Grove Inc. / Construction
February 27, 2018 In City of Toronto, Construction, Design

Wading through the permit process

Following up on last week’s article on the fines and penalties that could be incurred when starting work before having the necessary permits in place, many people are wondering whether their specific renovation is subject to the permit process or not.   We have attached a link to the City of Toronto website which includes a fairly comprehensive list of which projects can and which can not be undertaken without securing the necessary permits.  The list should be used as a guide only as it is not completely inclusive.

Still not certain?  Contact Grove Inc., and we will be happy to help guide you through the process and the paperwork involved in obtaining the proper permits for your unique renovation/new build project.  Click here for information from the City of Toronto’s “when do I need a building permit?”

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February 20, 2018 In City of Toronto, Construction, Design

The Prince Edward Viaduct – where east meets west

If you live in the City of Toronto, it is a safe bet to assume you have traveled along the Bloor Viaduct (originally, the Prince Edward Viaduct),  in some mode of transportation.  Whether by car, subway, bike, or on foot, chances are you have crossed the ravine  using this iconic roadway.   In a recent search on the City of Toronto website for something completely unrelated, we came across this archival storytelling of the viaduct and the people involved in bringing it to fruition.   As much a part of Toronto’s history as the Distillery District and Fort York, the story of the building of this impressive span deserves to be read and enjoyed by all .  For those interested in learning more, you can find the whole story here

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February 15, 2018 In City of Toronto, Construction

Permits Please.

With Spring just around the corner, many homeowners will be looking to spruce up their living spaces by doing some minor or even major renovations.  Many people believe that they can make alterations to their homes without requiring a building permit, when in fact most renovations will require some form of permit.  If you are hiring a Project Management firm, such as Grove Inc., they can guide you in the right direction and/or handle the permit procurement stage of your renovation as well as overseeing the project from start to finish.  Heavy penalties can be incurred if caught without the proper permits in place so, be sure to educate yourself on what needs to be acquired before you start work.  The attached information from the City of Toronto is just an inkling of what kind of penalties and fines are involved if work begins without securing the necessary go-aheads.  Click here to read more.

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January 23, 2018 In Construction

A step in the right direction for greenhouse gas emission

We are all aware of the effect of greenhouse gas emissions and how governments and private sector participants are working diligently to lower their carbon footprint.  In a move to identify and subsequently reduce greenhouse gas emissions during construction processes, Ellis Don and the U of T have received a $2.4 million grant to develop a Carbon Accounting Tool which will help to provide solutions and strategies in achieving significant GHG reductions. This exciting and important research will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated during the construction process and keep the industry on the positive side of this critical requirement.  Read more here.

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January 4, 2018 In City of Toronto, Construction, Development, Residential

Homes for the Homeless

RESCON and St. Clare’s Multifaith Housing Society have teamed up to build 22 new residential units in Kensington Market to house the most vulnerable members of Toronto society.  This is not the Housing Society’s first move in this direction and while they met with resistance 15 years ago, the residents of Kensington Market are welcoming and open to the new plan.  Read the story at insidetoronto.com or click here.

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December 5, 2017 In City, Construction, Development, Neighbourhood

It’s time to get walking

 

Walk 21 (short for Walking in the 21st Century) hosted an international conference in Calgary last week on the unhealthiness of people and the planet, and what needs to be done to fight this epidemic.  It comes down to redesigning cities to be more people friendly and less automotive dependent.  Andre Picard writes a thought provoking article for the Globe and Mail which promotes the move towards cohesive work and residential communities.   It starts with city planners and developers making  commitments to mixed use developments that bring people together and lessen the present day drudgery of commuting between work environment and home.  Spending more time in the community and less time in a vehicle getting to and from, is a step in the right direction.  Click HERE for the story.

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November 29, 2017 In Architecture, Construction

World Building of the Year

A building designed by the Chinese University of Hong Kong using “rammed earth” construction has been named by The World Architecture Festival as “World Building of the Year”.  Designed to withstand earthquakes, this building medium could help towns and villages worldwide mitigate the ravages of future earthquakes.  Click here for the whole story.

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October 17, 2017 In Architecture, Construction, Design

Sustainable and Strong

This amazing structure in Thailand is made entirely of sustainable bamboo and boasts a neutral carbon footprint.  This is truly an ancient building technology made all the more relevant by today’s urgent need for environmentally sound construction.  Read the article and see more pictures on this beautiful work of art by clicking HERE

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September 12, 2017 In Construction

Planning a Reno?

If you are planning a renovation for the spring, the time to start thinking about it is now.  Good contractors are booked several months in advance so calling them in April expecting work to be done in May, might result in disappointment, or worse, settling for a less reputable company to undertake the work.  It may also cost more as most contractors will charge higher rates as demand increases in the early spring.

If you are planning to renovate in the spring, take the time now to plan out your reno.  Start looking through magazines and watching home improvement shows to gather together design ideas that you like.  Work out your timing and when it will best suit you and your family’s lifestyle to undergo a disruption to your living environment.  And finally, work on a budget.  Be realistic on what you need versus what you want and how much it will cost.  Figure out what you can and cannot live without and allocate your funds accordingly.  Cost overages happen very quickly during a renovation so be sure to allow for those unforeseen additional costs that may creep in.

With careful planning and budgeting, your dream project can be realized without turning into a nightmare.

For help with planning your next reno, give Grove a call or email at info@groveinc.ca.  We would be happy to help start you on your road to a successful renovation project.  For more info, call 647-689-2454.

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August 15, 2017 In Architecture, Construction, Design

A Bridge over Holland Waters

“The biggest emotion is the bridge to optimism”, Brian May. 

3-D printing of a metal bridge in the Netherlands is a concept fast becoming a reality and truly a product of determination and optimism.  Read this fascinating story published on  weburbanist.com by clicking  here and sign up to receive our blog.