Constructo Group

The Victoria Home Renovation Blog

Ideas and news about renovating in the Victoria, Vancouver Island, and Gulf Islands areas. Writing about personal experiences to support the overall building and renovation community.

Date: Apr 15, 2024

Stephen Lentz

Wow, wood tiles from Vancouver Island!

Here is a report about hemlock being sawn in a manner to be waterproof making it able to be used in bathroom shower installs. I believe the author says it all when they say, there is a reason that ceramic tiles are made to look like wood. Article: Would You Choose Wood Tiles over Ceramic […]

Date: Apr 4, 2024

Stephen Lentz

Contractors, contractors everywhere, but who do you call?

Contractors are ubiquitous. As you prepare to embark on that kitchen remodel or create a rental basement suite, the question arises: whom do you call? The construction industry is filled with specialty contractors, including those for concrete, plumbing, and electrical work, among others. The General Contractor is the professional tasked with organizing, coordinating, and overseeing […]

Date: Mar 29, 2024

Stephen Lentz

ConstructoGroup vs. Constructo Group - one or two words?

My wife and I did a university semester exchange in Paderborn, Germany. As you may know, Germans seems to love long words. So, when coming up with a name for our firm here in Victoria, BC, Canada, that affection came through in us naming ConstructoGroup as all one word. However, having to explain this hundreds, […]

Date: Feb 21, 2024

Stephen Lentz

BC secondary suite incentive program

What is the Secondary Suite Incentive Program? The Secondary Suite Incentive Program will help homeowners create affordable housing in their communities. The program will provide money to help homeowners create a new secondary suite on their property to be rented out for below market value. Homeowners who qualify will receive up to 50% of the […]

Date: Jan 18, 2024

Stephen Lentz

Add and manage a secondary suite or garden suite

The BC government Ministry of Housing has produced a detailed guide on How to Add and Manage a Secondary Suite or Accessory Dwelling Unit in British Columbia – https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/housing-and-tenancy/building-or-renovating/secondary-suites/home-suite-home-2023-sept-6.pdf I am impressed how the BC government is stepping up to increasing housing – good housing, well managed housing.

Date: Jan 10, 2024

Stephen Lentz

Why Constructo Group offers design-build

My first post of 2024! Last week, as part of moving Constructo Group into the digital world, Jared, a young media specialist, asked “what's with this design-build thing?” My answer: For us, its our response to the the complexity of getting a building permit here, in and around Victoria. When I visit potential customers, they […]

Date: Aug 30, 2023

Stephen Lentz

Capital Daily article on secondary and garden suites in local municipalities

Capital Daily article on secondary and garden suites in the area August 9, 2023 – link to article One secondary suite owner summed up the process this way: Stucchi said municipalities must reconsider their costs and bylaws for secondary and garden suites to get more homeowners on board with renovating and leasing their properties so […]

Date: Nov 20, 2022

Stephen Lentz

Contracts and covenants

When looking for contract forms for Constructo, I adopted the one which used the word covenant. It read: “Contractor’s Responsibilities: Contractor accepts the relationship of trust and confidence established between Contractor and Owner. Contractor covenants with Owner to furnish their best skill and judgment in furthering the interest of the Owner. Contractor will provide the […]

Date: Oct 21, 2022

Stephen Lentz

FortisBC and greenwashing

Here is a link to a Tyee research article fact checking Fortis Gas claims. https://thetyee.ca/News/2022/10/21/FortisBC-Claims-Greenwashing-Bunk/?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=211022 I’m not feeling so good about heating with gas after reading this. Also, we were planning to change our electric range to gas, but now we are going to try induction cooking. Stephen Lentz

Date: Oct 9, 2022

Stephen Lentz

What is a general contractor?

A general contractor is responsible for overseeing work at a construction site. They communicate with clients and coordinate subcontractors, taking care of various segments of the work. They consult with designers, provide an estimate for the budget, and carry out the plan. General contractors are responsible for the outcome of a building project, sometimes participating […]

Date: Jun 7, 2022

Stephen Lentz

How we are working to improve cost control

Because cost overruns can cause owners significant distress and hardship, we are continuously working to improve our cost control. To this end, we keep detailed job costs which we use to do preliminary estimates during the pre-construction phase. This helps with decisions as design progresses. We also draw on key trades for reality checks. Then, […]

Date: Apr 20, 2021

Stephen Lentz

Let’s be artists!

He who works with his hands is a laborer.He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist. – Francis of Assisi

Date: Feb 15, 2021

Stephen Lentz

Ownership of design and design documents

In our contract, we claim ownership of the designs when we provide them. Here is a note from a potential client after reviewing the contract. “Out of curiosity, if we have paid to have the plans drawn up, then why don’t we own them? I’m assuming this is some sort of industry standard thing but […]

Date: Feb 15, 2021

Stephen Lentz

About cost-plus contractor's fee

Having just read our agreement form, a client asked: “I’m not really understanding this but honestly, I’m not sure I care how the costs are split up so much as the total cost. I’m assuming this 15% is an industry standard-ish fee? “ Me – Yes, our cost-plus percentage means you are invoiced for work […]

Date: Jan 13, 2021

Stephen Lentz

Losing control - collaboration

As general contractors, our primary role is coordinating. During the preconstruction phase, we can involve designers, engineers and key trade contractors. Our goal is to reap the benefits of collaboration. Because decisions made at this time determine the project outcome, our prime concern is to stay true to our client’s, your, intentions.

Date: Jul 15, 2020

Stephen Lentz

Trust and staying connected

Trust never goes out of style. Once construction on your project starts, there are a lot of demands and stressors on everyone, including you, the owner. Mistakes do happen and when they do, trust can wain. We’ve found that keeping connected with you is the best way to insure we are operating on the correct […]

Date: May 4, 2020

Stephen Lentz

How the increased seismic requirements are affecting 2nd floor additions

The Greater Victoria Area was upgraded for seismic risk in 2012. For second floor additions, this means increased engineering requirements. Historically adding a second floor meant new point loads(downward loads) but now it means addressing lateral loads as well: spread footings, reinforcing steel in foundations, increased connections from foundation to framing and plywood sheathing added […]

Date: Jun 10, 2018

Stephen Lentz

The indoor generation

I recently attended a talk by Doctor Trevor Hancock who studies the social and health effects of us spending increasing time indoors – we are missing out on fresh air and sunshine. Today, I found the newspaper article “The Indoor Generation: How light and air quality affect our well-being” https://paidpost.nytimes.com/velux/the-indoor-generation.html?tbs_nyt=2018-may-nytnative_morein&cpv_dsm_id=190427743 in The New York Times. Hope […]

Date: Jun 10, 2018

Stephen Lentz

The more information the better

When you make an inquiry, we follow up with emails, phone calls, and a site visit if looks like we might be a match. It can be scary to share your information with us – someone you do not know. However, I’m hoping you will because the more information you provide, the more valuable our […]

Date: Dec 17, 2017

Stephen Lentz

Overview of renovation/addition process

Pre-Construction Phase First Meeting We meet with you on site to discuss your plans and how we might work together. Client Vision and Needs Development Once we agree to work together, we test your boundaries to better learn what is important to you, the budget you are prepared to work with, and potential time constraints. […]

Date: Feb 18, 2017

Stephen Lentz

Wisdom

Some times I see things that seem wise. Here are some: Good Design = design that mirrors and enhances the way you want to live. Base decisions on how you will feel about the path taken when looking back in years to come. How we use our life energy expresses our values and purpose.

Date: Dec 31, 2016

Stephen Lentz

Learning the value of engineers

As a young/er carpenter, I was hired to replace a deck off the master bedroom and directly over the daughter's bedroom. The owner wanted to put a hot tub up on the deck and asked me if we should get an engineer. I pshawed that saying I would build it strong enough to hold a […]

Date: Oct 29, 2016

Stephen Lentz

Potty talk

There is talk that North American toilets cause bowel problems because we need to squat for proper pooping. While any bathroom stool can elevate your feet to the suggested position, Squatty Potty looks pretty nifty, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbYWhdLO43Q

Date: Aug 5, 2016

Stephen Lentz

It's all interconnected

Yesterday I met with Robert and Trish (names changed) to look at updating the kitchen in their recently purchased Gordon Head South home. It is a 2,600 square foot home built in 1980 in the popular style of the time with the main floor up to capture the ocean views. This home provides a good example […]

Date: Jul 3, 2016

Stephen Lentz

The ConstructoGroup name

In early 2003, I was trying to come up with a name for our new general contracting business. When driving in an Oak Bay neighbourhood, I spotted a cardboard sign in black marker. It read, CONSTRUCTO PEOPLE with an underlining arrow pointing up a back lane. Later, I told my teenage son Ward about the sign […]

Date: Apr 12, 2016

Stephen Lentz

Add space or build new

Are you trying to decide whether to renovate your home or tear it down and build new? Comparing sale prices of homes in East Central Oak Bay, 2015, we found that properties with new/er homes sold for as much as 35% more than properties with older homes. That is 35% on the whole property. In […]

Date: Mar 10, 2016

Stephen Lentz

Bathroom packages concept

Last week my daughter convinced me to hike from our home near the Gorge to the train trestle bridge up West of Gold Stream Park – along the abandoned rail line. It was a long way, but the good thing was that Floyd's now have a branch restaurant right beside the rail line in Langford. […]

Date: Sep 22, 2015

Stephen Lentz

Reassurance about cost-plus contracts

A Cost-Plus Contract is most appropriate in situations where the owner wishes to move ahead quickly and/or where it is difficult to accurately identify what the work will entail. The concern about a Cost-Plus Contract is not knowing what the end cost will be. We work to reduce this risk by getting fixed price quotes […]

Date: Aug 27, 2015

Stephen Lentz

I don't want a magazine renovation

A client started our initial meeting with “I'm not looking for a magazine renovation or something for you to enter in an awards competition. I just want the place to be functional and attractive and no maintenance.” Truth is, this is more difficult to achieve than the simplicity of the statement alludes. Take for instance […]

Date: Dec 30, 2014

Stephen Lentz

Basement suites offer excellent ROI

Recently I met with a father who was contemplating finishing the basement into a secondary suite for his daughter. I reviewed a concept with him based on matching the fixtures and finishes to the upstairs living space. Then, we reviewed my cost estimate of $85,000. His immediate response was, “Can you do it for $60,000?” […]

Date: Nov 19, 2014

Stephen Lentz

The asbestos situation

The Building Code and WorkSafeBC require that we investigate for asbestos before having workers onsite. This applies for homes built before 1990. Previously, we relied on cutting access holes to see what is behind the drywall to reduce surprises. Because we are now unable to do this until after testing, the decision to move ahead with […]

Date: Jul 8, 2014

Stephen Lentz

Creating healthy communities

Last Sunday, I attended the Capital Unitarian Universalist Congregation in James Bay and had the incredibly good fortune to hear the guest speaker, Dr. Trevor Hancock, giving his homily: Creating Healthy Communities. Dr. Hancock message inspired me to look again at my role in the home renovation industry and re-commit to doing things future generations […]

Date: Jun 25, 2014

Stephen Lentz

Intimidation and the long road to overcome it

When a young contractor of 27, I was awarded the concrete contract for our new municipal building. When the prime contractor's superintendent called that the basement slab was ready to pour, I went for a look. Inspecting the sub slab prep with the superintendent, I commented that, “Come spring this floor will be six feet […]

Date: Jun 20, 2014

Stephen Lentz

Why excellence is the perfect tool

When a young apprentice carpenter, my carpenter mentor, Eric Hollett, demonstrated how to hang a door. This was when a chisel was used to set the hinges, a brace and bit to drill the holes and an actual screwdriver to install the screws! In all the years since, I have never witnessed any carpenter who […]

Date: Jun 4, 2014

Stephen Lentz

Our first IKEA kitchen

Our client was set on an IKEA kitchen from the onset. She humoured me by visiting the showroom of a local cabinet shop as well as having a custom cabinet maker in. IKEA was not the least expensive and even cost more than the custom cabinet maker's quote. Why did our client go with IKEA? […]

Date: Mar 20, 2014

Stephen Lentz

Involving key trades in planning is very productive

We get key trade contractors involved in planning as early on as possible. Last week we met with a couple who wanted to replace their en-suite soaker tub with a large shower. In looking around, the Tile contractor said to the Clients, “Your en-suite fixtures and finishes look fairly new, maybe 10 years old? But, […]

Date: Feb 8, 2014

Stephen Lentz

Improvements in your home improve your enjoyment of life

We spend a huge amount of time in our home. Improvements to that space where so much of our life is lived can benefit us enormously. We are always told that home improvements add to the value of your home if you decide to sell, but their greatest value is their improvement in our own […]

Date: Feb 6, 2014

Stephen Lentz

Getting those unique materials and getting them installed

We truly enjoy the challenges our clients come up with, such as: importing hot water radiators from Italy; wool carpets from New Zealand, and hand made tiles from a little island off the coast of Mexico. We have learned how to deal with customs, getting one-off items CSA approved, and even having missing plumbing fixture parts custom made […]

Date: Jan 31, 2014

Stephen Lentz

Traditional design process results in double the budget

We recently met a very upset couple who had taken the traditional design-bid-build approach. After months in design and paying over $40,000 in design fees, they received ‘working drawings' which they took to market, getting contractor quotes that were more than double their stated budget of $300,000. Now the designer was going to charge them […]

Date: Jan 24, 2014

Stephen Lentz

You can not afford a free quote!

Yesterday, I met with James Latham, Capital City Construction to discuss new developments in general contracting and how they serve homeowners. We found that a repeated theme was how much up front work, such as planning, estimating and design concepts, are expected to be free. Free because, the homeowner can only commit to the next […]

Date: Jan 7, 2014

Stephen Lentz

Learning how important it is to keep the homeowner informed

At a job meeting the heating contractor who was replacing the boiler and piping informed us that he had not included the removal of the existing boiler or steel piping in his quote. After the meeting, the contractor and I went to the basement and looking at the pipes and boiler, the contractor suggested that […]

Date: Dec 31, 2013

Stephen Lentz

Why are there, and what are, general contractors?

As you may know, it takes multiple specialty contractors and multiple suppliers for even a modest renovation. It benefits all these entities to closely work together, however they are not in the same organization. There is no coordinating mechanism. The general contracting firm brings everyone together under one organizational umbrella enabling overall co-ordination to everyone's […]

Date: Nov 18, 2013

Stephen Lentz

Alpine spray foam says their foam is safe

There has been some concern …. If you read nothing else, simply understand that Alpine is the only Victoria based company that is a Canadian Urethane Foam Contractor Association (CUFCA) member and as such: · uses a CUFCA certified foam · has third party trained CUFCA spray technicians · follows a rigid third party administered […]

Date: Jun 18, 2013

Stephen Lentz

The Constructo way: collaborative design and construction

When starting in business doing home renovations, my clients would ask advice on design decisions they were struggling with. This led me to begin recommending a design consultant. Invariably, my client would respond that they did not want someone ‘taking over’; but wanted to use their own design sense. This left me struggling to provide […]

Date: May 30, 2013

Stephen Lentz

What is a professional renovator?

From Canadian Home Builders Association Hiring a professional renovator is your best assurance that you will get the results you want and the best value for your money. A professional renovator is a general contractor, sometimes referred to as a renovation contractor, who can put your whole project together. The renovator will assume complete responsibility […]

Date: Feb 4, 2013

Stephen Lentz

New BC building code

Homeowners thinking about doing major renovations on their home will need to consider the new building code for British Columbia, which recently came into effect. Significant changes include increased seismic, hazardous material, energy efficiency and air quality requirements. These will affect what you can do and what you need to do first before you can […]

Date: Feb 4, 2013

Stephen Lentz

2011 CARE awards winners for best renovation

We're grateful to have received a GOLD for the Best Renovation on Vancouver Island by the Canadian Home Builders' Association (CHBA). This was for the $150,000 to $300,000 category in 2011. We are especially thankful because our industry peers recognized our work as some of the finest on Vancouver Island during the Construction Achievements and […]

The Victoria Home Renovation Blog

Wow, wood tiles from Vancouver Island!

Contractors, contractors everywhere, but who do you call?

ConstructoGroup vs. Constructo Group - one or two words?

BC secondary suite incentive program

Add and manage a secondary suite or garden suite

Why Constructo Group offers design-build

Capital Daily article on secondary and garden suites in local municipalities

Contracts and covenants

FortisBC and greenwashing

What is a general contractor?

How we are working to improve cost control

Let’s be artists!

Ownership of design and design documents

About cost-plus contractor's fee

Losing control - collaboration

Trust and staying connected

How the increased seismic requirements are affecting 2nd floor additions

The indoor generation

The more information the better

Overview of renovation/addition process

Wisdom

Learning the value of engineers

Potty talk

It's all interconnected

The ConstructoGroup name

Add space or build new

Bathroom packages concept

Reassurance about cost-plus contracts

I don't want a magazine renovation

Basement suites offer excellent ROI

The asbestos situation

Creating healthy communities

Intimidation and the long road to overcome it

Why excellence is the perfect tool

Our first IKEA kitchen

Involving key trades in planning is very productive

Improvements in your home improve your enjoyment of life

Getting those unique materials and getting them installed

Traditional design process results in double the budget

You can not afford a free quote!

Learning how important it is to keep the homeowner informed

Why are there, and what are, general contractors?

Alpine spray foam says their foam is safe

The Constructo way: collaborative design and construction

What is a professional renovator?

New BC building code

2011 CARE awards winners for best renovation

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