good in the world. The Global Passive House Happy Hour will happen again this Wednesday May 6 at 4pm Vancouver, with participants joining…
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 following the public health recommendations of physical isolation and working from home – which is great as we want to make sure that we keep…
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, and the Canada Emergency Response Benefit etc. Some resources preclude others, and not every resource will fit your business model. Understanding the offers, who it…
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 develop an appropriate business continuity plan, you’ll need to know the risks your business is facing. You may not be able to prepare for each…
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. First, Minuteman Press will be distributing a COVID-19 awareness and prevention poster at no charge to any business in their service area. Second, they are…
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 since the outbreak hit the Lower Mainland, they would now like to extend the same service to other HAVAN members, as the system has been…
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, many of us may be facing our fears and worry alone, adding to the anxiety of COVID-19. To help keep people safe, HAVAN’s Women’s Council…
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 them out below. The BC Construction Safety Alliance is a not-for-profit association that provides services to over 40,000 construction companies employing over 200,000 workers. Resources…
Reposted from: by Katie MacAlister | Mar 26, 2020 | Employer Info, General News, Impact Recruitment Updates, Job Seeker Info The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, and businesses across the country are responding to changing government policies by sending their employees home to work remotely – many for the first time. As a manager, your team is going to be looking to you…
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 thieves. Unfortunately, it’s during these emotional and disrupted days that many criminals are at their most active. We are all more vulnerable to social engineering…
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 the job site. FOLLOW THE PROVINCIAL GUIDELINES First and foremost, they are limiting and restricting people working in close proximity to each other, as per…
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 to stay strong and vibrant, Jamie is encouraging you to register. It’s a great way to stay connected as we practice social distancing in an…
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 customers and employees while maintaining service levels and responding quickly to any emergency or outage situations. SAFETY FIRST First and foremost, we are working…
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 more difficult. Some provinces have shut down all non-essential businesses. British Columbia may soon follow. Even if the construction industry is exempt from being shut…
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, to senior assisted dwellings and custom homes. In response to the Covid-19 outbreak, Trillium Projects has instigated the following site operating procedures during an anticipated…
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 Covid-19. Heightened awareness and concern are increasing daily, and require clear site safety messaging. Best health and safety work site practices must be upheld to…
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 it’s building or renovating someone’s dream home, or bringing a community together, our goal is really quite simple. Help Others. With all the challenges 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 work only on one project. Reassign tasks such that physical collaboration between teams is eliminated. Delivery to job sites is picked up at the curb.…
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 are put in place to help reduce Coronavirus transmission risks. During these truly unique times, extraordinary measures need to be taken for the health and…
A builders’ lien can be an effective tool for those in the construction industry, such as contractors, subcontractors, workers, and material suppliers to secure payment. A lien hinders owners from selling their property and can hold up project financing, providing a lien claimant with significant leverage in payment disputes. However, there is a very strict…
A contractor may be asked to provide a homeowner with an estimated schedule for completion before a project starts. While there are always contingencies and unforeseen circumstances, projects can get delayed and extend well past expected deadlines. As was made clear in Sanwo Enterprise Ltd. v. Huang, 2018 BCSC 31, a deadline provided in an…
The purpose of a labour and material payment bond is to provide a form of security to labour and material suppliers on a construction project by giving them a right to claim against a surety (typically an insurance company) if they are not paid for their work by the bond’s principal (such as a general…
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 important to note that Enbridge plans to operate their transmission system at a reduced capacity for the next few months, starting at about 55 per…
Recreational cannabis will be legal in Canada in two days: October 17, 2018. Adults who are 19 years of age and older will be permitted to legally possess, share, purchase and grow limited quantities of cannabis for personal use in British Columbia. This will add some level of increased complexity for employers, but in some…
The purpose of a labour and material payment bond is to provide a form of security to labour and material suppliers on a construction project by giving them a right to claim against a surety (typically an insurance company) if they are not paid for their work by the bond’s principal (such as a…
Have you ever wondered what is required to run a successful digital marketing campaign? Featuring stats from 18 local developers, the numbers provide a benchmark and interesting read. Click here to get a copy of the Digital Marketing Developer White Paper.
WHEN TIME ISN’T ON YOUR SIDE A contractor may be asked to provide a homeowner with an estimated schedule for completion before a project starts. While there are always contingencies and unforeseen circumstances, projects can get delayed and extend well past expected deadlines. As was made clear in Sanwo Enterprise Ltd. v. Huang, 2018 BCSC…
Written by Fifth Avenue Real Estate Marketing Ltd. In a preliminary excerpt from a report by Fifth Avenue Real Estate Marketing Limited, a residential project marketing and sales agency with 38 years of experience, readers can discover what was selling, where and why in 2017 and the trends that are driving a quick sales start…
by Scott Brown, President & CEO of Fifth Avenue Real Estate Marketing Ltd. It is coming to the end of the honeymoon period for the new NDP government. I wonder if much of our industry still feels as uncertain as I do with respect to what to expect in the coming year from the government.…
Homeowners and general contractors often find themselves under various pressures to complete work and advance the project. The rushed approach that often ensues can cause parties to overlook or postpone settling essential terms with subcontractors. The recent case of Limem Forming West Ltd. v. Stuart Olson Dominion Construction Ltd., 2017 BCSC 1485, highlights the dangers…
In a recent Small Claims case of Lund v. Appleford Building Company Ltd., a general Contractor (the “Defendant”) learned the importance of due diligence and paying heed to its clients’ concerns and high expectations.
Incorporating your construction business has many clear advantages, one of which is personal liability protection under the “corporate veil”. The so-called corporate veil refers to the shelter one receives in their personal capacity when their company is being sued; essentially, they are shielded from personal liability.
British Columbia’s competitive construction industry sees its fair share of intense bidding wars between contractors.
When undertaking a significant construction project, it often helps to know someone in the industry. However, a recent decision of the BC Supreme Court highlights the problems that can arise when doing business with friends or family.
It can be very frustrating when a homeowner refuses to make the final payment because of seemingly inconsequential “deficiencies”. However, the BC Supreme Court made it clear in Constructum Developments Inc. v. Hogaboam, 2015 BCSC 1490, that a homeowner may be entitled to correction of all deficiencies before they are obligated to make the final payment. In fact, a contractor’s insistence on receiving final payment before fixing final deficiencies may actually result in a repudiation of the parties’ agreement.
Greater demand from consumers and regulators in British Columbia for environmentally sustainable or “green” building practices suggests potential benefits for “green-contractors”. A common strategy is to adopt a labelling system that advertises compliance with defined environmental standards. Common examples of green-labels used in B.C.’s construction industry include the Energy Star label and the Built Green seals.
For most home owners considering a renovation or new build, price is one of the most important factors in determining the scope of their project, the finishing’s to select and what contractor to choose. For contractors, providing a client with budget certainty can be a significant selling point; thus, the appeal of fixed price construction
contracts.
Carelessness in providing an estimate to a client can have serious repercussions when it comes to claiming entitlement to final payment.
Even where a construction project is performed by a qualified professional contractor, it is not uncommon for some deficiencies to require correction at a project’s end.
Larry Clay of Clay Construction featured in CHBA Newsletter discusses social media.