Monday 14 October 2013

Another review for Design Spec Building group Ltd

November 2011

Dear Nick:

Please accept our apologies for taking so long to write you this well-deserved note of thanks. We wanted you to know that we absolutely love how our basement turned out. We have been enjoying the space immensely since it was finished. Our friends and family who have seen it have all been thoroughly impressed, particularly with the finishes and especially with the layout.

We owe a big “Thank you” to you and your crew. You and your guys were a pleasure to work with. Nick, we appreciated your thoroughness, your integrity, your patience, and how you kept us informed at every stage of the renovation, and that you kept it within budget and on time.

Your staff and all the different trades people that came to work on the project were all very professional, courteous, punctual, accommodating and neat.

We look forward to working with you again in the near future. If you ever need a referral, please don’t hesitate to use our name

We know we made the right decision choosing Design-Spec – the final result is a space we are very proud of – done to code, that shows great workmanship and that we will enjoy for a lifetime.

Thank you.

Lou and Joanne

Friday 11 October 2013

Design Spec Building Group Ltd In the Toronto Sun:

Consider energy efficient home improvements

EDITOR: MARIKA ASIKAINEN

FIRST POSTED: THURSDAY, JULY 04, 2013 03:55 PM EDT | UPDATED: FRIDAY, AUGUST 02, 2013 02:45 PM EDT

Whether you are well into your renovation, or about to start in short order, you should give some thought to incorporating energy efficient design and products for any upgrade or home improvement project.

Homeowners are often concerned with the overall architectural and structural plans. But focusing entirely on aesthetics doesn't lend enough thought towards energy efficiency.

EiEiHome spoke to Nick Malfara, President of Design-Spec Building Group Ltd., to learn about energy efficiency when it comes to choosing designs and products. He shared a few ideas that will positively affect the general comfort of your space and save costs when it comes to heating, cooling and operating your household.

"Whatever you are considering and regardless of the scale, it pays to incorporate energy efficient design and products into your project," Nick explained. "You'll not only save money, but will get added satisfaction knowing that you're doing your part to have a positive impact on the environment, while reducing your carbon footprint."

In a general sense, upgrading your insulation can result in huge cost savings for the homeowner. Changing an area that has conventional batten insulation can be a wise choice. If you look at the cost to operate your home using spray foam insulation versus conventional batten, you'll discover that spray foam can significantly reduce the costs associated with heating and cooling your space.

As an example, a 1600 sq.ft two storey home can cost approximately $150 per month to heat in the winter and the same to cool in the summer. "Savings can translate into as much as $75 per month and over one year that can save a homeowner almost $1000 annually," Nick said. "And it's likely to save you more in the future, given rising fuel and electricity costs."

Here's a few more ways to incorporate energy efficiency into your home:

· Consider using a shading systems or extending your roof overhangs on southern exposures to reduce solar gain in the summer when the sunlight is at its maximum.

· Reuse interior doors, trim and hardware to lessen the amount being sent to landfills.

· Donate your reusable materials to somewhere like Habitat for Humanity or other charitable entities.

· Use low or zero volatile organic compounds (VOC) paints.

· Select materials from sustainable sources like bamboo and other natural products.

· Install a programmable thermostat, like the NEST thermostat to automate on and off times.

You'll find many more ideas for creating an energy efficient space at EiEiHome.com along with home improvement and renovation experts who can help you get the job done right.

Review for Design Spec Building Group Ltd.

Attention: Nick Malfara, President Re: A Construction Project Well Done

Dear Nick:

As you know Esther has always wanted a bigger and better kitchen. The journey became serious when we applied for a building permit in August 2006, having hired our own architect and structural engineer. In early 2007, we made our first contact with you. On July 6, 2007 the excavation started.
To your credit Nick, you early spotted an engineering mistake, had we continued with our original drawings, the whole project would have been a disaster. You persisted and a new engineer was hired and then back to the Building Department. The new specifications were approved and the project was saved, thanks again Nick.

We experienced a flow of different trades, they were all excellent. The bricklayers did a great job in coming very close to the original 1931 appearance, their work is virtually seamless. You wisely preserved old bricks from the house and selected the required new ones. The roofers, too, blended well the new with the old.

During this time we worked closely with Nick, a co-owner of City Kitchens Inc. of Concord. He was incredible and amazingly patient with us, first time buyers. The end result is that we have very elegant cabinets, properly arranged, that resemble fine furniture and that function well. In fact, he changed the kitchen layout for far better flow, over the original design drawings.

Some will remember, that because of the sub-prime mortgage fiasco in the USA, the financial markets this summer went through tremendous volatility, on our closing day, the markets in Toronto and New York, the Canadian dollar vs. the US dollar, oil and gold all reach nearly historic highs. Yes we had our own ups and downs, but the project ended on a high, high quality, our expectations met and exceeded.

Simply put, we would recommend you Nick to others, you are honourable, have a good sense of humour, understand common sense and you make sure the job is done well. Thanks.

Sincerely,

CLIENT "E"

Toronto

Thursday 10 October 2013

Design-Spec Building Group FALL 2013 Homeowners list for fall:

No one really likes talking about winter when the sun is keeping temperatures in the mid-teens, but making improvements to areas requiring attention is always easier in slightly warmer weather. Now is the time to ensure your house is well sealed and weatherproofed for the coming harsh winter.

Here’s a homeowners’ checklist to make sure you’re ready to endure the change of seasons:

1. As you prepare to turn off your air conditioner, remove any leaves and other debris from the top of the unit. Protect the unit with a cover available at most big box retail stores.

2. Check the caulking around the pipe that travels between your air conditioner and furnace where it enters your house. If it’s missing, or intact but brittle, strip it and replace with new caulking.

3. Examine the caulking around your windows and doors. If it’s separated from the window or adjacent brick, stucco or siding, you’ll want to have it removed and replaced.

4. Review the exterior cladding and look for any areas of staining. This may be an indicator of moisture or in some cases dry rotting can occur if products are not installed properly.

5. Inspect your attic to ensure that your soffits are cleared and that air is moving freely through the soffits and out through roof vents. Adequate cycling of the air will prevent mold growth or dry rotting when there is no air movement. A properly vented attic space can also help minimize ice damming.

6. Look at your windows and doors and ensure that they close tightly. Where they do not, consider adding an additional weather stripping. This will reduce the amount of heat lost through gaps etc.

7. Check all venting and exhausts from your bathrooms, furnace and hot water tank. You’ll want to ensure that the pipes are clear with no obstructions. Louvers for exhaust fans should be operational and not binding. Rodents, birds or other debris that can clog the exhaust may be very costly to remove.

8. Close all water lines for exterior hoses completely from the interior of your home. Drain and disconnect the hose attached to the outside. Where you shut off the water, ensure you partially loosen the little brass screw to allow residual water to drain out.

9. If you have sprinklers, clear the lines to avoid pipe ruptures over the winter. Use a compressor, call Design-Spec Building Group Ltd., or find a service professional at EiEiHome to get the job done right.

Special to EiEiHome by Nick Malfara, President, Design-Spec Building Group Ltd.

Monday 23 September 2013

Design-Spec Buildign Group Ltd Review:

Customer Reference

Pat and Letizia S.

Woodbridge, Ontario

Design Spec Building Group Ltd. provided general contracting services to us in January 2009. We spent approximately 6 months working closely together building our dream home. Nick Malfara – General Contractor for this project provided us the level of professionalism, project management and experience required to transform our 25+ year old home into a modern show piece that is both functional and comfortable for our growing family.

This project had a number of moving parts that required the organizational skills and tenacity of an excellent project manager. We were thoroughly impressed with Nick’s planning and communication skills. It is difficult to find contractors with the right project management and client relationship skills. Nick was the perfect combination of both. He provided detailed plans, communicated them effectively with us and did a fantastic job executing.

The level of service Design Spec provided us was outstanding. We were very pleased to have Nick and his team manage our home renovation and would recommend Design Spec to others interested in building their dream homes.

Thank you to Nick and his team for their commitment to excellence in home renovation and customer satisfaction.

Pat and Letizia

Benefits of using “The Nest”: By Design Spec Building Group Ltd

TIPS OF THE TRADE:

We have been using this product with some of our clients and want to spread the word on how home automation is changing.

Most people leave the house at one temperature and forget to change it. So Nest learns your schedule, programs itself and can be controlled from your phone. Teach it well and Nest can lower your heating and cooling bills up to 20%.

(via Nest)

Want more tips?

Follow these helpful links below:

Design-Spec Building Group Ltd.