In the world of home design and construction, there are numerous terms used interchangeably, leading to confusion for homeowners. Let's unravel the mystery as we explore synonyms in the realm of new homes and renovations.

Meet our Featured HQ Members: Every quarter we feature an active member of Homeowner HQ. This quarter, meet Leslie and Steve from Courtenay, BC. as we celebrate her completed renovation and addition.

If you’ve ever thought, “I’ll just email a quick request to a [designer / contractor] and I’m sure I’ll hear back in a day or two” and then were surprised when… you didn’t hear back.

Then let me share something with you:

There can be a right and a wrong way to making a project request.

Have you ever wondered wether you could get away with NOT having a permit, change an existing permit without permission, or not have to endure the various inspections required?

Well... let me tell you a little story.

TWO pivotal questions that changed my life and my view on money over the past couple of years since starting our own personal new home design and build (and I believe they will change your life and new home or renovation project too).

Trades ghosting you? I bet you’ve been there. We’ve all been there. And the construction industry is full of them. How do you handle it? Whichever side of the fence you’re on, here are two email templates to get you started.

Meet our Featured HQ Members: Every quarter we feature an active member of Homeowner HQ. This quarter, meet Erin from Pacifica, CA. as we celebrate her completed renovation / remodel.

When you have 101 decisions to make during a new home or renovation project, you're bound to have a few arguments with your partner / spouse. Okay, okay, A LOT.

Here are some ways that my clients, including my husband and I, have simplified discussions during a home project and avoided most arguments.

If you're working with an Architect, Architectural Designer, General Contractor or Project Manager, but have never had ANY experience talking about specific parts of your home, the process, and the build, it can feel seriously overwhelming just to know how to speak! We have heard so many made up words to try to describe something on a house that we thought we’d try to help out and know what the heck your team is talking about.

I know firsthand how exciting it is to undergo a new home or renovation project. But it’s also hard, overwhelming, exhausting, stressful, tiring, frustrating…

What a lot of homeowners don’t realize is…

...upgrades, splurges, whatever you want to call them, are typically not included in a project unless noted on the plans or you've made your contractor aware. They are a step-up from your car's base model to fully loaded.

Five years ago, I purchased a piece of property and set into motion my own new home project and all the hurdles you typically come up against. Being in the industry, it was nothing that my retired contractor dad, my machine operator husband and I, an architectural designer, couldn’t handle, but I got to see it for the first time from my clients perspective.

The results are not what I expected…