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

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.

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)

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Design-Spec Building Group Ltd.

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Design Spec Building Group Ltd

Toronto Line: +1 (416) 663-2228
Tel:  +1 (905) 760-2225
Fax: +1 (905) 760-2226
E-mail: info@designspecgroup.com

37-400 Creditstone Road
Concord, Ontario
L4K 3Z3
Canada

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Teach your kids how to garden.

Why not teach your kids to start gardening with their own little plot of land. See what they can come up with. Their creativity and excitement will be sure to surprise you!

(via unhappyhipsters)

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Design ideas, concepts and reviews:

The ultimate hanging lounger, making your outdoor space feel like beach resort.

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Design Spec Building Group Ltd

400 Creditstone Road, Unit #37
Concord, Ontario L4K 3Z3
E-mail: info@designspecgroup.com
T: 416-663-2228

Fun concepts by Design Spec Building Group Ltd

These boxes work on a patented magnetic fixing system, so basically it sticks on the wall without doing to much of an effort. The beauty of it is that it confers you freedom and the only tool you have to use is your creative mind. In the blink of an eye you reinvent your old, dusty place. Sharp, edgy and contemporary, the Magnetic Spirit is the exact type of broad element of décor design that will embellish your home instantly. Extremely practical, you can use Magnetic Spirit as shelf for books or cassettes. In fact, there are no boundaries: you can put whatever you feel like -small objects of art, your favourite mug or event photos. Find your own story and arrange Magnetic Spirit according to…your mood swings. Here’s a video that explains what exactly Magnetic Spirit is and how does it work:

(via Freshome)

Tips for finding the right contractor: Value-added tips by Design Spec Building Group

Be Prepared

When meeting your new potential contractor, try and have a clear and well thought out vision for your project. Knowing what you want will keep everyone focused and will help you avoid project changes, increases in your timelines, and of course, increases in your budget.

Research what your contractor offers

Some firms can offer both construction and design.  Using a combination contractor allows you to save time, gain more accurate cost projections and perhaps most importantly, reduce the risk of miscommunication between designer and contractor. Of course, keep in mind that many basic jobs (i.e. new windows, building a deck, interior renovations) will often not require a designer.

Talk to different contractors

Be sure to ask the right questions.  Ask about pricing, verify contact information, read reviews online, ask for pictures of previous projects, and do not be afraid to ask specific questions about process and product.

Don’t just think about price

Sometimes the cheapest contractor may not be the best one for you.  Be sure to take all aspects of the project into consideration.  Be sure the contractor has a proper project management team to run your projects and is realistic with timelines and ensures quality work.  Sometimes choosing the lowest bid can lead to a low-quality job.  Because a cheaper contractor may underestimate workload, have a less smooth working process, or have poorer workmanship, in the long run you may end up paying more.  If you notice a very large difference in cost between bids, make sure to ask the more expensive contractor what you are gaining from working with them.

Carefully read the contract

When signing off on your final agreement to work with this contractor, make sure your contract includes the following:

• A precise break down of all materials and labour costs
• Clear financial terms including price, payments and fees
• Written warranties either in the contract or in a separate document
• Local code restrictions

Be sure you never sign the contract unless you understand everything in it.  If you do not understand all the terms have a third party you trust go over the contract with you before signing

Design-Spec Building Group

Concrete Concepts: With Design Spec Building Group Ltd

Having your home decorated with the same old hardware isn’t going to let you stand out, and certainly won’t turn many heads at your next dinner party. One quick fix to your home’s routine knob are KAST Concrete’s new concrete drawer and cabinet knobs. Made in Alabama, these concrete knobs are top quality and have excellent design and feel for any decor. Whether you are renovating a kitchen or just want a fresh look on an old desk, these knobs will give you the subtle ‘pop’ that you desire.

KAST Concrete Decor is a brand dedicated to innovative concrete products for the everyday modern home. Newly founded in September 2012, Kast is just beginning to get things rolling with our line of concrete drawer/cabinet knobs. Within the next two weeks, Kast will be releasing new products for the home. As well as a selection of vibrant new colors to choose from.

Kast’s concrete knobs are hand-crafted using minimal energy or resources. The combination of Kast’s practices provides consumers with an entirely unique, green alternative.

(via plusMOOD)

More Ideas from Design Spec Building Group Ltd