The Victoria Residential Builders Association (VRBA) recently announced the Gold winners for the first online 2020 Construction Achievements and Renovations of Excellence (CARE) Awards of Vancouver Island.
The 29th Annual CARE Awards showcased 37 categories and was attended virtually by the finalists and public. You can still view the event online.
Highlights of the evening included Project of the Year – Single Family awarded to M. Knight Construction, Zebra Group and Jenny Martin Design for Maison de Lee. Project of the Year-Multi-Family went to Abstract Developments for Black and White. The popular People’s Choice Award was won by Made to Last Custom Homes for Mountaincalm. VRBA’s Lifetime Achievement Award went to Rob Parsons, R. Parsons Construction Ltd.
“Congratulations to all of the Gold CARE Award winners and finalists on their outstanding work,” says Gordon English, Chair of the 2020 CARE Awards.
In addition to celebrating the CARE Awards, the VRBA advocates for professionalism, education, consumer protection and housing affordability. Incorporated as a non-profit in 1940, VRBA is comprised of 178 builders, renovators, designers, trades and suppliers.
“We are at the forefront of housing policy and successfully advocated for mandatory education and training for builders resulting in BC’s present builder licencing system,” says Casey Edge Executive Director. “We continue to advocate for a renovation tax credit or rebate to improve seismic safety for older homes on the West Coast where a major earthquake is a certainty.”
Edge says a tax break for asbestos mitigation would also be welcome, since past governments approved asbestos in many materials including insulation, which now must be removed during renovations costing homeowners thousands of dollars.
VRBA incorporates advocacy, such as affordability and energy efficiency, into the CARE Awards. They include awards for Excellence in Housing Affordability, Best Entry Level Market Home, and Green Builder of the Year.
“In addition to fabulous dream homes, there are more affordable Gold-winning projects and subdivisions designed for young families,” says Edge. “All have substantially more comfort, health and safety compared to an unrenovated older home.”
If you are considering renovating your existing home, the CARE Awards offer Gold-winning ideas online as well. VRBA’s popular online Expression of Interest form enables consumers to submit a request for a new home or renovation and receive quotes from VRBA’s contractors, many CARE Award winners.
Edge emphasizes consumers should be diligent when hiring any contractor, get several quotes, references from each and a fair, balanced contract, including change order forms. VRBA provides contracts to their members.
2020 CARE Awards Sponsors:
GOLD: BC Housing; BCCA Employee Benefit Trust; Built Green Canada; FortisBC;Hourigan’s Flooring; McLaren Properties Ltd.;Slegg Building Materials; Travelers Insurance Company of Canada; Victoria Real Estate Board
SILVER: Coast Capital Savings; Trail Appliances
BRONZE: Aviva| National Home Warranty; Mike Geric Construction
MEDIA: CFAX/ CTV; Times Colonist
