| |
ARTICLES
The Vancouver Sun: Saturday, November 15, 2003
http://www.6717000.com/newsArticle-740.html
Builder’s Roofer Madness booklet aids homeowners
By Rod Nutt
Kerr Construction, which has been in the renovation business for 15 years, had trouble finding good roofers.
So four years ago, owner Doug Kerr started his own roofing company – Absolute Roofing Solutions.
“We found roofing the worst trade in the construction business,” says Kerr. “But when we got into the roofing business we really discovered just how bad it was.”
To help homeowners with their roofing problems, Kerr has written a free booklet, Roofer Madness: How to avoid the roofing rip off, which is packed with all sorts of useful tips.
For example, unless you know or trust your roofing contractor, Kerr recommends hiring an independent inspector who specializes in roofing.
”You may find you need only spend a few hundred dollars in repairs now and the expensive re-roof project can be safely put off for some years,” the booklet advises.
Other suggestions:
- Check that your roofer has proper, up-to-date liability insurance that will cover water, fire or other property damage; many roofers don’t have this insurance now as prices have increased and it’s harder to qualify.
- Go around your property with the potential roofing contractor and point out the areas you want to protect. Have the contractor propose a solution to protect them and then make sure the solution gets written into the contract.
- Ask the roofing company if the crew will have magnetic roller to pick up nails. This will be a clue as to how seriously it takes the clean up.
- Ask your potential roofing contractor how he will keep the water out of your house if it rains.
- Make sure the crew that shows up is big enough to get the old roof off and the new roof on in a timely manner (two installers and two labourers minimum). If the roof is too big to do in one day, even with a larger crew, then have them do it one section at a time.
- Have an agreement with your contractor to always tarp unfinished roof sections at the end of every day. Never leave the roof open overnight no matter what the weather forecast and never let the installer on the job talk you into leaving it exposed overnight.
- There are two parts to a warranty: The materials warranty supplied by the manufacturer and the labour warranty supplied by the installation company. Keep in mind that if the installers don’t install the roofing materials as per the manufacturer’s specification, the manufacturer will void the material warranty. So hire a quality-minded installation company if you want the manufacturer to back its warranty.
http://absoluteroof.blogspot.com/
With the economy still in recession Stephen Harper’s 2009 Budget gives Vancouverites a positive reason to invest in their homes.
Starting January 28, 2009 for 1 year the government is offering tax credits to homeowners of 15 per cent on all spending over $1 000 to a maximum of $10 000, giving homeowners a maximum tax credit of $1 350.
“We have not only been pummeled by the snow. Throw in the suffering economy and you get job losses and a decline in building projects throughout the construction industry in the lower mainland,” says Doug Kerr, president of Absolute Roof Solutions. “ This has made it tough on homeowners to do the up-grades and repairs that they need.”
Now with the new budget out and the industry slowdown it is a prime opportunity for the homeowner to take advantage of the tax credit offers. The government is also offering up to $12 325 in rebates for home energy improvements. Additionally, in your favour the projects will take less time with trades more available. According to the budget report the offer lasts one year.
“This is a great time for those homeowners looking to do necessary up-grades to their homes,” says Kerr. “ The basic Vancouver roof will cost about $5 000 with this tax credit you will save yourself $600.”
Absolute Roof Solutions celebrated its 10th year as one of Vancouver and surrounding areas leading roofing contractors and publishes the “Roofer Madness Booklet” for homeowners.
http://absoluteroof.blogspot.com/
We all agree that greener energy is necessary for the sustainability of the planet. But looking at all the green options that are available what is best for you and your family? Solar energy is a subject that often comes up. According to BC Hydro the average BC household uses 122.2kw of energy per day.
There are two options when it comes to solar energy. Photovoltaic, which converts solar energy into electricity, and Solar Hot Water Heat, this takes solar energy to heat your water. The first one is the one that is most thought of; photovoltaic panels. These panels are the ones that we hope will get us “off the grid.” Great idea but the typical problem that occurs is the cost of these panels. For a family of 4 these panels can cost about $30 000 and take close to 100 years for the panels to pay for themselves. Also, with the way we consume energy, the panels do not provide enough energy to for us to rely on them independently.
Another issue photovolatic’s have is that you need about a 12 panel system for a family of 4. They need to be installed at a specific angle on your roof, which makes them very visible from the ground. This takes away from the overall design of the house.
Still want to do your part for the environment? An alternative to photovoltaic panels is Solar Hot Water Panels. These cost about $8000 and will pay themselves off in approx 6 years. In the first year of installation homeowners’ noticed a reduction of 30-35% in their energy bills.
These panels do not take away from the design of your home because they can be mounted directly onto your roof without you able to see them from the ground. For a family of 4 members, you only need to install two 4 X 8 ft panels. The solar hot water panels can be used year round even during the winter months. The Canadian government has also made this process a little less painful by adding a $1750 rebate to those that complete their project.
Keith Kinvig from Absolute Roof Solutions, who has being installing Enerworks Solar Hot Water Systems in the lower mainland says, “It is the only panel that is CSA (Canadian Standards Association) approved and there is no permit needed if you follow your roof line. As well it only takes 3 people to install and 1.5 days to complete it.”
So if you are thinking about reducing your carbon footprint, Doug Kerr, a local contractor from Kerr Construction says, “There are lots of incentives from the government for home energy improvements. The 2009 Budget is offering up to $1350 in tax credits on top of the LiveSmart BC and SolarBC rebate programs. We also make it easier for the homeowner by taking care of the energy audits.” This makes it a perfect time to build you and your family a health and sustainable home.
Jan 7/09 from 24hours
Heavy rains are wreaking havoc on roofs around the region.
A warehouse in Burnaby collapsed on itself yesterday and a townhouse complex in Port Moody was evacuated because of a partial roof collapse.
Kerr Roofing operations manager Keith Kinvig said snow on rooftops would increase in weight as it sops up a steady supply of rain over the next couple of days. A roof covered with 25 cm of snow can weigh upwards of 300 kilograms per cubic metre. “If people have a lot of snow on their roof and it continues to rain, they should be concerned,” he said of homes 30 years in age or older.
Environment Canada predicts up to 50 mm of rain today followed by another 10 mm of rain tomorrow.
On the bright side, temperatures could climb as high as 7 C over the next two days, causing snow to melt rather than stick around and pose a risk.
- Dharm Makwana, 24 hours
Energy-Saving Kitchens
By Frank O'Brien
Home Makeover Magazine April 2009 Issue
Kerr Construction Ltd. of Vancouver captured a 2008 gold Georgie Award for the best kitchen under $100, 000-and the national SAM Award for the Canadian Home Builders’ Association as the best kitchen in Canada-for this renovation in Vancouver’s Southlands. But it is the emphasis on the environment that may truly set it apart.
The 1970s-era rancher was transformed into a 21st century contemporary statement in green, from solar-heated hot water to bamboo floors and energy-saving appliances.
All the water used in the kitchen was heated via twin roof-mounted solar panels, which are estimated to cut the cost of hot water heating by at a least 30 per cent.
Then Kerr worked out how to reduce the amount of water used, opting for a compact drawer-style dishwasher that runs smaller loads. The company also installed a built-in water filtration system and ionizer to improve the quality of the drinking water.
Environmental measures extend to the recycling of interior doors and trim, the use of low-E and triple-glazed windows and extra insulation in the walls and ceiling. The large counters are engineered quartz, which is recognized as having a lower carbon footprint than granite. Bamboo floors, considered more environmentally friendly than hardwood, were installed, as were new Energy Star appliances, most hidden behind the custom-made, vertical-grain, solid mahogany cabinets.
|
