• 2012 Ovation Award Winners
• Renovation Seminar
• Parade of Renovated Homes
• Environmentally Friendly Renovation Tips
• Designs for Flooring, Which one Works?
• Fantastic Flooring
• reVISION reCOMMENDS…

2012 Ovation Award Winners

reVISION Custom Home Renovations Inc. Wins 2012 Ovation award for:

Best Sustainable Renovation – Create No Waste

and becomes a Finalist in:

Best Marketing Innovation: Renovator – Customer Care Correspondence System

The Ovation Awards recognizes excellence in new-home and renovation design and construction in Metro Vancouver!

2012 Ovation Award Winner

2012 Ovation Award Finalist

Join us on Facebook to view more pictures of this project and many more!

Renovation Seminar

The GVHBA will be hosting the Spring Home-Renovation seminar on Tuesday May 15,2012 at the Croatian Cultural Centre in Vancouver. The Seminar presenters will guide homeowners through the various stages of the renovation process, including design and planning, legal and contracts, selecting a RenoMark renovator, municipal permits, and living through a renovation. Presenters include award-winning renovators, a construction lawyer and municipal building official.

For more information: GVHBA Spring Home-Renovation Seminar

Parade of Renovated Homes

GVHBA’s Parade of Renovated Homes, showcasing the handiwork of some of this region’s best renovation contractors and their sub-trades, will be held on Sunday, June 10, 2012. For more information log on to http://www.gvhba.org/!

Environmentally Friendly Renovation Tips

Choose More Sustainable Products for your flooring:

• Ceramic and stone floor are wise choices.
• Bamboo and cork flooring is a nice replacement to traditional hardwood flooring. Bamboo is a rapidly growing resource and can be harvested very easily. Cork, which is made from the bark of an oak tree, can be treated to make it waterproof. It looks great but it’s also durable and comfortable to walk on.
• Make sure the adhesive used for your flooring isn’t made with urea-formaldehyde or any other toxic solvents
• Marmoleum, is a new brand of linoleum made from eco-friendly materials such as linseed oil and natural pigment

Designs for Flooring, Which one Works?

Huge-format stone tiles, including limestone and honed slate, are a great choice. Timber flooring can be used in the kitchen but choose one with a high water resistance, such as cherry or teak, to avoid it being affected by a steamy atmosphere. Vinyl and resin-based floorings, such as Amtico, have made a comeback lately and are available in some interesting colours and finishes. Polished concrete is the height of minimalist chic.

Fantastic Flooring

Looking to renovate or update your home? Start from the bottom and work your way up. A beautiful floor in wood or vinyl, tile or carpet, creates a solid foundation for every décor style.

reVISION reCOMMENDS…

TRILLIUM

Exotic Walnut (Strandwoven Bamboo) – Prefinished Solid Hardwood Flooring

• Tongue-and-groove format installs with standard equipment
• Recognized as one of the most environmentally friendly species
• All matching mouldings available
• DurAlOx Everlast finish protects from scratches and wear

Trillium’s strandwoven bamboo flooring is manufactured using a unique finishing process that combines the strength and durability of bamboo with the natural warmth of woodgrain. The sides and ends of each plank are also micro-V-jointed, further enhancing the look of natural hardwood. And strandwoven bamboo is not only a sustainable resource, it is also one of the most durable species of flooring available.

E-mail us at info@revisionrenovations.com for any future requests on trends you would like us to talk about in our upcoming newsletters.

• 2012 Award Finalist Nominations
• National CHBA Award of Honour
• How to Sell your Property Fast, for Top Dollars
• Design Trends for 2012
• Colouring the Future
• reVISION reCOMMENDS…

2012 Award Finalist Nominations

The 2012 GVHBA Ovation Awards nominees have been announced, with reVISION being named a finalist for:

Best Sustainable Renovation – Create No Waste

—

Best Marketing Innovation: Renovator – Customer Care Correspondence System

Join us on Facebook to view more pictures of this project and many more!

National CHBA Award of Honour

The Canadian Home Builders Association presented the “National CHBA Award of Honour” (Builder/Renovator category) to Todd Senft, President of reVISION Custom Home Renovations Inc. This award recognizes the member’s efforts to promote the mission and objectives of the Association locally and provincially.

How to Sell your Property Fast, for Top Dollars

reVISION Custom Home Renovations’ Todd Senft contributes to Sarah Megginson’s article in the March 2012 issue of Canadian Real Estate Magazine. He gives tips and suggestions on how to attract buyers and how to boost your property’s appeal to increase the chances of a quick sale. Join us on our website to read the full article!

Design Trends for 2012

Change your décor whenever the mood strikes. 5 design trends for 2012:

• Lighting Systems – Motorized blinds and iPad-controlled technology in every room.
• Simple Interiors – Less clutter, more open space.
• Functional Kitchens – Featuring easy-clean surfaces and top-of-the-line appliances including steam ovens, built-in coffee machines and warming drawers.
• Spa-Like Bathrooms – With steam showers, heated floors and walk-in showers.
• Add some Colour – Add an exotic colour to your home, which will brighten up your space and boost your energy!

Colouring the Future

The right paint choice can make all the difference in creating the desired feel for your home. Mylene Gevry, of paint manufacturer Sico states “blush reds, natural greens and blues are three of the year’s biggest colours, helping to create a warm and contemporary colour palette”. Don’t be afraid to EXPRESS YOUR SELF!

reVISION reCOMMENDS…

ben Waterborne Interior Paint – Primer (624)

• Ideal for sealing a variety of porous and nonuniform surfaces, including wallboard
• Easy to apply, spatter resistant and dries quickly
• Low VOC’s
• Deep colour Base Primer (04) maximizes hiding power of deeper finish coats

Future Requests? Send them to info@revisionrenovations.com. Let us know what trends you would like us to talk about in our upcoming newsletters.

Attracting a slew of qualified buyers is the biggest challenge facing vendors across Canada, particularly in parts of the country where growth has slowed and the market favours buyers.

Fortunately, whether you’re selling your own home or offloading an investment property, there are steps you can take to boost your property’s appeal and secure a quick sale.

There will always be people in the market who are keen to buy property, but at certain times, there are less of them than others – and during those times, your challenge as a vendor is to attract them specifically to your property.

The best and simplest way to achieve this is to make your space visually appealing, says Todd Senft, president of reVISION Custom Home Renovations Inc. in Vancouver. This means removing the clutter and presenting your property in its cleanest and tidiest form, but more importantly, it means putting your best foot forward from the very beginning.

“The street appeal of your home is very important, as most people do judge a book by its cover,” Senft says. “If the outside of the home is not appealing, many will think the inside most likely won’t be either.”

Read the full article: How to Sell Your Property Fast, for Top Dollars

• HST Transition Rules and Tax Relief Measures
• BC Home and Garden Show
• Environmentally Friendly Renovation Tips

HST Transition Rules and Tax Relief Measures

On Friday February 17, 2012 Minister of Finance Kevin Falcon released HST transition rules and tax relief measures for the home building industry and its clients.

• Effective April 1, 2012, the HST rebate threshold on new homes increases from $525,000 to $850,000. The maximum rebate rises to $42,500 from $26,250.
• Also effective April 1,2012, the HST rebate threshold for the secondary/recreational home industry outside of the Greater Vancouver and Capital Regional Districts, rises to $850,000 from $0.
• PST implementation will be effective April 1, 2013.
• All newly built homes where construction begins before April 1, 2013, but ownership and possession occur after, the purchaser will not pay the 7% provincial portion of the HST. Instead, purchasers will pay a temporary transitional provincial tax of 2% on the full house price.
• Home renovation will fall under regular transition rules to take effect April 1, 2013.
• A $1,000 Seniors’ Home Renovation Tax Credit, a refundable personal income tax credit for the cost of permanent renovations that provide individuals age 65 and over with increased independence. This is an annual $1,000 credit based on 10% of eligible expenditures. Details are available here.
• Builders will receive temporary housing transition rebates to offset PST on materials to help prevent double-taxation on homebuyers.

For more information on the HST transition rules please go to www.pstinbc.ca and click on “New Housing Rules”.

BC Home and Garden Show

The B.C. Home & Garden show will be held on February 22-26 at B.C. Place Stadium. Click here for more information.

Environmentally Friendly Renovation Tips

Choose More Sustainable Products:

• Ceramic and stone flooring is a healthy choice.
• Bamboo and cork flooring is a nice replacement to traditional hardwood flooring. Bamboo is a rapidly growing resource and can be harvested very easily. Cork, which is made from the bark of an oak tree, can be treated to make it waterproof. It looks great but it’s also durable and comfortable to walk on.
• Make sure the adhesive used for your flooring isn’t made with urea-formaldehyde or any other toxic solvents.
• When choosing your cabinetry, you can seek out cabinets made from wheat board or wood that has been harvested sustainably. Toxic chemicals can be released into the air from wood composite or particle board.
• Water savings from around 20% can be found by purchasing low flush toilets and showerheads.

To follow the progress of our projects and/or to view reVISION’s gallery, please join us on Facebook

• Successful Home Renovation Steps
• Return on Investment
• Asbestos and Your Renovation
• reVISION’S Projects

Successful Home Renovation Steps

A smooth and pleasant road through the transformation is possible and can be extremely exciting and rewarding….if you plan right.

Do your homework – Have a clear vision that will consider your lifestyle needs is imperative to your renovation.

Know how much you can afford – There are many financing possibilities through personal loans, lines of credit, home equity loans and even grants.

Look for a professional renovator – For high quality results and services that will ease the process, you need to go with a professional. There are many resources, including, the GVHBA website that will give you recommendations.

Choose your contractor and check references – Narrow down the renovators you feel most comfortable with and interview them. Check in with GVHBA and previous clients.

Work out a contract – Don’t just go with the lowest bid. Make sure everything is in writing, from work to be done to the payment schedule.

Plan how you will live during the renovation – This can be the most stressful part so take everything into consideration.

Establish a good working relationship with your renovator – Trust is essential. Communication lines should be open at all times for progress reports and decisions you may have to make on short notice.

Stick to the original plans – In order to stay close to the original price and schedule, changes should be kept to a minimum.

Return on Investment

If you are thinking of renovating, it’s important to not eliminate options for potential future buyers. Plan your project carefully to ensure you are making a wise financial decision. Below are some renovations that will give you the most bang for your buck:

• An outdoor kitchen addition, if you do it right, is between 150-200%
• Kitchen renovation – 72%
• Bathroom renovation – 68%
• Basement renovation – 49%
• Construct a garage – 70%

Asbestos and Your Renovation

Asbestos is a strong fire-resistant mineral fibre that can cause very serious illnesses. If your house was built during or before the late 1980′s, you may want to consider renovating. Your renovator will have a qualified person come inspect and safely remove Asbestos from your home. Some potential sources of Asbestos include but are not limited to the following:

• Duct insulation and tape
• Textured of stipple-coated walls and ceilings
• Acoustical tiles and stipple or popcorn ceiling
• Gypsum board filling compound and patching and joint compound for walls and ceilings
• Soundproofing or decorative material sprayed on walls and ceilings
• Batt insulation
• Loose blown-in insulation such as vermiculite

reVISION’S Projects

May we light your fire?

Freshly finished, reVISION’s new home construction on the west side is stirring up gossip on the block.

This unique fireplace is the focal point for the newly built home. The tiger granite feature piece gives the finishing touch of perfection.

To follow the progress of our projects and/or to view reVISION’s gallery, please join us on Facebook

• reVISION’S Projects in Progress
• Getting Started on your Renovation
• Holiday Greetings

reVISION’S Projects in Progress

A Modern Update

reVISION’s full interior renovation is completed. We brought a touch of the 21st century into this 90′s home. reVISION tore down useless walls to create more of an open concept throughout the home. We also updated the bathroom to today’s modern style. Join us on Facebook to view the entire project from start to finish!

Before: Useless middle wall creating two small rooms.

After: One large room created by tearing down the middle wall. The newly installed customized cabinets keep the home organized at all times.

Before: A small outdated 90′s kitchen.

After: A brand new kitchen with plenty more light and cooking space. The newly renovated kitchen features brand new stainless steel appliances and customized cabinets.

Getting Started on your Renovation

Give yourself enough time to plan properly. Follow our newsletter over the next few months for tips on planning and executing your renovation.

Step 1: How much do you want to spend?

You won’t know, at this stage, how much it will cost but you need to know how much you can/want to spend. Typically, renovations are funded through a combination of savings, loans and mortgages, and taking advantage of the existing equity of your home. Determine the amount of your savings, the total amount you are willing to borrow and spend, and the extra costs associated with renovating such as, furniture, fixtures and appliances.

Step 2: Look into getting the biggest bang from your buck

A Real Estate Appraiser will be able to determine how to get the biggest payback on your investment by establishing the current value of your home and of comparable homes in your area. Having a professional appraiser will help you decide on the types of renovations that will give you the greatest return.

Consider a pre-renovation home inspection to evaluate the overall condition of your home and to set priorities for current and future renovations. An independent home inspector can help identify repair work and equipment replacement that may be needed.

Return on Investment- It’s important to not eliminate options for potential future buyers. Plan your project carefully to ensure you are making a wise financial decision. Below are some renovations that will give you the most bang for your buck:

• An outdoor kitchen addition, if you do it right, is between 150-200%
• Kitchen renovation – 72%
• Bathroom renovation – 68%
• Basement renovation – 49%
• Construct a garage – 70%

We hope you all have a wonderful holiday and a very Happy New Year!

• Congratulations to our Grey Cup Winners!
• Georgie Finalist
• Rooftopper of the Year Award
• Coats for Kids
• reVISION Recommends
• reVISION’S Projects in Progress
• Bathroom Renovation Tips

Congratulations to our Grey Cup Winners!

Thank you to all those who participated within our contest, though it was a tough decision we found our winners! Congratulations to Dave and Cheryl. We were delighted to give them 2 tickets to the Grey Cup for November 27th, 2011 game with additional access to the Lion’s Den Entertainment after the game.

Dave and Cheryl’s Dysfunctional Kitchen:

Georgie Finalist

reVISION’s Ritz it up on Richards project has been selected as a 2011 Georgie Award Finalist for Best Renovation – Any Room! Join us on Facebook to view more pictures of this project.

Rooftopper of the Year Award

The Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association presented the “ROOFTOPPER OF THE YEAR AWARD” to Todd Senft, President of reVISION Custom Home Renovations for the second consecutive year! The award is given to an association member who brings the most new members to the association.

Coats for Kids

GVHBA launched its 16th annual Coats for Kids campaign on Monday, November 21, 2011. The public is invited to drop off apparel at participating members’ offices or sales centres from November 21 to December 9, 2011.

The public response last year was heartwarming, with more than 3,000 coats, scarves, gloves, mittens, blankets, toques and toys donated for distribution to families in need throughout the Greater Vancouver area by the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau and other agencies.

For more information on the campaign and to view participating members please visit http://www.gvhba.org/.

reVISION Recommends…

reVISION recommends Schluter- Kerdi – Boards. Whether you work with mosaics or large format tiles, a flat, level, plumb, square substrate is essential for creating a perfect tile covering.

The Benefits:

Saves Time

• Build a tile-ready surface without wood or cement board
• No additional surface preparation required

Ideal for wet areas

• Schluter- Kerdi – Boards are waterproof, vapor retardant and dimensionally stable

Easy to transport and work with

• Lightweight
• Suitable for use on any kind of structure
• 7 thicknesses available

reVISION’S Projects in Progress

Lucky 13 Part Two is almost complete! reVISION has taken this olden day design and updated it to the 21st century. Here are a few updated pictures, keep up with us on Facebook to see what finishing touches go into this west-side condo!

Before: This olden day design is screaming for an update to the 21st century!

After: A bright new kitchen with plenty of cooking space.

Before: Outdated 90′s Kitchen with limited countertop and cooking space.

After: An updated kitchen with pure white cabinetry and modern day appliances, including a customized refrigerator drawer underneath the island!

Visit us on Facebook to see progress pictures of this project and many others!

Bathroom Renovation Tips

• Design lighting that will make you look your best self. Quality lighting is essential. Create a shadow free lighting design with halogen pot lights enclosed in wall sconces around your mirror. Installing a dimmer is great for modifying your lighting to fit your mood!
• Create extra space. A tall, in-wall cabinet in between wall studs can maximize storage without minimizing floor space. The cabinet should be at least 3 inches in depth.
• Create your own showering area. An open concept shower area, that has no need for curtains or doors, will provide a less confining space than a regular shower stall. Combine that with a ceiling mounted rain shower head and you will keep a drier outside area and create a more unique showering experience.

• Win two tickets to the Grey Cup!
• Coats for Kids
• Designers at Large
• reVISION Teaches the Teachers
• reVISION’S Projects in Progress

Win two tickets to the Grey Cup!

We are seeking pictures of your dated and dysfunctional kitchens! The winner will receive 2 tickets to the Grey Cup in Vancouver on November 27th, 2011 with additional access to the Lion’s Den Entertainment after the game. The deadline for entries is October 31st, 2011. Please send in a jpeg file (upload size 5MB) to info@revisionrenovations.com with your name, e-mail address and phone number. The winner will be posted in the November 19th, 2011 newsletter. The winner will be contacted directly by November 7th, 2011 by phone.

Coats for Kids

GVHBA launches its 16th annual Coats for Kids campaign on Monday, November 21, 2011. The public will be invited to drop off apparel at participating members’ offices or sales centres from November 21 to December 9, 2011.

The public response last year was heartwarming, with more than 3,000 coats, scarves, gloves, mittens, blankets, toques and toys donated for distribution to families in need throughout the Greater Vancouver area by the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau and other agencies.

For more information on the campaign and to view participating members please visit http://www.gvhba.org/.

Designers at Large

Designers at Large has produced a limited edition of 75 ‘Listen | Closely’ lamp shades made from the legacy sails fabric from Canada Place. The title of the project is meant to encourage us to stop and reconsider the people and objects we encounter in our daily lives.

Only when we Listen | Closely can we truly appreciate the potential of our surroundings.

Lamp shades are selling for $150 (incl. HST). All proceeds from the sales will be donated to the HomeStart Foundation. http://www.homestart.ca/

For more information please contact Kevin Wharton at kevin@designersatlarge.com

reVISION Teaches the Teachers

Todd Senft, president of reVISION Custom Home Renovation recently volunteered as a speaker for “Renovation Survival” at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. He provided teachers with tips on how to survive a home renovation with topics such as: How to Hire a Contractor to Details of a Written Renovation Agreement. He included a long list of government rebates and incentives for teachers to take advantage of. You can view that list at: http://www.homeperformance.com/.

reVISION’S Projects in Progress

Create No Waste

Statistics from Light House Sustainability revealed that an 86% Recycle/ Reuse Rate was achieved! This full on recycling pilot project is finally completed and our mission to “Create No Waste” has succeeded! Here’s a slight taste of the project. Join us on Facebook to view the entire project of this environmentally friendly home.

Before

After: A new look for a character home

After: Welcome to your updated home!

After: Enjoy the view from your private roof top deck!

Visit us on Facebook to see progress pictures of this project and many others!

reVISION Custom Home Renovations goes to work in an old house with character.

This was a full-on renovation by Todd Senft of reVISION Custom Home Renovations. A new top story was added, then the whole house including the bottom suite was renovated down to the studs and beyond.

“This is a heritage, character home on the east side of Vancouver. The project was very unique in that two intertwined projects were happening at the same time,” Senft says. “My company was contracted to do the renovations and at the same time Lighthouse Sustainability was contracted by Metro Vancouver to do an audit of everything that came out of the house that was recycled or repurposed. Because this was a significant renovation it was a prime project for them to look at everything during deconstruct, which is a term they use instead of demolition. In real terms for us it meant everything being removed from the home must be dismantled in a way they could more easily recycle rather than just crushing them and throwing them into a bit.”

Read the full article PDF.

reVISION’s 1912 Heritage Haven shows a sensitively updated old-timer, a beautiful transformation using reclaimed hardwood, rewired original iron chandeliers and a dark attic storage space redesigned as a bright yet private master suite accessed by a unique and elegant new staircase. In another act of wizardry the company turned a barren back yard into a dazzling four-season entertainment space featuring a bar, barbecue pit, fireplace, eight-person hot tub and an open kitchen.

Read the full article online: Matchless Makeover