News

Positive Provincial Budget Measures for Residential Construction Industry & Consumers

Posted February 21, 2012 03:36 PM by Amy Spencer    

Today the provincial government announced two incentives for the residential construction industry and its consumers:

1. A $10,000 temporary, one-time refundable income tax credit for first-time home buyers who purchase a newly constructed home, effective today, February 21, 2012 through to March 31, 2013. Details are available here: www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2012/homebuyers/2012_First_Time_Home_Buyers_Fact_Sheet.pdf

2. A $1,000 Seniors' Home Renovation Tax Credit, a refundable personal income tax credit for the cost of permanent renovations that provide individuals age 65 and over with increased independence. This is an annual $1,000 credit based on 10% of eligible expenditures. Details are available here: www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2012/backgrounders/2012_Backgrounder_2.pdf

Higher HST Rebates for Consumers and HST-to-PST Transition Rules

Posted February 21, 2012 03:34 PM by Amy Spencer    

GVHBA Chairman Ben Taddei, GVHBA President & CEO Peter Simpson and Director of Government Relations Amy Spencer attended an announcement on Friday, February 17 where BC Minister of Finance Kevin Falcon released HST transition rules and tax relief measures for the homebuilding industry and its customers.

Tax relief measures include: 

PST implementation will be effective April 1, 2013. The transition rules from HST to PST for newly built homes where construction begins before April 1, 2013, but ownership and possession occur after, purchasers will not pay the 7% provincial portion of the HST. Instead, purchasers will pay a temporary, transitional provincial tax of 2% on the full house price.

Home renovation will fall under regular transition rules to take effect April 1, 2013.

The government’s intent is to ensure "equitable treatment among purchasers and will help mitigate distortive market behaviour." Builders will receive temporary housing transition rebates to offset PST on materials to help prevent double-taxation on homebuyers.

This has provided some clarity and certainty to consumers and should help to neutralize the impact of the HST a year before it reverts to the PST system. Overall this should help to stimulate the new homes market throughout the province.

For more information about the new rebates, go to www.pstinbc.ca and click on "New Housing Rules". The government's full policy is available at: www.pstinbc.ca/media/2012_housing_rules_FEB.pdf.

More information about the transition rules from HST to PST is available here: http://www.fin.gc.ca/n12/data/12-017_1-eng.asp.

RESTORE, RENEW, REFRESH your home at the BC Home + Garden Show

Posted February 21, 2012 12:19 PM by Wendy McNeil, Vice President, Marketing & Education    

RESTORE, RENEW, REFRESH your home at the BC Home + Garden Show, February 22 – 26!

Looking for renovation inspiration and advice?  GVHBA is featuring the popular Renovation Gallery at this year’s show -- a 1,000-square-foot exhibit overflowing with makeover ideas for your home with before-and-after photos of professionally renovated homes and renovation-related products and services, as well as free consultations with RenoMark renovators, designers, subtrades and suppliers.

The BC Home + Garden Show has returned to the newly renovated BC Place Stadium located in the heart of Downtown Vancouver.  This show gives you access to 425+ companies offering new products and building technologies.  Each year, the BC Home + Garden Show showcases a unique feature home that incorporates new building materials, construction techniques and trend-setting interior design – this year the “Kitsilano Dream Home” is built by GVHBA-member Karoleena Homes.  Don’t miss this year’s show!  For more information, visit www.bchomeandgardenshow.com

GVHBA welcomes these new members

Posted February 21, 2012 08:32 AM by Renée Auer, Director of Membership & Sales    

On February 21, 2012, the Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association welcomed 11 (eleven) new members: PHL Capital Corp., Cornerstone Landscape & Construction Group Ltd., Citywide Gutters & Exteriors Ltd., Caesarstone Canada, Symphony Homes Limited, Kraftsmen Group of Companies, 1600 BC Communications Ltd., ALP’s Fireplace Service Inc., Cirrus Homes, Keystone Environmental Ltd. and Convectair - NMT Inc.

PHL Capital Corp.
Real estate services, Financial
Referred by:                                   
1) John Tilstra, Centra Windows and Restorations Ltd.
2) Lanson Foster, Lanstone Homes Ltd.
Contact: Mr. Steve Ponte 
Phone:  604-575-7409
Fax: 604-575-7410 
www.phlgroup.ca 
steveponte@phlgroup.ca
The company is an integrated real estate services provider engaged in the development and financing of real estate in B.C.
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Cornerstone Landscape & Construction Group Ltd.
Builder (1-49 units, custom), Renovator, Landscape construction
Referred by:                                   
1) Doug Johnson, Dick’s Lumber & Building Supplies
2) John Horsnell, Woodstop Building Supplies Ltd.
Contact: Mr. Jason King 
Phone:  604-983-2273
Fax:  604-983-2203
www.cornerstoneprojects.ca
info@cornerstonelandscape.ca
The company designs and constructs custom homes, renovations, architechtural concrete and landscape construction.
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Citywide Gutters & Exteriors Ltd.
Suppliers and installers of gutters, soffits and siding
Referred by:                                   
1) Len Kemp, Kaycan Ltd.
2) Gord Tiemstra, Four Seasons Sunrooms
Contact: Mr. James McNaughton 
Phone:  604-868-1373
Fax: 604-733-1572
www.citywidegutters.com 
james@citywidegutters.com
The company’s owners bring decades of renovating and general contracting experience with the majority of projects being done in Delta, Ladner and Tsawwassen.
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CaesarStone Canada
Manufacturers of natural stone
Referred by:                                   
1) Chris Prince, SSC Countertops Ltd.
2) Graeme Huguet, My House Design / Build Team Ltd.
Contact: Mr. Deano Pellegrino 
Phone:  604-638-1458
Fax: 604-638-1486
www.caesarstone.ca
dpellegrino@caesarstone.ca
The company manufactures quartz slabs for uses and applications, such as bathroom vanities and kitchen countertops.
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Symphony Homes Limited (Previous member)
Builder (1-49 units, single and multi-family), Developer
Referred by:                                   
1) Brian Unrau, daltile Canada Ltd.
2) Scott Frampton, Standard Building Supplies
3) Sarb Dhaliwal, Standard Insulation and Siding Ltd.
Contact: Mr. Gurdeep Kainth 
Phone:  604-522-1480
Fax: 604-522-1480
www.symphonygroup.ca
gurdeep@symphonygroup.ca
The company builds single family and multi-family projects primarily in Maple Ridge. Their current project is Albion Slopes.
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Kraftsmen Group of Companies
Builder (50+ units, custom, single and multi-family)
Referred by:                                   
1) Munaz Popitia, Dick’s Lumber & Building Supplies
2) Satnam Gill, Northcoast Building Products Ltd.
Contact: Mr. Jim Flannery 
Phone:  604-204-2667
Fax: 604-204-2673
www.kraftsmen.com
info@kraftsmen.com
Kraftsmen builds single family and multi-family homes primarily in Burnaby, Richmond and Vancouver. Their current projects include Kabana and Broadmoor Gardens.
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1600 BC Communications Ltd.
Building materials distributor
Referred by:                                   
1) John Quinton, Quinton Construction Ltd.
2) Paul Bulat, HDL Group Ltd.
Contact: Mr. Steve Mackenzie 
Phone:  604-323-0679
Fax: 604-323-0678
www.1600bc.com
steve@1600bc.com
The company markets, distributes and develops building products and equipment.
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Convectair - NMT Inc.
Heating and electrical products
6100 Alta Court, Richmond, BC V7C 2R4
Referred by:                                   
1) Barry Johnson, Wespac Electrical Contractors Ltd.
2) Brent Murphy, BPM Electric Ltd.
3) Craig Browne, Flextherm Inc.
Contact: Mr. Serge Guay 
Years in business: 19
Phone:  604-351-5569
www.convectair.com
guays@teleus.net
The company manufactures silent convection, radiant, and fan-forced heaters and numerous electrical products.
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ALP’s Fireplace Service Inc.
A/C and heating installations and repairs
11115 – 72 Avenue, Delta, BC V4E 1Y4
Referred by:                                   
1) Paula Yang, EMCO Corporation
2) Heather Butcher, Refrigerative Supply Ltd.
Contact: Mr. Lorien Prakash 
Years in business: 3
Phone:  604-594-0280
Fax: 604-594-0273
www.alpsfireplaceservice.com
sales@alpsfireplaceservice.com
The company installs and maintains air conditioning and heating products.
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Cirrus Homes
Renovator
446 – 1 Street, North Vancouver, BC V7L 1B3
Referred by:                                   
1) John Horsnell, Woodstop Building Supplies
2) Dave Deighton, Dick’s Lumber & Building Supplies
3) Jamie Moi, Jamie Moi Mortgage Team
Contact: Mr. Greg Hanberry 
Years in business: 15
Phone:  604-983-6918
greg@cirrushomes.ca
The company has been renovating homes on the North Shore for more than 15 years.
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Keystone Environmental Ltd.
Environmental consultants, Engineers
#320, 4400 Dominion Street, Burnaby, BC V5G 4G3
Referred by:                                   
1) Scott Baldwin, Polygon Homes Ltd.
2) Dale Barron, Morningstar Homes Ltd.
3) Dale Bosa, Bosa Properties Inc.
4) Andrew Tong, Concert Properties Ltd.
Contact: Mr. Bill Donald 
Years in business: 24
Phone:  604-430-0671
Fax: 604-430-0672
www.keystoneenvironmental.ca
bdonald@keystoneenviro.com
The company provides research, investigation and project management for all aspects of environmental considerations as they relate to real estate and land.
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Convectair - NMT Inc.
Heating and electrical products
6100 Alta Court, Richmond, BC V7C 2R4
Referred by:                                   
1) Barry Johnson, Wespac Electrical Contractors Ltd.
2) Brent Murphy, BPM Electric Ltd.
3) Craig Browne, Flextherm Inc.
Contact: Mr. Serge Guay 
Years in business: 19
Phone:  604-351-5569
www.convectair.com
guays@teleus.net
The company manufactures silent convection, radiant, and fan-forced heaters and numerous electrical products.
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CHBA announces 2011 National SAM Award finalists -- GVHBA members claim 33 finalist placements

Posted December 8, 2011 12:00 AM by http://chba.ca/about/news-pubs.aspx?id=68    

Awards honour association volunteers and achievers

Posted November 8, 2011 12:00 AM    

The Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association (GVHBA) presented its annual Association Awards of Excellence at the Executive Plaza Hotel in Coquitlam on Wednesday, November 2.

"The awards honour association members for their exceptional level of volunteer commitment and dedication to enhancing the professionalism of the homebuilding and renovation industries in the Greater Vancouver area," said GVHBA President Peter Simpson.

Builder Member of the Year
Wallmark Homes, Burnaby

Corporate Member of the Year
FortisBC, Surrey

Association Marketing Award
Yosh Kasahara, ParkLane Homes/Bluetree Group of Companies, Vancouver

Technical Excellence Award
David Fisher, Mitsui Homes Canada Inc., Langley

RenoMark Renovator Member of the Year
Graeme Huguet, My House Design/Build Team Ltd., Surrey

Supplier Members of the Year
Dick’s Lumber & Building Supplies, Burnaby
Marketplace Events, Vancouver

Community Service Member of the Year
Valhalla Roofing Ltd., Aldergrove

Gary Santini Education & Training Awards
Wallmark Homes Ltd., Burnaby
Dick’s Lumber & Building Supplies, Burnaby

BuiltGreen Multi-Family Builder of the Year
Adera Development Corporation, Vancouver

BuiltGreen Single-Family Builder of the Year
Avant Contractors Inc., Whistler

Handshake Award (Builder)
ParkLane Homes Ltd., Vancouver

Handshake Award (Renovator)
CCI Renovations, North Vancouver

Hall of Fame Inductees
Chuck Marr
Milan Ilich
George Pinch

Chairman’s Award of Honour
Peter Simpson, Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association, Surrey

Rooftopper of the Year (Builder)
Troy Abromaitis, Wallmark Homes Ltd., Burnaby

Rooftopper of the Year (Renovator)
Todd Senft, reVISION Custom Home Renovations Inc., Vancouver

Rooftopper of the Year (Supplier)
Barb Rush, Wholesale Blind Factory, Coquitlam

Rooftopper of the Year (Corporate)
Dick’s Lumber & Building Suppliers, Burnaby

Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association is comprised of 732 companies representing developers, builders, renovators, sub-trades, suppliers, manufacturers and other industry professionals.

HPO's New Building Enclosure Design Guide

Posted September 14, 2011 07:00 AM    

New Building Enclosure Design Guide for Wood-Frame Multi-Unit Residential Buildings

Available from the HPO's Online Store

A new publication designed to enhance the quality of residential construction in B.C. is now available from the Homeowner Protection Office (HPO).
The Building Enclosure Design Guide – Wood-Frame Multi-Unit Residential Buildings is the industry’s most widely accepted reference guide on building enclosures. It’s an invaluable resource for builders, designers, architects, engineers and educators in British Columbia and in other jurisdictions.

Endorsed by the Architectural Institute of British Columbia and the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of B.C., this comprehensive 290-page illustrated Guide:

• Outlines design and construction best practices
• Explores building enclosure performance issues and solutions
• Presents design guidelines for assemblies, details, components and materials
• Describes building enclosure systems and related code requirements
• Covers energy provisions for the building enclosure
• Addresses maintenance and renewal planning over the service life of the building enclosure
• Recommends other helpful references    

Visit the HPO website to learn more about the Guide or view sample pages.

Purchase a printed copy of the Guide for $70 CAD (plus taxes and shipping) from the HPO’s Online Store.
 

Member Valhalla Roofing steps up to the plate with new roof for youth safehouse

Posted August 11, 2011 12:00 AM    

Knowing the tight timeline and limited grant resources available, a call was made to the board of the Surrey Homelessness and Housing Society. Board member Peter Simpson, who is also President & CEO of the Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association, reached out to his contacts. Valhalla Roofing responded and installed a new roof on the six-bed youth shelter.

See the full story here.

GVHBA Members lead BC with 10 nominations at Built Green BC Awards

Posted July 22, 2011 12:00 AM    

The Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association (GVHBA) is proud to announce GVHBA members earned the most finalist nominations in the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of British Columbia’s 2010 Built Green™ BC Awards. 

Leading the province with five finalist nominations including Built Green Builder of the Year is North Vancouver-based Naikoon Contracting Ltd.  Vancouver-based Adera Development Corporation, which was also named a finalist for Built Green BC Builder of the Year, received a total of two nominations.  CCI Renovations of North Vancouver and My House Design/Build Team Ltd. of Surrey each earned one nomination.
 
The Built Green™ BC Awards recognize the achievements of builders, developers, renovators and suppliers in British Columbia who focus on building and renovating residential homes with high environmental standards, according to the Built Green™ BC standards.

Winners will be announced at the Built Green™ BC Awards Ceremony on September 30, 2011 in Vancouver.
 

2011 Georgie Awards® - Call for entries

Posted June 16, 2011 12:00 AM by Renée Auer, Director of Membership & Sales    

The Canadian Home Builders' Association of British Columbia (CHBA BC) and BC Homes Magazine are pleased to invite all CHBA BC member companies involved in the residential building industry to participate in the 2011 Georgie Awards®.

With recently added categories, such as Best Outdoor Living Space and Best Condo Renovation, there are so many more opportunities for residential builders and renovators to get recognized. 

Projects and products built, renovated, developed, created and/or marketed for the period of January 1, 2010 – July 31, 2011 are eligible.

Visit www.georgieawards.ca for more information on this member-only recognition program.