Building Excellence

Tool manufacturers are listening to the on-site needs of professional users such as homebuilders, renovators and trade contractors. In cordless power tools, for example, voltage capacities are trending considerably higher, while sizes are getting smaller, resulting in greater compactness of many tools. Improvements in precision, accuracy and ease of use also continue to grow. Along with these developments, in professional...

Insulation has gone multi-function – it’s not just about saving money by reducing energy consumption, but also helping the environment, keeping the home interior comfortable and healthy regardless of weather and outside conditions. Additional insulation trends include increased use of non-ozone-depleating spray-foam, which needs to be applied by certified installers, and installing continuous insulation at the exterior walls. Here’s...

Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) members have been building, developing, and renovating Canadian homes for generations. We are sharing the extraordinary contributions CHBA members make in their communities every day through our ongoing #CdnBuilt for Generations campaign. Here are a few recent stories. To read more stories follow our hashtag or visit chba.ca/giving-back SRI Homes – Regent teams up with local...

By Natasha Rombough, Director, Marketing and Communications, CHBA If it seems like you’ve been hearing a lot about factory-built construction these days, you’re not imagining things. Modular building techniques have taken the public – and the government – by storm, often touted as the answer to increasing sector productivity and improving Canada’s housing supply gap. And while it’s true that...

Smart and connected Kitchens that are smart and boast Wi-Fi connectivity are among the demands of today’s homeowners. Here are some products that help deliver.   Thor Kitchen 36-in. built-in induction cooktop  THOR Kitchen says this unit “offers the power and performance of a premium professional appliance at a practical price.” Induction cooking technology combines the temperature responsiveness of a gas cooktop...

By Diane Amato, on behalf of RBC Diane Amato is a Toronto-based freelance writer focused on money, travel, tech, climate and social impact Housing is a key focus for Canadians, and is one of the most complex public challenges in the country right now, as housing, real estate and construction involves municipal, provincial and federal governments. With economic uncertainty in the air,...

By Natasha Rombough, Director of Marketing and Communications, CHBA One of the benefits of membership is the informational and educational content that all three levels of our association provide. At CHBA, we are focused on sharing federal/national information, news and programming with members to give you an advantage in the marketplace and keep advancing the residential construction industry.  This article gives...

By Tim Bailey, Director of Operations for Avid, ECI Software Solutions Homebuilding efficiency is not just about cost control – it is also a critical driver of customer satisfaction and brand reputation. One area where efficiency often breaks down is in the handoff between departments as the homebuyer progressively moves through the various journey stages: Sales, design, construction and warranty. When...

By Sarah Caron, Director, Renovation Services, CHBA The Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) is proud to announce the launch of a new award category in its prestigious National Awards for Housing Excellence: The Adaptiv Home Award. This new category recognizes outstanding residential projects that prioritize accessibility, adaptability and aging-in-place designs that empower individuals of all abilities to live safely, independently...

In early October, the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario (Auditor General) released its long-awaited performance audit of the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA). The report set out to evaluate whether the HCRA is effectively fulfilling its mandate to license and oversee new-home builders and protect consumers.