NNSL photo/graphic
Construction and Home Renovation
CLASSIFIEDSADVERTISINGSPECIAL ISSUESSPORTSOBITUARIESNORTHERN JOBSTENDERS

Summer home improvement
NNSL file/photoPhil Moon Son is Executive Director of the NWT Construction Association.

As the weather becomes warmer many home owners are starting to contemplate renovation, additions and improvements for this construction season. Finding a contractor in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut is sometimes a difficult challenge especially in the smaller communities.
ARROW More details

paragraph divider

Archives
paragraph divider
Industry News
Industry News

Headlines Inside:

  • Building a new standard
  • Deh Cho Bridge nears completion
  • Funding slashed
  • Inuvik's new super school nears completion
  • Numbers show a different picture
  • Nunavut-made building rules
  • NWT building permits

ARROW  More details

paragraph divider

Market numbers

2009 NWT Community Survey Housing Component ARROW  More details

Historical Indicators of Housing Adequacy and TenureARROW  More details

Historical Indicators of Crowding Northwest Territories and Communities. ARROW  More details


paragraph divider
Iqaluit is Moving In!

IQALUIT, Nunavut: So far in 2010, thirty-four Iqaluit families have a brand new place to call home. ARROW  More details



Eco-friendly ways to save money
on your home
Niels Konge of Konge Construction was one of the panelists at the eco-housing discussion held April 24 at Northern United Place as part of the Earth Week 2012 events. Konge stands in front of one of the homes his company is building on 45 Street. He said last week that he seeks to build good solid homes that are energy efficient and which last. - Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Non-traditional ways of building a home can result in long-term cost savings, those who attended a sustainable housing event at Northern United Place heard on Tuesday night.
Dwayne Wohlgemuth, the first person to build a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standard home North of 60, provided a number of tips that can make a home more energy efficient.
He advised, for example, to choose a location close to amenities to minimize vehicle use as well as to retain natural vegetation of a site. Cutting down on the use of water through recycling measures in addition to minimizing the extensive wood in framing can go a long way to reduce costs, he said.

ARROW   More details

NNSL photo/graphic
spacer

Homeownership Entry Level Program

Homeownership Entry Level Program (HELP) provides assistance to prospective first-time homebuyers. Clients who are not able to secure mortgage financing or are unsure of their responsibilities as homeowners are provided the opportunity of experiencing homeownership commitments before purchasing a home.

What assistance can I get?

Solutions To Educate People

Solutions to Educate People (STEP) provides education and counselling assistance consisting of four courses designed to prepare participants for the requirements of homeownership.

What assistance can I get?

Construction season is here

The Home Renovation Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit from Revenue Canada for the 2009 tax year to help people pay for home renovations. Home renovation tax credit details

See suggestions for writing up a solid contract. Sample Renovation Contract

Providing Assistance for Territorial Homeownership (PATH)

Allows clients the opportunity to become homeowners by assisting in the construction or purchase of a modest home. Assistance is provided in the form of a forgivable loan. Applicant(s) must be 19 years of age or older, and have lived in the NWT for three years: one continuous year in the community prior to approval. Not available to persons who have owned a home in the past five years.
More details

Contributing Assistance for Repairs and Enhancements- NWT

Assists homeowners in making necessary repairs to their home in the form of a forgivable loan to subsidize the cost of preventative maintenance checks, repairs and renovations for their existing home. The forgiveness period is dependent on the amount of assistance being provided. Additional assistance available for improving accessibility of dwellings for persons with disabilities.
More details

Nunavut Downpayment Assistance Program

Provides a 10-year forgivable loan to be used for a downpayment according to the client's community. For the purchase of an existing home, up to $45,000 is available. For new construction, up to $75,000, is available.
More details

Nunavut Home Renovation Program

Provides up to $50,000 as a forgivable loan to homeowners in order to undertake major renovations, home repairs, and upgrades.
More details

Nunavut Interim Financing Program

Interim or bridge financing of up to 85 per cent of the principal amount of an approved first mortgage to a homeowner who cannot obtain similar financing from a private lender. Interest on the loan is set at 2 per cent higher than the average Chartered Bank's five-year first mortgage rate.
More details

Nunavut Tenant-to-Owner Program

Allows tenants who are able to assume the responsibility of homeownership to purchase their public housing unit. The Nunavut Housing Corporation will replace units sold under this program within three years.
More details

Material Assistance Program - Nunavut

Affordable option to become new homeowners. The Nunavut Housing Corporation provides a selection of three and four-bedroom home designs. Also pays for the cost of a material package to construct a new home, including the shipping costs.
More details

Emergency Repair Program - Nunavut

Provides a grant of up to $15,000 to homeowners to undertake emergency repairs.
More details



CMHC - About Your House - North Series:

Arctic Hot Roof Design The Arctic Hot Roof is a roof system specifically designed to meet the North's extreme conditions. Northern housing professionals can learn about the four basic components of the system: the roof deck; continuous membrane; rigid insulation; and roof cover. Detailed illustrations are provided along with advice on when to install an Arctic Hot Roof. ARROW  More details

Building with Structural Panels - Repulse Bay The Repulse Bay project offered an opportunity to evaluate the adaptability of structural insulated panels (SIPs) in a high latitude community compared to wood frame construction. The project demonstrated that material costs were comparable to wood frame construction and the home could be constructed in significantly less time. ARROW  More details

Eagle Lake Healthy House Appropriate for Aboriginal and northern housing planners and builders, this report looks at the healthy house built at the Eagle Lake First Nation near Dryden, Ontario. The home illustrates housing that can be durable, affordable and environmentally responsible in remote areas. In this report, you'll learn about the community partnerships, off-grid utility system, diesel generator, waste water system and other factors that made the project possible. Includes illustrations and technical specifications. ARROW  More details

Snowshoe Inn, Fort Providence Co-Generation Model Co-generation, or combined heat and power, provides a means of conserving energy by using existing energy sources more efficiently. Northern housing planners and builders can learn about the success of the co-generation system at the Snowshoe Inn in the Northwest Territories, one of the first models developed in the North and now over 20 years old but still operating at low cost. This report covers the initial installation servicing a 35-room motel and several private homes. ARROW  More details


spacer

What is the best way to avoid catastrophic fuel leak?
DidierDidier Bourgois of Housecheck is a journeyman carpenter, certified home inspector and energy auditor.

The best way to avoid a major fuel leak and costly clean up is prevention. Fuel tanks don't last forever and eventually they will leak. In the last few years several major oil leaks in Yellowknife have cost homeowners thousands of dollars.

ARROW  More details

Archives

Is it good idea to put heat tape on pipes?

How long does a home inspection take?

When is best time to have your house inspected?




The heart of the home ... your kitchen
KateToronto-based interior designer Kate Hart has designed the insides of many northern homes.

Kitchen renovations are sometimes the most difficult ones to undertake. The mess, disruption and choices can be just plain scary. How do you know what to choose?

ARROW  More details

Archives

Wallpaper is for more than just walls

The 'Art-full' Room

Colour it up!

Go outside for some 'in' designs

Getting started on home renovations




Packaging the Interior
DellaDella Fraser,an accomplished realtor has lived in the north for 30 years she knows what buyers are looking for!

  A kitchen can have a major impact on the value of your property. The following is a few ideas that can increase the appeal of your home without spending a great deal of money.

  1. Make sure the kitchen is virtually spotless and smells fresh. Try cutting up a lemon and putting it in a dish on the counter before showings.
  2. Organize your kitchen cabinets to show how much room you have.
  3. Remove small appliances from the countertop to create an uncluttered look.
  4. A freshly painted kitchen may be well worth the investment. Consider painting the ceiling if needed.
  5. Replace worn caulking around sinks and counter tops.
  6. Consider replacing outdated light fixtures and upping the wattage in the bulbs.
  7. Spruce up the cabinets by installing new knobs and hardware.