Local Builders take home National Awards

Halifax, NS - - There are not many opportunities to feel like you are making a difference in your industry and winning a peer judged award is one of those times when you know you have created something important and memorable. This year at the Canadian Home Builders’ Association’s SAM (sales and marketing) Awards and National Association Awards, Nova Scotia made its mark across the country.   

Three prestigious awards, celebrating excellence in new homes, innovative technologies and construction were presented to Nova Scotia this past weekend at the 69th National Conference in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec.

“As an association, we are pleased to have been honoured with a national award for our work on developing the Efficiency Nova Scotia Demonstration Homes project,” says Paul Pettipas, chief executive officer of the Nova Scotia Home Builders’ Association (NSHBA) and winner of the CHBA Susan Chambers Award. “Our association is committed to raising the level of professionalism within the residential construction industry and by developing programs that we were recently awarded for shows us and our members that we are doing it right.”

Two Nova Scotian builders were also awarded for their innovative construction technologies with strong competition from home builders across the country.

The winner of the CHBA Green Home Award was Denim Homes. This home, one of the Efficiency Nova Scotia Demonstrations Homes, located in Middle Sackville, was rated with an EnerGuide rating of 96 and topped the chart on energy efficiency technology and innovation. Owners, Steven Lockhart and
Caleb Howden, were in Mont-Tremblant to receive this award.

The winner of the Custom New Home under 2,500 square feet was Whitestone Developments. This home was also an Efficiency Nova Scotia Demonstration Home, located in Dartmouth and received an EnerGuide rating of 94 and host to numerous energy efficient feature and technologies. Owners, Andrew Watson and Tamara Barker Watson, were also in Mont-Tremblant to receive this award.

Pettipas adds that he is pleased to see this exceptional project and two dedicated Nova Scotian builders recognized for the advances they are making in creating change within the home building industry. The Nova Scotia Home Builders’ Association is the representative voice of the residential construction industry in Nova Scotia. The mission of the Association is to provide professionalism in all aspects of our industry and provide quality, affordable housing choices for Nova Scotians.

Home Builders & Renovators Win Big at the NSHBA Peter Kohler Peak Awards

On November 25th, the Nova Scotia Home Builders ‘Association (NSHBA) hosted its annual Peter Kohler Peak Awards. This event recognizes all NSHBA members for their accomplishments in the residential construction industry over the past year. Dozens of members were awarded for their efforts in raising the bar in the residential construction industry.
 
Receiving a third party award adds credibility to a company and is also a reflection of the work the company does. The NSHBA’s Peter Kohler Peak Awards are judged by an independent panel of industry professionals and includes a specific set of criteria that must be met in order to be eligible for the prestigious awards.
 
“The NSHBA’s Peter Kohler Peak Awards highlight some of the amazing excellence within the residential construction industry in our province,” says Paul Pettipas, NSHBA chief executive officer. “The work our members and the association do has a significantly positive impact on increasing the level of professionalism within the industry and the winners should be congratulated for their efforts.”
 
Some of the key winners of the evening included:
 
Builder of the Year – Rooftight Construction; Renovator of the Year – Shirebrook Developments; Lifetime Achievement Award – Dick Miller, Clayton Developments; New Home Project Awards – Whitestone Developments, Denim Homes, Sawlor Construction and Han-Cor Construction; Renovation Project Awards –Shirebrook Developments, Tower Interiors, Whitestone Developments, KelGreg Homes and Cabinetworks - to name a few.  A special feature of all the winners will be in Herald Homes next week.
 
For more information about the NSHBA or to receive an information package to help prepare for your upcoming new home or renovation project, visit the website atwww.nshomebuilders.ca or phone 450-5554.

An Aging Population: A Double Edged Sword

Halifax, NS - - The residential construction industry in Canada faces many challenges in the years ahead, one being an aging population. The industry loses workers to retirement, but it gains a huge potential market for its services, the Boomers and Beyond.

Starting in January 2010, one thousand Canadians per day turn 65. Boomers are motivated to act with the resources to back up their actions however, this is not a slam-dunk market. Boomers have expectations and we must be ready to meet them.

The Nova Scotia Home Builders' Association (NSHBA) is now the licensed provider of Certified Aging in Place (CAPS) training in Nova Scotia. The NSHBA is licensed through the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) located in Washington, DC. NSHBA members will be trained to work with clients and allow them to remain in their homes, safely, independently and comfortably. They will also attain the Certified Aging in Place Specialist designation.

“This is an exciting opportunity for both the industry and Nova Scotians,” says Paul Pettipas, NSHBA chief executive officer. “This specialized training is an asset for everyone and will allow for those trained in CAPS to gain a greater understanding of how to meet the needs and expectations of homeowners with mobility issues and help keep them safe in their homes.”

Participants taking the three day course are required to successfully complete three CAPS courses: Marketing and Communication Strategies for Aging and Accessibility (CAPS I); Design/Build Solutions for Aging and Accessibility (CAPS II); and successfully complete Business Management for Building Professionals.
The first course with 24 participants took place in Halifax on September 19 - 21, 2011.

All N.S. homes should be accessible: study

by CBC News

The Atlantic Seniors Housing Research Alliance has released a study recommending all homes in the province be accessible for an aging population.

Donald Shiner lead the six-year study recommending all homes in the province be accessible.

Shiner, a business professor at Mount Saint Vincent University, said the current building codes should be changed to accommodate seniors or those with disabilities.

Shiner said people should think ahead about what they can do to prepare for their own senior years.

"Our housing stock has been built as if we were Peter Pan, you know, it's been built as if we'll never grow old or never get sick," said Shiner.

"If you build ... wider doorways, one wheelchair-accessible bathroom on the ground floor, one room on the ground floor that can be used as a bedroom if you do those things as you build the home, you're way ahead of the game."

According to the study, the senior population in the Maritimes is the highest in the country, and is projected to increase 86.3 per cent between 2007 and 2033.

"It was a six-year study which included detailed surveys of seniors and their needs, their expectations, how they lived — it gave us a lot of insight into seniors in Atlantic Canada and their homes and the problems they face," said Shiner.

Ten years ago, Shiner's elderly in-laws moved into his home.

"We were fortunate enough to be able to sit down with them and talk to them about putting an extension on our home."

Paul Pettipas, chief executive officer of the Nova Scotia Home Builders' Association, agrees homeowners have to think about their future.

"People have got to realize that even if they're a little younger, things could change for them, and it's not only aging, it could be an accident, or it could be an older member of your family coming to live with you."

Shiner said he spoke to federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for seniors last month about the study.

He also said he'd like to see a government rebate — much like environmental upgrades to homes — but to make homes accessible.

Shiner hopes his group's recommendations will get people thinking about housing for seniors.

Stanley Cup Champion helps raise money for Home Builders Care program

On Sunday August 7th, the Dartmouth North Boys and Girls Club celebrated a victory at Boston Pizza, Bayers Lake with a little help from the Home Builders Care Program and Stanley Cup winner Brad Marchand.

Sunday Funday was an auction held to raise funds to install a roof on the Boys and Girls Club of Dartmouth facility located on Farrell Street. Several auction items were donated by the young hockey star including; signed pictures, a signed stick used in a Stanley Cup final game, socks worn in a World Junior Hockey Championship and a signed Boston Bruins jersey.

 “The Homebuilders Care program helps local not-for-profit organizations that are doing great things but facing challenges with their facilities. Helping with the facilities is where our expertise and resources come into play,” stated Paul Pettipas, CEO, Nova Scotia Home Builders Association.

Brad Marchand was in attendance to show his support for the cause and give a signed Boston Bruins hat to Dawson Kelly, a seven year old member of the club.

The event was a coordinated as a joint effort between the Homebuilders Care program and a Public Relations class from Mount Saint Vincent University.

“It’s great to see that the students contributing to the community around them at such an early stage in their career,” said Paul, “They really did an excellent job with this event.”

The events promotions were so successful they even caught the attention of Nova Scotia Premier, Darrell Dexter who gladly joined in on the bidding.

A press conference was held prior to the auction in which representatives from Homebuilders Care, the Boys and Girls Club of and Brad Marchand addressed local media. As a result the event was featured on the front page of the Chronicle Herald, on Global television, CTV,CBC, allnovascotia.com and MSN news.

Overall the event was a great success raising more than $3000 for the Boys and Girls Club of Dartmouth’s new roof.

Brad Marchand posing with members of the Home Builders Care program.

Brad and Paul getting into the spirit of the event with some cool costumes.

Brad Marchand and Premier Darrell Dexter

The Brachvogel boys having fun with Balloon Pro Joelle!

Auction Items Donated by Stanley Cup champion, Brad Marchand

Peter Briand of Econo Renovations as Auctioneer along with members of the MSVU PR Team.

For more media coverage on this event, view the below links:

The Chronicle Herald
MSN News
CBC News