The Art Of Making Home

In this eye-opening episode, join Sandro and Cheri Stefanucci as they discuss the critical need for adaptive homes in the face of adversity. With a blend of personal stories and professional insights, they explore the challenges and triumphs of remodelling homes for accessibility, revealing the urgent demand for skilled contractors in this niche but necessary field.

Join Sandro Stefanucci of Abstract Homes for an eye-opening discussion with Anthony Vermeulen from Airform Industries about the transformative power of Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) in modern construction. Learn how ICFs offer a smarter, eco-friendly alternative to traditional building methods, with their remarkable insulation properties and ease of installation. If you're interested in buil...

Ever wondered what it takes to finance a new home construction project from scratch? This episode pulls back the curtain on construction financing, revealing the tightrope walk lenders perform to balance opportunity with risk. Learn why these loans are a nail-biter for financial institutions and how they manage the precarious situation of a client defaulting. It's a must-listen for anyone inte...

Discover the secrets to creating a home that ages with you in our latest podcast episode featuring Sandro Stefanucci and Dr. Art Hister. They delve into the concept of 'Aging in Place,' sharing personal experiences and expert advice on making homes safe and comfortable for the golden years.

In this week's episode of The Art of Making Home podcast, join host Sandro as he delves into the intricate challenges surrounding housing permits and approvals in Vancouver, engaging in a thought-provoking conversation with his wife, Cheri Stefanucci. Amidst a significant housing shortage and soaring costs, the city faces mounting pressure to accelerate new construction, particularly for multi...

Get the insider's view on laneway homes from expert Sandro Stefanucci. Learn how they enable multigenerational living, create rental income, and increase property values. Hear Sandro's tips for working through tight spaces and collaborating with architects. His decades of experience building laneways in Vancouver shines through. You'll walk away ready to evaluate if a laneway suits you...

Join Sandro Stefanucci from Abstract Homes in another episode of "The Art of Making Home." In this discussion, Sandro and his guest Khang Nguyen Founder of Architrix Design Studio delve into the evolving Vancouver housing landscape, particularly the new multiplex regulations and their impact on housing options, pricing, and affordability. For more information about Abstract Homes, visit...

This episode of The Art of Making Home podcast is hosted by Sandro Stefanucci, a seasoned builder with over 37 years of experience. Join Sandro and his guest, Kathy Yuen, founder of Phase One Design, to discuss the crucial collaboration between architects and builders. Discover the power of early teamwork, transparent budget discussions, and a holistic design philosophy that transcends aesthetics....

In this episode of The Art of Making Home, Sandro welcomes Damon Steele, co-founder of Pilot Mortgage Group. As well as a homeowner with a heritage-status home in Vancouver. As they discuss his journey of building a laneway and planning a complete renovation, they emphasize the importance of having the right team on board. Damon shares how having a knowledgeable builder early on could have saved h...

In another episode of "The Art of Making Home," your host Sandro Stefanucci discusses the importance of hiring a builder that specializes in renovations. As an experienced contractor, Sandro shares his knowledge on why entrusting your renovation projects to experts in the field is essential. Listen in to find out the key differences between renovations and new home construction, shedding...

In another episode of "The Art of Making Home," podcast host Sandro Stefanucci, owner of Abstract Homes, talks to Khang Q. Nguyen, Principal and founder of Architrix,  about the new single-family zoning regulations in Vancouver, BC. Khang shares his knowledge of the changes these regulations will bring to the housing market. Sandro and Khang discuss these new rules, which aim to increase...

It’s essential to ensure you understand who you are hiring as your project manager when it comes to building your brand new house or if they are leading a major renovation of your home. The person you pick must be able to conduct your project like a conductor of an orchestra, making sure all the moving parts are running smoothly, and your task is running on the proper timeline and within budget. ...

In the Art of Making Home podcast episode, Sandro Stefanucci interviews Matt from Precision Gas & Mechanical Inc. to discuss heating and cooling rebates in Canada, specifically Britsh, Columbia. Matt shares his expertise on the various rebates and incentives for homeowners to invest in energy-efficient heating and cooling systems. He provides insights on how to qualify for these rebates, find...

As homeowners, we always think of ways to renovate our homes. But we want to make sure these ideas make sense for our lifestyle and ultimately add value to our house when we sell. We also see all the pretty pictures on Pinterest and want our homes to look like that. But sometimes the ideas are not practical for our lifestyle or won’t give our home added value when we sell. Find out from Sandro in...

Construction Tips for 2023 Learn what you need to mark off your checklist if you want to build and renovate your home in 2023.  In this episode, Sandro discusses the steps you will want to prepare for in the New Year to start your new home build or renovation.  He discusses; Finding and purchasing the lot. Researching the type of house you want. Researching and hiring the building dream...

What are the differences and similarities between Net Zero and Passive house? Also, why is it essential to build these homes to these standards? Sandro Stefanuci, with many years of experience in the building industry, breaks down the characteristics of the homes we have kept hearing about in the last few years. He also discusses the misconception about these homes and how they are an excellent al...

What is an energy retrofit? In this episode of The Art Of Making Home, Sandro discusses the energy upgrades that are out there for new homes and renovations to help the building industry reduce its impact on climate change. Did you know that  12% of BC emissions are from buildings? That's a significant number, so it's time to change the way of thinking regarding renovating or building a new h...

How do an architect and contractor work together? When building a home, we need both experts to bring the project to fruition. But let's discover why their relationship is essential. In this Art Of Making Home episode, Sandro invites Architect Hitesh Neb Arch. Sci, Co-founder/Partner WNDR Architecture + Design Inc, to have a deep discussion about how both parties work to take the architectural pla...

The biggest question that people ask a builder is how much a home costs to build or renovate. There is no magic number, and prices of building materials fluctuate. So you have to make sure you hire a professional contractor that knows the market you are building in and communicates with you honestly about how much your home will cost. In this episode, Sandro Stefanucci discusses the Altus Group Ca...

When hiring a contractor for your new build or renovation project, do you know what to look for? Do you know what questions you should be asking in the interview process to ensure you are hiring the right person for the job? Listen to the latest episode of the Art of Making Home with Sandro Stefanucci, where he will discuss how you can find the right construction company for your project. 

When you buy a piece of land or build on your existing property, do you think of the logistics? Depending on your property, there could be different challenges you will face to build your dream home. In this episode of the Art Of Making Home, Sandro opens up about how you can spot the challenges before buying a piece of property or building on your existing property. 

Why do you need a construction permit when building or renovating your home or condo suite. Follow Sandro Stefanucci, who has been a builder for over 37 years in Vancouver and would love to share his knowledge on this vital topic of permits. Before you start building or renovating your home, there is so much to consider, like knowing what the city your building in requires you to begin your projec...

The Art of Making Home podcast is an in-depth look at the home building industry through the contractor's perspective on interacting with the industry's different experts: interior designers, architects, and sub-trades. It defines the builder's relationship with these individuals and how this affects the building or renovation process. This podcast is for people who want to get into construction,...