"Educate yourself by gathering as much knowledge as possible about the project. Informed decisions lead to better outcomes. Talk to multiple experts and ask a lot of questions."
- Mike Holmes -
In construction it can be very tempting to try managing your own DIY project; while on-line platforms may appear to have all the answers we highly recommend consulting with highly experienced professionals before undertaking any significant projects. We specialize in navigating our clients through the entire construction process by providing advise and expertise gained through fact based knowledge and experience acquired from successfully completing numerous projects in Edmonton and surrounding areas. Failure to recognize that a lack of construction knowledge and quality control has a direct correlation with project related deficiencies always results in the stakeholder dealing with varying types of problems in the near future. To further complement our industry experience we have formal industry training in business, project, facility and property management.
"Knowledge is Power"
FAQ's
Q: Why do I need a building permit?
A: Building permits protect the interests of individuals and communities by allowing the municipality to enforce building codes, zoning bylaws and environmental protection. Permits are a must before starting any project.
Q: Why is it important to follow all building code requirements in your area?
A: Building code is a set of construction standards that meet the objectives for health, safety, fire prevention
and accessibility. There will be city inspections at different stages of construction to ensure code if followed.
Q: What factors play a role in residential roof replacement cost?
A: Slope, Size, Materials used, Roof condition and Labour cost. Synthetic underlay, water & ice membrane, drip
edge, metal valleys and good quality roofing material are all a must. Old roofing nails are huge hazard
Q: What is R-Value for insulation and why is it so important?
A: The higher the R-Value the better the performance of the insulation - at a minimum - Attics / R40 - Exterior walls / R20 - Basement frost walls / R12 - Floors over unheated spaces / R20.
Q: Should I spend the extra money on pressure treated lumber for my outside projects?
A: YES - Decks, Fences, Playground structures and Raised garden beds - will last 15-20 yrs if maintained.
Q: Does my driveway need to be tied into my garage pad via rebar when they pour it?
A: Absolutely, your driveway can drop 2-3 inches over time and can result in a $2000 foam jacking bill to level
Q: Sand or Road Crush, which is the best as a base for patio stone work, sidewalks or driveway?
A: Even though Road Crush may be overkill and expensive, once compacted it gives you the most solid base.
Q: What percentage of budget should be set aside for unexpected costs during renovation.
A: 10 to 20 % depending on the age of your home and what has been done to the house already.
Q: Does my current home insurance policy cover any new construction projects at my home.
A: Talk to your insurance provider, protect your interests at all times. Your contractor should have their own insurance, it should cover public liability and property damage, ask for proof before any work gets started.
Q: What is MPa as it relates to concrete strength?
A: It stands for megapascal and is a unit of pressure used to determine the compressive strength of concrete.
For best results I have used 32 MPa for all my footings and foundation walls in new home construction.
Q: What type of underlayment is required when tiling floors over OSB and cement?
A: Schluter Ditra Matting over OSB and cement or 1/4" plywood over OSB, this will increase adhesion,
neutralize stresses between the substrate and tile covering and minimize tension cracks.
Q: Where should the rebar be in a concrete driveway slab?
A: The depth at which the rebar is placed in a concrete slab is essential to it's performance. Typically, rebar
is positioned at a depth of about one-third the thickness of the slab. For best results use 18" grid pattern.
Who, what, where, when, & why:
Don't hesitate to ask any questions or inquire as to who, when or why. Providing prompt/professional answers to our clients will minimize conflicts and misunderstandings with their contractors.
We like to visit:
Site meetings are an essential part of any project as they provide an opportunity for you to actively discuss and address any questions or concerns.
Above and beyond the call:
We can be reached via phone, email and text. Customer service is critical to our success, at a minimum our goal is to respond within 24 hr to all inquiries from current and future clients.
Why didn't I think of that:
Our experience and analytical approach has enabled us to find creative solutions for your unique designs and materials requests.