Housing Plans

The Ontario Provincial Government’s Bill 124 became effective January 1, 2006 and requires that a Building Code Identification Number (BCIN) appear on all drawings being submitted for a building permit.

What does it mean: When it comes to the Building industry and residential architecture, the province of Ontario has introduced a new law in January of 2006.  That law states that a house plan designer needs to have his “Building Code Identification Number“,, which he will receive after he succeeds a test and after providing a proof of insurability with the Municipal Affairs and Housing Ministry.

The Ontario Building industry has established a good solution to improve safety and protect customers and also increase efficiency of the Building Code by eliminating all house plan designers that couldn’t be insured or that have failed the test.

Drummond Designs, having complied with the requirements, was issued registration to engage in the business of providing design activities to the public, subject to the Ontario Building Code and therefore will provide at no extra cost and for its entire house plan collection, its BCIN# on all construction drawings and blueprints.

If you have any comments on this new registration information, do not hesitate to let us know!

Have a safe and good experience with your new construction project!
 

Let’s see if I borrow money from Peter to pay Paul and then use Mary’s money to pay Peter, then I only owe money to Mary instead of owing Peter, Paul and Mary.   

Read the full story on KSL.   

February can be a long and sometimes depressing month for some people.  It can be quite a grim month where as in March, we finally get a glimpse of milder weather and temperature.  Thank God February has only 29 days this year!

Using one’s creativity has long been proven to be a method that is helpful in chasing away the blues.  And speaking of  creativity, why not start that remodelling project you’ve been thinking of for so long?  Or why not start looking at colors you may want to change in your home?

This exercise can be very beneficial and healthy.  It is even said to be healing.  Here is what Cricket Demarais states in an article written about “Letting Color heal you“:

Lack of Color Causes Depression

How we “feel” about color is more than psychological. The last decade has proven that lack of color, or more specifically, light, causes millions to suffer each winter from a mild depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Because of the complex way in which exposure to various colors acts via the brain upon the autonomic nervous system, exposure to a specific color can even alter physiological measurements such as blood pressure, electrical skin resistance and glandular functions in your body. And they most certainly can affect how you feel on a day-to-day basis. Learning about color’s qualities and putting it to use can enhance your spirit, improve your health, and quite ultimately, expand your consciousness.

 You may also get a glimpse on the different meanings and symbolisms of colors.  Here is relatively good web site that talks about it: http://www.squidoo.com/colorexpert.

 Finally, another handy way to sweep away the winter blues is to surf the net in search of ideas and inspiration for remodelling projects, ideas and tips.  Here are  just a few I found:

www.hgtv.com/hgtv/remodeling
www.getdecorating.com/
www.homefixpro.com/home_remodeling_and_renovating_article.php?artID=19
www.superkitchens.com

February can be a long and sometimes depressing month for some people.  It can be quite a grim month where as in March, we finally get a glimpse of milder weather and temperature.  Thank God February has only 29 days this year!

Using one’s creativity has long been proven to be a method that is helpful in chasing away the blues.  And speaking of  creativity, why not start that remodelling project you’ve been thinking of for so long?  Or why not start looking at colors you may want to change in your home?

This exercise can be very beneficial and healthy.  It is even said to be healing.  Here is what Cricket Demarais states in an article written about “Letting Color heal you“:

Lack of Color Causes Depression

How we “feel” about color is more than psychological. The last decade has proven that lack of color, or more specifically, light, causes millions to suffer each winter from a mild depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Because of the complex way in which exposure to various colors acts via the brain upon the autonomic nervous system, exposure to a specific color can even alter physiological measurements such as blood pressure, electrical skin resistance and glandular functions in your body. And they most certainly can affect how you feel on a day-to-day basis. Learning about color’s qualities and putting it to use can enhance your spirit, improve your health, and quite ultimately, expand your consciousness.

 You may also get a glimpse on the different meanings and symbolisms of colors.  Here is relatively good web site that talks about it: http://www.squidoo.com/colorexpert.

 Finally, another handy way to sweep away the winter blues is to surf the net in search of ideas and inspiration for remodelling projects, ideas and tips.  Here are  just a few I found:

www.hgtv.com/hgtv/remodeling
www.getdecorating.com/
www.homefixpro.com/home_remodeling_and_renovating_article.php?artID=19
www.superkitchens.com

February can be a long and sometimes depressing month for some people.  It can be quite a grim month where as in March, we finally get a glimpse of milder weather and temperature.  Thank God February has only 29 days this year!

Using one’s creativity has long been proven to be a method that is helpful in chasing away the blues.  And speaking of  creativity, why not start that remodelling project you’ve been thinking of for so long?  Or why not start looking at colors you may want to change in your home?

This exercise can be very beneficial and healthy.  It is even said to be healing.  Here is what Cricket Demarais states in an article written about “Letting Color heal you“:

Lack of Color Causes Depression

How we “feel” about color is more than psychological. The last decade has proven that lack of color, or more specifically, light, causes millions to suffer each winter from a mild depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Because of the complex way in which exposure to various colors acts via the brain upon the autonomic nervous system, exposure to a specific color can even alter physiological measurements such as blood pressure, electrical skin resistance and glandular functions in your body. And they most certainly can affect how you feel on a day-to-day basis. Learning about color’s qualities and putting it to use can enhance your spirit, improve your health, and quite ultimately, expand your consciousness.

 You may also get a glimpse on the different meanings and symbolisms of colors.  Here is relatively good web site that talks about it: http://www.squidoo.com/colorexpert.

 Finally, another handy way to sweep away the winter blues is to surf the net in search of ideas and inspiration for remodelling projects, ideas and tips.  Here are  just a few I found:

www.hgtv.com/hgtv/remodeling
www.getdecorating.com/
www.homefixpro.com/home_remodeling_and_renovating_article.php?artID=19
www.superkitchens.com

February can be a long and sometimes depressing month for some people.  It can be quite a grim month where as in March, we finally get a glimpse of milder weather and temperature.  Thank God February has only 29 days this year!

Using one’s creativity has long been proven to be a method that is helpful in chasing away the blues.  And speaking of  creativity, why not start that remodelling project you’ve been thinking of for so long?  Or why not start looking at colors you may want to change in your home?

This exercise can be very beneficial and healthy.  It is even said to be healing.  Here is what Cricket Demarais states in an article written about “Letting Color heal you“:

Lack of Color Causes Depression

How we “feel” about color is more than psychological. The last decade has proven that lack of color, or more specifically, light, causes millions to suffer each winter from a mild depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Because of the complex way in which exposure to various colors acts via the brain upon the autonomic nervous system, exposure to a specific color can even alter physiological measurements such as blood pressure, electrical skin resistance and glandular functions in your body. And they most certainly can affect how you feel on a day-to-day basis. Learning about color’s qualities and putting it to use can enhance your spirit, improve your health, and quite ultimately, expand your consciousness.

 You may also get a glimpse on the different meanings and symbolisms of colors.  Here is relatively good web site that talks about it: http://www.squidoo.com/colorexpert.

 Finally, another handy way to sweep away the winter blues is to surf the net in search of ideas and inspiration for remodelling projects, ideas and tips.  Here are  just a few I found:

www.hgtv.com/hgtv/remodeling
www.getdecorating.com/
www.homefixpro.com/home_remodeling_and_renovating_article.php?artID=19
www.superkitchens.com

It’s really amazing how every winter is different.  Some years we have truck loads of snow and some years like last year, we hardly had any snow left for family sugar shacks in March!

I’ve recently heard many people discussing the amount of snow on their roof tops and the complications related to removing some of it by necessity.  Is it really necessary to remove it?  Well apparently in some cases it may be recommended, but how to go about it? Well, while surfing different web sites I met with the Roof Rake which seems to be quite the tool to do the job.  I found the following quite interesting for people eager to remove excess snow on their roof tops!  Here’s what they had to say;

If you live in an area where you get a lot of snow, you probably give a great deal of thought to getting rid of the snow that accumulates on your sidewalks and in your driveway. But that’s a relatively easy task - get out the old shovel or snow blower and have at it.

But a simple task as shoveling one’s sidewalk is not always as easy as its cracked up to be. Snow is very heavy, and if you go at the process of its removal too enthusiastically with a shovel you can get a back-ache or blisters on your hands. And at least a handful of people a year lose a finger to a snow blower blade because they reach in with their hand to clear a jam, rather than using a long-handled broom handle.

Sidewalks are flat - there’s no way to get around shoveling them after a heavy snowfall. But what about your roof? Most houses in areas that get a lot of snow have inclined roofs so that the snow just slides off. However, there are occasions when snow accumulate on your roof, and because snow is so heavy it simply must be removed before it does serious damage to that roof. Even if you know that your roof was built to withstand all that weight - there’s another reason why it should be removed. Melting snow can cause icedams in your gutters…so that as more snow melts the water has nowhere to go except into your ceilings.

Don’t Climb On Your Roof

Even if you’re able to get out onto your roof during the middle of winter - it would be best if you didn’t do it. Climbing around a dry roof is hard enough - trying to walk up and down a sloping roof covered with snow - which might be obscuring the ice below it - is the height of folly…and falling.

The solution is a roof rake, which you operate from the ground.

Safety first

Whatever roof rake you use - do not use it near power lines. Let me repeat that - do not use it anywhere near power lines. Even if you’re a dozen feet away from a power line, if you lose control of the rake for any reason, it’s length is such that it could quite easily tilt over those dozen feet, hit the power line, and give the operator quite an unpleasant shock, to say the least.

Various Models

There are quite a few snow rakes on the market. The Minnesnowta Roof Razor is one design that is built and sold out of the state of Minnesota - and what native Minnesotans don’t know about protecting their homes from snow isn’t worth knowing.

The RoofRake enables the operator to reach up over 26 feet, which should be more than enough to get most of the snow off one’s roof.

Like the other designs, the Philips Snowcutter cuts through ice and snow, but protects the roof shingles by not allowing the rake to actually touch the roof itself. Philips claims that their snowcutter can clear a roof in half the time it takes a roof rake.

So check out the web, check out your local stores, and then get yourself a tool well-suited to ensuring that your roof and house suffer no damage during the next winter storm.

Though pretty funny, seems to me like a good alternative to other costly solutions… Here’s a web site that sells the tool in the US and in Canada, www.roofrake.com   I even saw one for sale on  amazon.com!

You’re about to build the home of your dreams?    Take advantage and give it a touch of blue to improve your comfort and quality of life.

Known for its comfort and effectiveness, natural gas is present in more than 200 residential projects in Quebec.  The advantages are numerous:

Wall to wall comfort

Not only is it energy, it is the peak of comfort and peace of mind you dream of.  The blue flame enlivens your home and adds a plus in each room: more heat, more pleasure, less work.

A reliable resource

Natural gas is delivered to you by continuous subterranean lines; you’ll never have to worry about the whims of Mother Nature for your deliveries.  And, in case of power failure, many appliances can still function.  Practical and reassuring, isn’t it?

Gaz Métro has different offers available to facilitate integration of the blue in your home.  Here is a glance of financial aid granted:

• $1750 for the purchase and installation of a hot air high-efficiency heating unit (Energy Star rated) and a water heater;
• $100 per outlet for each natural gas appliance, such as a range, dryer, fireplace, barbecue, pool warmer
• $30 for a programmable thermostat.

A friendly word of advice

The integration of natural gas into your new home should be done as soon as your choice of architectural plans is made.  From the beginning of your project, you should have a representative for new construction from Gaz Métro involved.  The consultant can guide you through the steps as your project advances.

Good to know

In order to integrate natural gas into your home, it is of utmost importance to choose a central heating system.  As you draw up your home plans, plan openings for heating and the location of the mechanical room in the basement.

Here is a glance of steps to follow for a blue home:

1. Access to gas lines:  The first step consists in ensuring that natural gas lines pass at less than 30 meters of your future home.  Contact Gaz Métro customer service at 1 800 567-1313 for more information.

2. Implicate Gaz Métro :  Your representative for new construction at Gaz Métro can refer you to a heating professional who is a Certified Gaz Métro Partner.  These professionals are independent contractors, members of the Corporation des maîtres mécaniciens en tuyauterie du Québec, and are subject to most rigorous quality controls.

3. Connecting your home:  Construction is coming along well, your heating system is installed and connection of gas lines to your appliances is complete (water heater, range, dryer, fireplace, barbecue, pool heater)  Expect about 6 weeks for Gaz Métro to proceed with connection of your home to the main gas lines.  Once this is completed, gas will be brought into your home by your Gaz Métro Authorized Partner jointly with a Gaz Métro technician.

All that is left to do is take advantage of the soft comfort provided by natural gas.  For more information, visit www.gazmetro.com

You’re about to build the home of your dreams?    Take advantage and give it a touch of blue to improve your comfort and quality of life.

Known for its comfort and effectiveness, natural gas is present in more than 200 residential projects in Quebec.  The advantages are numerous:

Wall to wall comfort

Not only is it energy, it is the peak of comfort and peace of mind you dream of.  The blue flame enlivens your home and adds a plus in each room: more heat, more pleasure, less work.

A reliable resource

Natural gas is delivered to you by continuous subterranean lines; you’ll never have to worry about the whims of Mother Nature for your deliveries.  And, in case of power failure, many appliances can still function.  Practical and reassuring, isn’t it?

Gaz Métro has different offers available to facilitate integration of the blue in your home.  Here is a glance of financial aid granted:

• $1750 for the purchase and installation of a hot air high-efficiency heating unit (Energy Star rated) and a water heater;
• $100 per outlet for each natural gas appliance, such as a range, dryer, fireplace, barbecue, pool warmer
• $30 for a programmable thermostat.

A friendly word of advice

The integration of natural gas into your new home should be done as soon as your choice of architectural plans is made.  From the beginning of your project, you should have a representative for new construction from Gaz Métro involved.  The consultant can guide you through the steps as your project advances.

Good to know

In order to integrate natural gas into your home, it is of utmost importance to choose a central heating system.  As you draw up your home plans, plan openings for heating and the location of the mechanical room in the basement.

Here is a glance of steps to follow for a blue home:

1. Access to gas lines:  The first step consists in ensuring that natural gas lines pass at less than 30 meters of your future home.  Contact Gaz Métro customer service at 1 800 567-1313 for more information.

2. Implicate Gaz Métro :  Your representative for new construction at Gaz Métro can refer you to a heating professional who is a Certified Gaz Métro Partner.  These professionals are independent contractors, members of the Corporation des maîtres mécaniciens en tuyauterie du Québec, and are subject to most rigorous quality controls.

3. Connecting your home:  Construction is coming along well, your heating system is installed and connection of gas lines to your appliances is complete (water heater, range, dryer, fireplace, barbecue, pool heater)  Expect about 6 weeks for Gaz Métro to proceed with connection of your home to the main gas lines.  Once this is completed, gas will be brought into your home by your Gaz Métro Authorized Partner jointly with a Gaz Métro technician.

All that is left to do is take advantage of the soft comfort provided by natural gas.  For more information, visit www.gazmetro.com