This one is going to get you thinking!  If you think custom home building is complicated, wait until you listen to this one :).  We are joined with Amelie Caron to talk about energy efficiency, high performance homes, and different ways to think about affordability and the investments you make into your home.  If you are interested in smart building and data driven building decision, this episode is for you!  We are entering into a new era of home construction, and this episode will help...

Have you ever considered completing your own build or renovation?  Is it coming from a point of pride or a way to save some money?  On today's episode, we are joined by Dustin Sikler and Heather Fritz to talk about their personal experiences.  Both have completed renovations and builds of their own - some by themselves and others with professional builders.  We sit down with them to have a frank conversation about their experience and see things from their side of the table plus bring up some...

Affordability, quality, and sustainability are at the forefront of the home building conversation right now.  Those three concepts are very difficult to combine in our worlds current climate and it’s critical that we have people on our side advocating for us (as builders and consumers).  In today’s episode we talk with the Saskatoon & Region Home Builder’s Association to understand the importance of the work they do for us as home buyers (locally, provincially and federally) and also to...

On today's episode we are VERY excited to welcome a special guest, Kerri Tucker!  Kerri is a real estate agent here in Saskatoon and has a very personal story about the risks of radon. On this episode Brad and Kerri talk about what radon is and why you NEED to be aware of it.  We live in a province that contains high radon exposure, so being educated and aware is important.  Enjoy this episode and share it with everyone you know to get this important message out there!  

Living in Saskatchewan, we often get questions about building through the winter.  Should you? Shouldn't you?  How does the process change and how can that affect both quality and pricing?  In todays episode, Brad dives into some of those questions and gives you some answers, busts some myths about off season building and gives some general takeaways to consider!  

In today's episode, Brad and Kaitlyn talk about the top ten things they would consider including in a custom home.  The joys of custom building is that you get to design a home that is beautiful, functional and comfortable.  We consider all three of these in our top 10.  We'd love tp hear what you would include - find us on Instagram and comment with your top inclusions!

We are in a very different place than last year's market update.  With interest rates being a major topic of conversation and the media pushing the severity of a looming recession, fear in the market has definitely become a reality.  But is now the time to push the construction of your custom home another calendar year?  Maybe.  Or maybe not.  We can't tell you that for sure, but in today's episode we do discuss what we are seeing in the residential construction industry and how that may...

In our last episode in "Our Process" series, we are talking about construction.  What does the experience look like from your side of the table during construction?  Brad walks through what our process looks like and gives some insight into what you can expect.  From communication to problem solving, the construction experience is a critical piece of the puzzle to ensure that you have the best custom home building experience possible!

Are you building an infill now or in the future?  If so, this episode is for you!  We curated a list of things that you should be aware of prior to building.  Some of these things may add cost to your project and others may add time.  Either way, you will want to be aware of these so that when the time comes, you are prepared.  From site conditions to permit times, we go in depth about each item so that you can be informed!

When you are building a custom home, it is critical that a solid design system is in place.  This is where the interior and exterior design pulls together with the architectural design and the entire home becomes cohesive.  Without a solid process details can get missed, pricing can get out of hand and communication can break down.  In this week's episode, Kaitlyn breaks down what our Design Process looks like and gives you some insight into what it would look like to work with Spruce Homes!

If you are building a custom home, change orders are likely going to be part of the process.  You want to get your home just right and often times throughout construction you may want to tweak a few things from the original plan.  That's ok!  But you also don't want changes to get out of hand where costs sky rocket and the experience becomes stressful or frustrating.  Although eliminating change orders completely may be unrealistic, there are definitely ways to reduce them so that you can...

Have you ever talked to someone who built a custom home and heard about surprise costs that jumped up along the way?  It's not a pleasant experience!  It's an important thing to keep in mind - there is always a potential for cost over runs throughout the project.  Different contract types can protect you from some overruns, but even with a fixed price contract there are always scenarios where costs can pop up on you.  To help prepare you (both financially and mentally) for some of those...

Once you finish your project and move it, you want it to feel like home.  Part of that feeling is making sure the furniture fits with your new space.  In this episode, Kaitlyn discusses things to think through when you are furniture shopping, tips, and trends we are seeing for 2022.  If you are in the planning stages of a build or renovation this is something you will want to consider sooner rather than later!

You're planning to build a custom home, but you have no idea what it will cost.  Where do you start?  Unfortunately, the answer isn't as straight forward as you would like, but we on this weeks episode we break down what our Pricing Process looks like.  From inspiration, to floor plans, to pricing, we walk with you through the entire journey to get you to that answer - what will it cost!?   

Whether you are planning on building your dream home or doing an extensive renovation to create one, financing plays a crucial role.  While it may not be a glamorous topic, we all need to organize our "Benjamins" before starting a project.  On this episode Brad is joined by a special guest, Ron Quaroni to break down what construction financing looks like - both from the perspective of custom building as well as renovations.  If you're starting your construction journey,  play this episode a...

One of the ongoing conversations we are having these days revolves around pricing.  Where is it now and where is it going?  At the moment, there are a few macro-economic factors at play that are impacting the overall market.  There are a ton of complexities and the the world is ever-changing.  In this episode, Brad goes over some of the macro events and dives into how they are impacting us here at home.  Would he build right now, or would he hold off?  Listen to this episode to find out his...

This week we have a special guest from Durabuilt Windows & Doors.  Daniel Serrano joins Brad to give some insight into a part of your home that often gets overlooked - windows.  Windows play a crucial part in the comfort and feeling of your home but also play a vital role in efficiency.  Sit down with Brad and Danny before you start designing your next project to think more about your new window selections and how they can impact the overall comfort and performance of your house!   

This week, we decided to go off topic and mix in something different - working with your spouse.  It's something that we have a first hand perspective on that most don't.  This episode is a fun way to bring you inside the realities of blending marriage and business.  Whether you are thinking of going into business with your significant other or you are just looking for some laughs at our expense, give this episode a listen!

Whether you are building a new home or starting a renovation project, trust is crucial!  But how do you know you can trust them?  Other than gut feel, what are tangible things that you can do in order to create a sense of peace before you make a decision?  In todays episode, Brad lists six tangible things you can do before you sign that construction contract.  Whether you do one or all of them, you will have a better insight into how the builder operates and will help you feel confident...

Are you dreaming of your big project?  One thing you should think through while you are day dreaming is the contract structure you would like to see.  Exciting, hey?  Different contract types have benefits and drawbacks.  There is no right or wrong way to do it, but depending on your personality type you may lean one way or the other.  In today's episode, we walk through a few pro's and con's of fixed price and cost plus pricing to help you be better prepared for when ink hits paper!

Whether you are buying land for an acreage or a lot in the city, there are a few things that you should think through prior to your purchase.  On today's episode, Brad talks about what some of those things are and argues why it's important to get your builder involved early.  If a new build is in your future, this episode is a must listen!

Selecting the right paint sheen can be a crucial part of how the finish turns out.  Different sheens are made for different purposes - some hide imperfections really well while others are really durable.  Considering the usage of each space (and material), as well as the imperfections that may come to light are important factors to consider while selecting sheens.  In todays short episode, Kaitlyn breaks down each sheen, the benefits of each and where you should consider using them!