Warning! Failure to read a written agreement is not valid defense! A well-drafted construction contract clearly sets out the work to be done, the price to be paid for the work, and the terms and conditions of payment. The contract should also designate various foreseeable risks between […]
Read more →For years, climate contrarians have pointed to snowfall and cold weather to question the scientific reality of human-induced climate change. Such misinformation obscures the work scientists are doing to figure out just how climate change is affecting weather patterns year-round. Understanding what scientists know about these effects […]
Read more →Finding the ideal house plan to meet your lifestyle and needs may seem time-consuming or overwhelming, but knowing what to look for can help lead you to success when building your new home. 19 Things You Must Know When Choosing House Plans 1. Aesthetics: Do you like […]
Read more →How does this even get past the planning phase? &%$@# Hmmmmm… Should have measured twice! Apparently, you don’t want anyone seeing your face, but everything else is okay? The oak seat is a nice touch, though. And the purpose for the door is? This stall is […]
Read more →Whether you’re remodeling your home or on the hunt for a new one, the cost of a solar system is on everyone’s radar these days. Installing a solar energy system can give your home that extra edge while saving you on monthly utility bills and curbing your […]
Read more →Construction Lien Act In Ontario – Introduction Those involved in the construction industry are continually faced with financial risks not encountered in other commercial contexts. These financial risks stem from the fact that most construction work is carried out by different construction trades people who have no […]
Read more →Straw-bale home construction is a building method that uses bales of straw (commonly: wheat, rice, rye, and oats straw) as structural elements, building insulation, or both. The first straw-bale structures we know of were built about a hundred years ago by European settlers in the Sand Hills of Nebraska. Having little other […]
Read more →Post and Beam construction is a method of building homes with heavy timbers rather than dimensional lumber Where low energy running costs are matched by precise engineering quality and a new home doesn’t need to come at the expense of future generations. “Post and Beam” construction or […]
Read more →Everything you need to know to create a warm, comfortable, attractive log home. Over the last 30 years, architects and designers have taken log cabin design to places our founding fathers could scarcely imagine. Yesterday’s one-room cabins have become full-fledged homes—even castles—sought out by do-it-yourselfers and boardroom […]
Read more →Insuring Your Home While Being Built – Construction Insurance Even though insuring a home while it is under construction or being built is not directed by any laws, it is a must, especially if you finance all or a part of construction costs. So, what type of […]
Read more →At the beginning, we have to state that only a small percentage of contractors are bad apples. Those who are will cost you large in time and money. Fortunately, scammers and con artists are pretty easy to spot as long as your desire to save money doesn’t […]
Read more →How much will my dream home cost – What you need to know about a cost of homebuilding: If you are considering having a custom home built, the following information will help you get an idea of the home building cost exclusive of land. There are many […]
Read more →Living in a radiant heat home provides you with a level of comfort that no other heating method can match. So, how do you combine this luxury with valuable hardwood floor? Is the combination of radiant floor heating and hardwood floor a dream or nightmare? The […]
Read more →By Leigha Dickens When we talk about energy efficient building, everyone wants to know about the R-value. “R-value” (that’s the inverse of the BTUs of heat transferred per hour per across a square foot of surface area per difference in temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit, on either side of […]
Read more →Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) represents another choice for builders seeking alternatives for R-30 (or higher) walls for single and multifamily construction. Although a substantially different system than the more typical ICF construction methods, SIPs can achieve equally impressive results cost-effectively if the nature of the product, its […]
Read more →$579,900.00 Energy Efficient Home – Less than $100 per month to heat this 1600 sq.ft. home in the midst of the winter: Wow, is the only word to describe this luxury “to be built” home! Executive 3 bedroom/ two full bath luxurious bungalow with stone & siding, […]
Read more →Invisible, Clean, Quiet, Efficient and Dependable – Living With Hydronic Heating is One of Life’s Simple Delights In North America forced air heating is still the most popular because of its low installation costs. However, it is the most expensive type of heat to operate and the […]
Read more →A geothermal system is a heating and cooling unit designed to extract the natural heat stored in the ground during the winter and discharge heat from air conditioning to the relatively cold ground in the summer. This article discusses geothermal heating costs in Ontario, Canada A […]
Read more →“Design energy efficiency into your home at the start and the benefits will pay off for years to come…” Study after study shows that the total energy used during the life of a typical home in Canada could be reduced by at least 50% percent while also […]
Read more →1. How do residential wind turbines work? A wind turbine, which is installed on top of a tall tower, collects kinetic energy from the wind and converts it to electricity that is compatible with a home’s electrical system. In a standard residential application, a home is served […]
Read more →1. What can you build with Insulated Concrete Forms? Cast in place concrete walls for bearing and non-bearing walls that have superior insulation built-in. You can use ICFs for foundations, exterior above grade walls, sound walls, residential, commercial, and industrial walls. ICF concrete construction is also used for […]
Read more →Insulated concrete forms (ICF) is a method of building walls for reinforced concrete ordinarily manufactured with a rigid styrofoam insulation that stays in place as a permanent interior and exterior walls. 9 Things You Should Know Before You Start Building With Insulated Concrete Forms 1. Insulating Concrete […]
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