Award Winning Renovations

STAYCATION 2020

8/12/2020

2020 is the year of the Staycation.
Canadians are exploring ways to improve their surroundings; we want to make our homes as inviting and versatile as possible. There is no better motivator than a bored family stuck in close quarters. So, prepare some snacks and get everyone together to discuss the possibilities.

B Gallant Homes Tips to Transform Your Home into a Staycation Destination.

RENOVATIONS & ADDITIONS

Don’t waste that vacation budget, invest it in your home.
Create a personal sanctuary that you’ll enjoy daily. Entertain family and friends in a new game room. Impress your guests with an outdoor kitchen and dining experience.
A renovation or addition is not a fleeting memory, but something meant to enhance your everyday life.
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DO IT RIGHT
Hire a reputable Contractor.
Talk to your friends and family for recommendations and contact your local Home Builders Association for a list of licensed professionals in your area. Look for companies that offer an itemized estimate, a written contract, and a limited warranty.
Consult with your municipal building department for any requirements and permits necessary.
Budget more of your money on hardware and “built in” items. A quality structure, whether it’s a ground level deck or kitchen cabinets, increases functionality, performance, and investment return.
You can modernize a well-designed and professionally built space by altering décor to match the current trends, but décor will not mask a poorly constructed inefficient space.
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WHERE TO START
Examine your home and property, look for underutilized spaces and inefficient design features. Once you have an idea of what spaces can be modified discuss the possibilities with your household.
Combined you’ll have a list of where and what to take to potential contractors for suggestions and estimates.
Incorporating versatility into your project from the start results in a beautifully designed and functional space that has the potential to grow with your family as interests change.
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Check out our top suggestions to make your home a 2020 Staycation Destination.

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New Home Construction: When to Engage a Contractor

4/30/2020

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ENGAGING A CONTRACTOR

New home construction requires as much time to prepare and plan as it will take to build your home. Choosing your Contractor is one of the first steps to successfully managing your project and staying on budget and on time.

WHEN
The best results happen when you engage your Contractor once you’ve decided you want to build. A good Contractor will contribute greatly to the quality of your project and your long term enjoyment. Ensure you choose a Contractor you have a good rapport with. You’ll avoid many common frustrations by understanding how they talk and having your ideas heard. Many hours in conversation will be spent with them and you will be making decisions on their advice.

WHO
When searching for a Contractor, contact your local Builders Association to compile a list of reputable builders. Be careful with any that give an estimate that is far below the average. Inexperienced estimators may leave out significant expenses whereas a quality Contractor will provide you with a detailed estimate and hire experienced skilled workers, an increase in cost and quality.

WHAT
Your expectations for your new home will be discussed in detail. What features will be best suited to your lifestyle, area of town that will provide the necessary amenities, the look versus required upkeep, the budget and timeline.

WHY
Contractors understand the concerns, questions and frustrations involved in every stage of the process. Details can ruin the big picture, especially any modifications that affect the sub-trades. Experienced Contractors provide oversight and can anticipate and mitigate problems throughout the build.

HOW
From these discussions your Contractor will liaise with your Realtor to ensure you're purchasing the right lot that fits within your expectations, coordinate and work with architects, geotechnical/structural engineers, interior designers and other professionals to provide input into the build plan and make suggestions for the most effective ways of turning your dreams into reality.
During the build, dependant on your contract, your Contractor will monitor the entire project. The budget, schedule, building permits right through to inspection, quality of sub-trades, delivery of product, and providing a signed Warranty upon completion of your project.
Regular, scheduled contact with your Contractor throughout the project ensures there are no surprises.

Make your Contractor integral during every stage of your project and you will have a less stressful, more cost effective experience and a home you will enjoy for years to come.

Don't wait to have your projected evaluated.

Start Now

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SPRING MAINTENANCE

2/21/2020

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With spring here, take some time to inspect your home. Use these tips on what to look for before a small issue becomes an insurance issue.

Foundation

Walk around your home, paying close attention to where the soil line meets your the foundation. Clear the space around any foundation vents you find.

Is there any pooling water?

Do your downspouts extend past your home’s foundation or do they empty straight down into soil that has started to erode?

Clear any obstructions blocking the flow of water away from the house, you may want to install a rock drainage trench where the soil has eroded.

Ensure you have a suitable slope around your home, the ground should have a 15 cm drop for every 3 metres, a line level may be used if you are unsure.

Look for any cracks in the foundation, both from the exterior and in the basement. Use tape to mark the length and width and reinspect often for any growth.

It is important to have a qualified professional inspect any cracks in the foundation. Some may be an easy repair with an injected epoxy; serious cracks may require excavating.

Do not procrastinate with the structural safety of your home, it will always cost more the longer you wait.

Call a specialist immediately if you notice any of the following:

• Two vertical cracks on adjacent walls could be a broken footing
• A horizontal crack, a metre below grade, even a hairline crack, may signal a loss in structural integrity 
• Linear cracks in cinder blocks and bricks (not the mortar) are a serious structural concern

Exterior

Check masonry for vertical alignment.

A bulging or sunken brick indicate an unseen moisture issue behind the masonry. Look for efflorescence; a white chalky substance that can indicate masonry joints are no longer repelling water but absorbing it.

Check your siding for any changes in alignment.

Swelling and warping indicates trapped moisture. Inspect seams for mildew and mold. Look closely for holes, even small ones, can be a cause for water penetration and may be caused by insects.

Deck
Check for warped boards, any pulling away from posts, and loose hardware.

The most important part of inspecting your deck is the hardware. Broken hardware or improperly installed hardware directly affects the safety of your deck.

Pay close attention to where railings are attached and that all of your connectors and fasteners are rust and damage free.

Clean off any residue and algae. If you notice water beading on the surface you can wait to reseal. If the wood is absorbing the water it's time to stain and seal.

Roof
You can use binoculars to inspect your roof instead of risking the climb.

Look for any shingles that are curled or buckled and any shifts or sagging.

Clean gutters, check for leaks & make sure they’re attached securely

Check the attic for leaks, mold, and moisture intrusion.
Notice any fire hazards or evidence of critters?
Dealing with these issues quickly can prevent the need to install a new roof, and keep you safe from health dangers caused by mold and animal leavings.

Interior

Inspect caulking around windows for any cracks and repair as needed. This will ensure the seal is kept and keep energy consumption down.

Remove any storm windows and wash exterior windows before installing screens.

Check your interior water lines

Check the washing machine fill hose for any cracks as this line is constantly under pressure and leaks here can go unnoticed resulting in expensive repairs to floors and drywall.

Inspect dishwasher lines and under sink connections to ensure moisture is not present and lines are in good shape.

Check your drains for good flow, if you notice a lag have an experienced company or a plumber flush your drains.

Inspect your bathroom and kitchen caulking for cracks that can lead to water infiltration. Many cabinets are made with particle board which sucks in water and permanently swells.

Vacuum your refrigerator coils and inspect for any leaks or moisture stains.

Replace furnace and water filters.

Have your vents cleaned, this can prevent many airborne allergens from recirculating within your home.

Spring thaw can be just as rough on your home as winter storms. Knowing what to look for and how serious, allows you to hire professionals before a small repair escalates into major reconstruction. An afternoon spent around the house twice a year will save you thousands of dollars and months of stress.

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Fall in Love with your Kitchen

9/13/2019

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What would you change about the most prominent room in your house?

The kitchen is where you and your family gather to cook, eat, and shuffle to the coffee pot every morning. There are class projects, late night snacks and finding empty milk cartons in the fridge.

Whether you decide on a minor renovation of flooring, counter tops, and refurbished existing cabinetry, or a major project that strips it all down to the studs, you can fall in love with your kitchen.

Updating your kitchen is a project to undertake long before you decide to sell. Though minor kitchen renovations can see more than an 80% return on investment, the larger more complex projects rarely justify the cost if you won't be the one to enjoy the fancy features.

Spend your money where you'll enjoy it the most this Fall and contact B Gallant Homes to get started.

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Outdoor Living Health Benefits

6/11/2019

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An Outdoor Living Space Provides Surprising Health Benefits

Remodeling a raised deck or creating a landscaped patio provides more than just aesthetic appeal. By creating an outdoor living space that accommodates your family’s lifestyle, you will improve their overall physical and mental health.

Consider contracting a local reputable builder before you start designing to ensure you take full advantage of your available space. Depending on your area, you will need to know of any city by-law restrictions, placement options, requirements for water and fire features, and possible amenities.

According to the University of East Anglia, exposure to green space reduces the risk of type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death, preterm birth, stress, and high blood pressure.

Analyzing over 140 studies involving 290 million people, researchers studied the health of people with little access to green spaces compared to that of people with the highest amounts of exposure. Their findings show significant and measurable health benefits.

Exposure to health-promoting environments is recognized as both preventing and helping treat disease. With a reduction in diastolic blood pressure and heart rate, and a significant reduction in the physiological stress marker salivary cortisol, exposure to outdoor green space provides meaningful health benefits.

The health benefits of the great outdoors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of greenspace exposure and health outcomes' is published in the journal Environmental Research on 2018 6 July.

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Colour is Back

4/23/2019

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You can’t go wrong with a classic white kitchen; it creates an uncluttered and clean aesthetic for preparing meals and spending time with family. A decade of market domination has meant few choices for adding colour. Those wanting to bring the warmth of wood or bold colours into their kitchens will be pleased by the emerging trends retailers are noticing. Everything from statement backsplashes, bold cabinetry to the understated coloured interior of stainless appliances are now offered by retailers to the white weary.

Adding a wood floor gives the consumer a wide palette to choose from, giving new life to existing appliances and cabinetry. A pale wood subtly compliments pure white cabinetry and counter tops, while a dark rich wood will showcase flawless white with striking contrast.

Updating your white cabinets to a traditional dark wood or keeping current dark cabinetry and installing glossy white counters and tiling combines the trendy white kitchen with traditional ebony or mahogany for a dramatic twist on the two classic looks.

Counters in a vivid marbled granite or a daring hue in solid glass, will elevate a generic white kitchen to a statement of individuality and style.

For the budget conscience, try retiling a backsplash. Glamour it up with reflective tiles and shiny inserts or use a contrasting grout to give a classic white tile a subtle modern twist.

The kitchen remains a favoured domain for clean white on white, incorporating colour prevents it from appearing clinical and uninspired. Now, manufacturers are offering an array of products letting consumers know, that colour is back.

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VIBE Awards

3/29/2019

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Take Advantage of Your Yard and Enjoy Your View with a Custom Built Outdoor Space

2/28/2019

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Properties in Nanaimo can be irregular in shape with varied terrain. A trade off for the ocean views. Take advantage of your properties unused space with a raised deck and outdoor cooking area.

Gorgeous view but only from the corner of your yard?
Many feel their space just isn’t suitable for a deck especially here in Nanaimo when many have sloped yards or limited entry points. A freestanding deck can be a beautiful addition to any style of home giving an architectural element to the natural look of a steep slope.

Lots of outdoor space but mostly vertical?
Integrating with the land by using steps and several platforms looks stunning and gives the whole family space to entertain or practice their morning yoga routine. This design works best for sloped yards, but steep terrain can use extra-tall posts with required bracing.

No room for entertaining?
An attached raised deck can add considerable square footage to your living space. Speak with your contractor and designer on how you envision the space will be used. Extra bracing for the added weight of a hot tub or extra load from crowded socials should be included from the start.

Large trees in the way?
City Bylaws often forbid the removal of healthy trees, making a deck seem impossible. Incorporating your trees into the design will create shady areas protecting your family from the harsh summer sun. Leave a few inches around the trunk of each tree for future growth, ensuring water and air circulate at the base of the tree.
A pergola, for those without the natural shade trees gives, will give a similar dappled effect allowing your guests to enjoy the sun without melting under its direct glare.

Unsure where to start?
It’s important to start the process early by hiring a reputable contractor. Always contact your local Home Builders Association for a list of Contractors in your area.
Almost all decks require permits that take time for approval. Hiring your contractor before this stage will ensure the necessary drawings are completed and submitted for approval. They will know which styles will realistically work in your space and recommend products and designs to suit your needs.
Inspections create stress for the average homeowner and can become costly, letting your contractor handle these details means inspections are precisely scheduled and all deficiencies are resolved.

At the end of your project, what will make your deck truly enjoyable will be the little details that bring it all together. Speak with your contractor they know where to go for the right lighting, railing accessories, and how to create a focal piece with water or fire features.

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