IT’S ALL IN A BRAND
Today, the experience of buying a new home is very different than in the past. This is the era of customization. Whether you are buying your first home or finally…
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HAVAN Home to the Professionals
When you are in the market for a new home, you should shop for your builder as carefully as you do for your home. You want to make sure that…
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PRE-WIRING – A VALUABLE NEW HOME OPTION
Your decision to buy a brand new home opens up many unique possibilities. According to the Technical Committee of the HAVAN one of the most valuable is the opportunity to…
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NEW HOME DESIGN
Walking into the show home of a professional new home builder is bound to elicit a few “oohs” and “ahs” from home buyers. With their dramatic entrances, sweeping vistas, soaring…
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SELECTING A RENOVATOR
The first step in hiring a professional renovator is to collect names of companies that seem well suited for your project. Then you can follow these procedures with each of…
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BUILDING PERMIT – RENOVATION GREEN LIGHT
The Homebuilders Association of Vancouver (HAVAN) believes If you are like most renovating homeowners, obtaining a building permit is probably unknown territory. When you hire a professional renovator, he will…
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PRE-POSSESSION WALK-THROUGH
When you buy a brand new home, it’s easy to make sure you are completely satisfied with your purchase before you take possession of it. As your home gets close…
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A Home to Call My Own
I remember when my husband and I took the plunge to buy our first home back in 2006.
We were renting downtown, as so many 20-somethings do, enjoying the urbanite lifestyle but also dreaming of a time when I could sleep undisturbed — no 3 a.m. wake-up calls from my neighbours’ sound system and the early-morning deliveries taking place in the alleys.
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Looking to sell? How staging helps
Whether you have lived in your condo for a couple of years, or a house for thirty, preparing to sell your home can be an overwhelming experience. All those little annoying things you have put off fixing; the loose hinged drawer, a dripping faucet, a finicky light switch, a worn carpet, are they really so important to making the sale?
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Out of the Box Condo Culture
Condo life is like living in a micro community and developers have picked up on this trend by including amenities to reflect the lifestyles of the buyers.
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Kids in Condos: Expanding families in smaller spaces
Condominium living used to be the quintessential definition of being in your 20s and early 30s, living on your own or with your partner in the heart of the city, and enjoying the trendy life of name-brand coffees and late-night dinners. But in the past decade, there has been a dramatic shift in the demographics of condo dwellers in Vancouver, who now are just as likely to be walking around town with designer strollers as with frou-frou dogs.
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Spa-tacular!
Creating a sense of calm and space is essential when designing a spa-like bathroom.
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TIPS ON LOWERING ENERGY COSTS
Living expenses like mortgage payments, rent payments, property taxes and house insurance can all take a big bite out of a family’s budget. There is little a family can do…
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TRENDS IN HOME RENOVATION
Renovation trends reflect the changing needs of Canadian homeowners whether it’s creating room for aging parents, a home work space or simply a more enjoyable living environment. At the same…
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Bob de Wit’s Province Guest Column
Bob’s monthly guest column in the Vancouver Province features topics relating to the residential construction industry and related issues, relevant to the association, and the readers of the paper.
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The Cost of Doing Business with Friends
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.
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CHECKLIST FOR AN ENERGY EFFICIENT RENOVATION AND A HEALTHY INDOOR ENVIRONMENT
Renovation is a great time to improve your home’s energy efficiency and indoor air quality. With today’s products and technology, it is possible to get “new home performance” in any…
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INVESTING IN RENOVATIONS PAYS OFF IN MORE THAN DOLLARS
Compared to conventional financial investments that rise and fall with regular frequency, housing has proven to be a relatively stable and sound investment that keeps up with inflation in most…
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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.
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MORTGAGE FINANCING
Getting ready to buy a new home? Whether you are a first-time home buyer or planning for your next home, you will want to consider the financial aspects of your…
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CHOOSING THE LOCATION OF YOUR NEW HOME
Your new home will provide you with your own personal space and refuge from the outside world. The area in which the house is located will also be an important…
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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…
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Portrait Homes
Searching for a new family home? Look to award-winning builder Portrait Homes for quality and new communities.
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Adera Developments
Searching for a sustainable home in Vancouver? Look to award-winning builder Adera Developments for innovation in green building and high performance homes.
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Hayer Builders Group
Searching for your new townhome? Look to award-winning builder Hayer Builders Group for innovation, quality and new communities.
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Symphony Homes
Searching for a new high performance home? Look to Symphony Homes for innovation, quality and piece of mind.
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Maison D’etre
Planning a condo or townhome renovation? Look to award-winning renovator Maison D’etre for quality, experience and reliability.
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Sprucehill Contracting
Searching for a reliable contractor? Look to award-winning renovator Sprucehill Contracting for quality and assurance. Based in North Vancouver, Sprucehill Contracting has an impressive track-record for custom home building
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My House Design/Build/Team
When in search for a reliable contractor, look no further than award-winning renovator & builder My House Design/Build/Team. Serving Vancouver, North Shore, and Surrey, this custom home builder has plenty of renovation tips to share with you.
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Marino General Contractors
Planning a heritage renovation? Look to award-winning renovator Marino General Contractors for quality, experience and assurance.
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WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A NEW HOME BUILDER
Buying a new home is a big decision and you want to get full value for your investment. This means choosing an established and reputable builder, someone who has the…
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Top Tips to Get Your Dream Space from Concept to Completion
Gather your ideas Inspiration is everywhere — Pinterest, websites, magazines, catalogs, housing awards, real estate listings, showhomes, etc. – so gather your ideas for your dream space. Remember, photos are…
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ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
Most homebuyers have a lot of questions about the construction of their home: How long will it take to build? What happens when? What does each step involve? When can…
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11 Step Guide to Budgeting for your Renovation
Budgeting for a home renovation can be a challenging process with many variable costs to consider including materials, labour and the condition of the existing building to name a few.…
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Maintaining Your Home After Moving In
Congratulations! You’ve purchased a new home. As a new homeowner, what should you expect from your builder, and what are your responsibilities to maintain the value of your home? To…
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Bringing Opulence Home
What exactly constitutes luxury living? With the help of 2017 Ovation Award Winner, Mulberry Properties’; Mulberry Home in West Vancouver, we can explore living in luxury and how to bring…
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High-Rises: Experience the Urban Lifestyle
Vertical living is one of the solutions to the challenges of an ever-growing urban population. No longer just your entry-level home type, condos appeal to a variety of generations, from…
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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR HOME WARRANTY
By Bob de Wit Buying a home is one of the most significant investments people will make in their lives! That is why home warranty insurance is an integral…
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REW Home Buyer’s Resource Guide in Partnership with HAVAN
Let Us Help You With Your Home. The purchase of a home will be one of the largest investments in your lifetime, getting it right, and buying with confidence is…
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Metro News Ovation Awards Feature
From modest kitchen renovations to stunning whole-home transformations, and from family-oriented townhouse communities to luxurious custom-built estate homes, the Ovation Awards highlight the best projects HAVAN members have built, renovated, designed…
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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…
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Making the switch to LED
Everyone has heard over the past years how LED’s have a positive effect on the environment, or how LEDs can help save households money in the long run. But not…
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5 Tips For Your Home Intrusion and Detection System to Keep You Safer and More Secure
1) Replace Ionization with Photoelectric Smoke Detectors Most residential fire fatalities are due to smoke inhalation. In smoldering fires, ionization smoke detectors respond an average of 15 to 50 minutes…
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When was the last time you checked the condition of your windows?
Homes that are over 20 years old with the original windows are typically due for an upgrade. Well-designed windows play a variety of important roles and can improve your home’s…
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How to Make Your Home Look Stunning All The Time
Want your home to look pleasing to the eye, especially when you’re having guests over? We have the simple yet powerful trick. The Pillow Fluff. This trick gets missed all…
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Music Makes the Home
Music is core to our being. Homes filled with music are filled with more laughter, more love and more family togetherness. Everyday tasks like cooking and cleaning become more enjoyable…
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Creating an Ultra Modern Home
Ovation Award Winner: Best Custom Home: $1.5 million – Under $3 million Ovation Award Winner: Best Interior Design HAVAN Builder: Upward Construction & Renovation Ltd. To view this project and…
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LIGHT, LOCAL AND BUILT-IN MAKES SPACE FOR A NEW CONDO
Renovations present many options for a homeowner. In the case of a Vancouver condo overlooking False Creek, faced with repairs due to water damage, the homeowners took the opportunity to…
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ALL DECKED OUT FOR WINTER
With winter just around the corner, now is a good time to check the exterior of your home in preparation for the colder weather. Some points to consider include: Gutter…
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COMFORT IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY HOMES
The energy efficiency of Canadian homes has improved greatly over the years. Thanks to major advances in building science and product innovation, today’s new homeowner can expect to use only…
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Homebuyer Forum 2019
Are you wondering how you can afford a home in Metro Vancouver? The 2019 Homebuyer Forum will provide you with strategic tips on how to enter the Metro Vancouver market.…
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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…
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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…
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Display suite inspiration and design
It’s Ovation Awards season, the time of year when the residential construction industry celebrates the best projects HAVAN members have built, renovated, designed and marketed in Metro Vancouver. Showcasing single-room…
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The lowdown on the low-rise building
The lowrise apartment, a form of condominium, provides flexibility for different segments of the market, from families starting out, to empty nesters downsizing. Mercy, a four-storey high-end concrete multi-family development…
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Top Five renovations for optimal return in a down resale market.
So, you’re thinking about selling your home and your realtor suggests a price lower than you anticipated. Now what? Knowing what renovation will help you optimize the true value of…
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Award-winning housing: Choices in gentle densification
A thriving community is one that offers a complete mix of housing to provide for a variety of families and their housing needs. Neighbourhoods that embrace gentle densification versus ‘keeping…
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Choose a floorplan wisely
Townhomes come in different shapes and sizes. Visualize life in your new home and choose the floorplan that’s right for you. Greatrooms on the main are the norm, however the…
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Beautiful kitchens take smart planning
Have you ever wondered what it takes to build an award-winning kitchen? There is no secret recipe. It takes good planning and attention to the construction details, with a keen…
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Townhouses: A viable option for everyone
Townhouse living today far surpasses the starter homes of generations gone by. The ‘Shaughnessy Residences’ by Alabaster Homes, nominated as a finalist for five Ovation Awards including – Best New Kitchen:…
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REAP the benefits of award-winning living
Constructing homes to meet today’s building standards set by the province and municipalities across BC requires an integrated approach of highly skilled trades, including builders, designers, architects, energy advisors and…
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Silver Lining Brings Home the Gold
Every renovation has a story and this one is a winner, with a silver lining. Multi-Ovation Award winning builder Tavan Developments Ltd., builds and renovates dream homes in South Surrey,…
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STRIKING BALANCE BETWEEN BEAUTY & FUNCTION
Designed for an active family, this 2019 Ovation Award winning kitchen by Bolder Homes Ltd. showcases the outstanding results achieved by working with professionals to properly plan for quality craftsmanship,…
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A SPLASH OF STYLE!
HAVAN members Kalu Interiors know how to splash out when it comes to personalizing a home. Working with On Time Construction Ltd. they remodelled a two-bedroom condo into one master…
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There’s value in buying into inclusive communities
Vibrant, inclusive communities are built to support families through various stages of life. Different sizes and floorplans will cater to different needs as a family grows through the natural cycles…
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Flex rooms expand livable space in micro-homes
Micro-homes are a solution for adding housing to existing neighbourhoods to sustain thriving communities. Given the high cost of renting in Vancouver and low interest rates, the micro-home is a…
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Ask the ‘Homebuilders Association Vancouver’ Experts
Shopping for appliances Before thinking about style, colours, finishes or appliances, Lucila Diaz, Founder and Creative Director, Harmony Sense Interiors Ltd. says “The first step in creating a great kitchen is to…
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Townhomes becoming ‘forever’ homes
Builders are responding to market demand with a variety of housing choices. With affordability an issue, townhomes are no longer viewed as a step to a forever home, but as…
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14 ways to prepare your home for winter
Now that we are into December, it’s time to start thinking about preparing your home for winter and the freezing weather that comes with the change of season. If you…
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Harmony and balance in custom homes
It is a wise decision to source award-winning builders and renovators to help you build your dream home. It is also a good idea to ensure there is harmony between…
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Housing Outlook for 2020: Stable and Balanced
After a year that has seen prices fall by over 10%, a 30% reduction in new home sales, and a surplus of resale listings and new home inventory through the…
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Zero in on the structure of a new build
There are many considerations when shopping for a new home. HAVAN member Alabaster Homes suggest zeroing in on the structure of the building, before getting carried away with the appliance…
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HAVAN Awards for housing excellence – Finalist showcase 2020
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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE PODCAST: LIKE, TAG & FOLLOW TO WIN A BBQ
Never miss an episode! Enter on Facebook Post and/or Instagram post to be entered to win a Napoleon Prestige P500 stainless-steel natural gas barbecue, valued at $1649, compliments of FortisBC.
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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…
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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…
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Renewable energy solutions for your home
FortisBC is a leading energy solutions provider in British Columbia (B.C.) and serves its approximately 1.2 million customers with natural gas, electricity, propane and renewable energy solutions, through around 56,000…
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WHITE – OUT!
2022 Kitchen Design Trends. Gone are the days of the ‘all-white’ kitchen. Natural elements were centre stage at the 2022 HAVAN Awards for Housing Excellence. This year’s winning kitchens reveal…
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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…
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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…
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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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