Measure Twice, Cut Once

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Co-hosts Mike and Jennifer-Lee chat with Shaun St-Amour who talks about the associated costs, the energy savings, consumer choice, and the importance of challenging the status quo as the industry looks to build resilient, healthy homes with a lighter footprint on the environment. ‘I really think that we should have an AirBNB passive house that we all could just go and experience because when you step into it and you close the door and it's quieter and there's even a difference in fresh air, you honestly see the difference as soon as you take that first step inside.’ says Shaun St-Amour, Clay Construction. St-Amour is passionate about building to Passive House standards for the health and comfort of everyone who's occupying the home. ‘I would rather use the Passive House principles to get to net zero. Not only are you going to enjoy the benefits of a passive house, the comfort, the energy efficiency, the healthy home but you'll also have an opportunity to use materials that can create a 200 plus year old home because you're doing an envelope-first approach.’ Thanks to sponsors: FortisBC, Ethical Floors, Rami Films, and jPod productions You will find “Measure Twice, Cut Once” podcasts on iTunes, Spotify and Google podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Co-hosts Mike and Jennifer-Lee chat with Chris Wimbles of Perspective Homes by Pacific and homeowner, Drew Bonnell, sharing their experiences building their first net zero home including solar power. ‘You hear it all the time, communication. Because this was a complex project and because we had so many moving parts with so many people involved, if there were challenges, it was through a lack of communication rather than too much communication. You know the old adage, there's just no stupid questions. Just get it out there, let's air it, talk about it, and then it'll save time and money later,’ says Drew Bonnell, homeowner. The goals of this project were to build a design forward, future-proof home with sustainable features using renewable energy as progressive as possible, within the available budget. As the plan progressed, it became obvious, net zero was within reach with lots of lessons learned along the way. ‘From a building standpoint, what we've really learned is the importance of having as many design decisions and as many final product decisions from the onset. Obviously, there's always going to be things that change, but really, if you are a homeowner and you want to build something, try to figure out what it is you want and invest in the pre-construction design process of the project... especially with all the supply chain issues that we're still having in the industry, it's critical that you work with a schedule and in a way that that can get it all achieved.’ Chris Wimble, Perspective Homes by Pacific. Offering a first-hand perspective to building a high-performance home for the first time, you will hear tips on how to build more resilient homes with a lighter impact on the environment. Thanks to sponsors: FortisBC, Ethical Floors, Rami Films, and jPod productions LISTEN: Meet the Burden Family and follow their real time reno     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Co-hosts Mike and Jennifer-Lee chat with special Guest Bryan Baeumler of HGTV fame, along with Graeme Huguet of My House Design Build Team to talk about the value of working with the pros. ‘I often tell a story of a basement I walked into, and the homeowner said, what can you do down here? And the answer is, I'll put a train station, indoor pool and a Starbucks in if you'd like. And they laugh and say, no, seriously, what can you do? And I say, what's your budget? And the answer used to always be, well, I'm not telling you, you'll spend it all. But you need to present how much money do you have in your pocket or available to you. I would say take 35% of that as a contingency...and work on 65% of your total available cash or credit or whatever you want to spend on the job. And let the professional come up with the plan to tell you what is possible within those plans, considering the cosmetics that you would like to include and go from there,’ says Baeumler. Recognizing a TV show cannot share the full process of building or renovating a home in just 22 minutes, Baeumler openly discusses his approach to working with the professionals, with Huguet bringing a BC perspective to the conversation. ‘We have to start looking at our own homes, not from the cosmetic Instagram photo side, but we have to start looking at how do we build a safe, comfortable nest that's affordable and sustainable, that also adds real value and provides a passive income in the form of savings long-term. And we have to start prioritizing.’ Bryan Baeumler, Baeumler Approved, HGTV. Thanks to podcast partners: FortisBC, Vicostone Canada, Trail Appliances, Rami Films, jPod productions, and AI Technology & Design. You will find “Measure Twice, Cut Once” podcasts on iTunes, Spotify and Google podcasts.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Co-hosts Mike and Jennifer-Lee chat with with Streetside Developments about their townhome project, Cascadia, located in Langley, due for completion later this year. Challenged by senior management to build to a net zero ready high-performance level, Jonathan Meads shares the challenges faced by the building community. Scaling up from a single-family home to a multi-family project is exponentially more challenging, as the industry, government regulations, technology, supply chain, professionals and trades are all on a steep learning curve.  ‘The net zero homes offset the energy used. The only difference between a net zero home and a net zero ready home is you haven't put on the home the ability to capture energy, but it's been designed so that in the future it can be added. So, it may not have photovoltaics on the roof now, but it has been designed to add it at a later date,’ says Meads. Packed with information and ideas on the future of townhomes and the benefits of net zero ready living, this episode discovers how building to higher standards in multi-family homes can benefit your family and community, while looking at the challenges and wins faced by Streetside Developments as they adopt a smaller footprint philosophy building net zero ready townhomes. ‘The one thing I think that is coming, that could be a big game changer, that avoids the battery pack, per se, is the next generation of electric vehicles actually have the ability to power homes. And if they are plugged in at the right time, you can send power back and forth. So now you could be charging your vehicle during the day. These cars are so intelligent,’ says Meads. Thank you to podcast partners: FortisBC, Vicostone Canada, Trail Appliances, Rami Films, jPod productions, and AI Technology & Design.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You will find “Measure Twice, Cut Once” podcasts on iTunes, Spotify and Google podcasts. Co-hosts Mike and Jennifer-Lee chat with Joe Geluch looking at infill housing solutions featuring a Passivhaus+ duplex project with two lock-off suites, built on a single-family lot as a solution to addressing Vancouver’s Missing Middle housing. ‘We had the opportunity to present this project at the International Passive House Conference in Germany last year. People were interested in it as a new housing typology addressing the missing middle problem in Vancouver. Currently there is an incentive with the City of Vancouver until 2025 for the FSR exemption if you're going for a certified passive house. This project got 18% extra floor area for doing a certified passive house duplex, which meant an additional 600 square feet total, essentially one extra bedroom per home.’ Allison Holden-Pope of One Seed Architecture and Interiors. Packed with information and ideas on infill housing solutions to address the missing middle, this episode explores how building to higher standards on a single-family lot can benefit your family and community. ‘Passive homes used to be all about energy efficiency, and now there is a focus on embodied carbon because you've already set this base of a high-performance home. Let's do it using as sustainable materials. I think that that's how things are evolving. It's ultimately everybody's dream, that passive house doesn't even get mentioned anymore because it's code. That's just how we build. That's what we want to have happen.’ Joe Geluch, Naikoon Contracting. Podcast partners: FortisBC, Vicostone Canada, Trail Appliances, Rami Films, jPod productions, and AI Technology & Design.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You will find “Measure Twice, Cut Once” podcasts on iTunes, Spotify and Google podcasts. Jake Fry talks with co-hosts Jennifer-Lee and Mike about the concept of attainable housing for the missing middle and building thriving modern-day communities. ‘Our experience reflects that of the 370+ small homes we've built, easily over 85% have been for multi-generational living, and I think that's the big drive,’ says Fry. Land valuations, environmental impacts of today’s building materials and systems, and our end goals all add up to a riveting conversation with Fry recommending we keep an open mind to solutions and focus on sophisticated conversations, versus complicated ones. ‘I would argue there’s going to be lots of opportunities to reuse a building, renovate a building, and the greenest building is the building that's standing right now. Period. And when we look to recycle, reuse, reduce, reusing those buildings where we can and trying to keep them as intact as possible, there'll be opportunities for a house to have three suites in it and a coach house in the back, those are the things we have to be very vigorous about in our analysis of what is good.’ Jake Fry, Smallworks. Podcast partners: FortisBC, Vicostone Canada, Trail Appliances, Rami Films, jPod productions, and AI Technology & Design.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Co-hosts Mike and Jennifer-Lee chat with Chris Hill about the Building Offsite Sustainable System (BOSS) an open-source factory-built wall system designed to build higher Energy Step Code level homes, including passive homes. Developed by BCollective, the concept is simple; by creating BOSS as an open-source system, knowledge will transfer quicker to help advance the learning curve to lower building costs, improve building efficiencies, and increase quality of output. Faced with a housing crisis, rising building costs, labour shortages, and the need to reduce the footprint of how we build our homes. ‘There's nothing proprietary about it and that's intentional so that you can have it built by others’, says Chris Hill as he shares his thoughts on building trends and the BOSS system. ‘We're using the word climate crisis. We each have to account for our own balance. There's no reason why we should be restricting how we're living, so then we're going to have to look to ways to reduce. And that's what you’re getting with BOSS - carbon reduction, thicker walls. BOSS dramatically reduces the ongoing operating energy that you put input into your house. It's a really, an exercise on reduction.’ Chris Hill, BCollective. Podcast partners: FortisBC, Vicostone Canada, Trail Appliances, Rami Films, jPod productions, and AI Technology & Design.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is an iceberg home? Unassuming at first glance, iceberg homes are designed and built with the majority of living space underground. Father and son duo, John and Jeff Gunson, share their experiences and process of building homes with multiple underground floors. ‘The concept was created in London. The houses are too small for the value of what these people have paid for them, and you can't change the facade of a building and you can't raise the height. So, because of heritage restrictions they dug down into the ground and increased the size of the square footage of the house. In the City of Vancouver there is no reference in the bylaws to how many square feet you can add below grade.’ John Gunson, Euro Canadian Contracting Co-hosts Mike and Jennifer-Lee find out that faced with limited land and soaring real estate prices, homeowners are digging deeper for solutions. ‘For the lower half of the house, that's underground, there is better thermal insulation and a more regulated temperature. It doesn't see high temperature differentials from hot to cold as the above grade would. Being underground though, heat from equipment generally creates an issue, therefore, you have to implement air conditioning to make the space more livable.’ Jeff Gunson, Euro Canadian Contracting Thank you to podcast partners: FortisBC, Vicostone Canada, Trail Appliances, Rami Films, jPod productions, and AI Technology & Design. You will find “Measure Twice, Cut Once” podcasts on iTunes, Spotify and Google podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You will find ‘Measure Twice, Cut Once’ podcasts on iTunes, Spotify and Google podcasts. What is a high-performance home and what does it mean for you and your family? Understanding the different industry accreditations, keeping up with building trends, and knowing what type of high-performance home is right for you can be overwhelming. ‘When people are looking to build a home for their family to live in, it is a smart idea to build above basic code to some level of high performance. Consistent temperature control throughout the home, improved sound barriers, better air quality, increased energy efficiency, and a reduced environmental footprint with improved durability are just some of the benefits that can be realized in high-performance homes’, says Eric Lee. Join co-hosts Mike and Jennifer-Lee on this edition of ‘Measure Twice, Cut Once’. Thanks to sponsors: FortisBC, Trail Appliances, Vicostone Canada, Rami Films, jPod productions, and AI Technology & Design. LISTEN: Meet the Burden Family and follow their real time reno See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You will find “Measure Twice, Cut Once” podcasts on iTunes, Spotify and Google podcasts. On this edition of ‘Measure Twice, Cut Once’, now that the project is complete and the Burdens have moved back upstairs, they realize the basement has been trashed.  Are they ready emotionally and financially to tackle another renovation in the basement? Tune in with host Jennifer-Lee Gunson and special guest Alisa Aragon-Lloyd, mortgage broker specialist, as they explore the Burdens’ financial strategies and future options. “The one thing we didn't mention is now we have to furnish our space,” said homeowner Justin Burden. “So, a lot of funds have been going towards purchasing a dining table, a sofa, a kitchen table and chairs and I had no idea the cost associated with all these things.” Thanks to sponsors: FortisBC, Ethical Floors, Rami Films, and jPod productionsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether building, renovating, or designing, success is all in the details. Join host Jennifer-Lee of Measure Twice, Cut Once as she catches up with the Burdens who take their final walkthrough with Cara from Triple Dot Design, and Alex from Level One Construction. ‘We walked through with Alex and compiled a list of everything that we had noticed together, but then Level One had the great recommendation for us to live here for a week and live our normal lives and note things as they came up in our day-to-day lives that needed to be addressed. Little things, that you might not necessarily notice when you're just walking through with the builder.’ Justin Burden, homeowner ‘Having a master list categorized by trade, with the builder and homeowner on the same page, is key to completing the job in two weeks from the deficiency walkthrough, as opposed to four or five months.’ Alex Dumitru, Level One Construction Thanks to sponsors: FortisBC, Ethical Floors, Rami Films, and jPod productions      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Planning on paper does not always translate into the real world. Tune in for design and building solutions as the project comes to life, including a major hiccup as the existing floor is removed and the basement is unexpectedly exposed. Join host Jennifer-Lee of ‘Measure Twice, Cut Once’ as she catches up with the Burdens, who are living in the basement through their heritage building renovation. “We're going to have to reno the basement next because we've trashed it by living down there,” said homeowner Justin Burden. “The kids have run toys into every corner. All the corners are chipped. The one bathroom is not functioning. Cabinet doors are falling off. All the pot lights are falling out of the ceiling, but the upside is, the kids are participating in end of day chores, helping to keep the basement suite organized so it remains livable.” Skyla Burden added, “Noise is a factor that was underestimated by us. There is no way Justin could have his home office down here in the basement during the day and I’m grateful I get to go to work.” Thanks to sponsors: FortisBC, Ethical Floors, Rami Films, and jPod productions  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of 'Measure Twice, Cut Once', emotions are waning and the dishes are piling up in the basement. Getting to the rough-in stage and past permitting has taken some muscle and perseverance. Do the Burdens have what it takes to see this through? Join host Jennifer-Lee Gunson as she catches up with the Burdens, who are living in the basement through their heritage B renovation.  "The home features a new combination boiler/hot water heater," said homeowner Justin Burden. "Upgrading has been a big highlight with a new efficient, on demand unit. The temperature in basement is more consistent, with less noise, and we are anticipating savings on the gas bill, too." Thanks to sponsors: FortisBC, Ethical Floors, Rami Films, and jPod productions  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finishing ahead of the two-week schedule, both good and concerning issues impacting the budget came up, including a hiccup on day one. Host Jennifer-Lee Gunson of 'Measure Twice, Cut Once' rides the reno wave of emotions with Skyla and Justin Burden as they make financial and design decisions after the walls are opened.  "On this project we’re working with a fixed budget and fixed scope of work," said Alex Dumitru of Level One Construction. "If there are unknowns you can have an allowance but you can’t know or provide for all the unknowns, so this is not realistic. It’s more about being as meticulous as possible in the pre-planning process and budget planning stage, and then as the unknowns come up, we communicate budget implications, and if it should be done now, or if it can be done another time." Homeowner Skyla Burden added: "People looking to renovate need to understand the budget will fluctuate throughout the project. Yes, the roof was a surprise, but we started thinking we would be having a full bathroom renovation upstairs, but as the engineering requirements changed that design, we saved money there." Thanks to sponsors: FortisBC, Ethical Floors, Rami Films, and jPod productionsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the latest episode of 'Measure Twice, Cut Once' things are getting real as the Burden Family realizes their Pinterest dreams might not all come true after bringing together the designer, builder and required engineers in the project planning stage. Host Jennifer-Lee Gunson explores the realities and sometimes tough choices that had to be made to realize their dream, within budget. "Having the Burdens live in the basement through the project resulted in big impacts on what was possible upstairs," said Cara Hansen of Triple Dot Design. "The engineer came in with a curve ball, making the basement unliveable and this created a domino effect on the kitchen and bathroom design upstairs." Homeowner Justin Burden said: "We were presented with a cost-benefit analysis. Moving a wall or post just 12 or 24 inches, the financial implications of that were significant, and so we decided that wasn’t the route for us. We had to forgo the kitchen island and claw foot tub." Thanks to sponsors: FortisBC, Ethical Floors, Rami Films, and jPod productions  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Jennifer-Lee Gunson invites you to “Meet the Burdens”,  as the “Measure Twice, Cut Once”, podcast produced by the Homebuilders Association of Vancouver (HAVAN) follows the Burden Family of B.C. as they renovate their home. “This is not a make-over like you might see on reality TV; we’re talking real life; a real renovation. Looking to live in the basement with two young children while the upper floors of their 1912 heritage home are fully gutted back to the studs.”says Gunson. Listeners will get to know the Burden family and hear about their decision and choices made to renovate their forever home. ‘So much of this is about relationships and communication. You’re going to be dealing with people for five, six months, during the construction phase, and many months leading up to that. You have to have trust in people. A good rapport. We felt that right away with Cara and Alex. That really put us at ease.’ Says Justin Burden, homeowner. Working with Triple Dot Design and Level One Construction, the project offers lessons for any homeowner looking to renovate. Thanks to sponsors: FortisBC, Ethical Floors, Rami Films, and jPod productions  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connecting the outdoors to your indoor living space has natural health benefits for your family. Victor from Huckleberry Landscape Design shares strategies to create the best outdoor living space including plant selection to temper outdoor heat islands, and improve your indoor space too! Join co-hosts Mike and Jennifer-Lee of Measure Twice, Cut Once as they get inspiration to  help you build the best outdoor living spaces.Thank you to sponsor: FortisBChttps://havan.ca/measuretwicecutonce/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Realistic reno budgets, and creative design solutions are two topics close to the hearts of Laura Grist Interior Design and Dan Klassen of Jedan Brothers Contracting as they work with homeowners to re-invent livable spaces.  Listen in as co-hosts Mike and Jennifer-Lee of Measure Twice, Cut Once explore partial home renovations, room by room.Thank you to sponsor: FortisBChttps://havan.ca/measuretwicecutonce/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.