Top Ten Concerns for Kelowna Home Buyers and Sellers

This is a popular post on many sites on the web with great info for home buyers in the Okanagan.

No matter the age, style, or location of a house, there are common problems that are likely to turn up during a home inspection. Understanding what these potential defects can be, and how to manage them, is key to making the most out of your buing experience.

RPC identifies the top ten most common concerns:

1. Structural damage: As the foundation settles, it can knock doorways,walls and support beams out of alignment. The end result could make the entire house a safety hazard.

2. Faulty Wiring: Older homes often need electrical upgrades, especially if you plan on installing a lot of electronics (computers, lighting) or pools and hot tubs. Making sure circuits are not overloaded can reduce the risk of a fire

3. Leaky Roof: Roofs may leak due to poor construction or aging materials. The question is, will the subsequent repairs be minor (repacing shingles) or major (replacing the entire roof)?

4. Failing Heating System: If it's an older system, it can pay to upgrade to one that uses less energy and is more efficient. If you have a gas or oil heat system, a carbon monoxide detector is advisable.

5. Plumbing Defects: Older homes may have faulty pipes made of polybutylene-popular in the 1970s till mid-1990s-which are prone to leakage and should probably be replaced with newer more reliable materials.

6. Poor Drainage: If the property is not graded properly, water may not drain away from the house. In addition, gutters and downspouts should be checked and replaced if necessary.

7. Insufficient Ventilation: Check the bathrooms. Without enough ventilation, moisture may have built up, potentially causing structural damage inside the walls.

8. Water Intrusion: If you have water seepage in your home, be sure to add caulk or weatherstripping. Water leaks can lead to mold, mildew and dry rot.

9. Improper Install or Maintenace: Any did-it-themselves, nonprofessional repairs or upgrades could be an aggravation or hazard down the line.

10. Hazardous Materials: Older homes may contain lead based paint, asbestos, carbon monoxide, radon gas or toxic molds. Any of these could eventually cause serious health problems.

David Federici
Greenwave Construction
Kelowna, BC
(250) 575-2690
http://www.greenwaveconstruction.ca/
Email

Greenwave Renovation tip: Check your Gutters.

Now is a good time to check the operation of your gutters and the downspouts on your home. Run a hose on your roof and check for overflowing gutters.

If a gutter overflows it means it is not draining correctly. Check for debris filling the gutter, or whether the downspout basket is plugged.

An incorrect slope of gutter will also cause overflow. The gutter must slope towards the downspout.

WiFor more information on the renovation of your home in Kelowna contact:

David Federici
Greenwave Construction
Kelowna, BC
(250) 575-2690
http://www.greenwaveconstruction.ca/
Email

We take the home work out of home improvements.nter damage can cause gutters to change alignment. Hire a professional if you are unable to complete this yearly maintenance check.

How to develop a Home Renovation Construction Schedule

How to develop a Home Renovation Construction Schedule

A properly prepared Construction Schedule is the framework on which a project hangs. The schedule controls and directs the sequence of the project.

Tasks
To begin to develop a schedule the first step is to make a list of tasks. Events such as plumbing rough in, electrical rough in, or a framing inspection are labelled tasks. These tasks are the events that must be coordinated in sequence to have a project run smoothly. Write down a list including all the tasks that are required then next to them write down the duration of the task. Use 8 hour work days as your increment of measure, with the number one being a one day increment.

Organize your tasks

Now you must begin to put your tasks in order. Number the tasks in pencil until the sequence is developed from beginning to end.

Move your task list to a calendar

Using a calendar starting at your “kick off” date begin to list all your tasks in order. Remember to allow for statutory holidays, inspections, trades that can overlap, and those that cannot. A good example would be that the electrical must be installed and inspected before the drywall installation begins.

Using slack in your schedule.

Now here comes a dose of reality: you must allow for breathing space in your schedule to make up for the times things do not go as intended. Delays may occur with materials procurement, trade availability, or failed inspections among other things. These are all good examples of common project delays. This breathing space is called slack. A good project manager knows how to keep a project on schedule by having slack built in to his schedule. You cannot reschedule an entire project because one thing did not go as planned. Slack allows you to keep rolling and catch up if necessary.

These are the basic steps in constructing a schedule. If you are good on a computer then it will be easier to develop a schedule using Excel or Microsoft Project. If after reading this you feel that you lack the expertise to construct a construction schedule then I would advise against acting as a general contractor on your own project.

The schedule is one of the key elements in the successful completion of your home project. Without it the home renovation nightmare can become a reality. Here is where Greenwave comes in.

To produce a schedule Greenwave Construction consults with clients to establish their needs and with the suppliers and trades to determine availability. After this a schedule is constructed detailing all tasks, resources, milestones and a critical path.

The critical path is the sequence of events that must occur for the project to proceed on time. The schedule is then shared with all parties. This scheduling system keeps the project on time and on budget.

Having a professional project manager negotiating projects, setting schedules and controlling your budget is invaluable. A real renovation is nothing like the programs on TV: they are entertainment not reality. In reality you need a professional in your corner protecting your interests, supervising the project with an eye on quality control, schedule, budget, and all of the other key elements.

Greenwave Construction Kelowna specializes in Home and Commercial Renovations, General Contracting and Construction Management throughout the Okanagan.

For more information on the renovation of your home in Kelowna contact:

David Federici
Greenwave Construction
Kelowna, BC
(250) 575-2690
http://www.greenwaveconstruction.ca/
Email

We take the home work out of home improvements.

Construction and Renovation Budget Control in Kelowna Renovations

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 contracts are above or below budget.
12. Never give out a check without an invoice, (hst # must be shown.)

If you decide to be your own general contactor the steps are the same except you will have to assemble pricing from more trades to put together your budget. It’s a lot more work; be prepared for the time this will require.

For more information on the renovation of your home in Kelowna contact:

David Federici
Greenwave Construction
Kelowna, BC
(250) 575-2690
http://www.greenwaveconstruction.ca/
Email

We take the home work out of home improvements.

Greenwave Construction EXHIBIT @ CBD Sizzle in the Sun

Sizzle in the Sun

CBD Network is inviting you to attend its Career Fair & BBQ Networking Event

Friday June 17, 11:30 - 3:00, 2033 Gordon Drive, Kelowna

Whether you’re in job search, networking or just want to pop in for a great burger, join us for a fine Friday afternoon under the Okanagan sun! (you just never know who you’ll run into…many local dignitaries and key business leaders will be in attendance.)

If your company is recruiting, or will be in the future, this event is for you. For Career Fair Exhibitor information, contact Karen.

Please RSVP before June 14 to Karen@cbdnetwork.com or 250.717.1821 ext. 231

EXHIBITORS.....

Community Futures
Greenwave Construction
Career Fox
Disney Online (Club Penguin)
.....and more

For more information on the renovation of your home in Kelowna contact:

David Federici
Greenwave Construction
Kelowna, BC
(250) 575-2690
http://www.greenwaveconstruction.ca/
Email

We take the home work out of home improvements.

Personal: Residential - Budget anouncment on eco energy program

ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes Program

Budget 2011 Update


Budget 2011 included $400 million in 2011-12 for the ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes program to help homeowners make their homes more energy-efficient and reduce the burden of high energy costs.

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) will announce eligibility criteria and other program details in the coming weeks after Parliament passes Budget 2011.

Visit ecoENERGY Retrofit Homes Program to check for updated program information.

For more information on the renovation of your home in Kelowna contact:

David Federici
Greenwave Construction
Kelowna, BC
(250) 575-2690
http://www.greenwaveconstruction.ca/
Email

We take the home work out of home improvements.

Kelowna Renovations - This Old House!!!

Excerpt From the Kelowna Courier

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Darcy Nybo “Shop Talk”

This Old House

One of Kelowna’s older homes has received a new lease on life. David Federici of Greenwave Construction is working on a home built in 1905 that originally had no electricity or central heating. The home, off Abbott Street, has been in existence since before Kelowna was incorporated.

The Cedars, as it was known was once used by the Kelowna hospital as the maternity ward and had a stint as a bed and breakfast.

“One of the challenges was to replace the deteriorated ceiling while at the same time preserving the wallpaper on the walls that meet the ceiling.” Said Federici.

Renovations continue on this home and Federici and his crew have just completed the entire main living area, which was done in classic birch planked hardwood.

The home will continue to evolve in the future with new windows and more work to return it back to its original layout.

For more information on the renovation of your home in Kelowna contact:

David Federici
Greenwave Construction
Kelowna, BC
(250) 575-2690
http://www.greenwaveconstruction.ca/
Email

We take the home work out of home improvements.