INDUSTRY
Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Edmonton Region
April 2012 2–5
14 Building for the Future: Meeting
Market Demand for Accessible Housing 232012 Awards of Excellence in Housing Winners
5
2 Safety Performance in
Residential Construction...
How are we really doing?
contents
Volume 2 Issue 5
14
16
12 & 23
April 19, 2012
committees
The Industry Insider is published every six
weeks by the Canadian Home Builders’
Association-Edmonton Region.
16 RCIC
CHBA-ER Executive Officer: Tim Howard
toward@chbaedmonton.ca
780.702.0323
48 Economic
Editor/Coordinator: Meghan Rennick
mrennick@chbaedmonton.ca
780.702.5306
51 NextGen
Graphic Designer: Katheryn Charchuk
54
47 Technical Research
50 CHBA-AB Safety
53 Safety
54 Manpower
The Association has taken care to ensure
copy and advertising accuracy. However,
no warranty is implied or given.
Phone: 780.425.1020
Fax: 780.425.1031
Return Undeliverable Canadian Address to:
Editor, Industry Insider
150 Summerside Gate, SW
Edmonton, Alberta, T6X 0P5
Email: info@chbaedmonton.ca
features
12 Awards of Excellence in Housing: 2012 Winners Photo Gallery
14 Building for the Future: Part 2
22 PlyGem Celebrates 53 Years
23 2012 Awards of Excellence in Housing Winners
52 Safety Performance in Residential Construction:
How are we really doing?
56 City of Edmonton’s Green Building Plan: A Sneak Peek
57 Welcome New Members
58 Calendar of Events
message
FROM THE BOARD
Many older homes were framed with
2x4 exterior walls. As builders beefed
that up to 2x6 walls, we were able to
Miles Kohan, increase the spacing between studs.
This allows for
CHBA Board Member
General Manager of Sterling Homes better R values
Homes today
as you have
more, thicker
are vastly
insulation in
superior to those
the wall cavity.
“They don’t build them
Gone, too, are
in the past. This is
the days of
like they used to …”
single-pane
not a knock against
windows
“As builders, how many times have
home builders of
that allowed
we heard that comment?” This type
for that
the past who used
of uninformed criticism is taking for
constant
granted the great innovations and process
the best materials
breeze
improvements made over the years.
feeling
and ideas available
The truth is, homes today are vastly
(great only
superior. This is not a knock against home
if you were
to them at the time,
builders of the past who used the best
a smoker
materials and ideas available to them at
but a comment on
who needed
the time, but a comment on how far our
a regular
how far our industry
industry has come in terms of technology,
supply of
efficiency and construction know-how.
has come in terms
fresh air).
Now the
Over the years we have moved from the
of technology,
sealed doubleold “knob and tube” method of wiring
pane vinyl
a home, to insulated copper wire with
efficiency and
windows come
circuit breakers and logically defined
construction
with a selection
circuits. Remember when you couldn’t
of coatings
use the toaster and the kettle at the
know-how.
to reduce the
same time? Or you took your life in your
effects of the
own hands using a hairdryer on a wet
sun or options for “gain” to increase the
bathroom floor? Besides GFI’s, let’s not
heat transfer through them, as well as
forget the addition of arc-fault protectors
options to add argon gas to increase the
or hard wired smoke and CO2 detectors
overall R values.
to keep us all safer in our homes.
I can remember when a good furnace
was only 80% effective and you had to
pay several thousand dollars to get a
high efficient one. Now, many builders
are including up to 95% efficient heating
systems, as well as high efficiency hot
water tanks in their base price.
4 | industry INSIDER April 2012
That means, of course, that the newer
home is going to be more comfortable
(less temperature fluctuations) as well
as more energy efficient. That’s good for
the environment and good for your bank
balance… especially when you have a -40 degree cold snap in Alberta!
Building envelopes have improved as
well, bringing rain and wind resistance
into their design. Attention is paid to trim
details to ensure moisture is not making
its way into the home. Speaking of trim,
have you noticed that while not required,
many builders now utilize a variety of
maintenance free exterior products? Trim
details are typically vinyl or clad metal
and don’t require ongoing hassles like
repainting every few years!
TGI joists have largely replaced
dimensional lumber while builders
now use LVL and Glue Lam beams in
residential construction. These allow for
greater design flexibility (longer spans
means the ability to have more open
rooms), and provide a better structure
that eliminates a lot of drywall repairs
(dimensional lumber shrinks and could
cause some drywall cracks).
And let’s not forget the elimination of that
“banging sound” you used to get with
copper water lines. Builders today look at
products that are energy efficient, utilize
recycled material, and use paints that
have low VOC’s (let alone no more lead
based paint).
Alberta’s fire code requirements now
mandate insulated, drywalled, and taped
garages, along with fire-rated products
added to the sides of homes to protect
them during the course of construction
against fire-spread.
Yes, resale homes have their own charm,
but unless you are buying an extensively
renovated one or are prepared to make
those improvements yourself, you
are paying top dollar for yesterday’s
technology and building materials
because it’s true…
“we don’t build them like we
used to.”
message
FROM THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Tim Howard
Executive Officer
Virtually every
organization
on the planet
is looking to streamline
its operations,
save costs,
and be more effective.
Municipalities and the residential
construction industry are no different.
Interestingly, the City of Edmonton
and the CHBA-ER have undertaken
a common initiative that serves the
purposes of both the City and our
industry. For many years now, especially
during peak building booms, the industry
has experienced periods of frustration
with development permits taking
excessive lengths of time to process.
These delays were adding time and, by
one builder’s estimate, up to $600/day
in costs to the construction cycle. On
the municipal side of the equation, the
City was finding itself short-staffed and
unable to provide the level of scrutiny
necessary to ensure a high and uniform
standard across the industry.
As Scott Mackie, Building and Planning
Manager with the City of Edmonton’s
Planning and Development Department
put it, “in suburban areas, 90% of the
development permits that we process
have no issues, however, we devote
over 80% of our time to the remaining
10%. It does not make sense to
needlessly hold up approvals for those
builders with established track records
and straight-forward applications. If
we can find a way of expediting those
permits without jeopardizing the
integrity of the process, why wouldn’t
we?” In recent years, there has been
a heightened level of cooperation
between the Association and the City
of Edmonton; both parties have worked
hard to find solutions to problems that
met the needs of both sides.
This collegial approach has resulted
in a unique pilot project that sees the
industry monitoring applications through
‘self-review of development permits’.
Fourteen builders have been included
in this program which explores the
feasibility of companies ‘reviewing’
their own development permits under
the scrutiny of company staff trained by
the City. Some 163 permits have been
processed in the first two months of this
program. The pilot project has proven
very successful with the unexpected but
welcome side-effect that participating
builders have become more fastidious
than ever in their efforts to remain within
the parameters of the program; this
in an effort to ensure they are able to
continue under its umbrella.
It is expected that the pilot project will
continue for the balance of the year with
the results of an audit process reviewed
close to year-end. This will review the
efficacy of expanding the program to
the entire industry. While this will create
a two-tier approach to development
permit processing, it is a win-win for
all concerned; for those production
builders whose permits are very much
standardized, the process will enable
them to fast-track approvals that would
otherwise have joined their peers in ‘the
line’. For builders with custom or unique
issues, development officers will now
have the time and resources to devote
more focus to their applications, thus
moving them faster through the approval
process.
Derrick Hiltz, Operations Manager for
Sterling Homes and Chair of the CHBAER’s Builder Technical Committee – the
committee tasked with coordinating this
project with the City – is a vocal and
enthusiastic advocate of self-review.
“Those companies engaged in the pilot
project have seen their permit waittimes reduced and their over-all project
planning cycle
improved. This has
been a welcome
Those
initiative from
companies
the City of
Edmonton
engaged in
and we look
the pilot project
forward to not
only seeing
have seen their
this program
expanded
permit wait-times
across the
reduced and their
industry after
the pilot project,
over-all project
but working
planning cycle
with the City on
similar programs
improved.
in the future.”
The CHBA-ER
is working with
other municipalities in the Capital
Region to explore how the self-review
program might have application in their
jurisdictions. We will keep you posted on
how this pilot project unfolds during the
balance of the year and as discussions
evolve. ■
industry INSIDER April 2012 | 5
The Canadian Construction Association
Honours A & B Concrete Pumping with
the 2011 Excellence in Innovation Award
The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) recognized
A & B Concrete Pumping (2007) Ltd. with the prestigious
Excellence in Innovation Award at their 94th annual conference
on March 14th in Savannah, Georgia. The award was given
to acknowledge the A & B Concrete Washout Program – a
unique program that eliminates concrete waste left behind on
construction sites from concrete pumps in the Edmonton area.
The A & B Concrete Washout
Program was created in
response to growing concern
and attention from home
builders and general contractors
alike, with issues spanning
from the environment to
general site cleanliness and
congestion. Historically, waste
from concrete pump washouts
was left on site to be hauled
away to landfill. Studies
have shown that between
25-35% of all solid waste in
Canadian landfills comes from
the construction industry;
approximately one quarter of
that waste is concrete. This
program is a first for the Alberta
construction industry and gained
recognition at the Edmonton
The A & B
Concrete Washout
Program was created
in response to growing
concern and attention
from home builders and
general contractors alike,
with issues spanning
6 | industry INSIDER April 2012
from the environment to
general site cleanliness
and congestion.
Construction Association (ECA) Awards of Excellence Gala
in 2011, winning the Sustainable Construction & Innovation
Award along with the award for Manufacturer and Supplier of
the Year.
“We are extremely proud to be recognized by the CCA for
our Concrete Washout Program,” said Jason Mercier, General
Manager of A & B. “It was an honour to be recognized at
a local level through the ECA Annual Awards this past fall,
but this takes things to another level for us. Our program is
something that our team, along with our program partners at
Smart-Way Disposal & Recycling, have put a lot of work into
developing over the past four years. We are proud to offer an
economical solution to an issue for all sectors of construction
whether it is commercial, residential or industrial based.”
About A & B Concrete Pumping:
A & B Concrete Pumping is a custom concrete pumping
company operating in the Edmonton, Barrhead, Fort
McMurray, Regina and Saskatoon construction markets.
They are always looking for ways to incorporate concrete
pumping related ideas and to effectively solve the issues
facing their customers by bringing new technologies and
ideas to the Canadian concrete pumping industry and the
construction industry as a whole. With over thirty years
experience, they truly are “Western Canada’s Concrete
Pumping Professionals.”
For more information, go to
www.abconcretepumping.com ■
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industry INSIDER April 2012 | 7
builder breakfast
special events
Topic & Speaker: TBA
RCIC 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
7:30 AM
Edmonton Petroleum Club (11110 108 Street)
Tuesday, April 24 & Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Edmonton Expo Centre (Northlands)
Topic & Speaker: TBA
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
7:30 AM
Edmonton Petroleum Club (11110 108 Street)
business lunch
The Future of HR in Alberta
Speaker: Don Schepens, Grant MacEwan University
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
11:30AM
Royal Glenora Club (11160 River Valley Road)
dinner meeting
Alberta New Home Warranty Program
(ANHWP) 2011 Service Awards
Thursday, May 17, 2012
5-10pm
Delta Edmonton South (4404 Gateway Blvd. NW, Edmonton)
For more information or to register for these or other
upcoming CHBA-ER events,check out chbaedmonton.ca/
news-events/calendar-events or contact Programs and
Services Manager, Kimberley Banford, for details.
“Rock Your Sales Rally” Half Day Sales
Training Session
Thursday, May 10, 2012
9am to 1pm
Westin Hotel (10135 100th Street, Edmonton)
Headliners for CHBA-ER’s Rock your Sales Rally include three of North America’s
top sales training experts. This star-studded line up will help you refocus and
recharge after several challenging market cycles.
Today’s economy requires talented, bold and fearless performers. Inspired by rock
legends like, The Rolling Stones and Van Halen, this entertaining sales event will
energize, motivate, and inspire you to remember what it is you love about new
home sales. Leave this powerful show with fresh tactics to take your sales to the
next level.
Attendees will learn how to:
• Harness the power of online networking
• Avoid poor social networking etiquette and stop over
• Post meaningful content that will demonstrate expertise and get responses
• Put together a social networking strategy and schedule to maximize results
• Define and follow with a “Contact” vs. a “Lead” strategy
Tickets are on sale now! Go online to register.
http://www.chbaedmonton.ca/news-events/calendar-events/rock-your-
sales-rally
CHBA-ER Charity Golf Tournament
Friday, June 8, 2012
CHBA-ER Annual Softball Tournament Saturday, August 25 & Sunday, August 26
8 | industry INSIDER April 2012
Check out our bookstore
on the tradeshow floor
at the upcoming RCIC conference,
April 24th & 25th 2012,
Edmonton Expo Centre.
www.chbaedmonton.ca/bookstore
industry INSIDER April 2012 | 9
Have High Intensity
Residential Fires Changed
Building Envelope
Practices?
Chris Hunter, C.E.T., Project Manager, Morrison Hershfield Ltd
High intensity residential fires (HIRF) have had an impact on fire
and building codes causing Albertan home builders to use different
construction methods and to utilize more in-depth material selection
processes. From 2000 to 2007, there were 86 residential fires in
Alberta, 65 of which were in occupied buildings. While HIRF-related
situations account for less than 1 per cent of fires in Alberta, they
are responsible for nearly 10 per cent of losses. Due to the number
of fires and potential for losses (nearly $18,300,000), concerns were
raised about current practices.
In 2007, a working group was generated to make recommendations
to the Alberta Government. In 2009, many of these recommendations
were developed and adopted in Alberta in hopes of reducing the
effects of HIRF. These changes included modifications to the Alberta
Building Code and the Alberta Fire Code, which are applicable
to all home builders. Some of the recommendations that were
accepted were: protected and unvented soffits, new restrictions on
unprotected openings and their locations, protection from adjacent
buildings and enhanced safety plans.
HIRF have not changed how we address the building envelope, but
has changed the materials we use to build and forced emphasis on
the quality control required to ensure longevity and durability of our
buildings. The biggest changes that impact the building envelope
are the sheathing/cladding material selection and the path of roof
venting. The builder must understand the moisture sensitivities of
various materials and provide adequate moisture management and
redundancies into these systems. Since the fire code requires the
builder to protect adjacent structures, the builder must understand
the materials available on the market that allow this to happen
and how these materials impact the performance of the building
envelope. As well, roof venting, if not properly addressed, may lead
to serious long-term durability problems and must be addressed on a
case-by-case basis.
The builder must understand the issues involved with cladding
attachment, in light of the different sheathing materials. Various
claddings have different requirements for fastening. Quality
control programs are recommended to ensure all parties involved
understand these requirements.
The lateral resistance (shear) of sheathing is another important
element to consider with these changes. As every region in Alberta
has different concerns about lateral resistance, your choice will
depend on where your build site is located. Lethbridge for example,
has high exposure to wind pressure making it imperative to use a
material that will have high lateral resistance such as plywood or
OSB. With this being said, the type of sheathing has little impact
on the long side wall of a single family detached dwelling. However,
when unique conditions present themselves, it is recommended to
consult an engineer.
Understanding the implications of material selection and quality
control on sites are imperative for builders today. There needs to be a
focus on quality control on site programs as well as the introduction
of redundancies in the envelope design (i.e. rainscreen systems,
improved detailing, etc.). It is imperative that builders consider the
properties of materials and their locations in the exterior wall from
the building code and the fire code perspective.
For the full presentation please visit the archived Builder
Breakfast presentations at www.phbia.com ■
Thermal Imaging Finds the Hidden
Secrets in Residential Homes
Darrell Paul, Qualistat.com
For building performance specialists like QualiSTAT, changing weather
conditions keep our technicians busy year round. In fact, there’s
a constant demand from home owners faced with moisture and
energy loss, depending on the season and locale. Air leakage and
condensation build-up in walls and attics have been known to cause a
myriad of tell-tale problems in hard-to-find spots.
Detecting the source of these problems can be a significant challenge.
While a moisture meter can help track down problem areas, in many
cases the job requires a good deal of guesswork, cutting holes in walls
and other manual tests to find the root cause. Granted, some air or
water leaks may be obvious at first glance, but many others can lie
buried behind walls, in ceilings and under floors.
A lot of these leakage issues are a direct result of changing
technologies. Energy efficient heating systems and airtight building
envelopes are wonderful for saving energy, but they also mean reduced
air flow, which can lead to moisture accumulation in walls and attics.
Most builders are well aware of the “attic rain” phenomenon
which is not uncommon in regions like Alberta where temperature
fluctuations are the norm. As the spring temperatures climb, frost
that has accumulated in walls and attics will melt and drip through
lights or other openings. While this is an easily detected problem at
the moment the drips happens, often the testing can take place days
later when things have partially dried. At this point, the source of the
moisture damage will be hidden and much more difficult to find.
10 | industry INSIDER April 2012
One of the most effective tools we use is an infrared thermal imager.
This handheld device allows you to detect holes in barriers, ceilings
and walls by capturing air patterns and temperature changes on a high
definition screen.
Since purchasing a Fluke TiR1 thermal imager in early 2008, we have
learned a lot. We can now pinpoint trouble behind walls and in ceilings
within seconds, without having to use invasive procedures. The
upgraded Ti32’s high resolution display can highlight the most minute
problem areas in half the time.
Perhaps the most important lesson learned however, is that an imager
is only as good as the individual operating it. While a great deal
depends on the scope and complexity of what you are testing, a good
grounding in imaging usage is essential. Otherwise, while the readings
will tell you something is amiss, you won’t have enough knowledge to
interpret those findings correctly.
Anyone can point an imager at a ceiling and see a dark spot, but unless
you know what you are looking at- a moisture problem, air leak or
missing insulation – the problem cannot be properly addressed. This
can lead to a lot of wasted time and money spent on unnecessary
repairs. Unfortunately, there are far too many people writing up
inaccurate reports because they have not been properly trained to use
the technology.
Requirements can vary depending on the certifying body and what
is being tested. ASNT (American Society for Nondestructive Testing)
certification is becoming an increasingly important requirement on
some resumes. In fact, a growing number of electrical and mechanical
operations are demanding this certification in the interest of liability
protection.
Level I Thermographic Applications training will provide a good
grounding for any builder or inspector performing routine
troubleshooting tasks. This 32 hour course is offered through the
Snell Thermal Imaging Training Center
and conducted at various locations
across Canada. Designed for infrared
thermographers with little or no prior
training, this ASNT approved course
teaches you infrared theory, the major
applications, and camera operation tips.
Level II training is best suited for people
dealing with more complex mechanical
and electrical problems, since it focuses
on predictive maintenance practices.
Anyone interested in the professional
development side of infrared
thermography, including program
management, industry best practices and writing inspections, can go
on to complete Level III training.
For the most part, Level I training is enough to keep builders in the
know when checking for those hidden problem areas. As a nonintrusive, fast technology, infrared thermal imaging can play a huge part
in reducing labour costs and keeping your customers happy.
For more information on Fluke Thermography Tools visit
www.fluke.com/Thermography
Darrell Paul operates Qualistat Building Envelope Services,
founded in 1986. With 33 years in wood frame construction, he is
a level I thermographer, an NRCan Certified Energy Advisor and
an HRAI Residential Air Systems Design Technician. He is trained
in various diagnostic testing methods including blower door air
tightness, HVAC residential ventilation, balancing & heat loss.
Mr. Paul regularly shares his knowledge providing training and
delivering seminars. He may be contacted through his website
www.qualistat.com ■
industry INSIDER April 2012 | 11
2012 Awards of
EXCELLENCE
in HOUSING
The Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Edmonton Region is pleased to congratulate the winners
of the 2012 Awards of Excellence in Housing. These awards recognize excellence in the residential
construction industry within the Capital Region. Winners were announced Saturday, March 17th at the
annual Awards of Excellence in Housing Gala. This year’s event was SOLD OUT with over 1,500 in
attendance. Thank-you to our sponsors and the CHBA-ER Awards Committee for all of your support!
Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and finalists.
12 | industry INSIDER April
March
2012
2012
industry INSIDER April 2012 | 13
building for the future…meeting market
demand for accessible housing part 2
Heather Lissel
Project Coordinator, Alberta SCI Action Strategy, Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta)
What do L-shaped kitchens, lever door handles and hardwood
flooring all have in common? Aside from being popular features
in modern homes, they all improve accessibility for people
with disabilities. The days when accessible homes screamed,
“institution”, are gone. Though you might still find a grab-bar
or two in the bathroom, even these can be incorporated in
visually pleasing ways. All it
takes is a bit of foresight and
If you don’t need
some good planning to add
functionality to a home and to
accessibility features
enable its residents to live there
at the time the home
for a lifetime if they so choose.
Those who are in the business
of promoting accessible home
design are quick to point out
that this increased functionality
costs very little and, with the
proper marketing, increases the
future resale value of a home.
is built, another option
is to create a home
14 | industry INSIDER April 2012
that has the flexibility
to be adapted.
Anand Mishra, a senior research advisor with Canada
Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), points out that
the baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) will
soon create a boomer bulge in the market for accessible
housing. “The years 2021 to 2049 will be peak years for this
bulge,” he says. “Right now, 14% of the population is over the
age of 65, but in little more than 20 years, this will increase
to 24%.” Couple that with the fact that 43% of seniors have
a physical disability, and you have the makings of a serious
shortage in accessible housing.
Members of the Edmonton-based Home for Life™ Action
Committee are well aware of these demographic changes. The
committee was formed to raise awareness of the need to build
homes that are accessible for a lifetime and to increase the
supply of lifelong homes and communities within the City of
Edmonton. Among their many initiatives, they have created the
Home for Life™ guidelines, a tool that outlines the key features
of an accessible home.
If you don’t need accessibility features at the time your home is
built, another option is to create a space that has the flexibility to
be adapted. FlexHousing™ is a practical approach to designing
and building a home where certain modifications are made at
the design and construction stage to allow future changes to be
made more easily and more affordably down the road. Some, but
not all, conversions may be to increase accessibility. Examples of
FlexHousing™ are converting an attic into a bedroom or a basement
into a rental or in-law suite.
Looking at a floor plan through the lens of Home for Life ™ or
FlexHousing™ reveals many ways in which the future needs of
occupants can be accommodated. A room created as a main floor
office could later be converted into a bedroom for someone who
has trouble climbing stairs. Creating a five-foot turning radius in
the bathroom meets the needs of people in wheelchairs, but also
provides a more comfortable space for parents to bath their children
or change a baby. Building closets to be larger than normal offers
better storage and can be roughed in for future conversion to an
elevator if needed.
Ron Wickman promotes a common-sense approach to responding
to home owners who may be concerned about the cost of building a
more flexible home. “Most of these adaptations cost little or nothing
to make. When you think about saving dollars and the headache
of future renovations, it doesn’t take a home buyer long to realize
that it’s worth it.” Wickman is an Edmonton-based architect and
member of Home for Life™. He has assisted dozens of families
with adaptations to existing homes. “Depending on the kind of
modifications that are needed and the design and construction of
the original space, these renovations can cost $30,000 or more and
take months to complete,” he says. “If the supporting structure
isn’t in place, some renovations, like elevators or ramps, just aren’t
feasible and families are forced to move or live in substandard and
sometimes unsafe surroundings.”
This doesn’t mean that renovations are not worth pursuing. As Doug
Bartlett, owner of Bartman Kingdom Builders Ltd. and Bartman
Barrier Free Renovations in Calgary points out, “Home owners
typically want to renovate their homes after 15 or 20 years. This
is an ideal time to improve accessibility. It makes sense if you are
gutting your bathroom or kitchen to do it with your future needs –
and not just your present ones – in mind.” Doug has done numerous
renovations that are both functional and beautiful. An example is
tiled, no-lip (also called walk-in or curbless) showers. They are an
attractive and functional alternative to bathtubs, but because they
require changes to the floor joists to be made, the best time to build
them is when the bathroom is already being renovated.
More information on Alberta’s changing demographics and
what builders can do to respond to the increasing demand
for accessible housing will be available at the Residential
Construction Industry Conference on April 24th and 25th at
the Edmonton Expo Centre. Plan to attend Anand Mishra’s
presentation and visit the Home for Life™ booth in the
tradeshow area.
Heather Lissel is a writer and project coordinator with
Q Project Consulting Inc. in Sherwood Park, Alberta. She can
be contacted at hlissel@telus.net. ■
industry INSIDER April 2012 | 15
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RCIC 2012 – It’s that time of year again!
The Residential Construction Industry Conference, or RCIC 2012,
is upon us. As Executive Officer of the CHBA-ER, I would like to
take this opportunity to comment on what you can expect to find
at this year’s conference, as well as to thank our many volunteers
who have spent countless hours and some sleepless nights
pouring over the program and hammering out details that will no
doubt, make this year’s conference another great event.
across North America
and from right here
at home; a chance for
the industry to meet
as one entity for a few
days and exchange
ideas, catch up, and find out what’s ‘happening’.
RCIC was conceived in the recognition that we, as an industry
and an association, needed to do more to further professional
development.
RCIC is that event and RCIC 2012 has taken the lessons
learned at our inaugural conference last April, and built on
them – longer, meatier and more targeted presentations, more
time in between presentations so that you can actually have
a conversation rather than simply shaking hands and running
to the next one, and more events on the trade show floor so
that you can take the time to chat with exhibitors in a relaxed
atmosphere; and, yes, a smoother luncheon program. We are
also introducing some new items this year that will continue to
enhance the experience, not least of which will be the launch of
RCIC 2013 and the introduction of CHBA-ER’s newest initiative,
our bookstore, where you will be able to pick up your favourite
industry publications at preferred member prices, plus a special
conference discount.
It can be argued that, with the help of our partners, we do
quite a bit on this front already. The Professional Home Builders
Institute (PHBI), for example, offers a full range of courses
across the breadth and scope of what we do, as does the
Alberta Construction Association of Alberta, (ACSA). CHBAER’s own Builder Breakfasts and Business Luncheons bring
issues of current interest to the membership, our many industry
committees constantly monitor what is happening within their
respective spheres of influence, and we, as a staff, try to keep
you as informed as possible through our many information
mediums, such as this magazine, our website and our weekly
e-newsletters.
Up until last year, what we lacked was a one-stop shopping event
that brought the industry together and offered an expansive
menu of presentations by construction industry experts from
16 | industry INSIDER April 2012
I would like to close by once more doing a shout-out to our
many volunteers who have given so selflessly of their time to
bring you this conference. They have taken a year out of their
lives to put together this great event for you and I encourage
CHBA-ER exists as a forum for the best in our industry to gather and
hone their craft through mutual sharing; RCIC is the essence of that
‘gathering’ and RCIC 2012 is the embodiment of that tradition.
Here’s to a great conference. I hope to see you there!
Tim Howard, Executive Officer ■
Efforts of the 2012 RCIC organizing committees were underway
well before last year’s conference ended. It has been a busy year of
planning and strategizing, but the time has finally come for our hard
working volunteers to sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labor. The
CHBA-ER would like to recognize the more than 35 full time RCIC 2012
volunteers as well as all those who helped out throughout the year.
Without your hard work and the generous support of our sponsors
and exhibitors, RCIC 2012 would not have been possible.
Thank-you to our volunteers!
Chair Committee
Daniel Hanna
RCIC Chair:
RCIC Advisor:
Bill Davidson
Sessions Chair:
Gary Hoeft
Treasurer:
Jenni Head
Marketing & Exhibit Chair: Kerrie Light
Session Committee
Chair: Gary Hoeft
Aaron Plawke
Al Head
Colin Beerda
Fae Fillo
Garry Hryhorak
Jackie Ralph
Lynda Chambul
Pierre Jesso
Rocky Sethi
Ryan Carrington
Ryan Morgon
Steve Jackson
Susan Carlson
Parkwood Master Builder
Perry Signature Homes Inc.
Landmark Group of Builders
Marcson Homes
Points West Marketing
Landmark Group of Builders
Stel-Marr
Safety Ahead
Homes by AVI
Coventry Homes
Sunrise Window
Homes by AVI
Overhead Door
Landmark Group of Builders
Rohit
Parkwood
Park Royal Homes
Pals
Landmark Group of Builders
Exhibit & Marketing Committee
Chair: Kerrie Light
Points West Marketing
Durabuilt Windows & Doors
Co-Chair: Darryl Chand
A&B Concrete Pumping
Ashley MacGregor
GEM Cabinets
Bob Moon
David Cooper
Divine Hardwood Flooring
Dennis Johnson
Weiss-Johnson Sheet Metal
Elizabeth Hernandez
Alberta Hardwood Flooring
Goldy Mathur
Realtor
Greg Becker
Overhead Door
Marcson Homes
Jenni Head
Kerry Connelly Glenora Lumber
Leah Gyorfi
Axford Agencies
Lois Serink
Kimberley Homes
Mark Ellis
West Canadian
Nadine Kernahan
Beaver Plastics
Tony Holowaty
Dyand
Yvonne Markey
All Weather
industry INSIDER April 2012 | 17
2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012
you to seek them out at the event and share with them how much
you appreciate their efforts and what it has done to improve you
and your company. For those of you who missed the volunteer
experience this year, RCIC 2013 is just getting underway. There’s
still time to get onboard! And not to worry... if your schedule is a
little full in the coming year, we are already looking for volunteer
candidates to assist with RCIC 2014.
2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012
TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012
Construction
Construction
Sales
& Marketing
Human
Resources
Technology
Multi Family
Estimating
Special
Interest
Top 10
technologies
trends for
tomorrow’s
buyers...there is
an app for that
Jeff Weeks
Proper
Flashing
& siding
installation
(Rainscreen, do
you know what’s
coming?)
Murray Frank
Key to Successful
Estimating
Leon Rogers
Panelizing and
pre-fabrication...
where are we
today?
Curt Beyer
Cheap IT tricks
for 2012
Tim Sloan
Grading and
Drainage for
Multi-Family
projects
Leo Derkach, Filipe
Goncalves & Bill
Mechalski
Framing 101 for
Estimators
Brett Smith &
Dave Nelson
Change
Management How to survive
change in an
organization
Vik Maraj
7:00 am
Exhibits Floor Opens (Hall F)
7:00
- 8:00 am
Registration & Morning Coffee (Hall F)
8:00
- 9:15 am
OPENING KEYNOTE SPEAKER
9:15
- 9:30 am
BREAK
9:30
- 10:45 am
Concrete 101 - The
Basics
John McClafferty
Energy Code
Changes
Dave Turbull
Social
Psychology of
Sales using the
SDI
(Max 60
attendees)
Ginette Hulsmans
10:45
- 11:00 am
11:00
- 12:15 pm
BREAK
Concrete 102
John Grabow
Roofing & Attic
Basics
Vince Charpentier,
Jim Mckee
& Colin Rancier
12:15
- 1:30 pm
1:30
- 2:45 pm
Social
Psychology of
Sales
using the SDI
(Continued from
1st session)
Ginette Hulsmans
Performance
Management
Julianna Cantwell
& Alison Meyer
LUNCH BREAK - Lunch is available on the Exhibits Floor
Trade
Performance/
Builder
Expectations
Leon Rogers
Digging a Hole
and not getting
buried
Rick Evans
Be Sharp, Stay
Sharp - What
does a
Professional
Mystery
Shopper
Look for?
Vik Maraj
2:45
- 3:00 pm
3:00
- 4:15 pm
Recruiting
with Social Media
Julianna Cantwell
& Alison Meyer
Termination
Practices
Joel Michaud
Smartphone 101
Don Smythe
How Can I Build
Multi Family
Ryan Pals,
Bryce Milliken,
Kelly Alsmo, Glen
Thoman &
Daniel Hanna
Residential
Construction
Contract – An
Insight
Arun Shourie
Sucession
Planning – Why
is it important?
Debbie Carlson
Doing Business in
“The Cloud”
Tim Sloan &
Thorren Koopmans
Understanding
Heating with Fan
Coils and the
benefits to
Multi-family
Tim Prevost
Hiring.
releasing trades
&
maintaining
relationships
afterwards
Michelle Krause
Q&A with the
Home Building
Pioneers
Various Heads
of Home Building
Companies
BREAK
Managing Trade
Contractors Time
Management for
Production
Personnel
Leon Rogers
The Home as a
System
Murray Frank
4:15
- 6:00 pm
18 | industry INSIDER April 2012
How to Thrive
in all
Marketing
Conditions
Vik Maraj
Temporary Foreign
Worker (TFW)
Program
Yann Legrand &
Howard Jones
Ice Breaker Reception (Exhibit Floor)
Construction
Sales
& Marketing
7:00 am
Moisture
Management Part 1
Darrell Paul
Insulation &
Spray Foam
Murray Frank
Selling your
Green Certified
Home
Dave Turnbull
Customer
Meeting Survival
Skills – Customer
Involvement &
Operational Order
Carol Smith
Moisture
Management Part 2
Darrel Paul
Tall Wall & Load
Bearing Basics
Murray Frank
Social Media
Marketing and
Networking
Tim Sloan &
Brandon Webber
Selection
Strategies Creating an
Extraordinary
Design
Experience
Carol Smith
Understanding
the 5 w’s of Residential
Sprinklering
Kevin Price
Top 10 Framing
Issues
Darrell Paul
Construction 101Back to Basics
Rob Busby
Psychology of
Orientation A New Home
Delivery
Experience
that Builds Loyalty
Carol Smith
Plumbing
Technologies
– Renewable
Integration
Leigh Bond
Concrete 103 Site Concerns
Roger Kennedy
The Whole Sales
Professional
Package
Judith MacDonald
4:15 - 6:00 pm
Managing Safety
for the Site Supervisor
Darcy Lambe
Passive Haus
Stuart Fix
Latest Design
Techniques in
Model Homes
and Sales
Centers
Erik Valeriano
Building Without
Poly...Do We
Have it Backwards?
Billy Huet
Loss Prevention
and Control for
Owners and
Executives
Tammy Hawkins
Building with
Energuide
Amelie Caron
Kitchen and Bath
Design
Alexandra Motts
Understanding
Design and Application Benefits
of Screw Piles
Andy Banack
It is Good to
be Prime:
Exploring the
Benefits of Being
Prime Contractor
Mark Greene
Changes to Built
Green
Dave Turnball
Designer
Lighting Trends
Jared
Johannesen
Why Do Some
Companies Get
Prosecuted by
OH&S?
David Myrol
Energy Star for
New Homes
Dave Fetscg
Hard Flooring
Trends for 2012
Dave Cooper &
Carlos Soares
Safety Panel
Discussion
Difficult Safety
Sensitive Issues
Heads of Safety
Departments
“The way we
green” –
Examining Pertinent Programs
Mike Mellross
Tiling Trends for
2012
Dave Reid &
Guest Speakers
LUNCH BREAK - Lunch is available on the Exhibits Floor
Partners in
Service Getting the
Best from Your
Trades
Carol Smith
Designing Houses
for
Different
Demographics
Dan Wildeboer
BREAK
2:45 - 3:00 pm
3:00 - 4:15 pm
Accessible/ Barrier Free Seminar
Anand Mishra
BREAK
12:15 - 1:30 pm
1:30
- 2:45 pm
Interior Design
BREAK
10:45 - 11:00 am
11:00
- 12:15 pm
Environmental
Exhibits Floor Opens (Hall F)
9:15 - 9:30 am
9:30
- 10:45 am
Safety
Building Design
Registration & Morning Coffee (Hall F)
7:00 - 8:00 am
8:00
- 9:15 am
Customer Service
& Satisfaction
HVAC 101
Dennis Johnson
Envelopes, Air
Leaks &
Inspections
Murray Frank
How to Sell in 30
Words or less
Vik Maraj
Warranty
Inspections Decisions,
Decisions,
Decisions
Carol Smith
New Products
Specifications
and Testing
Billy Huet
Wind Up Reception (Exhibit Floor)
*** Please note: The RCIC 2012 conference schedule has not been finalized. Session times, topics and speakers are subject to change. Check rcic.ca for updates. The final conference schedule will be made available to delegates on-site at the conference.
industry INSIDER April 2012 | 19
2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012
Construction
2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012RCIC2012
RCIC Exhibitors
Premier Exhibitors:
•All Weather Windows Ltd. •Can-Cell Industries Inc. •Divine Hardwood Flooring Ltd.
•Durabuilt Windows & Doors Inc.
•Dyand Mechanical Systems Inc./
•Wood & Energy Store
•Gem Cabinets Ltd.
•Globe Union Canada Inc.
•I-XL Masonry Supplies Ltd. •Mirolin Industries Corp.
606, 608
200
229, 328, 227, 326
431, 433
301, 302
329, 428, 327, 426
209
405
109, 208, 107, 206,
105, 204
711
234, 236
•Penta Protective Coatings Ltd.
•Ply Gem Canada Inc.
•The Smart-Way Disposal & Recycling
Company Ltd. 406
•Western Building Materials 435
General Exhibitors:
•4-Way Equipment Rentals
408
•A & B Concrete Pumping (2007) Ltd. 404
•Access Plumbing and Heating
407
•Alberta Durable Deck
713, 715
•Alberta Hardwood Flooring Ltd. 313, 315
20 | industry INSIDER April 2012
•Always Plumbing & Heating
620
•Apollo Piling Solutions Inc. 213
•Aprilaire
207
•Armtec
232
•Artistic Stairs Inc. 427
•Atlas Granite Inc.
703
•Axford Agencies Alberta Ltd. 612, 614
•Beaver Plastics Ltd. - Logix ICF
412, 414
•Century Vallen 305
•Certified Automation Ltd.
437
•Creative Door Services
307, 309
•CSD Technologies Inc. 215
•Design 21 LED Lighting
230
•Ecofinity Canada Inc. 514
•Electrical Construction Association
of Alberta 699
•Envelope Seal
413
•Extreme Excavating & Backhoe
Services Ltd.
507
•Flame X Inc. 525
•Frontier Plumbing & Heating Supply 528
•Glenora Lumber & Building Supplies
Ltd.
312, 314
•Habberjam Mechanical Inc. 300
•Home for Life TM
117
•Home Front Software
604
•James Hardie Building Products
526
•Jayson Global Roofing Inc. 308
•Kitchen Craft
216, 218
•Landmark Solar Productions
508
•Leduc Truss Inc.
429
•Lorin Fire Protection 118
•Main Line Backflow Products Inc. 719
•Moen Inc. 717
•Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) 122
•Noremac Industries Ltd.
616
•Overhead Door Company of Edmonton505
•Points West Marketing Inc.
707
•Robinson Lighting and Bath Centre 115, 214, 113, 212
•Rolling Mix Concrete Ltd. 119
•Sandhills
205
•Service Experts Heating and Air
Conditioning 512
•Shore 2 Shore Automation Ltd.
705
•Stanley Black & Decker - Weiser
415
•Steel-Craft Door Products
201, 202
•Sunrise Windows & Door Depot Ltd. 409
•Tolko Marketing & Sales Ltd. 600
•Totem Building Supplies
509
•Trail Building Supplies Ltd.
504
•Weiss-Johnson Sheet Metal Ltd.
304, 306
•West Canadian 701
Ply Gem’s Long Standing History
Continues to Advance into 2012
Materials Centre (CCMC)
approved products
designed to meet the
needs of the Canadian
market. The team is actively pursuing distribution for siding in
western Canada.
The company is also expanding into eastern Canada, working
with Ply Gem’s eastern U.S. manufacturing facilities and
distribution team to offer a comprehensive line of vinyl and
aluminum-clad wood windows and patio door products for the
new construction and replacement window markets.
In 1958, Ply Gem opened its doors in Calgary and began its rich
history of innovative window and door product manufacturing
in western Canada. Since that time, Ply Gem has been
a member of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association
– Edmonton Region (CHBA-ER), making their 53-year
membership one of the longest in the local chapter’s history.
“Ply Gem’s longstanding relationship with CHBA-Edmonton
Region is a testament to the commitment to excellence of
both organizations,” said Bryan Sveinson, president, Ply Gem
Canada. “During the past five decades, CHBA-ER has helped
Ply Gem build relationships, implement best practices and
become a trusted partner to builders and remodelers.”
Known formerly as CWD Windows and Doors, Ply Gem
has evolved over time, but their unparalleled dedication
to customer service remains unchanged. Ply Gem has
continuously provided more products and more solutions to
meet builder and remodeler needs, and continues to grow
in this capacity. The company has been operating as part of
the Ply Gem group since 2004, affording the opportunity to
leverage resources of other Ply Gem companies in the United
States, to share in the knowledge and best practices of the
greater business unit, and to ultimately better serve the
building and remodeling industry across western Canada.
“We see ourselves more as a business solutions provider
than a product provider,” said Andrew Thompson, marketing
manager, Ply Gem Canada. “Working hand-in-hand with
customers to satisfy their needs has paid great dividends – we
know that service is key to customer relationships and we
work to maintain the highest level of support for our regional
partners.”
Building on the commitment to industry service, a key theme
for Ply Gem in 2012 is expansion. The company recently
announced plans for expanding the Variform® by Ply Gem
siding brand from the United States into western Canada.
Variform has launched several new Canadian Construction
22 | industry INSIDER April 2012
These expansions will elevate Ply Gem’s position as a leader in
exterior home product offerings in Canada.
In western Canada, new construction and replacement window
and patio door product lines will continue to be supplied by Ply
Gem through its Calgary-based manufacturing and distribution
division. The western product offering includes vinyl, wood,
aluminum-clad wood and hybrid windows and patio doors.
In addition to windows and patio doors, western Canadian
customers also have access to fiberglass and insulated steel
panel entry doors.
Multi-family projects have also been key to Ply Gem’s growth.
In 2011, Ply Gem opened a new distribution facility in British
Columbia to aid in the support of sales efforts throughout the
lower mainland and Vancouver Island, and effectively service
replacement and new construction markets, including multifamily and light commercial projects. Ply Gem products have
been available in British Columbia in the past through the retail
lumber yard channel. Now, the company provides a full breadth
of window and door products throughout the entire region,
including the new Ply Gem Canada Pro Series window. “A
cross border team working together on engineering, product
development, manufacturing and sales resulted in a successful
Canadian launch of the Pro Series window from Auburn,
Washington,” said Sveinson.
Sveinson goes on to credit Ply Gem’s overall success to the
company’s commitment to research and development. “Our
innovation gives customers access to customizable services
through state of the art manufacturing, ordering and logistics
systems and industry leading marketing support.”
This year marks the 54th anniversary of servicing the building
materials industry in Canada. “It has been a great half century
for our company and we look forward to building on our
success for another 50 years, marking many milestones to
come under the Ply Gem brand in Canada,” Sveinson said.
Learn more about Ply Gem by logging on to:
www.plygem.ca ■
2012 Awards of
EXCELLENCE
in HOUSING
Award Winning
Home Builders
and
Developers
in the
Residential
Construction
Industry
Canadian Home Builders’ Association
Edmonton Region
Advertising Awards
Best Print Advertising
Winner: Dolce Vita Homes
Savour the Sweet Life
Sponsor: Edmonton Journal
Finalists: Brookfield Residential
Brookfield Homes
Kimberley Development Group
Jayman Modus
Best Radio Commercial
Winner: Rohit Communities
Warning Campaign
Sponsor: Jayman MasterBuilt
Finalists: Qualico Multi - Family
Qualico Multi - Family
Coventry Homes Inc.
Brookfield Homes
Best Video/Digital/
Social Media Campaign
Winner:
Coventry Homes Inc.
Get a Life...
Style Maximum Revenue
Sponsor: Kimberley Development Group
Finalists: Brookfield Residential
Coventry Homes Inc.
Bedrock Homes
A & B Concrete Pumping (2007) Ltd.
24 | industry INSIDER April 2012
Advertising Awards
Best Direct Mail/Email Promotion
Winner: A & B Concrete Pumping
(2007) Ltd.
2011 Calendar
Sponsor: Source Media Group
Finalists: Kimberley Development Group
A & B Concrete Pumping (2007) Ltd.
Daytona Homes
Alberta Hardwood Flooring
Best Indoor/Outdoor Advertising
Winner: Carrington Communities
WTF
Sponsor: Lennox Industries Ltd.
Finalists: Sterling Homes (Edmonton) Ltd.
Coventry Homes Inc.
Coventry Homes Inc.
Jayman Modus
industry INSIDER April 2012 | 25
Advertising Awards
Best Brochure Package
Winner: Jayman MasterBuilt
Jayman MasterBuilt Brochure
Sponsor: A & A Trenching
Finalists: Maclab Enterprises
Celebration Homes Inc.
Sterling Homes (Edmonton) Ltd.
Jayman MasterBuilt
Best Website
Winner: Brookfield Homes
BuildwithBrookfield.com
Sponsor: Edmonton Sun
Finalists: Coventry Homes Inc.
Daytona Homes
Canada Lands Company
Rohit Communities
26 | industry INSIDER April 2012
Development Awards
Best Community Entrance
Winner: Canada Lands Company
Village at Griesbach Entrance
Sponsor: ATB Financial
Finalists: Beaverbrook Developments
MLC Group Inc.
Maclab Enterprises
Maclab Enterprises
Alldritt Land Corporation LP
Best Development Landscaping
& Amenities
Winner: Canada Lands Company
Village at Griesbach
Sponsor: Alldritt Homes
Finalists: Brookfield Residential
Rohit Land Development
Beaverbrook Developments
Maclab Enterprises
industry INSIDER April 2012 | 27
Development Awards
Best Home Parade
Winner: MLC Group
Allard Heritage Valley
Sponsor: Caliber Master Builder
Finalists: Canada Lands Company
Rohit Land Development
Brookfield Residential
Alldritt Land Corporation LP
Best Subdivision
Winner: Beaverbrook Developments
Upper Windermere
Sponsor: Homes by Avi - Edmonton
Finalists: Brookfield Residential
Canada Lands Company
Brookfield Residential
Rohit Land Development
28 | industry INSIDER April 2012
Multi-Family Awards
Best Multi-Family
Apartment Style under $250,000
Winner: Carrington Communities
Urban Village on Whyte
Sponsor: Noremac Industries Ltd.
Finalists: Jayman Modus
Park Homes
Carrington Communities
Rohit Communities
Best Multi-Family Apartment
Style $250,000 - $350,000
Winner: Rohit Communities
Cornell
Sponsor: Edmonton Transit Mix
Finalists: Jayman Modus
Qualico Multi - Family
Parkwood Master Builder
Carrington Communities
Best Multi-Family
Apartment Style over $350,000
Winner: Carrington Communities
Waterstone
Sponsor: National Home Warranty
Finalists: Rohit Communities
Christenson Developments
Qualico Multi - Family
Parkwood Master Builder
industry INSIDER April 2012 | 29
Multi-Family Awards
Multi-Family Townhouse/
Duplex under $290,000
Winner: Rohit Communities
Mackenzie
Sponsor: RBC Royal Bank
Finalists: Alldritt Homes
Sterling Homes (Edmonton) Ltd.
Sterling Homes (Edmonton) Ltd.
Brookfield Homes
Best Multi-Family Townhouse/
Duplex $290,000-$340,000
Winner: Jayman MasterBuilt
Inspire
Sponsor: A & A Trenching
Finalists: Kimberley Development Group
Brookfield Homes
Coventry Homes Inc.
Look Homes Master Builder Inc. Best Multi-Family Townhouse/
Duplex $340,000 - $425,000
Winner:
Parkwood Master Builder
Unit 19
Sponsor: Maclab Enterprises
Finalists: Kimberley Development Group
Jayman MasterBuilt
Coventry Homes Inc.
Christenson Developments
30 | industry INSIDER April 2012
Multi-Family Awards
Best Multi-Family Townhouse/
Duplex over $425,000
Winner: Tapestry Developments
Sedona
Sponsor: IXL Masonry Suppplies
Finalists: Tapestry Developments
Kimberley Development Group
Kimberley Development Group
Coventry Homes Inc.
Best Multi-Family Apartment Building
Winner: Carrington Communities
Waterstone
Sponsor: Grant Thorton LLP
Finalists: Carrington Communities
Qualico Multi-Family
Qualico Multi-Family
Best Multi-Family Townhouse/Duplex Project
Winner: Kimberley Development Group
Rutherford Estates
Sponsor: Dyand Mechanical Systems Inc.
Wood & Energy Store
Finalists: Coventry Homes Inc.
Brookfield Homes
Sterling Homes (Edmonton) Ltd.
Coventry Homes Inc.
industry INSIDER April 2012 | 31
Renovation Awards
Best Exterior Renovation
Winner: Ackard Contractors Ltd.
Hazel Residence
Sponsor: Cobblestone Master Builder
Finalists: Aquarian Construction
Ackard Contractors Ltd.
Aquarian Construction
Best Interior Renovation
Winner: Ackard Contractors Ltd.
Hazel Residence
Sponsor: Wall to Wall Media
Finalists: Avi Renovations
Aquarian Construction
Habitat Studio & Workshop Ltd. 32 | industry INSIDER April 2012
Renovation Awards
Best Renovation under $125,000
Winner: Avi Renovations
The Whitecroft Kitchen Reno
Sponsor: Wall to Wall Media
Finalists: Aquarian Construction
Ackard Contractors Ltd.
Avi Renovations
Renovator of the Year
Winner: Ackard Contractors Ltd.
Sponsor: Glenora Lumber &
Building Supplies
Finalists: Aquarian Construction
Avi Renovations
industry INSIDER April 2012 | 33
Sales Centre Awards
Best Sales and Information
Centre - Single Family
Winner: Homes by Avi - Edmonton
Sponsor: Realtors Association
of Edmonton
Finalists: Jayman MasterBuilt
Kimberley Development Group
Crimson Cove Homes Inc.
Jayman MasterBuilt
Best Sales and Information
Centre - Multi-Family
Winner: Brookfield Homes
Sponsor: Rawlco Radio Ltd.
Finalists: Brookfield Homes
Jayman MasterBuilt
Jayman Modus
Rohit Communities
Best Sales and Information
Centre - General Member
Winner:
Icon Flooring
Sponsor: Christenson Developments
Finalists: Wood & Energy Store
Divine Hardwood Flooring
Glenora Lumber & Building Supplies
34 | industry INSIDER April 2012
Sales People of the Year Awards
Rookie of the Year Single/Multi-Family
Winner: Ryan Richardson
Daytona Homes
Sponsor: United Communities
Finalists:
Will Stranks
Amanda Aranas
Danica Hubbard
Hillary Gifford
Sales Person/Team of the Year Single Family
Winner: Susan Johnson
Bedrock Homes
Sponsor: Nancy Bruno-Romeo,
BMO Bank of Montreal
Finalists:
Dave English
Michelle Elfstedt
Biljana Spasojevic
Lorna Gilroy
Sales Person/Team of the Year Multi-Family
Winner: Fady J. Sakkab
Brookfield Homes
Sponsor: Realtors Association
of Edmonton
Finalists:
Shawn Swaleh
Kim Johnson
Terry Reyner &
Wendy Lavallee
Darren Rose
General Member
Sales Person of the Year
Winner: Doug McDougall
Gienow Windows and Doors
Sponsor: Kitchen Craft
Finalists:
Steve Weller
Elizabeth Hernandez
Tony Holowaty
Roman Boychuk
industry INSIDER April 2012 | 35
Single Family Awards | without attached garage
Best Single Family
under $230,000
Winner: Daytona Homes
Grand Prix B
Sponsor: CMHC
Finalists: Coventry Homes Inc.
Landmark Group of Builders
Encore Master Builder
Sabal Homes
Best Single Family
$230,000 - $300,000
Winner: Pacesetter Homes Ltd.
Paladin
Sponsor: Points West Marketing Inc.
Finalists: Jayman MasterBuilt
Daytona Homes
Jayman MasterBuilt
Sabal Homes Best Single Family
over $300,000
Winner:
Jayman MasterBuilt
Jazz
Sponsor: Brookfield Residential
Finalists: Ackard Contractors Ltd.
Habitat Studio & Workshop Ltd.
Effect Home Builders Ltd.
Habitat Studio & Workshop Ltd.
36 | industry INSIDER April 2012
Single Family Awards | bungalow bi-level
Best Single Family
under $250,000
Winner: Coventry Homes Inc.
Tamarack Mapleridge
Sponsor: Cameron Homes Inc.
Finalists: Sterling Homes (Edmonton) Ltd.
Sterling Homes (Edmonton) Ltd.
Alldritt Homes
Best Single Family
$250,000 - $425,000
Winner: Sterling Homes (Edmonton) Ltd.
Oakshire
Sponsor: MLC Group Inc.
Finalists: White Eagle Homes Ltd.
White Eagle Homes Ltd.
Look Homes Master Builder Inc.
Homes by Avi - Edmonton
Best Single Family
over $425,000
Winner: Kimberley Development Group
Walker Residence
Sponsor: Totem Building Supplies
Finalists: Rococo Homes Inc.
White Eagle Homes Ltd.
Coventry Homes Inc.
Perry Built Homes Inc.
industry INSIDER April 2012 | 37
Single Family Awards | two-story/split level
Best Single Family
under $240,000
Winner: Look Homes Master Builder Inc.
Solar
Sponsor: Brookfield Residential
Finalists: Daytona Homes
Sterling Homes (Edmonton) Ltd.
Alldritt Homes
Caliber Master Builder
Best Single Family
$240,000 - $270,000
Winner: Sterling Homes (Edmonton) Ltd.
Tarnstrom
Sponsor: RBC Royal Bank
Finalists: Daytona Homes
Look Homes Master Builder Inc.
Sterling Homes (Edmonton) Ltd.
Daytona Homes
Best Single Family
$270,000 - $300,000
Winner:
Celebration Homes Inc.
Chaumont
Sponsor: Stel-Marr/Inland Concrete
Finalists: Look Homes Master Builder Inc.
Dolce Vita Homes
Daytona Homes
Sterling Homes (Edmonton) Ltd.
38 | industry INSIDER April 2012
Single Family Awards | two-story/split level
Best Single Family
$300,000 - $330,000
Winner: Homes by Avi - Edmonton
The York
Sponsor: Lafarge Canada Inc.
Finalists: Daytona Homes
Bedrock Homes
Daytona Homes
Greenboro Homes
Best Single Family
$330,000 - $370,000
Winner: Bedrock Homes
Brighton II C
Sponsor: Lenbeth Weeping Tile
Finalists: Daytona Homes
Sabal Homes
Homes by Avi - Edmonton
Coventry Homes Inc.
Best Single Family
$370,000 - $430,000
Winner: Rococo Homes Inc.
Hainsworth
Sponsor: Genstar Development Company
Finalists: Pacesetter Homes Ltd.
Jayman MasterBuilt
Marcson Homes Ltd.
White Eagle Homes Ltd.
industry INSIDER April 2012 | 39
Single Family Awards | two-story/split level
Best Single Family
$430,000 - $550,000
Winner: Homes by Avi - Edmonton
The Princeton
Sponsor: CAN - CELL Industries Inc.
Finalists: White Eagle Homes Ltd.
Perry Signature Homes Inc.
Celebration Homes Inc.
Pacesetter Homes Ltd.
Best Single Family
$550,000 - $750,000
Winner: Vicky’s Homes
Legacy II
Sponsor: A & B Concrete Pumping
Finalists: Concept Homes
White Eagle Homes Ltd.
Kimberley Development Group
Parkwood Master Builder
40 | industry INSIDER April 2012
Single Family Awards | two-story/split level
Best Single Family
$750,000 - $1 Million
Winner: Marcson Homes Ltd.
The Mackenzie
Sponsor: Artistic Stairs
Finalists: Landmark Group of Builders
ReidBuilt Homes Ltd.
Best Estate Home over $1 Million
Winner: Carriage Signature Homes Inc.
Positano
Sponsor: Jeld-Wen Windows & Doors
Finalists: Landmark Group of Builders
Habitat Studio & Workshop Ltd.
Kanvi Homes
Cameron Homes
industry INSIDER April 2012 | 41
General Member - Builders’ Choice Awards
Supplies/Manufactures and
Installs a Product directly
to the Builder/Renovator
Supplies a Service directly
to the Builder/Renovator
IB Engineering Ltd.
Winner: Divine Hardwood
Flooring
Winner:
Sponsor: Marcson Homes
Finalists: Pals Geomatics Corp.
Finalists: Lenbeth Weeping Tile
Sponsor: Daytona Homes Master Builder
Wood & Energy Store
A & B Concrete
Pumping (2007) Ltd.
Gem Cabinets Ltd.
Landlie Consulting Ltd.
Creative Door Services Ltd.
Gradex Consulting Ltd.
Supplies/Manufactures a Product
directly to the Builder/Renovator
Winner: Glenora Lumber & Building
Supplies Ltd.
Sponsor: Pacesetter Homes Ltd.
Finalists: Totem Building Supplies
ZyTech Building Systems Inc.
All Weather Windows
Gienow Windows and Doors
General Member of the Year
Builders’ Choice Award
Winner: Glenora Lumber & Building
Supplies Ltd.
Sponsor: Park Royal Homes
Finalists: Totem Building Supplies
Divine Hardwood Flooring
IB Engineering Ltd.
Lenbeth Weeping Tile
42 | industry INSIDER April 2012
Sales Volume Awards
Platinum Level $20,000,000 to
$30,000,000
Gold Level $15,000,000 to
$19,000,000
Silver Level $13,000,000 to
$14,000,000
Bronze Level $11,000,000 to
$12,000,000
Carla Weinmeyer
Pacesetter Homes Ltd.
Darren Rose
Coventry Homes Inc.
Fady J. Sakkab
Brookfield Homes
Dave English
Daytona Homes
Erik Eisen
Sterling Homes (Edmonton) Ltd.
Darryl Rose
Dolce Vita Homes
Biljana Spasojevic
ReidBuilt Homes Ltd.
David Edmiston
Pacesetter Homes Ltd.
Diane Sasseville
Pacesetter Homes Ltd.
Shawn Swaleh
Brookfield Homes
Bobbie-Jean Schrader
Pacesetter Homes Ltd.
Curtis Frew
Daytona Homes
Caroline Bliss
Greenboro Homes
Steve Bosse
ReidBuilt Homes Ltd.
Carmen Siemens
Bedrock Homes
Heather Rae
Dolce Vita Homes
Sue Snyder
Pacesetter Homes Ltd.
Kelly Boone
Brookfield Homes
Suzanne Foisy
Dolce Vita Homes
Kim Johnson
Rohit Communities
Gareth Edwards
Jayman MasterBuilt
Muriel McKay
Crimson Cove Home Inc.
Diana Evans
Landmark Group of Builders
Nadine Kamleh
Jayman MasterBuilt
Renee Mitskopoulos
Sabal Homes
Feisal Rahall
Coventry Homes Inc.
Linda Cheng
Landmark Group of Builders
Tracey Lueck
Sterling Homes (Edmonton) Ltd.
Kim Prkusic
Marcson Homes Ltd.
Narda Arballo
Sterling Homes (Edmonton) Ltd.
Christopher Wigeland
Sabal Homes
Conny deVos
Look Homes Master Builder Inc.
industry INSIDER April 2012 | 43
Recognition Awards
Environmental
Recognition Award
Honoured Recipients:
Effect Home Builders Ltd.
Habitat Studio & Workshop Ltd.
Jayman MasterBuilt
Landmark Group of Builders
Perry Signature Homes
Tapestry Developments
Sponsor: City of Edmonton
Leadership Award
Winner: Landmark Group of Builders
Sponsor: Lenbeth Weeping Tile
Finalists: Daytona Homes
Sterling Homes (Edmonton) Ltd.
Rohit Communities
Parkwood Master Builder
Builder/Realtor
Co-operation Award
Winner: Koshy Cheriyan
Re/Max Real Estate Centre
Sponsor: Sterling Homes
Finalists: Gary Gordon,
Century 21 First Choice Realty Kulwinder Toor,
Realty Executives Polaris Office
44 | industry INSIDER April 2012
Builder of the Year Awards
Builder of the Year Small Volume
Winner: Jayman Modus
Sponsor: Coleman Heating & Air
Conditioning
Finalists: Look Homes Master Builder Inc.
Kimberley Development Group
Habitat Studio & Workshop Ltd.
Parkwood Master Builder
Builder of the Year Large Volume
Winner: Daytona Homes
Sponsor: Coleman Heating & Air
Conditioning
Finalists: Landmark Group of Builders
Jayman MasterBuilt
Brookfield Homes
Sterling Homes
industry INSIDER April 2012 | 45
technical research committee
Rick Gratton
Code Changes for Energy Efficiency in Part 9 Buildings
CHBA-Alberta brought to the Technical Research Committee’s (TRC)
attention several items that would have the most effect on builders
in Alberta. They were gas fireplaces treated as heating appliances;
the rule for continuous insulation; inconsistency of reporting degree
days; and the effect of the assumptions for sheathing on the U-values
for walls. This last issue would make it difficult for builders in Alberta
to meet the new insulation requirements without using an HRV or
using more foam insulations. NRC agreed to look at the sheathing
assumptions again and adjust the baseline to take the effect of
gypsum sheathing into account. NRC does not think that the builders
should be penalized for a material that was required by the code.
The public review is closed and NRC is reviewing the comments
received. These comments were reviewed during the February
meeting of the Standing Committee on Housing and Small Buildings.
Final revisions will go to the Canadian Commission on Building and
Fire Codes in June of 2012. Publication by NRC is on-track for the end
of 2012.
CHBA also submitted a comment calling for the proposed changes
to apply to new homes and additions only and to exempt most
renovations.
The publication of the illustrated guide will include guidance for the
energy efficiency changes.
News from the NRC Working Groups for 2015 Code
•Waterproofing and Damproofing – The NRC Task Group’s
recommendation is to follow the Part 5 approach which sets
waterproofing as the default unless a cast-in-place foundation has
a drainage layer installed. CHBA noted that there were many cases
where residential buildings needed no more than damproofing. CHBA
proposed that the code allow damproofing where the substrate
was cast-in-place concrete and when a drainage layer was installed
between the foundation and the soil.
• Power Nails – It was recognized that nails for power nailers have
different diameters than traditional nails. New tables will be created
that will correlate shank diameter in relation to spacing and number
of nails required.
• Flanking Sound Transmission – In an effort to include flanking sound
transmission in the code, NRC will create a series of prescriptive
assemblies.
• Fire Department Response Time – The City of Calgary has
presented a proposal to NRC to remove the 10-minute response
time. The Standing Committee has agreed to consider this proposal,
but it is unlikely to be considered for the 2015 Code cycle.
• Clarification of Clearances from Ranges – NRC is considering
if appliances with metal surfaces should be treated as noncombustible.
• Sprinklers – A joint task group will be struck to help the Executive
Committee weigh current information and comments from
stakeholders. This group will assist the Executive Committee in
making a policy recommendation.
• Combustible Construction Task Group – This group has been formed
to look at 6-storey wood frame construction.
• NRC Restructuring – NRC is shifting their mandate to become more
focused on serving industry.
New Standard for Drain Water Recovery Units
A new CSA standard has been created dealing with drain water
recovery units.
New Advanced Framing Guide
The APA Engineered Wood Association has published the “Advanced
Framing Construction Guide”. It highlights framing techniques
contractors can employ to produce energy efficient, structurally sound
homes with lower material and labour costs than conventionally
framed houses. The guide can be downloaded free of charge as a
PDF. The APA site contains a huge collection of information related
engineered wood.
Renewable Technology Performance
CMHC continues to study occupied equilibrium houses across
Canada. They have found that an average expenditure of $20,000
in insulation and air sealing is creating 70% of the energy savings
in these homes. It is costing an additional $90,000 for renewable
energies to achieve the 30% additional savings need to achieve
net zero.
Canmet Energy supports Natural Resources Canada with clean
energy research, development, demonstration and deployment. They
are currently studying potential affordable solutions to take main
stream housing to net-zero energy consumption. This study will look
at technology pathways suitable for production building that would
take homes beyond ERS 86 and to net zero. Findings of the study are
to be released in April 2012. ■
industry INSIDER April 2012 | 47
economic committee
Capacity Utilization
A Different Business Cycle
Canada’s business cycle recovery is still in place but it is being shaped by
the effects of an underlying longer-term debt cycle. History shows that
weak recoveries are the norm in the years following a systemic financial
crisis. The debt cycle inevitably disrupts government finances, producing an
extended period of restraint and austerity. Canada was not a central player
in the financial crisis but its trading partners were and Canada’s federal
and provincial governments face a fiscal squeeze. The end result is a slow
growth recovery.
As a result of Canada’s slow-paced recovery, there is still ample excess
capacity. Across all industries, the utilization rate is currently at 80.5%
of capacity. The construction industry (residential and non-residential) is
running at 77.4% of capacity. The latest total economy capacity utilization
reading is still well below where it was five years ago. As a result, the
inflation risk remains low.
The latest economic indicators point to continuing growth. Canada’s
composite leading indicator index shows respectable gains over the last
four months. This is a definite improvement from its performance last
summer. Six of the 10 components of the index rose in the latest month.
Household demand for durable goods is moving higher. Auto sales have
posted strong gains. This indicates a positive outlook for new housing and
renovation demand despite the slower than normal economic recovery.
Interest rates are likely
to remain low for several
more years.Government
bond yields are well
below year-earlier levels
and are close to cyclical
lows. They are a key
determinant ofmortgage
rates. The Federal Reserve
has repeated its intention
to keep rates down, at
least until the end of 2014.
The key issue for new
home builders now is the
availability of credit rather
than the actual level of
interest rates.
Budget Restraint
The debt cycle’s strain
on Canadian government
finances has now led to
serious belt-tightening
at the federal level
and also in Ontario.
The immediate effect
will weaken aggregate
demand and output. The
intention is to create a
longer-term sustainability
of government debt
and therefore better
48
24 ||industry
industryINSIDER
INSIDERApril
March
2012
2012
longerterm growth prospects. By limiting government debt growth now,
interest payments will not take ever-increasing shares of government
budgets in the future.
Tough budgets are therefore in the best longer-term interests of new home
builders. There will be regional difficulties as spending cuts can affect some
parts of Canada more than others. However with the shift in the economic
policy balance towards fiscal restraint, the Bank of Canada is unlikely to
add more restraint through monetary tightening.
This is all the more likely given the current elevated level of the Canadian
dollar. Bank of Canada rate increases would only push it higher, putting
more competitive stress on Canadian manufacturing.
Europe’s Debt Crisis
At the beginning of the year, Europe’s debt crisis was the greatest risk
factor. A massive amount of sovereign debt was coming up to maturity
in the first four months of 2012 and new bonds had to be issued in order
to pay off the ones that would mature. It was a “make-or-break” situation
and timewise, the problem was very much front-end loaded. We would
know by April where we were headed on this issue – default or successful
refinancing.
Fortunately, we can now relax. Greece dodged its March 20th refinancing
date by swapping old debt for new debt. Italy and Spain have been able
to issue large amounts of new bonds. Europe will continue to struggle
with its budget deficits for years. This means a long period of government
austerity. Europe is currently in a mild recession that will continue for at
least the next year. However, it will avoid a financial crisis.
Government defaults and the break-up of the Euro are not going to happen
anytime soon. The European Central Bank has shown that it is willing to
provide whatever liquidity is necessary to keep Europe’s bond markets
functioning. This is good news for new home builders and renovators. We
can cross this worry off the list.
Residential Renovation
Renovation activity is on a healthy uptrend. The latest figures show a 4.8%
yr/yr nominal increase. The surge in renovation in Q4/2009 and Q1/2010
produced by the Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC) was followed by
only a temporary falloff in spending after the program ended. Spending on
residential alterations and improvements has been increasing at a steady
rate in Canada for over a year now.
Winnipeg (4.0%) are the only markets that are currently showing large
price increases. The new housing price index measures changes in selling
prices of new homes with similar detailed specifications.
Housing Starts
Housing starts have fluctuated in a narrow range of around 200,000
units at annual rates since last fall. They have consistently exceeded
expectations. This is a high level of activity for Canada. Using the traditional
10 to 1 ratio, this would be consistent with a housing start rate of 2 million
units in the United States. This performance is attributable to an elevated
level of multiple-unit starts (mainly high-rise condos). Single-detached
starts have remained basically flat since last fall. Unsold inventories of
new homes do not indicate over-building. The number of completed but
unoccupied row and apartment units (mainly condos) is elevated but has
actually edged lower from 2010 levels.
Building Materials Costs
The strong Canadian dollar and continuing weakness in natural gas prices
are having a dampening effect on a number of building materials prices.
However, lumber prices are edging higher in anticipation of a U.S. housing
recovery.
Increases in both house prices and the stock market have supported
the renovation sector. Homeowners look on renovation as being a good
investment when resale house prices are rising. Stock market gains have a
confidence effect and also provide financing for renovation. Rule changes
for mortgage refinancing and home equity lines of credit, which came
into effect in the spring of 2011, have not had much ofan effect on the
renovation market.
New House Prices
The latest figures for new house prices, produced by Statistics Canada,
show the national average up by 2.4% yr/yr. This compares with a 2.6% yr/
yr increase in the consumer price index in the most recent month.
This means that new house prices are actually down slightly yr/yr in real
terms at the national level. This is in line with price performance through
the years 2009, 2010 and 2011. Toronto/Oshawa (5.9%), Regina (5.3%) and
industry INSIDER April 2012 | 49
chba-alberta safety report
Government to Share Serious Incident Data
CHBA-Alberta’s CEO, Jim Rivait and Technical & Safety Manager,
Joan Maisonneuve, attended a meeting with construction sector
stakeholders and representatives of Alberta Occupational Health
and Safety (OH&S) in February. They discussed ways to improve
the safety performance of the residential construction sector. The
group agreed to begin with creating opportunities for OH&S to
meet with various industry leaders in each sector and to begin
sharing data on incidents and causes. CHBA-Alberta is also
working with OH&S to compile statistics on member progress
in relation to the residential sector as a whole. CHBA-Alberta will
share this data through reports, newsletters, and on their website
over the next few months.
Update on the Employer Review Process
At the Provincial Safety meeting held on March 7th, OH&S
reported on the new employer review process. This process was
created in collaboration with the construction industries over the
last few years and came into effect in July 2011. An employer
can be flagged for consideration for review if they have a fatality,
a serious incident, multiple stop work orders, or complaints. It
is becoming evident that activities that are considered to put
workers in imminent danger may come under the scrutiny of this
program more often. This could especially affect those who have
fall hazards in their work.
50 | industry INSIDER April 2012
Industry Premiums and Claims Costs Related to Employer Size
Over the last year, the Provincial Safety Committee worked with
the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) to create a proposal
that utilizes custom pricing to provide a monetary incentive to
the groups within our industry that have poor claims records.
Data shows that this is typically companies with 4-89 employees.
The proposal adjusted discounts and surcharges for this group
without affecting rates for the small and very large contractors or
affecting the 40% COR rebate.
WCB presented this proposal to most industry locals in late
2011 and looked for support to move this initiative forward in the
residential construction sector. There was not sufficient support
for WCB to move this forward at that time. This initiative can be
revisited in the future if interest surfaces.
SECOR Review
OH&S and the certifying partners have been streamlining the
SECOR process. The following ideas were proposed: changes to the
refresher training, elimination of the sworn statementby assessors,
requirements for consultants that assist small businesses, revisions
to the audit standard, and changes to action plans.
For more information contact:
Joan Maisonneuve Manager, Technical and Safety, CHBA-Alberta
780-424-5890 (ext 226) 800-661-3348 (ext 226)
joan.maisonneuve@chbaalberta.ca ■
nextgen committee
On Thursday, March 15th CHBA-ER welcomed guest speaker Vicki Pruden,
Career and Life Management Consultant, to speak to the topic of Balance and
Successful Living.
Vicki’s key message was simple. Don’t let your hectic schedules get in the way
of the important things in life. Take time to be with the ones you love, enjoy your
favourite hobbies, and relax. You can still be successful and live a well balanced,
healthy lifestyle.
“My personal mission is to assist others in reaching their potential by giving
them the tools for empowerment and to achieve their goals and dreams.”
-Vicki Pruden
Thank you to our luncheon sponsors A.Clark Roofing & Siding Ltd. and Icon
Flooring! ■
industry INSIDER April 2012 | 51
safety performance in residential
construction, how are we really doing?
Kelly Ruddy, CRSP
On July 2011, the Employer Review Process (ERP) was revised
to improve how the Partnerships Program effectively deals
with poor performers who are COR certified. An employer
may be involved in this process if they have a fatality, a serious
incident, multiple stop work orders, or ongoing OH&S Safety
Officer activity. Activities that put workers in imminent danger
may come under the scrutiny of this program more frequently,
specifically those related to fall hazards. Non compliance could
result in companies having their COR certificates revoked.
If an employer is subjected to an employer review and fails
to successfully complete the required corrective actions, for
example, this will result in the loss of their COR.
For more details around the revised employer
review program, visit: http://employment.alberta.
ca/SFW/277.html
Partnerships in Industry Reduction have graciously provided
the CHBA-Alberta Provincial Safety Committee with some
interesting statistics. The following two tables detail employer
reviews previously conducted, those that are underway, and
those awaiting classification (under investigation). The first table
specifies employer reviews from the residential construction
sector. The second table specifies employer review stats for all
employers in the province of Alberta (Including CHBA members).
52 | industry INSIDER April 2012
Note: 4x4 Employers represent those that have had a Certificate
of Recognition for 4 Years straight and those that have been part
of the Employer Injury Illness and Prevention Program (Have the
highest disabling injury rates in the province) for 4 years straight.
The two tables below are composed of data collected between July 01, 2011 and March 7, 2012.
Residential Construction Employer Reviews
Decision Status
Type of Employer Reviews
No
Yes
Under Investigation
Grand Total
4x4 Employers
0
8
0
8
Multiple Stop Work Orders
0
2
2
4
Reportable Incident
5
5
9
19
Grand Total
5
15
11
31
All Alberta Employer Reviews
Decision Status
Type of Employer Reviews
No
Yes
Under Investigation
Grand Total
4x4 Employers
0
41
0
41
Fatality
9
8
7
24
Multiple Stop Work Orders
0
4
3
7
OHS Compliance Referral
1
2
1
4
Reportable Incident
77
32
82
191
Grand Total
87
87
93
267
More Quick Facts
As of the end of 2011, the Canadian
Home Builders’ Association has 1487
members province-wide. This includes,
but is not limited to: builders, trade
partners, vendors, and suppliers. Of
those 1487 members, 20% do not have
a WCB number as they are not required
to, are very small or have not applied.
Of those with a WCB number, 32%
have COR or SECOR; 68% do not. 19%
of builder members and 43% of all
CHBA-Alberta members have COR or
SECOR. ■
Breakfast with
Federal Minister
Jason Kenney
On April 30, 2012, CHBA-Alberta will be
hosting a breakfast meeting featuring
Canada’s Minister of Citizenship,
Immigration and Multiculturalism, the
Hon. Jason Kenney. The Minister will
address the labour market challenges,
one of the biggest issues facing Alberta.
CHBA-Alberta has been involved in
discussions with other industry groups
and government in an attempt to come
up with solutions to the impending
labour shortage in Alberta.
Contact CHBA-Alberta for
more information.
www.chbaalberta.ca
industry INSIDER April 2012 | 53
employee hiring
Barb Onyschuk, I-XL Masonry Supplies Ltd.
The basics of human resource planning
Finding, developing & keeping employees can be difficult, but
as we all know, it’s so important for every organization.
A human resource plan (HRP) can help determine the number,
type and positions an organization needs to fill and when they
need to fill them. An HRP uses the organization’s mission,
goals and strategies to forecast workforce needs and
identify the skills and abilities needed to best fulfill these
needs. These forecasts are then looked at both internally
and externally to determine when and for which positions
to hire. Internally for example, an employee may be
ready to be promoted. This means you would need to
hire for the previous position. Looking externally, a
shortage of qualified workers may mean longer lead
times to find new recruits, or that new staff may
require extra training before being fully functional.
Creating a plan before you recruit will provide the
best results.
54 | industry INSIDER April 2012
Recruiting to find qualified job
applicants
Once you have a plan in place,
use a job analysis to create a job
description that includes the
tasks, duties, responsibilities,
knowledge and required abilities
necessary to do the work. This
will help you determine what
to say in your postings and
what you are looking for when
resumes come in. Use both
internal and external forces to find your
employees – don’t be shy – the more people that
know you are looking, the more chance you have
of finding someone. Some ideas for your search may be:
• Advertising
• Employee referrals
• Walk-ins
• Outside organizations
• Employment services
• Special events
• Internet job sites
• Social media
Deciding which applicants should receive job offers
You can use many methods to determine which applicants
should be interviewed and vie for the opportunity to receive a
job offer. Application forms (that ask for only valid, job related
info) resumes, references, background checks, selection
tests & interviews are all great ways of determining which
candidates should progress further into the process. Studies
show that 1/3 of applicants falsify information on their resume
– and so resumes should not be used by themselves. Verify
information contained in submitted resumes by comparing
this information with all of the stages of the selection
process. During the selection process, ask for references
and if references are unavailable or do not provide enough
information, ask for reference letters or other sources of
information such as copies of certifications or proof of
employment requirements. Selection tests can also be used
to measure something directly or indirectly related to the job
– ability tests, cognitive ability tests, personality tests & work
sample tests all verify the abilities and attributes of potential
employees. If the applicant has performed satisfactorily, invite
them in for an the interview.
There are two types of interview’s – unstructured and
structured. Unstructured interviews are when the candidate
is asked a random sampling of questions, and each candidate
may get asked different questions. Unstructured interviews
can lower the validity of interviews as a selection device.
On the other hand, structured interviews include standardized
questions and have the advantage of making comparisons
between applicants easier. By using standardized questions
you avoid the risk of asking questions that violate employment
laws. Ensure that you are asking for important, job related
information and be sure to include situational, behavioral,
background and task related
questions. Structural interviews
improve the accuracy, usefulness
and validity of the interview
process. From here, it should be
easy to determine which candidate
will best suit your needs.
Want to learn more about Human Resources? Come to our
luncheon on Wednesday, June 6th. ■
industry INSIDER April 2012 | 55
city of edmonton
green building plan
On February 28th, at our monthly CHBA-ER business luncheon,
members were treated to a sneak preview of Edmonton’s new
Green Building Plan. Still in draft phase, this future strategic
planning document attempts to outline the City of Edmonton’s
vision around building green. The presentation included a brief
overview of a number of key areas of the plan, including: what
is meant by ‘green building’, why we need a green building plan,
how the plan will transform the marketplace, what role the City
will play, what kinds of programs are included in the plan, and
what, if any, changes the City be making to its own processes.
Members were given an opportunity to ask questions and to
provide valuable industry feedback.
The Green Building Plan is adopting from City Policy C532
the definition of a Sustainable Building: Sustainable building
integrates building materials and methods that promote
environmental quality, economic vitality, and social benefits
through the design, construction and operation of the
built environment. Sustainable building merges sound,
environmentally responsible practices into a discipline that looks
at the environmental, economic and social effects of a building
or built project as a whole.
Sustainable design encompasses the following broad topics:
efficient management of energy and water resources,
management of material resources and waste, protection
of environmental quality, protection of health and indoor
environmental quality, reinforcement of natural systems, and
integrating the design approach.
A working committee is currently in place to develop the plan.
Membership of the working committee is drawn from areas
involved with the current and future planning, construction and
management of Edmonton’s building stock.
The final draft of the Green Building Plan will be posted with the
Executive Committee Agenda in spring 2012.
A full copy of the presentation to the CHBA-ER can
be viewed online at http://www.chbaedmonton.ca/
member-services/reports-publications. For more information on
the City of Edmonton’s Green Building Plan, visit edmonton.ca/
greenbuilding. ■
56 | industry INSIDER April 2012
new members
Bluebird Contracting Services Ltd. General
Green Living Homes Single-Family
#321 Ellis Drive, Acheson, AB
780.777.7099
106, 3 Superior Street, Devon, AB
780.738.3885
Bluebird Contracting Services Ltd. is experienced in residential
excavation and utility services. Benefits include permit
application and processing, common services (4 party)
knowledge. We retain a good working relationship with all clients
and suppliers.
Bengel Contracting Ltd. (Bengel Custom Homes)
69 Birchmont Drive, Leduc, AB
780.965.9690
Bengel Custom Homes is a builder dedicated to making
beautiful, one-of-a-kind homes. We work with our customers
directly to achieve the optimum design, layout and construction
of their dream home. Bengel offers three generations of
experience and expertise in custom home building.
All Pro Siding & Exteriors Ltd.
115 Rayborn Crescent, St. Albert, AB
780.458.8102
All Pro Siding & Exteriors Ltd. is a siding contractor specializing
in the installation of siding (vinyl, hardie, etc), soffit, fascia,
eavestroughs, metal cladding, smart trim, and adding creazone
to both new and pre-existing (renovation) homes.
Mac Land Works & Consulting Ltd. General
Unit 100, 5916-87A Street, Edmonton, AB
780.469.3230
Established in 2008, Mac Land Works & Consulting Ltd. is a
residential lot grading company with a fleet of over 30 skid steer
loaders and 7 tandem trucks. We have our own survey crews,
rough grading crews and landscaping crews. From grade staking
to final grade approval, we do it all.
Foster Park Baskett Insurance Ltd.
200, 17704-103 Avenue, Edmonton, AB
780.489.4961
Foster Park Baskett Insurance Ltd. (FBP) is a proud, independent
commercial insurance broker. Founded in 1979, FPB has grown
to become one of Alberta’s largest brokerages with access to
every commercial insurance market in Canada. Our office looks
forward to being active members within the Edmonton Region
CHBA. ■
industry INSIDER April 2012 | 57
calendar of events
april
24 Tuesday - 25 Wednesday
RCIC 2012
Edmonton Expo Centre (Northlands)
26Thursday
Noon – 1:30 p.m. Builder Technical Committee
30 Monday
8 – 5 p.m. AOE Criteria Committee (full day session)
june
may
1 Tuesday
9:30 – 11 a.m.
Golf Committee
2 Wednesday
Noon – 1:30 p.m. Environmental Committee
3 Thursday
Noon – 1 p.m.
Sales Committee
8 Tuesday
9 Wednesday
Noon – 1:30 p.m. Health & Safety Committee
10 Thursday
Rock Your Sales Rally
Westin Hotel
10135 100th Street, Edmonton
Noon – 1:30 p.m. Industry Advisory Council
15Tuesday
9 – 10 a.m. Show Committee
Noon – 1 p.m. Professional Development Committee
16Wednesday
8 – 10 a.m. Government Relations Committee
17Thursday
Noon – 1:30 p.m. Renovation Committee
5 – 9 p.m. CHBA-ER Dinner Meeting
ANHWP 2011 Service Awards
Delta Edmonton South
4404 Gateway Boulevard
21Monday
Victoria Day – Office Closed
23Wednesday
7:30 – 9 a.m.
CHBA-ER Builder Breakfast
Topic: TBA
Edmonton Petroleum Club
11110 108 Street, Edmonton
4 p.m. Board of Directors
24 Thursday
6 Wednesday
Noon – 1:30 p.m. Environmental Committee
11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. CHBA-ER Business Luncheon
Topic: TBA
Royal Glenora Club
11160 River Valley Road, Edmonton
7 Thursday
Noon – 1 p.m.
Noon – 1:30 p.m. Economics Committee
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Thank-you to our April Committee Sponsor,
Habberjam Mechanical Inc.
Sales Committee
8 Friday
12Tuesday
9 – 10 a.m. CHBA-ER Annual Charity Golf Tournament
The Ranch Golf & Country Club
(52516 RR 262, Acheson)
Show Committee
13Wednesday
Noon – 1:30 p.m. Health & Safety Committee
14Thursday
Noon – 1:30 p.m. Industry Advisory Council
5 – 9 p.m. 19Tuesday
Noon – 1 p.m. CHBA-ER Dinner Meeting
ANHWP 2011 Service Awards
Delta Edmonton South
4404 Gateway Boulevard
Professional Development Committee
20Wednesday
7:30 – 9 a.m.
CHBA-ER Builder Breakfast
Topic: TBA
Edmonton Petroleum Club
11110 108 Street, Edmonton
8 – 10 a.m. Government Relations Committee
21 Thursday
Noon – 1:30 p.m. Renovation Committee
27Wednesday
4 p.m. 28Thursday
Board of Directors
Noon – 1:30 p.m. Builder Technical Committee
Noon – 1 p.m. Builder Technical Committee
5 – 8 p.m. Next Gen Mentorship Socializer
Location: TBD
58 | industry INSIDER April 2012
Dates are subject to change.