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Welcome to 2021!
As we begin the new year, CHBA BC’s e-newsletter has a new title. Weekly Update now replaces the previous name Provincial Update. With branding elements from our website, the new banner design also reflects the ongoing work of CHBA BC, as identified at the bottom of the new design. Weekly Update will continue to provide timely information on important topics for the residential construction industry and CHBA BC members. While there are plenty of issues facing the residential construction industry and business this year, none will be as important as staying safe during the pandemic and following safety protocols as health authorities work to make vaccinations available. We look forward to the year ahead. – Neil Moody, CHBA BC CEO
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Province doubles CleanBC home energy retrofit rebates
BC Gov News
The Province is doubling CleanBC Better Homes retrofit rebates for select home-heating and energy-efficiency upgrades to support B.C.’s economic recovery and help British Columbians save on energy costs.
Select residential rebates to switch to high-efficiency heating equipment, while saving energy and reducing greenhouse gases, have increased as follows until June 30, 2021:
- double the rebate from $3,000 to $6,000 when switching from a fossil fuel heating system to a high-efficiency heat pump;
- double the rebate from $1,000 to $2,000 when switching from a fossil fuel water heater to a heat pump water heater;
- double the rebate from $500 to $1,000 for an electrical service upgrade when switching from a fossil fuel heating system to a heat pump; and
- a $3,000 rebate on an interest-free loan when switching from a fossil fuel heating system to a high-efficiency heat pump and accessing the CleanBC low-interest financing program.
Applicants must pre-register for a promo code by March 31, 2021, and complete their upgrades by June 30, 2021, to participate.
British Columbians wanting to switch from fossil fuel-based heating to cleaner, more energy-efficient heat pumps also have access to low-interest financing as part of CleanBC. Depending on the type and efficiency of heat pump chosen by homeowners, the loans have interest rates as low as 0% over a five-year repayment period. The double rebate offer is being matched for the low-interest financing program for a limited time. Homeowners will automatically receive a $3,000 rebate on their loan for an eligible heat pump installed before June 30, 2021, without the need to register for a promo code.
In addition to these limited-time offers, two new programs have launched to further assist British Columbians in constructing and renovating more energy-efficient buildings. The Better Homes New Construction Program offers builders thousands of dollars for new residential construction in accordance with the BC Energy Step Code or for homes built with high-efficiency heat pumps. The Commercial Express Program provides financial incentives to builders who are retrofitting existing buildings, with a streamlined application process. Both programs are administered by BC Hydro.
You can read the full press release here.
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Survey: Energy Code Compliance for Part 9 Residential Buildings
FortisBC, in partnership with BC Hydro, is conducting a province-wide survey on energy code compliance for Part 9 Residential buildings. Targeted respondents include building industry practitioners and building officials with recent experience meeting or enforcing energy code requirements. Your anonymous responses will help policy makers to identify barriers and opportunities to improve the code compliance process.
The survey is open until January 21, and we encourage you to take 15 minutes to complete it.
The first 150 participants can claim a free $40 SKIP THE DISHES gift card in appreciation for your time.
Thank you in advance for contributing to this important initiative. For any questions, please contact Sarah ([email protected]).
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Building Accessibility Handbook 2020 is available
BSSB
The new Building Accessibility Handbook reflects the British Columbia Building Code 2018 accessibility requirements. The 2018 British Columbia Building Code is based substantially on the 2015 National Building Code. The handbook is a separate resource that provides explanatory text and illustrations to support Code users to better understand and apply the complex Code requirements to make buildings more accessible.
The Building and Safety Standards Branch consulted with accessibility partners, industry experts, and homeowners and applied Gender Based Analysis Plus principles to understand which features people found useful and those that could be improved. We appreciate the individuals and organizations who contributed their time and expertise to support this edition of the Building Accessibility Handbook.
The 2020 handbook is designed to support BC Building Code users to create more accessible buildings. Some key changes include:
- A refreshed title to reflect the intention of the handbook, which is to support universal design and access to and throughout buildings;
- Incorporating the British Columbia Building Code 2018 accessibility design requirements as well as intent statements and attributions to provide the reasons for requirements and support Code application;
- Renewed commentary, to increase clarity and readability, and illustrations, to represent diverse building occupants; and
- Links to leading standards, programs, and resources to provide additional accessibility guidance.
You can find the handbook here.
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- 1st or 2nd mortgages
- Fully open terms
- Quick turn around on draws
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Regional District of Nanaimo considering collecting new parks charges from developers
Nanaimo News Bulletin
The Regional District of Nanaimo will give the public and stakeholders the chance to give their input on a proposed regional parks development cost charges program.
Urban Systems, which the RDN hired in 2019, developed DCC programs for regional and community parks in Electoral Areas A, B, G and H, including areas of Cedar, Yellow Point and Gabriola Island. Four other electoral areas (C, D, E and F) opted out of the initiative that is geared toward collecting funds from developers for parkland acquisition and improvement.
Urban Systems has come up with DCC rates and programs that will require the RDN board’s consideration. But before that happens, the consultant will conduct community and stakeholder engagement sessions. The stakeholders will include Oceanside Development and Construction Association and the Nanaimo branch of Canadian Home Builders Association.
Read the full article here.
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Lumber boom great news for industry, but expect higher construction prices next year
CBC News
An unexpected rebound in wood product prices this month is boosting profits for Canadian forestry companies but leaving homeowners and buyers with the prospect of higher home and renovation costs in 2021.
In a report, RBC analyst Paul Quinn says prices for lumber and wood panels are up in December due to strong housing markets and limited capacity to increase North American production following a seasonal softening of prices in October and November.
He says next year could be even brighter for producers than 2020, adding that record high prices set last summer as COVID-19 forced people to work from home will likely continue or be eclipsed in 2021.
Kevin Lee, CEO of the Canadian Home Builders' Association, says the price volatility and shortage of supply of some wood products means builders are having difficulty taking advantage of the current strong market for new houses that is expected to continue in 2021.
He says escalating lumber and panel prices this year have added as much as $30,000 to the construction cost of a typical 2,500-square-foot (232-square-metre) house in Canada.
Read the full article here.
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