The Vancouver housing market is strong and there is also a lot of demand here for small footprints, affordability and independent living for older generations.  Bonus: the utility bills incurred in laneway homes are relatively low. Almost half of occupants reported that they pay less than $50 per month on hydro and gas when polled in a survey by the City of Vancouver.

Here are some tips if you're thinking about building a laneway house in Vancouver:

• For a more desirable rental unit, build at least 2 bedrooms.
• If you have a large lot, consider building a single-storey home to maximize space, as design guidelines permit building only 60% of overall square footage upstairs. Stairs take up a lot of room and can be prohibitive for the elderly.
• Consider where the morning and evening light will fall when designing the space and placing windows.
• As municipalities move away from using gas to heat our homes, consider a high efficiency heat pump for heating and cooling.
• Consider stratifying the laneway home so you can potentially sell it on the market separate from the main house down the road. 
• Hire a licensed, reputable, and experienced builder to bring your laneway home dreams to reality.

Don’t forget to read through relevant city regulations before you begin building. If you live in Vancouver and want to add a laneway home to your property, the City of Vancouver has compiled an easy-to-follow list of steps to take.

When your laneway home is complete, check with the city before moving in to see if you need an occupancy permit.

To learn more, discuss your plans or request a free quote, please don’t hesitate to call 604-568-9983, email us, or complete our online contact form today.

Thinking of renovation your bathroom? Don’t make any of these 5 common bathroom renovation mistakes.  A bathroom renovation may seem like a simple endeavor, considering its size. However, bathrooms can become one of the most troublesome areas; the following are five of some of the most common mistakes that people make.

1. No plan: Before you begin your bathroom renovation by ripping out tile and removing sinks, you should have a clear plan as to what you want to do with the bathroom. Your plan should include a rough sketch of the finished project, as well as what needs to be taken out, added in, plus the cost of all the materials that will go into the room. This plan will also save time in the long run, as you will know exactly what you need when you visit the hardware store – rather than “playing it by ear,” which usually results in multiple trips to get items you have forgotten.
2. Forget the fan? A bathroom fan is an essential part of your bathroom – not only does it keep your mirrors are clear when you have a shower, it also prevents mold and mildew from growing on your paint and grout. This moisture can easily cause deterioration, which may lead to repair or replacement in the future. Fans should also be vacuumed and cleaned to ensure they are working correctly. To determine if your fan needs to be cleaned, place a piece of toilet paper below the fan – if it sticks, the fan is working; if not, it needs to be cleaned.
3. Unrealistic budget: It is a common belief that “do-it-yourself” projects cost less than hiring an outside contractor; which may be true, but only because you are saving on the labor. The costs for materials should still be factored into your budget. Figure out what you want your finished bathroom to look like, and price out the different parts that need to be purchased; the countertop, new cabinets, tiling – and don’t forget the small things, like grout, which can be easily overlooked. Having a budget also makes shopping for the project an easy task, as you can write up a list based on what you need. Hiring a professional can save you money In the long run by having the project done correctly.
4. Overlooking small mistakes: It may seem easy enough to ignore that cracked tile, or forget about the excess sealer in the corner of your bathtub. Unfortunately, these small issues will become more troublesome later on – if you can see the issue, other people can as well – so fix those problems as you notice them.
5. ​Losing focus toward the end: Just like any project, focus can be lost when renovating your bathroom – especially if you are completing the task during weekends. You might get frustrated and decide to just leave it as is. 
6. Not hiring a professional: Hiring a professional with lots of renovation experience can help you save time and money.  It will also give you the peace of mind of not having to stress about your project.

Contact us today to inquire about your next home renovation project!

If you plan on doing a home renovation, here are some things to consider.

Do your research: Be sure to visit potential contractor websites to view their portfolio and arrange an in-person meeting to see if they would be a good fit.  If possible arrange a time to see a home they've recently completed to view their craftsmanship and speak with the home owners.  Always get two or three quotes but be wary of the different price points you may get.  In this industry the cheapest or most expensive quotes may not always be the best option.

Hire ONE person to manage your home renovation: Hire ONE company who is 100% accountable for your project. It's always great to have one company take care of the design and build of your home.  This can save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

Remediation:  Asbestos was widely used in B.C. as a building material until the early 1990s, and it can be present in many areas of older buildings.  Exposure to asbestos can cause serious long-term health issues and even death. If you suspect asbestos is present, hire qualified professionals to safely remove it before work begins.

Changes happen: This is especially true with any renovation.  Be prepared to run into some unexpected surprises due to site conditions or city requirements that may require you to make changes.

Write things down & read sign offs: It's important to always read what you're signing off on and understand what you're getting.  Don't ever hesitate to ask questions to clarify any details with your builder or interior designer.  It's also a good idea to have a recap of decisions or follow up items after every meeting to ensure everyone is on the same page and that nothing gets missed.

You're likely to go over budget: Unfortunately, it’s true.  Some things are going to be unexpected and out of your control, and some things are just going to end up costing more than you anticipated.  Make sure you don't cut any corners if you're renovating your forever home, but be realistic by prioritizing what's important to you so you know where to spend your money.  It's also a good idea to always have a contingency budget for any surprises that you may encounter.

Pay attention to the stairs:  This is something to pay close attention to as it’ll impact the rest of your house.  You'll have to take the time to think this one through, should you keep the stairs where they are now or should you move them?  If you opt to move them, what are the costs associated with this and how will it affect your floor plan?  Would it be worth the expense?

You won't always meet your deadline: We endeavor to make deadlines but there are a lot of factors that come into play for example, client decisiveness, product availability, weather, and even manufacturer delays.  The important thing is to have a game plan on how to keep moving forward without creating further delays.  This is the nature of the beast and it’s just one of those things you have to be prepared for.

It won't always be perfect: Sometimes, it takes a lot time, money, and effort to make something old, look new again.  Understand that some "imperfections" may be present and is part of the charm of an older home and sometimes, that's okay.

Don't worry about being matchy-matchy: Don't be afraid of colour or doing something unique to give your home more personality!
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Your house is going to be dirty and dusty for months after: Yes, even after a post construction clean, your home will be dusty and will take time for it to clear, this is normal for any new build or renovations.

We hope this shed some light for those who are considering a home renovation.  For more information feel free to contact us to discuss your next project.

We've been nominated for the Top Choice Awards and would like to invite you to vote for us as the 2019 Top Home Builder in Vancouver!  Please vote for us and fill out the short questionnaire at:  
https://www.topchoiceawards.com/vote?survey_id=dZqopA
​Voting is open November 1st, 2018 to January 2nd, 2019.  Thank you in advance for your continued support!

Are you planning on building a duplex in Vancouver? Here's a brief list of benefits and drawbacks to consider.

What is a Duplex?
A duplex is a single residential property with two dwellings under one roof and a dividing wall between the two living spaces. Each side of the wall is a completely separate home, with its own entrance, parking space, yard and amenities. Usually duplexes are on one title, meaning both halves must be sold together, however, there are times when a duplex can be subdivided into two separate titles and each home sold separately.

What Are the Benefits?

• Value added to the property.
• Potential for multi-generational living (family closeness).
  
• Great option for downsizing for future retirement.
• Potential for rental incomes.
• Ability to stratify and sell one or both units of the duplex as an investment.
• Go through the building process only once while technically building two separate units.
• While not official, there is discussion that the city may allow basement suites in each duplex unit; increasing income potential.

What Are the Drawbacks of Building a Duplex?

• Construction costs of building a duplex generally costs more as there is two of everything IE. services, millwork, countertops, plumbing fixtures, & lighting fixtures etc...
  

As you can see the benefits greatly outweigh the drawbacks for building a duplex in Vancouver.
If you're considering building a duplex, contact us today to discuss your project.

You may recall two blogs we had previously shared, one was titled "Why JDL Homes uses Nudura Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)" and the other was titled "Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)".  The home that we have built in Kitsilano using these two building methods is now completed and the home owners couldn't be happier!  Below are some progress shots of thjis new build.

Cement
What is it? Hand or machine pressed one at a time, using mineral pigments, cement, a mold, and an hydraulic press.  The pigment composition is a mixture of high quality white Portland cement, marble powder, fine sand, and natural mineral colour pigments. They are expected to have slight imperfections, which give them character and depth.
Best for: Best for accent walls or floors as they typically have a design split between 4 tiles to create an overall pattern.
But: They can be very porous so not recommended for wet areas and may require special sealing products.  Because they are cement based they are prone to damage from acids and etching, etc. The patterns may also be "trendy" and may not be as timeless as other tile options on the market.

Stone​
What is it? Pieces of natural stone—granite, slate, travertine, marble, onyx, sandstone, to name a few—cut into thin, regular pieces, stone tile has a rich, one-of-a-kind look.
Best for: Use stone on walls, backsplashes, or floors. Get the look of a granite countertop for less by using granite tiles instead of a slab.
But: Most stone tile can be damaged by exposure to water, pigment, or acid, so be prepared for extra maintenance. Seal on installation and reseal every 10 years.

With any tile be sure to follow the manufacturer's installation guidelines for wall preparation, setting materials, & setting technique used.  Ultimately if a product isn't installed properly it will fail.  Be sure to hire a professional to ensure it gets done right the first time around!

We are happy to announce that we've won Best of Houzz Customer Service 2018.  We are thankful for all the clients who took the time to submit a testimonial on their experience with working with us!  To see our portfolio and to read some of the reviews please click here.

Have you heard?  We are a Top Choice Awards nominee for Top Home Builder in Vancouver 2018.  We are thrilled by the nomination and would like congratulate to all of the other nominees in our category!

Please show your support and vote for us here.

We would also like to invite you to view more of our work from our portfolio here.