Fake reviews

Came across this article from TrustedPros today:

Up to 47% of contractors may be using fake reviews, study reveals.


This article is relevant especially in this day and age of the internet.  So, how does one spot a fake review?

Fake online reviews: Here are some tips on detecting them.  (Taken from NBC News)

6 clues that an online review might be fake.  (Taken from Money)

Local and not-so-local contractors/companies we would work with again - Part 1

Since building our home, locals have asked us for recommendations of local trades.  We have decided to compile a list of contractors/companies we would work with if we build again.

Bear these in mind:

1. We do not take putting our names behind the credibility of these individuals lightly.
2. These people are human beings.  They are not perfect because none of us are perfect.  However, we feel they provided value-for-money and high standard of service.  They made mistakes but were humble enough to apologize and make it right.  In fact, some of them had to make right mistakes made by other individuals.
3. We do not recommend them because they are the cheapest.  In fact, they are slightly more expensive than others but they get the job done right.  It is more expensive (money, time, emotional cost) to hire another trade to rectify someone else's subpar work.

Name and location of contractors/companies:

1. Ben Taylor-Gregg, Rossland. 
   
   Ben, who enjoys cross-country skiing in winter, mountain biking in summer, and a really good cup of espresso all year round, did the tiling for our house (and many more in Rossland) using the Schluter System.  Had we seen the carpentry work he did at a friend's house before starting this project, we would have hire him to build the house too.  He takes pride in his work and it shows!  Action definitely speaks louder than words.
   He works closely with Mike Bennett and Ken Pistak (Red Seal Carpenter).  Ken Pistak is contactable at 250-921-4577 or email at kenpistak@gmail.com.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Paul Van Wijk, Salmo
   
   Paul (who loves his chocolates), Kay and their son, Michael worked as a team to build our custom kitchen cabinets, stair rails, and Douglas Fir sills.  We spent loads of time discussing the different types of wood and what type of wood would be suitable for the stair rail.  Paul recommended maple because it is more pleasant to touch.  He did a beautiful job making window sills out of old Douglas Fir to match our European Douglas Fir window frames.  A family-owned business and a fun team to work with.  Contact them at 250-357-9581.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Blind Ambitions, Rossland
   
   We ordered our custom interior blinds from Deb Cescon.  She brought folders of sample material, took the time to listen to our needs and offered suggestions of what would work.  When the blinds arrived, Dario, her husband installed the blinds.
   Evan Cescon (architect), their son, has since taken over the business.  Email him at blindambitions@allindesign.ca or visit his webpage at http://www.allindesign.ca/

Before you choose to work with a...

In the past year, we have spoken to several people (from Lower Mainland and BC Coast) over the phone.  Basically, they asked us for a personal reference for Brett Sichello (architect), and Collective Carpentry.  We've also had some local Rosslanders contact us personally and visit our home because they were either a) planning to build in Rossland or b) renovate their house/cabin.

Here's some advise/information to help you choose who to work with, be it an architect, a builder, a tiler, a plumber etc.

Educate yourself.

Do your research.  The internet has made it easier to find information.  Buy books and read.  Subscribe to magazines that focus on home building or renovation.  Educate yourself on how to build a better house.  A minimum code house doesn't equal to a energy efficient comfortable house (presently).  An energy efficient house doesn't mean an expensive house. 

Get quotes in.

Ask at least 3 builders to quote on your job and don’t just go with the cheapest. Look at the breakdown of costs, if some seem a lot cheaper than others ask how they will achieve it for the price without cutting corners.  (Taken from https://www.fmb.org.uk/find-a-builder/choosing-a-builder/)

When we spoke to local trades people, that's what they told us - get 3 quotes, at least.  

Talk to previous customers.

Go and visit some of the builders’ previous jobs. Most reputable traders will be more than happy to show off their previous work and while you’re there you can get a personal reference from a satisfied customer.  (Taken from https://www.fmb.org.uk/find-a-builder/choosing-a-builder/)

If you have the opportunity, don't just speak to a previous customer, go and have a look at previous projects.  Don't just speak to 1 customer, speak to several customers.

Talk to ex-business partner(s) and ex-colleagues too.  Ask them if they would hire this trade to do work on their own house.

Taking the time to speak to these individuals will help you decide who to hire.


 Here are more links to help you choose the right architect/builder/trades person:

• 7 mistakes to avoid when choosing a builder
• How to choose the right home builder
• How to choose a home builder
• Tips for choosing a builder

In the news...

Recently featured in Rossland news: http://www.rosslandnews.com/community/319718261.html

Note:

Rossland Passive House windows and doors had to be specially ordered from Optiwin based in Austria.  After extensive research by Brett Sichello, Euroline Passive House windows and doors were not suitable for this project.  Collective Carpentry used Solitex Mento 1000, a weather-resistive membrane made by Pro Clima in Germany and distributed by 475 High Performance Building Supply.  All other building supplies were purchased from local building centers in Trail and Castlegar, BC.

Prefabricated exterior panels installation - Day 5

Gerry Sawkins, certified Energy Advisor from Natural Resources Canada came to perform the blower door test today.  Brett Sichello & wife, Sarah, came down from Kelowna for the test.

Want to know more about the blower test?  Click here!

Very good results!

Hear, hear!

The view...for now.

Time to clad the exterior of the house, install the roof, and build internal service walls where all the plumbing and wiring will be located.

Prefabricated exterior panels installation - Day 4

Roof panels were installed today!

With the glulam in place, the 1st roof panel is carefully placed

Securing the roof panels

The house is up!

Prefabricated exterior panels installation - Day 3

While most of us had the day off on Canada Day, the Collective Carpentry team were hard at work securing all the panels for roof installation tomorrow.  We paid them a visit and toured the house.

The Collective Carpentry team: Rane, Andrew, Jan & Joey (from Trail!)

Steel beam over the main floor "kitchen"

View from 2nd floor "master bedroom"