Measure Twice, Cut Once

You will find “Measure Twice, Cut Once” podcasts on iTunes , Spotify and Google podcasts. Co-hosts Mike and Jennifer-Lee chat with Joe Geluch looking at infill housing solutions featuring a Passivhaus+ duplex project with two lock-off suites, built on a single-family lot as a solution to addressing Vancouver’s Missing Middle housing. ‘We had the opportunity to present this project at the Internati...

You will find “Measure Twice, Cut Once” podcasts on iTunes , Spotify and Google podcasts. Jake Fry talks with co-hosts Jennifer-Lee and Mike about the concept of attainable housing for the missing middle and building thriving modern-day communities. ‘Our experience reflects that of the 370+ small homes we've built, easily over 85% have been for multi-generational living, and I think that's the big...

Co-hosts Mike and Jennifer-Lee chat with Chris Hill about the Building Offsite Sustainable System (BOSS) an open-source factory-built wall system designed to build higher Energy Step Code level homes, including passive homes. Developed by BCollective, the concept is simple; by creating BOSS as an open-source system, knowledge will transfer quicker to help advance the learning curve to lower buildi...

What is an iceberg home? Unassuming at first glance, iceberg homes are designed and built with the majority of living space underground. Father and son duo, John and Jeff Gunson, share their experiences and process of building homes with multiple underground floors. ‘The concept was created in London. The houses are too small for the value of what these people have paid for them, and you can't cha...

You will find ‘Measure Twice, Cut Once’ podcasts on iTunes , Spotify and Google podcasts. What is a high-performance home and what does it mean for you and your family? Understanding the different industry accreditations, keeping up with building trends, and knowing what type of high-performance home is right for you can be overwhelming. ‘When people are looking to build a home for their family to...

You will find “Measure Twice, Cut Once” podcasts on iTunes , Spotify and Google podcasts. On this edition of ‘Measure Twice, Cut Once’, now that the project is complete and the Burdens have moved back upstairs, they realize the basement has been trashed.  Are they ready emotionally and financially to tackle another renovation in the basement? Tune in with host Jennifer-Lee Gunson and special guest...

Whether building, renovating, or designing, success is all in the details. Join host Jennifer-Lee of Measure Twice, Cut Once as she catches up with the Burdens who take their final walkthrough with Cara from Triple Dot Design, and Alex from Level One Construction. ‘We walked through with Alex and compiled a list of everything that we had noticed together, but then Level One had the great recommend...

Planning on paper does not always translate into the real world. Tune in for design and building solutions as the project comes to life, including a major hiccup as the existing floor is removed and the basement is unexpectedly exposed. Join host Jennifer-Lee of ‘Measure Twice, Cut Once’ as she catches up with the Burdens, who are living in the basement through their heritage building renovation....

On this edition of 'Measure Twice, Cut Once', emotions are waning and the dishes are piling up in the basement. Getting to the rough-in stage and past permitting has taken some muscle and perseverance. Do the Burdens have what it takes to see this through? Join host Jennifer-Lee Gunson as she catches up with the Burdens, who are living in the basement through their heritage B renovation.  "The hom...

Finishing ahead of the two-week schedule, both good and concerning issues impacting the budget came up, including a hiccup on day one. Host Jennifer-Lee Gunson of 'Measure Twice, Cut Once' rides the reno wave of emotions with Skyla and Justin Burden as they make financial and design decisions after the walls are opened.  "On this project we’re working with a fixed budget and fixed scope of work,"...

In the latest episode of 'Measure Twice, Cut Once' things are getting real as the Burden Family realizes their Pinterest dreams might not all come true after bringing together the designer, builder and required engineers in the project planning stage. Host Jennifer-Lee Gunson explores the realities and sometimes tough choices that had to be made to realize their dream, within budget. "Having the B...

Host Jennifer-Lee Gunson invites you to “Meet the Burdens”,  as the “Measure Twice, Cut Once”, podcast produced by the Homebuilders Association of Vancouver (HAVAN) follows the Burden Family of B.C. as they renovate their home. “This is not a make-over like you might see on reality TV; we’re talking real life; a real renovation. Looking to live in the basement with two young children while the upp...

Connecting the outdoors to your indoor living space has natural health benefits for your family. Victor from Huckleberry Landscape Design shares strategies to create the best outdoor living space including plant selection to temper outdoor heat islands, and improve your indoor space too! Join co-hosts Mike and Jennifer-Lee of Measure Twice, Cut Once as they get inspiration to  help you build the b...

Realistic reno budgets, and creative design solutions are two topics close to the hearts of  Laura Grist Interior Design and Dan Klassen of Jedan Brothers Contracting as they work with homeowners to re-invent livable spaces.  Listen in as co-hosts Mike and Jennifer-Lee of Measure Twice, Cut Once explore partial home renovations, room by room. Thank you to sponsor: FortisBC https://havan.ca/measure...

With an eye for design and a passion for globetrotting, Aleem Kassam, co-owner of Kalu Interiors walks us straight through his closet, and into the bathroom bursting with ideas to create a wellness retreat to rival any 5-star hotel! Listen in as co-hosts Mike and Jennifer-Lee of Measure Twice, Cut Once  hear about the latest bathroom design trends to improve our lifestyles. Thank you to sponsor: F...

Award-winning master builder, and owner of Clay Construction , Larry Clay,  and Luke Dolan, energy advisor of Capital Home Energy explore the choices we can make to improve the air quality in our homes for healthier living environments.  Listen in as co-hosts Mike and Jennifer-Lee of Measure Twice, Cut Once learn about working with an energy advisor to build our best homes. Thank you to sponsor: F...

Taking a nod from commercial chefs, award-winning designer Katerina Vastardis, co-owner of Designs by KS , and award-winning builder, Niky Furtado of Furtado Contracting , explore how smart kitchen design can impact efficiencies and the wellness of your family too.  Listen in as co-hosts Mike and Jennifer-Lee of Measure Twice, Cut Once learn about kitchen layout, planning and organization to maxim...

Renovating with purpose and lifestyle in mind creates interesting challenges when looking to build above code. Sharing a great character home renovation project, award-winning builder/renovator Henri Belisle, president of TQ Construction , and homeowner Dr. Janet Simons share their strategies to reach higher-performance levels without losing the livability of her forever home. Listen in as co-host...

Packed with information and ideas to begin understanding the impact of award-winning design and building techniques, be sure to check out Design Build Trends and discover how designing with purpose and building above code can enhance the livability of your home. Award-winning industry leaders Joe Geluch of Naikoon Contracting , and Khang Nguyen of Architrix Design Studio believe in designing with...

Packed with bright ideas, Jordanna Nelson of BA Robinson shares insight on how the light in our home can impact our moods. Layers and dimmers are just some of the tips to help improve the atmosphere and how we feel and function in the home. Listen in as co-hosts Mike and Jennifer-Lee of Measure Twice, Cut Once get switched on to easy tips for improving the living environment in your home. Thank yo...

What makes a home healthy, and why should we care? Brett Stenner, owner of CI Partners , and certified Well AP walks through three key elements: water, air, and light. Listen in as Mike and Jennifer-Lee of Measure Twice, Cut Once learn about building solutions for the spaces where we live and now work, to improve our quality of living. Thank you to sponsor: FortisBC https://havan.ca/measuretwicecu...

Bobby Purba of By Design Construction and Alisa Aragon-Lloyd of Bridgestone Financing Pros understand the power of building your team when you are looking to buy real estate in Metro Vancouver to build or renovate. Listen in as Mike and Jennifer-Lee of Measure Twice, Cut Once learn about the importance of having good people on your team, to leverage your property and make it work for you to maximi...

 How much is my house going to cost me is the most common question asked of builders. Shira of DOS Design Group and Damian of Newcombe Wood Concepts and Construction suggest working from the top down. Establish your budget, then talk to your designer and builder to help determine your project to define your cost per square foot.  Measure Twice, Cut Once co-hosts Jennifer-Lee and Mike tackle how to...

Jamie Banfield Design and Babak from Condoworks Design Renovations understand the power of good design when looking to renovate cookie-cutter condo floor plans. Knowing what to look for in a building will help you locate and renovate the home right for you. Join Jennifer-Lee and Mike on Measure Twice, Cut Once as they explore the possibilities of condo renovations. Condo living has never felt so g...

 Doubling down on a housing type not readily allowed in all Metro Vancouver municipalities has Kiff Mowat of Davenport Homes and his brother Cam seeing double. These brothers know first-hand how a duplex can provide an affordable approach to living in a ground-oriented home. Listen in as Jennifer-Lee and Mike from Measure Twice, Cut Once learn about the brothers’ journey from living in condos, to...