Women in Trades  

Look out boys there coming!

 Time to ring the bell for the pioneering ladies who are making inroads into the trades. I didn’t realize how little the general public realized this was happening. It hit home when I ran into a particularly uninformed perspective lady customer who told me this story.

  “I called a contractor to do my hardwood and when the installer came they sent a woman! I could not believe my eyes! I blurted "do you know what you are doing? She had a man helper!" I could not believe it! I watched her all day, in the end she did a really good job. She even took the nosing’s home and stained them to match the floor!”

 I have been in the supervisory role in the construction industry for 30 years. I am quite aware of the abilities and special skills women can bring to a job site. What shocked me was the level of ignorance from another woman. I guess someone needs to let the world know what’s going on.

  Although on average in the building trades women only make up 3% of the trades work force (once we take away hair dressers and chefs). These women are a force to be reckoned with. With few exceptions there attendance is better, they are on time, well organized, and dedicated. When they complete a job they clean up after themselves (guys are you listening?)  In general help keep those around them organized as well. Good habits usually rub off. They set a good example. What they lack in physical strength they make up for in attention to detail and dedication.

  I had a woman come to work for me who would have her husband come at lunch so she could nurse her baby in the car over lunch. Try that one boys! She was by and far my best team member.

 I would strongly encourage women to investigate the building trades. There are many jobs that pay well and suit the women of today to the tee. Today’s tradesperson is intelligent dedicated well trained and desires to be well paid for their efforts. Its time more women join the already setting such a great example and show the boys how it’s done.

David Federici

Owner Greenwave Construction

Kelowna Home Building Contractor

How to install a new bathtub

How to install a new bathtub (one piece acrylic tub)

 

   Wow this sounds like a big job! But that big bone colour thing is so outdated. Wouldn't one of the new soaker tubs with nice tile look great! You bet it would!

So here you go step by step. First decide what quality level new tub you want . If you get one at home Depot or Rona you'll save money but it may not be the same quality as that found in a new home. These stores cater to the home improvement market not the new home construction market. Most new homes have there fixtures supplied through the wholesale plumbing industry companies like Woolsey, Andrew Sherrit, and Bartle and Gibson to name a few.

To purchase here you will have to go through a plumber or a contractor.  For this project , lets pick this choice, because its really the right way to go. Cheap tubs can loose there finish, flex, and crack.

   So lets hire a plumber and order a good tub 30" by 60" so it will fit in the old space.

Now your going to need tile . Either you buy tile and do it yourself our you go to a tile store, select tile, and have them install regardless time to go shopping.

 Ok so now shopping's done you’ve selected tile, hired a plumber, and  picked a tub.*

Now order it all! Get delivery dates once all the materials are here .not on there way.

    What did you learn so far? Well you have hired trades and scheduled them, bought  materials and fixtures, ordered them had them delivered and set up a schedule. All this before you start! This is what contractors do. This is the right way.

 

Next : set you schedule See below. Typical one week schedule.

 Now start the Reno.

Monday cut out tub and haul away

  Now lets take out the tub. You'll need a reciprocating  saw with a short medium fine blade .You can rent one if need be.

  Turn of the water to the house.(Just in case).  Then carefully begin cutting out the tub. start high on the wall in the middle cut down across and up towards you basically cutting the tub in half. Now quarter the tub cutting aging these pieces in half . Avoid the drain and tap area for now.  Take a razor knife an cut 1 1/2 inches away from the tub all around it .you have to get at the flange. remove drywall from this area then any mounting screws you may find. You should be able to start removing sections of the tub now. Cut around the drain and the taps leave them on until the plumber comes tomorrow .He will remove these.

 Tuesday plumber comes and installs tub. You may have to remove the toilet and some drywall to get it in but often it will slide in. Check behind where the tub was and make sure the framing is true usually it is but not always . They had a big fibreglass tub in there so there might be corner framing missing . It could be poorly framed . Rectify before drywall. Usually the new tile will cover the drywall replacement but if not delay the sequence until the exposed drywall is properly filled sanded and painted.

wend drywall install and waterproofing

Thursday ( nothing) this is a slack day in schedule in case anything goes wrong leading up to this day you have a day to get things straightened out.

Friday have tile install scheduled to begin allow three days total *2

 Monday tile grout

Tuesday tile seal and caulking

Wednesday plumber is back to install finish

Odds and sods new shower curtain rod.  (curved are nice) curtain or perhaps a custom frameless glass enclosure ?

  Material and tool checklist

Ok so next honey...

 These are the main items

reciprocating saw with fine blade and extension cord
multi driver
razor knife
 two sheets waterproof drywall
drywall screws and screw gun
straight edge
tape measure
pencil
tile cutter either wet saw or snap cutter
tile adhesive ,adhesive applicator
grout
grout sponge
grout trowel
rags
bucket water
tile nippers
tile drill bit for tap locations
grout mixing paddle for drill.

 

*  Plumbing note

Since you are doing all this work replace the old taps and diverter they should be selected at the same time as the time fro the wholesaler.

 *2

 if your doing the tile yourself.  and you need tiling info, go online there's plenty of recourses out there .









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.

This Carriage Home Shows the design possibilities

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.




before

Recently, Greenwave Construction actually built a carriage house on top of a home as a penthouse suite (see our video series )   http://youtu.be/bRd0QS0r5rE  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.



after

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.

Kelowna Carriage House Construction

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

Greenwave Assembly Episode 1.mpg