The Land Title and Survey Authority of British Columbia is reminder all BC residents and industry members that the second phase of required e-filing for land title documents is in effect as of May 7, 2012.

 

The requirements to e-file have been developed in consultation with the professionals who file with the Land Title Office and other stakeholder groups, accoding to the LTSA website. Once all phases are complete, most documents and plans will be filed electronically. 

 

For a summary of the documents that need to be filed in the second phase and more information please visit the LTSA website.

 

 

Health Canada has published the results of its survey of radon levels in Canadian Homes. Download the summary report and learn more about the results. The findings show that on average, 7% of houses have levels of radon above which Health Canada recommends action to reduce radon levels. This confirms the results from the first year of the survey distributed previously. The information is organized by health district and shows that in some areas, 30% to 40% of houses have radon levels above Health Canada's guideline "action" level.

 

To learn more, click here.

 

To maintain a builder membership with both Built Green™ and R2000 it is required that your training be updated every two years. Download the registration form. 

 

Contact Vanessa Joehl at 604-432-7112 ext 314 to find out if you are needing to participate in this webinar.

Important Information for BC Contractors, Relampers and Building Managers

The British Columbia Recycling Regulation requires the “producers” of all lamps, ballasts and fixtures sold into the residential, commercial and industrial sectors in BC to be part of an approved stewardship program by July 1, 2012. This program must be funded by these producers to provide a collection and recycling option for all generators of lamps, ballasts and fixtures in BC.

Expansion of LightRecycle Program:

Product Care’s LightRecycle program began in 2010 and is currently limited to residential-use fluorescent lamps.   On July 1, 2012 the LightRecycle program will be expanded by Product Care and will provide a compliance option for all obligated parties. The expanded program will include:

• Lamps (i.e. “lights” or “bulbs”), all technologies including fluorescent tubes, CFLs, LED, HID, halogen, incandescent, etc.
• Ballasts
• Fixtures, ranging from flashlights to table lamps, chandeliers, "troffers" and street lights
• Supply/sales to all users including  residential, institutional, commercial and industrial sectors

On March 18, 2012 at the CHBA Awards Breakfast in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, CHBA BC was awarded the National Dave Bell Award for the fifth time in six years, for recognition of our Excellence in Education & Training.

 

The Dave Bell Award recognized our HR development activities and education & training programs that enrich the close working relationships among new home builders, renovators, manufacturers/suppliers, financial institutions, trade contractors, real estate/marketing, industry-related professionals, government officials, media and consumers.

 

CHBA BC has been a leader in the country providing training opportunities which have led to the improvement in the quality of work, the supply of skilled workers and the reduction or elimination of causes for consumer concerns and complaints.

 

For more information on our education & training programs and certifications, visit www.learnyourliving.ca or contact Michelle Ripoli at 1-877-568-9778.

 

BC shared top honours with Ontario, Alberta and Nova Scotia at the National SAM Awards in early March. The awards were the highlight of the annual CHBA conference, held this year in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec.

 

Some of the builders and renovators recognized in Quebec were also awarded Georgie Awards®, the provincial housing award celebrating excellence in home building. Congratulations to our members!

Abstract Developments Inc., Victoria
Adera Development Corporation, Vancouver
Citta Construction Ltd., Victoria
Coastal Construction,Victoria
Harald Koehn Construction Ltd., Vancouver
Homescape Building & Design Inc., Penticton

Portrait Homes Ltd., RichmondTQ Construction, Burnaby

For more information on the SAM Awards, or to view the entire winners list, please click here.

 

The Homeowner Protection Office, a branch of BC Housing, is presenting Building Smart #16: 2012 Code Changes - Safety, Efficiency and Sustainability seminar in 22 communities across BC from April 11-May 31, 2012. This three-hour seminar focuses on the key Part 9 code changes of the BC Building Code and the Vancouver Building By-law. Participants will learn about the impac the new requirements will have on various regions throughout the province.

 

Find out more or register online. 

 

The Aboriginal Housing Management Association is hosting the 2012 World Indigenous Housing Conference in Vancouver, June 11-15, 2012. This is the first international forum bringing together Indigenous housing leaders, senior government officials, researchers and corporate heads from around the world. 

 

Speakers include Mike Holmes, TV star and housing expert, Host of Holmes on Homes; National Chief Shawn Atleo, Assembly of First Nations, Canada and more!

 

For more information on the conference, please click here or download the brochure.

 

The 2011 Georgie Awards® Gala was held Saturday, February 25, 2012 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. An amazing turn out of finalists, industry partners, sponsors and government. The winners are a mix of longstanding member companies who have participated in the Georgie Awards® for many years along with exciting up-and-coming companies.

 

Two Platinum Awards were presented to Portrait Homes Ltd. and MAC Marketing Solutions for their achievements of both companies having won 27 Georgie Awards to day.

View the complete list of Georgie Awards® Winners.

BC Returns to PST in April 2013, while the New Housing Rebate Threshold will be Increased to $850,000 April 1, 2012

The Honourable Kevin Falcon, Minister of Finance announced effective April 1, 2012 the threshold for new housing rebates will be increased from $525,000 to $850,000. Since the referendum results to rescind the tax, CHBA BC has worked diligently providing information from members to the government, requesting the implementation of the transition rules to be done as simply and quickly as possible to prevent further stalling of the residential housing industry. This news is huge for the industry, it will spur the market and create many jobs while pushing the industry forward.

Read the news release.

 

 

The 2012 Built Green Checklist has undergone an extensive reorganization, integrating the EnerGuide rating within the Checklist and devoting one entire category to Energy. The new Checklist will allow builders to market and deliver a home to a specific Built Green target.

 

Download a copy of the 2012 Checklist, for more information on the Built Green Program, click here or contact Vanessa Joehl.

 

Builder Insight #9: Fenestration Energy Performance: A Roadmap for Understanding Requirements for Residential Buildings in BC is now available. The Homeowner Protection Office, a branch of BC Housing, has released a new technical bulletin that looks at the energy performance requirements for windows, glazed doors and skylights used in residential buildings, and provides a roadmap for compliance. Energy performance requirements for fenestration have become more stringent in recent years. This bulletin will help clarify the building code and BC Energy Efficiency Act requirements and the supporting standards.

 

The world is changing, the economy is changing, and building standards are changing. In support of BC's renovation sector, CHBA BC is completing  the 'Building Science for Renovations' course. The course will provide renovators with the tools to help manage these challenges and take advantage of growing opportunities in Green Building design and energy-efficient building renovations and retrofits. It will address the steps needed to optimize a building's design and performance, to meet targets for energy and water efficiency, achieve cost savings and minimize overall impact on the environment.

 

*This course will be the required training for individuals to enroll projects in the Built Green for Renovations program and to become a certified Built Green Renovator member. If you wish to be informed when this course is available for regular delivery throughout the province, please contact Michelle Ripoli. 

View the 2011 Finalists or for more information contact Lauren Carter.

The Canadian Home Builders' Association (CHBA) proudly announced the 2011 CHBA National SAM Awards Finalists on Monday, December 5, 2011.

 

These awards celebrate excellence in new homes, home renovation, innovative  technology and construction, outstanding presentation and marketing across Canada, representing British Columbia are:

Abstract Developments Inc.

Adera Development Corporation

Boffo Developments Ltd.

Citta Construction Ltd. 

Coastal Construction

Concert Real Estate Corporation

Harald Koehn Construction Ltd.

Homescape Building & Design Inc.

Icon Developments Ltd.

Kenorah Construction and Design Ltd.

Level One Maintenance Ltd.

Linwood Homes Ltd.

ParkLane Homes Ltd.

Portrait Homes

RJR Construction Management

Schreyer Construction Ltd.

Solterra Development Corporation

Totangi Properties Ltd.

TQ Construction Ltd.

 

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The Canadian Home Builders' Association of British Columbia is offering ease of access to courses which lead to the Registered Housing Professional (RHP) designation, through the newly created Canadian Home Builders' Institute (CHBI). Upon completion of the required courses, in addition to achievement of the program requirements, participants may achieve their Registered Housing Professional designation. The RHP courses provide the residential construction industry with a solid foundation of business and technical skills to meet the demands and needs of the industry, and reflect good local building practices.  

Click here to register for the courses and for full details on CHBA BC's Designation programs; Certified Residential Builder; Registered Housing Professional; Master Builder; Certified Renovator and Registered Renovation Professional.

Visit www.learnyourliving.ca for more information.

To view the news release on the CHBI, please click here.

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