social values

Neighbourhood Etiquette

Wed, August 10, 2011 No Comments by deren

One of the first things we recommend you do when you start a project on your home is visit the neighbours and let them know a few things:

  • what you are doing,
  • what hours you will work (we typically make noise between 8:30 and 4:30 to respect the clients and neighbours space)
  • when you will be finished.

Many neighbours are curious, some are worried, and others are simply nosey.  Regardless of their disposition it is important to let them know what your intentions are.  It is very likely your neighbours will be are receptive, and some genuinely curious.  So go out and start to engage your community.

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“Good fences make good neighbours”

Sun, June 26, 2011 No Comments by deren

Taken literally a fence in some cases may seem impractical or unnecessary as it can actually reduce the chance for casual interaction.  On the other hand the maintaining of a fence may provide some neighbours the opportunity to regularly communicate with each other.

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Keep it or Change it

Tue, May 31, 2011 No Comments by deren

In our work we often find places were previous plumbing, electrical, and even structural installations are not up to our standards.  In these situations we evaluate using the following criteria:

  1. Is it safe?
  2. Will it still be save in 20 years?
  3. How much effort and money will it take to replace or refurbish?
  4. Is it worth the extra effort?
  5. Will it add value to the owners experience?

Sometimes it is easier to follow the adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”  But if it keeps me up at night thinking about it I throw budgets to the wind and eliminate the problem.

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Being Conscious

Mon, February 28, 2011 No Comments by deren

My friend recently promoting himself as a Conscious Carpenter. In thinking about his position since then I have come to understand that being conscious about the work that I am doing does not finish at the end of my day. Every piece of wood I use, every nail I drive, glue I apply came from somewhere. And all of these things will go somewhere in the future.

I was talking with an old logger the other day and he talked about treating the trees with respect. Now he was not a small time logger but he saw value in having people (not huge feller buncher machines) working the wood, walking the trees, showing respect to each of the fallen giants.

I understand being a conscious builder is responsible for the beginning and the end of everything I make, being respectful of every person and piece of puzzle that forms the beautiful things I like to build.

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The Intellegent Contractor’s Recent Projects

Thu, June 10, 2010 No Comments by admin

We are the Intelligent choice when it comes to completing the projects you have planned.  Here are some of our recent projects.

  • Renovating an Italian Deli (4th and Alma, Vancouver)
  • Building Cedar Shake Concrete wall (Lakeshore, Kelowna)
  • Deep energy Retrofit Okanagan Centre Hall (OK Centre, Winfield)
  • Kitchen Renovation (Glenmore, Kelowna)
  • Basement Renovation (Glenmore, Kelowna)
  • Kitchen Renovation (Glenrosa, Westbank)
  • Bathroom Renovation (Mission, Kelowna)
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