Tuesday, September 11, 2012


Teusday Sept 11 2012


Kelowna Carriage House Construction

Project Complete
Here is the Link to the final Video that summarizes The Carriage Home Process.
 
 http://youtu.be/bRd0QS0r5rE
Although the days of the horse and carriage have long ago slipped into history, in the past, the term “carriage house” described a building for the housing of carriages, coaches and the like. These structures commonly had servants’ quarters located above them. As the years went by the carriages evolved into automobiles and the servant quarters in many cases have become secondary suites used for a variety of purposes.

130 Flintoft A 1950 Bungalow

Today the term carriage house is commonly used to describe a small home located in the rear yard of an existing home. This home can be used as a mortgage helper, for extended family or for visiting guests. These days carriage houses have made a big comeback. Many municipalities are now allowing carriage homes in their zoning. Cities have seen this zoning as an opportunity to increase density, and their tax base without installing additional services for these residences. In Kelowna Carriage homes can also serve to reduce urban sprawl

Kelowna carriage homes offer a wonderful opportunity to get that mortgage helper or keep a family together as it grows or allow a family to move back closer together. If you are curious as to whether or not you can erect a carriage home just check with your municipal building department. They will sit down with you, answer your questions and make suggestions. There are certain setback and parking requirements that must be met. It is also prudent to enquire about your water, sewer, gas and hydro services; they may be required to be upgraded to allow for the proposed development.
project well underway penthouse suite has been added .
Final project complete re clad and suite added,
Is that a new house?
Recently, Greenwave Construction actually built a Carriage house on top of a home as a penthouse suite (see our video series) because the lot did not allow for the carriage home to be built in the rear yard. The home had a flat roof and the end result is a real head turner. With the home receiving a new cladding it now looks like a new home. Another option could be to attach the carriage home to the existing in the form of an addition; this can save space as well.
 
 
If you are considering a carriage home or another construction project for your home or business please give Greenwave Construction a call; we want to help. Our 30 years of experience and full in construction management can save you time and money. We will produce a high quality project at a down to earth price. Today’s mortgage money has never been cheaper and financial institutions usually look favorably upon revenue properties. Carriage homes rent well and are favoured by many as an alternative to suites and condos.

 

For more information contact
David Federici
Greenwave Construction
Kelowna, BC
(250) 575-269
Email
dave@greenwaveconstruction.ca


We take the home work out of home Construction

Friday, June 15, 2012

How to know when you need a new roof


How to Know When You Need a New Roof

Here are your main Items to Check
Examine your roof for signs of buckling. Buckling, occurs when a roof is not properly ventilated or installed, or when new shingles are laid without removing the old ones. Buckling in several areas of your home's roof is a sign that it may need to be replaced.
Check the ground around the perimeter of your home for shingles or pieces of shingles that may have blown off your roof. Excessive loss of shingles may indicate a new roof is in order.

Note any sagging in any of the ceilings of your home. Sagging ceilings are indicative of water damage caused by roof leaks. Check your attic for sagging as well, since this is often the first area of the home in which water damage becomes apparent.
Check any spots of discoloration on your roof, determining whether or not they are caused by moss or algae growth on the roof shingles. Moss and algae should be slick to the touch and are the common result of trapped moisture in your roof. A roof that is not properly resistant to moisture may be prone to leaks.
Check your roof for rotting shingles. Rotting shingles contain holes or show signs of substantial deterioration. If the shingles on your roof that you can see have begun to rot, there is a high chance that the rot is occurring in areas you cannot see as well. A rotting roof should be replaced before further damage can occur,
Consider the age of your roof and the cost of repairs. If your roof is more than 20 years old, the cost of repeated roof repairs can rapidly surpass the price of a new roof. In such a case, opting for a roof replacement may be the most financially sound option.

Think about your plans for the future. If those plans include selling your home, you may consider replacing an aging roof even if it does not show any current signs of deterioration. A new roof is an attractive feature for buyers and increases your property value.
Get the roof inspected. The only sure way to know if you need a roof replacement is to have the roof inspected by a professional. Find a roofing company in your area that offers free estimates for roof damage. A roofer can tell you whether any damage he finds can be easily repaired or if a new roof is a better option.


Friday, May 11, 2012


It all started with the Big Bang



 A Big Bang and crash was what David Andersen heard while watching TV. David feared his wife had fallen down the stairs as he rushed to investigate and found thankfully there was no injury to life or limb. The damage was to David’s 103 year old home. A portion of the original ceiling located above the stairs had collapsed and fallen.



 This prompted a call to Greenwave Construction. Greenwave was a member of David’s Okanagan Business Referral group. Greenwave had a reputation for using their extensive experience in renovating historical homes. The owner of Greenwave, David Federici, was thrilled to get the call because Mr. Andersen’s home is not just any home. It is a piece of Kelowna history.



 The home was formally known as “The Cedars” and had served as a bed and breakfast for a while, as well as serving briefly as a maternity ward for the Kelowna General Hospital whilst the hospital underwent renovations.

The home was built for a piano salesman in 1905 and originally had no electricity or central heating. While in use by the hospital the heating was installed. The antique radiators still function as efficiently and perfectly as the day they were installed.

 It was the first residential lot subdivided off of Abbott Street and was in existence before the city of Kelowna was incorporated.

It is not a run down old building; it is an absolutely beautiful residence.



  Kelowna home and commercial renovations is what Greenwave Construction specializes in. The owner of Greenwave, David Federici, was over directly to undertake a thorough inspection and make recommendations to remedy the damage. The challenge was to replace the deteriorated ceiling while at the same time preserving the wallpaper on the walls that met the ceiling. Originally it was thought that a crown molding would be required to cover this old-to-new connection, however as the job completed, it became obvious that David had called the right Kelowna home renovation company. The connection was seamless and the work was completed in a few days. Greenwave made sure to take down the scaffolding as well as vacuum at the end of work everyday while the job was underway. Mr. Andersen was so thrilled with the performance that he enquired about a hardwood install on the stairs of their home as well as into the kitchen and dining room. Within a few days selections were made and the flooring was underway.



 The work and attention David and his staff displayed prompted the owner to continue the work until the entire main living area of the home was clad in classic birch planked hardwood. Great care was taken to level the floors in the vintage home and deal with surprises in an efficient, fair way to allow the project to continue uninterrupted to its successful conclusion.



 Renovation of Kelowna heritage homes requires supervision by master craftsmen and precision high quality work to help preserve the value and integrity of these local treasures. Greenwave Construction should be every owner’s number one choice. With over 30 years of experience in residential construction and a Red Seal in carpentry, David Federici’s passion for renovating Kelowna homes is second to none.



Give David a call; you will be glad you did.




Monday, March 26, 2012

Construction and Renovation Budget Control



Often when a renovation ``nightmare`` happens it is because of cost overruns. This can be a customer’s main concern. If you are planning on embarking on a home renovation this is where you should start.


Here are your steps after you have decided what it is you want done.





1 Set a preliminary budget,


2 Meet with a few contractors who can do the work and get some ballpark figures on costs,


3 Revise your preliminary budget using this information


4 Decide if the costs are going to work for you; if you need financing, talk to your financial institution or rich relative of choice and feel them out.

5 Pick a contractor: check references, ask for his proof of insurance, W.C.B. number, and business licence number.


6 Contact your contactor and obtain a detailed written quote


7 Finalize your budget


8 Finalize your finances. I would recommend a new sub account to handle the project to avoid having the money mixed up with other funds.


9 Hire your contactor and ask when he requires payment so you are ready to supply the funds to keep thing moving.


10 Begin your project


11 Monitor cost continually: be aware of any times the project contacts are above or below budget.





Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Consumer tip Avoid Renovation Telemarketers

In The Home Renovation Industry as in life there is no such thing as a once in a lifetime offer. Avoid telemarketers and door to door salesman selling any kind of home renovation product. They rarely represent reputable companies. If you are planning a home renovation do your homework ask for references and pictures of the contractors work.
The BBB can be a good resource but the problem is most people never actually call them, usually people will deal with it on there own, seek legal action , or worse do nothing because they feel embarrassed for being taken advantage of.
So don’t be charmed by a big smile, it is important a contractor is polite and nice to you however many companies hire salesmen to get work. These salespeople will not be the ones you deal with once you sign the contract. They will never come back.
At Greenwave Construction you deal with one person, David Federici the owner and construction manager from beginning to end. Our references will be the jobs we have completed or the jobs we are working on. Remember buyer beware.

David Federici
dave@greenwaveconstruction.ca

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Kelowna Carriage House Construction

Although the days of the horse and carriage have long ago slipped into history, in the past, the term “carriage house” described a building for the housing of carriages, coaches and the like. These structures commonly had servants’ quarters located above them. As the years went by the carriages evolved into automobiles and the servant quarters in many cases have become secondary suites used for a variety of purposes.





Today the term carriage house is commonly used to describe a small home located in the rear yard of an existing home. This home can be used as a mortgage helper, for extended family or for visiting guests. These days carriage houses have made a big comeback. Many municipalities are now allowing carriage homes in their zoning. Cities have seen this zoning as an opportunity to increase density, and their tax base without installing additional services for these residences. Carriage homes can also serve to reduce urban sprawl.



Kelowna carriage homes offer a wonderful opportunity to get that mortgage helper or keep a family together as it grows or allow a family to move back closer together. If you are curious as to whether or not you can erect a carriage home just check with your municipal building department. They will sit down with you, answer your questions and make suggestions. There are certain setback and parking requirements that must be met. It is also prudent to enquire about your water, sewer, gas and hydro services; they may be required to be upgraded to allow for the proposed development.



Recently, Greenwave Construction actually built a carriage house on top of a home as a penthouse suite (see our video series) because the lot did not allow for the carriage home to be built in the rear yard. The home had a flat roof and the end result is a real head turner. With the home receiving a new cladding it now looks like a new home. Another option could be to attach the carriage home to the existing in the form of an addition; this can save space as well.



If you are considering a carriage home or another construction project for your home or business please give Greenwave Construction a call; we want to help. Our 30 years of experience in construction management can save you time and money. We will produce a high quality project at a down to earth price. Today’s mortgage money has never been cheaper and financial institutions usually look favorably upon revenue properties. Carriage homes rent well and are favoured by many as an alternative to suites and condos.



For more information contact
David Federici
Greenwave Construction
Kelowna, BC
(250) 575-269
Email


We take the home work out of home improvements