All the best, The Editorial Team We will keep adding business units that enhance our offering and separate us from our competition. “ ” Editor From The Dear Reader, Welcome to the latest issue of Construction Source Canada, the magazine that highlights the best in building and building products across the country. In this edition, we’ve shined our spotlight at companies from across the entire length of Canada, including some companies that work all over the country, and some companies that work in some of the most remote and inaccessible areas. On our cover, for example, is Hopewell Development, a leading commercial development company that offers real estate solutions all across Canada and is even expanding their reach to the United States. As the commercial development and management division of the Hopewell Group – one of the most dynamic real estate and logistics groups in North America – they provide clients of all sizes and from all industries with intelligent and highly personalized services spanning the full breadth of the development lifecycle. Over Hopewell Development’s almost-30-year history, they have delivered a long list of acclaimed and high profile projects, and currently they are working on some their largest and most innovative projects to date. A prime example is the Citylink Logistics Centre Building 2 in Rocky View County’s Carmek Business Park. That building is a 543,398-square-foot warehouse facility with an approximate value of $62.5 million, and it will be one of the first zero carbon industrial facilities of its size in all of western Canada. We spoke to Derek Fox, Vice President, Construction, about that building and that zero-carbon achievement. We also talked about Hopewell’s vision for the future and how much room they still have to grow. Looking westwards, this edition also features a new look at Pit t Meadows Plumbing & Mechanical Systems – one of BC’s longeststanding and most industry-acclaimed mechanical contracting companies. We caught up with Matthew Robinson, son of founder Steve Robinson, and talked about some of the company’s recent accolades and initiatives. In particular, we talked about their recent award-winning work on the City of Lougheed Phase One, which involved constructing four large residential towers at the Lougheed Shopping Centre in Burnaby. Looking east again, we also feature Ottawa General Contractors – a company based, like their name implies, in our nation’s capital city. They are a design-builder of new homes and home renovations, and they have been repeatedly recognized by industry bodies for their quality, corporate culture, and customer service. To learn the secrets behind that acclaim, we spoke to their lead project consultant Nick Karrandjas. For those stories – and a lot more like them, about more of Canada’s leading developers, builders, and suppliers from east to west – just keep reading.
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THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA With a readership exceeding 145,000 senior executives, The Construction Source takes immense pride in providing an enticing platform to amplify your message to the most pivotal audience – your valued customers. Whether your aim is to promote an exciting new condo development, attract crucial financial investments for upcoming projects, or establish a commanding brand presence, we’re here to assist you every step of the way. To explore opportunities for featuring your company or showcasing your latest project in The Construction Source, please reach out to our Group Publisher. Jermaine Poulsen e: info@theconstructionsource.ca The Costruction Source Canada 202 - 1200 Bay Street Toronto, Ontario M5R 2A5 E: info@theconstructionsource.ca Executive Publisher Jermaine Poulsen COO Alexandra Box Editor in Chief Zach Janes Director of Operations Jacqueline Van Belois Derrick Pelley Director of Business Development & Marketing Tamara Breen Business Development Managers Mary Ann Taylor Douglas Thomson Marnie McGhie Production Manager Brennan Midghall Digital Strategist Pranim Thapa Administration Manager Belyn Quijance-Dorero
OCTOBER 2024 HOPEWELL DEVELOPMENTS North America’s developer of choice OTTAWA GENERAL CONTRACTORS The best possible construction experience ALAIR HOMES Ready for a challenge CARBON CAP INC. ENERGY RECOVERY SYSTEMS Part of the solution PITT MEADOWS PLUMBING & MECHANICAL SYSTEMS LTD. Pushing the boundaries of innovation S & H DOCKS Making life easy BAT CONSTRUCTION LTD. Overcoming all challenges CHRISTEN LUXURY HOMES Family-powered quality AGAVE HOMES Surpassing all expectations SUPERIOR SPRINKLER Protecting lives and property HOMES OF INTEGRITY A seamless and satisfying experience GTA GENERAL CONTRACTORS LTD. Committed to clients INDUSTRY INNOVATIONS INCINERATING TOILETS IN THIS ISSUEOCTOBER 2024 HOMES OF INTEGRITY SUPERIOR SPRINKLER
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OCTOBER 2024 Industry INNOVATIONS MODERN & ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY TOILET SOLUTIONS
THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA Water connection not required Requires little space No odour Easy installation No frost protection needed Secure for children ash to be emptied No waste handling, only and more Bunkies, For Home, Cottages, Shops, 3 - 4 visits per hour High capacity Propane&Electric models ABOUT CINDERELLA ECO GROUP Cinderella Eco Group is a family-owned company located in the north-western coastal community of Midsund in Romsdal, with deep roots in the beautiful Norwegian fjord-landscape. We have more than 20 years’ experience with the Cinderella Incineration Toilet, a water-free, ecological solution for the management of toilet waste. Cinderella, the natural first choice for those who place high demands on quality and functionality. HIGHLIGHTS OF INCINERATION TOILETS:
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North America’s developer of choice
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Hopewell Development is a leading commercial development company offering real estate solutions across Canada and the United States. For almost 30 years, clients of all sizes and from all industries have trusted them to deliver intelligent and highly personalized services spanning the full breadth of the development lifecycle – everything from planning, to engineering, entitlement approvals, construction management, along with the successful leasing of the project. Over those years, their company has built a team of experienced and talented industry professionals, along with an equally dedicated team of industry partners. Together, that team has built a reputation based on their performance, and they continue to build on that reputation with every successful project. “Our mission is to be North America’s developer of choice among companies seeking top-quality industrial and retail properties,” says Derek Fox, Vice President, Construction. Hopewell Development represents the commercial development and management division of the Hopewell Group of Companies. The other companies in the Hopewell family include: Hopewell Real Estate Services (a wholly owned subsidiary of Hopewell Development), which provides a versatile array of services tailored to meet the diverse needs of property owners; Hopewell Residential, the residential community development, multi-family and single-family construction arm of the group; Hopewell Capital, which works in the background to provide overall strategic planning and support for the entire group; and Hopewell Logistics, which operates state-of-the-art distribution and warehouse facilities in Calgary, Vancouver and the Greater Toronto Area. The final two companies in the Hopewell Group OCTOBER 2024
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are Ziing Final Mile and GroundBreak Ventures – the former uses cutting-edge technology to solve complex logistical challenges, and the latter is a venture capital firm specializing in real estate and property technology. The technological backing of those two companies has helped propel the Hopewell Group to new heights. Collectively, Hopewell is now one of the most dynamic real estate and logistics groups in North America. In recent years, the Hopewell Group of Companies – and Hopewell Development in particular – has grown and evolved at a steady rate, and their reach has gradually expanded from Calgary to Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, GTA and Southern Ontario. In the United States, they have also established a presence in Arizona, Nevada, and Texas. Within that growing zone of influence, Hopewell Development has successfully developed over 20 million square feet of industrial and commercial property, and they have an additional 18 million square feet in active projects. In years past, Hopewell Development focused roughly equally on industrial and commercial projects, but these days they focus primarily on industrial. Throughout their history, their goal has always been to evaluate individual markets they serve, determine what kind of projects those markets need, and then develop projects in order to meet those needs. For example, they recently moved into the Phoenix market, where they are focusing on multi-tenant spaces between 100,000 and 150,000 square feet – as those are the products in demand in that market. In Alberta, meanwhile, they are doing a lot of larger bay products, such as distribution centres, warehouses, and thirdparty logistics facilities – those buildings tend to be over 300,000 square feet in size and take place on lots of 100 acres or more. OCTOBER 2024
THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA IMAGES, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ROSEMONT INDUSTRIAL PARK, IMAGE: BORGER GROUP; INTERLINK BUILDINGS 2A AND 2B; 92 AVENUE ROUNDABOUTS Edmonton | Calgary | al-terra.com We Create Confidence Al-Terra is the engineering, landscape architecture and geomatics firm that specializes in getting people where they want to go and creating places where they want to be. Creating confidence is at the core of everything we do.
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“Our work really varies depending on the market,” Derek says. “It comes down to what the market needs.” Many of Hopewell Developments’ projects take place on land that is already serviced, but they also buy greenfield land to entitle, develop and service themselves. “We can put in all of the infrastructure, we can do the entitlement, all the zoning, and then we can build it from there,” Derek says. “That’s the advantage of being part of a larger group – we can take care of everything in-house. Within Alberta and Manitoba, we can even act as the general contractor and self-perform all the construction work.” As an example of what Hopewell Development is capable of, Derek cites their recent work on the Citylink Logistics Centre Building 2, located just east of Calgary in Rocky View County in Carmek Business Park. That building is a 543,398-squarefoot warehouse facility with an approximate value of $62.5 million. The Citylink Logistics Centre is a state-of-the-art industrial development that offers occupiers the opportunity to secure premises in close proximity to the City of Calgary, in a building with leading edge features, lowest in market property tax mill rates, and excellent access and egress. For Derek, however, what stands out the most is it’s their first zero carbon building – as well as one of the first zero carbon industrial facilities of its size in all of western Canada. To achieve that zero carbon status, Citylink Logistics Centre Building 2 applies passive design principals to significantly reduce the amount of heating energy required to condition the facility. The design incorporates a series of carefully planned measures to minimize heat loss, including adopting a high-performance building envelope, constructing air-tight assemblies, and equipping vertical dock levelers to prevent heat loss through overhead doors. In addition, the facility’s ventilation system is equipped with an energy recovery ventilator that regulates and purifies fresh air by recovering lost heat from the out-going air stream, thereby reducing the energy needed in reconditioning fresh air. To further promote sustainability, the facility harnesses roof-mounted solar PVs to generate on-site energy, which offsets the remaining carbon emissions through high-quality carbon procurement practices. Hopewell’s next major development will see them developing over 2.3 million square feet on 120 net developable acres in Balzac, north of Calgary’s City limits, in the Rocky View County. This multiphase development will be done in concert with their partner Cadillac Fairview. THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA
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Trusted partners From the start, the goal of Hopewell Development has always been to form partnerships with industry leading consultants, subcontractors, and suppliers, and then to maintain those partnerships for the long haul. Over the years, they have been very successful in achieving that goal, and their success is evidenced by their longstanding relationships with numerous industry specialists. According to Derek, many of those relationships now go back decades. Some relationships are newer, but he says if a partner shares Hopewell’s values – if they care about quality and customer service as much as they do – then they usually end up working together for a long time. “It’s very important to us that we work with partners we trust,” Derek says. “And we want them to be able to trust us. If there’s ever an issue, we want to be able to work together and work through it. When we find partners who work like that, we like to establish long term relationships.” THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA
According to Derek, there are a great many examples of suppliers and subcontractors who belong in that category. That list includes, but is far from limited to, Protective Surface Enterprises, Adrenaline Earthworks, Al-Terra, CCS Contracting, Empire Hydrovac, Axis Mechanical, and Bayview Construction. Protective Surface Enterprises, for example, is a Calgary-based company that carries out all aspects of concrete services throughout Western Canada. They specialize in concrete restorations and coatings, but also waterproofing, concrete leveling, and polishing. With more than 30 years of experience providing exceptional service, they are capable of tackling concrete challenges of all shapes and sizes – no problem is too big or too small. Adrenaline Earthworks, also based in Calgary, is a full-service earthworks company well-recognized for providing safe, dependable services and highquality work. Founded over 10 years ago, and backed by over 20 years of combined experience, they have proven themselves to be a leader in the local earthworks sector. According to Caleb Bettcher, construction site manager at Hopewell Development, they are a company “that will go above and beyond for your needs.” Caleb also says their work has earned “multiple compliments from the trades next in line for surface prep and gravel prep.” Then there’s Al-Terra – they are an Albertabased engineering, landscape architecture, and geomatics firm that has been successfully serving clients since 1976. They take pride in offering the knowledge and experience necessary to OCTOBER 2024
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provide customized, cost-effective, and innovative solutions to a diverse range of clients. Hopewell Development has been one of those clients for many years – currently, they are working together on the Rosemont Industrial Park project in the Balzac region of Rocky View County, which will comprise various single and multi-tenant buildings and cover an area of over 146 acres. CCS Contracting is also a longstanding partner of Hopewell Development and a longstanding company in their own right. Since forming in 1985, they have established themselves as one of the premier building envelope specialists in Western Canada, having completed millions of square feet of both roofing and cladding projects throughout Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. Today, they are an employee-owned-and-operated company with offices and automated fabrication facilities in Edmonton and Calgary, and their whole team takes pride in maintaining and improving on the company’s reputation. Empire Hydrovac Services hasn’t been around as long as some other companies, but in a few years they have already established themselves as leaders in their niche, and thus valued partners of Hopewell Development. Their expertise is in hydro excavation and waste fluid management, and with their modern equipment and certified professionals, they are able to dig with precision and accuracy and minimize safety risks. No digging project is too challenging for Empire, whether it’s #11, 4351 - 104 Avenue S.E., Calgary, Alberta T2C 5C6 info@trimenelectric.com | 403-723-0003 www.trimenelectric.com Trimen Electric Ltd. has been performing quality electrical projects within Calgary and the surrounding areas since 2000. • Commercial and institutional construction • Construction management • Design build We have the knowledge and experience to provide you with quality service at a reasonable cost. utility locations or remote excavation. THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA
Axis Mechanical, meanwhile, is a single-source provider of mechanical design-build services based in Rocky View County. They are similarly unafraid of complex projects – they take pride in working with clients to identify the goals and challenges unique to their building, and they take even more pride in devising the possible solutions in order to get their job done right, on time, and on budget. Hopewell Development highly values their dependability and professionalism, along with their commitment to communicating openly and transparently. Bayview Construction, lastly, is one half of the Bayview Group, along with Rocky Road Recycling. Since 1992, they have built a rock-solid reputation for integrity, innovation, and excellence in Manitoba’s heavy construction, commercial maintenance, materials recycling, and land development industries. The teams at both of their companies are focused on building and maintaining quality construction projects while remaining committed to worksite safety and environmental responsibility. OCTOBER 2024
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Building for the future In addition to building trusted and lasting relationships with suppliers, Hopewell Development also strives to build positive relationships in-house, with their roster of talented and dedicated employees. Again, they have been very successful in that goal over the years. Recently, as testament to that success, the Hopewell Group as a whole was named a 2024 Platinum Club winner of Canada’s Best Managed Companies – which was the second time the group received that prestigious designation, and their eighth year in a row being recognized as a Canada’s Best Managed Company. “We are proud to be recognized as a Canada’s Best Managed Company for the eighth time,” said Sanders Lee, Executive Chairman of the Hopewell Group of Companies, in a statement celebrating the designation. “Our vision is to build a platform group of companies that offers OCTOBER 2024
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best-in-class capabilities and capacity to partners, clients and the communities in which we work. We are honoured to be recognized for the work we do, and how we manage each of the businesses within our group.” “Our true strength is harnessing the synergy between each of our companies,” Lee said. “We want to thrive, we want to grow – but we also serve a bigger purpose for the community. As a group, we lead through innovation, and our people are what set us apart. Together, our people are building for the future, deliberately, and with purpose.” Between all seven of their primary companies, the Hopewell Group employs between 350 and 400 people at any given time. Hopewell Development accounts for roughly 117 of those people. Regarding the corporate culture within the division, Derek echoes Sanders’ words. He says their team “is here to work together while always striving towards better things.” OCTOBER 2024
“We really like to dedicate ourselves to our craft,” he says. “We like to find ways to do things better than we did them before. We’re never done growing and learning.” Interpersonally, he says their team also gets along well – he says they have a “cohesive group that interacts well together.” “We are always finding ways for us all to get together and just celebrate the business and what we do,” Derek says. Moving forward, Derek says the goal is to maintain that cohesiveness even as the business grows and gets even bigger. For Hopewell Development, he predicts that growth will take the form of further expansion into the United States. “We’re already engaged with new markets further to the east and southeast regions,” he explains. “There’s a lot of opportunity in the United States. It’s ten times the size of Canada in terms of markets and people and districts. We have a lot of room to grow there.” THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA
In all markets, Hopewell Development is also interested in acting more as a project manager for third-party developers and investor groups. With their design, building, and development expertise – and with all the advanced technology they have access to, as a result of their membership in the Hopewell Group – they believe they can be a great asset to other developers who are looking to get their projects across the line on time and on budget. Lastly, the company’s most important goal is to keep getting stronger – and that means getting better and always striving to continually improve, Derek says. “We think we’re doing a fantastic job now, but there is always room for growth – I think that’s why the Hopewell Group has always been so successful.” “Our goal has always been to be the best that we can be,” he concludes. “We want to be the best we can for all our partners. We want to be their first and last stop. We want to be their developer of choice.” Property stakings, building location certifications, basement layout & control, zoning memorandums, geomatics and legal surveys. CONTACT US AT: 204-947-1557 MAKING OUR MARK ON THE WORLD OCTOBER 2024
For more on Hopewell Development and their full range of development, construction, and property management services – and to get in touch with their teams all across Western Canada, Eastern Canada, and the United States – visit https://www.hopewelldevelopment.com/ THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA
ADREN LINE EARTHWORKS INC. Special thanks to all of the groups that help continue to make Hopewell’s Developments top tier!
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The best possible construction experience
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Ottawa General Contractors is an award-winning design-build renovation and new construction company. Since forming in 2009, they have grown from a modest family business into one of the leading design-build firms in their titular city. Today, they are known for their battle-tested and proven ‘OGC process,’ which involves guiding clients through every step of their building journey, from design, through planning, through construction. This process is the “foundation” of the company’s success, according to Nick Karrandjas, the company’s lead project consultant and one of their many dedicated experts. “If you’re planning a construction project, our team is here to help capture everything for you,” Nick says. “We’re here to provide you the best possible construction experience.” “We are a full service construction company,” he adds. “We take care of everything from A-to-Z. We’ve got the full team from administrative, to architectural planners, designers, scope builders, project managers, construction managers, to onsite staff – and we all work together to deliver our clients a great experience and a great new space.” “I often joke with our clients that their role in the relationship can be as simple as telling us what they love, what they hate, what they’re envisioning, and then giving us a key to the door. We can take care of the rest and deliver to them a space they always dreamed of.” When Ottawa General Contractors started in 2009, they were one of the province’s first providers of turnkey design-build services to the residential renovation sector. Today, they are one of the largest turnkey providers. They work throughout Ottawa and surrounding areas, they cover everything from a singular kitchen renovation all the way to a 30-unit investment building, and they complete between 100-to-130 projects per year. OCTOBER 2024
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According to Nick, one of the main reasons those clients flock to Ottawa General Contractors is the depth of their service offering. They have multiple divisions within their organization that specialize in different types of construction, so they can act as a trusted one-stop-shop for clients. “A lot of times in the construction industry a client might find someone who is maybe great at doing kitchens, but they don’t do other things,” Nick explains. “So a client might do a kitchen with them, but then after they want to do an addition or do an investment project, and then they have to seek out new people and roll the dice all over again.” Ottawa General Contractors, however, is able to “come in and help people with any type of project.” “Our clients know that we can handle any type of work they throw at us,” Nick says. “We don’t have a bias towards any particular type of project, which I think is really important. No matter what the client needs, we can come in and truly give them a valuable and unbiased consultation and guide them towards a solution that best fits their needs.” In addition, Nick believes that Ottawa General Contractors gets a lot of work as a result of being so visible and relevant on social media. “When it comes to our marketing, we focus on where people are – and most people are on social media,” Nick says. “So we are all over social media providing really relevant content. We educate people. We show what we’re working on now and we talk about what’s coming in the future. We talk about the latest and greatest technologies. We give advice on how to design a kitchen really well, and what you should consider when you’re building an addition.” “We’re really trying to provide people with quality content that educates them and helps show them the future of building,” he adds. “I think that’s key, and we get really great feedback on that. Even people who aren’t looking for a renovation right away will often contact to us just to say ‘I love your articles.’ That kind of feedback means a lot to us. It shows the information we’re providing is helpful.” OCTOBER 2024
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Industry pioneers As an example of what Ottawa General Contractors is capable of, Nick points to a recently-completed project where they converted a 200-square-foot garage into an actual coach home, which their client now offers as a rental unit. Relatedly, the company also built Ontario’s largest two-level coach home, which comprises a combined 1,400 square feet, and includes a garage, a bedroom on the main level, a bedroom on the top level, and a full laundry room. That required working closely with the city to acquire some special exceptions, but their hard work and diligence paid off. “We’re totally pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with coach homes in both directions, large and small,” Nick says. “We’re really pioneers in that sector.” “Our clients often ask us ‘What does a coach home look like?’” Nick says. “When we describe the kind of range they can have, they’re THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA
often baffled by what’s possible. ‘How can you live comfortably in 200 square feet?’ they ask. Then when we show them the plans and renders, they’re blown away. They can’t believe how well it works. And they can’t believe they could build basically a second home on their property.” Of course, getting additional coach homes approved by municipal authorities can potentially be a challenge, but Ottawa General Contractors has a close relationship with senior planners at the city. Over the years, they have earned a high level of trust among those partners, Nick believes because they have proven that their genuine goal is to make the city a better place. “They give us great feedback and they help us get great projects built,” Nick says. “Our relationship is wonderful.” Ottawa General Contractors is currently constructing an eight-unit building in the Vanier area. According to Nick, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) actually approved that project because “we’re the ones building it.” “They approved it because they know we’re going to take care of everything and get it done,” Nick says. “And it’s going to add more affordable units to an area that really needs it, which is fantastic.” The company is also planning an upcoming project in Nepean, where they intend to build a 30-unit building in an area where they would normally only be allowed to build three or four units. Nick is confident they will get the exceptions necessary, however, because of the great need for housing in the area and because of the trust Ottawa General Contractors has built over the years among the relevant authorities. OCTOBER 2024
Nick emphasizes, however, that building that trust was a team effort. He credits the company’s success not just to him and the other senior leaders, but to the company’s whole team – which now includes about 40 people. “We have a team who are professional, who really care about each other, and who really care about our common goal of always increasing our client experience,” he says. “And we have a culture that’s about growth, about never resting on your laurels, about always improving – improving yourself, improving the team, improving the company.” “We’re always looking to support our people and help them grow professionally and personally,” he adds. “We’ve had people who started as designers with us and then they decided they wanted to be a PM, so they took the courses and they switched over and now they have become excellent project managers. We have designers who started off doing designs for kitchens and then started to work on bigger buildings. We love that. We love supporting our people and helping them to grow.” “We really care,” he says. “I think that’s the single biggest factor behind our success. Of course, we’ve worked hard to create a process and we’re disciplined about following that process, and that’s a big part of it, but the biggest key component to any successful company is the people. It sounds so cliché, but it’s so true. If you have great people who truly, genuinely care about their team members and their clients and they want to improve, the rest takes care of itself. It feels amazing to be surrounded by people like that.” Ottawa General Contractors takes similar pride in their relationships with their extended team THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA
of subcontractors and suppliers – Nick calls them “partners,” not subcontractors, and he believes that language is important. “It really, truly is a partnership,” he says. “We need to work together with them to be successful and deliver great results. There’s no Ottawa General Contractors without them.” One of the company’s main suppliers, for example is Westlake Royal Building Products. They are a longstanding company that has been working with both homeowners and professionals for over 50 years. They provide products including siding and accessories, trim and mouldings, roofing, stone, windows, and outdoor living solutions. Over their history, they have continually advanced the aesthetics, versatility, performance and breadth of their products, and they have become a highly responsive resource for their clients. Ottawa General Contractors has long appreciated them for that responsiveness, as well as for their unrivalled experience and expertise. Moving forward, in collaboration with partners like that, Nick says the goal is to continue growing at a steady and manageable rate. The company has done that consistently since forming in 2009 and they highly value that consistency. “I think any company can have a spike of success, but to continuously be successful is a lot more challenging,” Nick says. “That’s what we have done so far and we want that to continue. We plan to do that by expanding some of our different divisions while always looking to improve our client experience.” In particular, Nick foresees the company growing their multi-family division and new construction division. He believes their aforementioned pioneering work on low-rise investment buildings – i.e. coach homes – will facilitate that growth. “We are leaders in that space and we want to keep going,” Nick concludes. “We want to continue to be the leaders and gain the most amount of market share.” OCTOBER 2024
For more on Ottawa General Contractors, their process, their past projects, and to access their wealth of building knowledge – and to get in touch with their expert team, including Nick – visit https://ottawageneralcontractors.com/ THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA
Ready for a challenge
Jason Laverdiere has been doing construction almost all his life. Growing up on a farm in Saskatchewan, he learned a lot of different skills from his father, who taught him not only to work hard, but to be a creative problem solver. After high school, he worked in many different trades before teaming up with his dad and starting a homebuilding company. Today, he continues to honour his father’s legacy as the leader of the Swift Current franchise of Alair Homes – a company that builds not only quality homes and renovations of all sizes, but also quality relationships with trade partners and clients. “At Alair Homes, we love bringing dream homes to life for the awesome folks in and around Swift Current,” Jason says. “Whether it’s a jaw-dropping estate or a first home with all the cozy vibes, we treat every build with the same attention to detail and care. We’re all about mixing timeless charm with modern flair—and making sure the process is as fun and stress-free as possible. Because let’s face it, building your dream home should feel just as exciting as moving in.” Alair Homes is one the most trusted and highestrated custom home building franchise in North America. They have over 100 franchise locations across 13 American states and five Canadian provinces. Prior to becoming a franchisee, Jason was attracted to the Alair brand by their reputation for professionalism and by their organizational excellence. The craft of homebuilding has always come naturally to Jason, and he has always enjoyed leading a team on-site, but the business facet of running a company – the “accounting and bookkeeping and all that” – was previously more of a challenge. It got to the point where he seriously had to consider quitting the industry and doing something else. That’s when he reached out to OCTOBER 2024
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Alair Homes and sought more information. After about a year of thinking about it and discussing the opportunity with Alair’s representatives in Saskatchewan, he took the plunge. “First of all, they had a great, reputable brand,” Jason recalls. “I had been following them for several years before that and looking into them and I really liked what I found.” “Then I learned more about what offered as a franchise – they offered help with bookkeeping, accounting, business development, marketing, and they offered tools like software programs to help manage projects,” he says. “They offered me all the tools I needed to run the business successfully and focus on what I really liked to do, which is build beautiful homes.” In addition to offering business tools and professional services, Alair Homes also offered a network, Jason adds. He now knows they call it the “mastermind network,” and he wholeheartedly agrees with that terminology. “We’re connected to over hundreds of other builders who are likeminded and who are pursuing the same goals,” he explains. “If we ever have any questions, we can reach out to them and draw on their experience and expertise. That’s incredibly valuable.” “I may not have built a certain kind of project before, but it’s guaranteed that somebody in our organization has,” he continues. “I can reach out to them and ask for advice. Everyone is always willing to share information and help each other out. It’s just a really good, really solid community, THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA
and we’re all looking to grow together and encourage each other and help each other be better versions of ourselves.” Jason’s company – previously known as Laverdiere Builders – officially became Alair Homes Swift Current almost two years ago, in 2022. Since then, Jason says the business has grown by leaps and bounds. They are taking on more projects, their projects have gotten bigger, and they have formed a lot of great new relationships with trades and subcontractors. “At my old company, we did all of the work – from foundations, to framing, to dry-walling, to painting, to cabinet install,” Jason says. “We were pretty good at all of it, but we weren’t experts at anything in particular. Now we focus more on general contracting and we only work with experts. We hire and work with subcontractors that are extremely proficient in what they do.” “When we hire a drywaller, that’s all he does – he does the drywall, and he’s really good at it,” he continues. “The same goes for all the other trades. Instead of guys who know how to do everything, we have guys who specialize in their trade, which in turn provides a better product for our clients. Our role is to now manage those trades and provide them with the best environment to succeed.” Geographically, Jason and his team work within about an hour-and-a-half radius of Swift Current. In terms of value, their projects can range anywhere from a bathroom or kitchen renovation starting at $10,000 to a new custom-built home valued up to $4 million. No matter the scope of OCTOBER 2024
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the project, however, Jason believes clients are drawn to him for the same reason he was drawn to Alair Homes – reputation. “Our family has had a pretty good reputation in the city for a long time,” he says. “It started with my dad. My dad was known as a really good builder – he was known for being good to work with, for working quickly, for providing really good quality work. A lot of people respected him as a builder and a carpenter.” Jason father was also known for treating people the right way. That’s a specific legacy Jason personally works very hard to uphold – and he says working with Alair Homes has actually made upholding it much easier, because the Alair system is built on transparency. “What sets us apart is client communication,” he says. “We have a client portal that clients can log into from anywhere and they can follow along with their project. They can keep track of the schedule and timelines. They can make selections and change orders. They can receive and review invoices. It all goes through our client portal, which makes it very easy for them to stay-up-date and informed.” Personally, Jason is also willing and eager to take on challenges and try new things. Once again, he credits that eagerness at least partly to his father and his upbringing. “Another thing that I feel sets us apart is that I’m kind of willing to take on any kind of crazy idea,” he says. “If somebody has a wild idea for specific design, like putting metal on a fireplace or doing building handrails for a boardwalk, I’m usually pretty on board. I’m ready to take on any kind of challenge.” “One of my strengths is that I’m a really good problem solver,” he adds. “When a problem comes up and we need to find a solution, that’s kind of where I shine.” “I love a challenge,” he reiterates, “and I think that probably comes from my dad, because my dad is one of those guys – he’s a craftsman, he can do anything, and he can do anything to a really high degree of excellence. During my childhood, he taught me how to weld, how to cut wood, how to operate a lathe, how to fix cars and paint cars – he taught me how to do all these things. And I still love learning new things today. If there’s a challenge, if there’s something I’ve never done before, I get excited.” OCTOBER 2024 LP is proud to supply Alair Homes™ with durable, carbon negative siding products. LPCorp.com/ExpertFinish © 2024 Louisiana-Pacific Corporation. All rights reserved. Alair Homes is a trademark of Alair Enterprises Canada Ltd. All other trademarks are owned by Louisiana-Pacific Corporation. BUILD BETTER WITH CARBON NEGATIVE SIDING.
Providing something awesome As previously mentioned, Alair Homes Swift Current not only builds quality homes, but also quality relationships – with clients and with subcontractors. When it comes to the latter group, Jason believes their company has a strong reputation, and he credits that reputation to their fairness and their “team approach.” “It’s a team effort,” he says. “We couldn’t do what we do without the support of our trade partners and subcontractors. We want to make sure that they have a really, really good experience working with us.” “Alair’s slogan is: ‘Living better starts here.’ We want to apply that philosophy not just to our clients and not just to our employees, but also to our trade partners,” Jason adds. “We want to make sure that they succeed and that they make money, so that they want to continue to work with us in the future.” Moving forward, Jason and his team – which includes his team of THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA
longstanding subcontractors – are set to work on a couple new home builds in a row. Jason’s vision is to take on a steady stream of those, but he also wants to keep doing renovations, as he likes the way they keep him on his toes. “Renovations always pose more of a challenge, which is why I like to do them,” he explains. “When you open up a wall, you never know what you’re going to get. You can do your best to try to get everything lined up you might think you know exactly what you’re doing, but you really don’t know until you actually start the work. You almost always come up against some sort of challenge, there’s almost always something exciting that happens.” At the same time, new builds have their own charms, Jason says: “You’re creating something from nothing. When you first get to the lot, there’s nothing there. Then all of a sudden, when you’re done, there’s a new house there. That’s always fun, too.” “The most important thing is we want to be able to provide our clients with a really, really good home building experience. Whether that’s on a new build or a renovation, we just want to continue doing that.” Lastly, Jason says they can provide that experience at the size they are at now, so he doesn’t see the need to grow a whole lot bigger: “I’m satisfied with where I’m at now,” he says. “I can provide for my family and my employees can provide for their families, and that’s what matters. You know, maybe down the road we might end up having to hire another carpenter or a project manager and have a little bit bigger of a team – but I don’t want the stress of running a huge, giant company.” “It’s more important that we enjoy what we’re doing and that we’re able to provide something awesome for our clients without compromising anything,” he concludes. “I feel like when you get to be too big, then you have to start compromising and I don’t want to compromise on what we provide for our clients.” OCTOBER 2024
For more on Alair Homes Swift Current, their services and capabilities, their past projects, and to get in touch with Jason and his team, visit https://www.alairhomes.ca/swift-current/ THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA
Part of the solution
Carbon Cap Inc. is a clean technology company that delivers cutting-edge mechanical solutions to optimize heating and cooling efficiencies in multi-residential and commercial buildings. Their flagship offering is their patented Flue Gas Recovery (FGR) system, a waste energy recovery solution that can be retrofitted to work seamlessly with any commercial boiler, makeup air ventilation, or air conditioning system— regardless of the system’s age, size, or efficiency. Once installed, the FGR system reduces natural gas consumption, cuts emissions, and extends equipment life by up to 25 per cent. To date, one of Carbon Cap’s most successful projects is at 660 Briar Hill in Toronto, where their FGR system was implemented with excellent results. This project has set the foundation for further retrofitting plans in both Toronto and New York State. “We’ve identified a substantial market opportunity to offer buildings a way to lower their natural gas consumption in an innovative and cost-effective manner,” says Raphael Kolenko, founder and inventor of the FGR system. The benefits of Carbon Cap’s solutions are vast: increased efficiency means reduced utility bills, lower carbon taxes, improved asset value, and better LEED ratings. Additionally, building occupants enjoy a more sustainable, comfortable living environment, while property owners actively contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions—a core motivation for Raphael and his team. “Our mission is to advance sustainability in the building sector by creating innovative decarbonization technologies,” Raphael says. “Every day, we’re energized by the role we play in helping the global community reach its net-zero goals.” OCTOBER 2024
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Solving a global challenge The origins of Carbon Cap Inc. can be traced back to a chance observation between two hockey dads sitting in a Tim Hortons in Hamilton, Ontario. As they watched smoke billowing from the top of a nearby apartment building, Raphael couldn’t help but think, “That can’t be good for the environment.” This thought lingered, especially as climate change dominated the Globe and Mail magazine that was sitting in front of them. Raphael’s extensive background—spanning nearly four decades in industries such as food and beverage processing, durable goods, and manufacturing—compelled him to take action. He climbed to the top of that building with a heat gun in hand, discovering that it was emitting between 300 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit of thermal energy as waste. Moreover, this energy was contributing to harmful carbon emissions. Solving that problem became Raphael’s new mission. OCTOBER 2024
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OCTOBER 2024
Real-world success In early 2023, Carbon Cap successfully deployed their FGR technology in a live environment at the 660 Briar Hill building. “Our system has been operating flawlessly since February 2023,” Raphael says, adding that it has achieved substantial energy savings and significantly reduced the building’s carbon footprint. Carbon Cap’s success has been independently verified through certified BTU meters, and the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has recently endorsed the technology, marking an important milestone. “With this validation, we’re ready to scale up the project. We’ve developed a fourth-generation design optimized for mass production, and we’re preparing to roll it out in a few dozen buildings across Ontario,” Raphael says. Additionally, Carbon Cap is now recognized by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) as an official heat recovery solution provider. They’ve already secured a client in New York with over 300 high-rise buildings and are about to commence work on the first installation. THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA
Driving industry innovation Headquartered in Hamilton, Ontario, with a mock boiler facility in Ancaster, Ontario, Carbon Cap holds a Canadian patent, as well as patents in 27 EU countries. While their roots are firmly in Canada, their impact extends far beyond, with rapid expansion into the U.S. market. Carbon Cap’s target customers include architects, engineers, building owners, and operators who are open to adopting innovative sustainability technologies. They also engage directly with end-users through their Shared Utility Savings Fund (SUSF) program, which allows operators to use Carbon Cap’s equipment at no upfront cost in exchange for a portion of the utility savings—making it a win-win solution. The convenience of Carbon Cap’s solution is another significant selling point. “Installation takes less than two weeks, and we typically disrupt operations for no more than an hour,” Raphael notes. In contrast, traditional heat pump systems can take up to a year to fully install, with far more disruption to tenants. OCTOBER 2024
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Long-term partnerships and growth Raphael emphasizes the importance of strong, long-term relationships—with clients, employees, and suppliers. “Our company culture is based on mutual respect, continuous learning, and open communication,” Raphael says. This approach benefits employees and translates into better outcomes for clients. Many suppliers have been with Carbon Cap from the start, sharing their commitment to quality and sustainability. Looking ahead, Carbon Cap plans to expand its product offerings and further penetrate the North American market, particularly in high-demand regions like New York. Raphael also mentions the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and securing federal grants to fund further research and development, ensuring Carbon Cap stays at the forefront of innovation in the decarbonization sector. “Our goal is to be a leading provider of decarbonization technologies, helping buildings across the globe to achieve their carbon reduction targets,” Raphael concludes. Learn more www Belimo Thermal Energy Meter Energy Management and Billing made Easy OCTOBER 2024
For more information on Carbon Cap Inc., their technology, and their value proposition, and to get in touch with Raphael and his team, visit https://carboncapinc.com. THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE CANADA
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