It never fails to happen when the weather gets cold here in Saskatoon. It usually takes a few days and then my phone starts to ring or the emails start to come in from our customers with the same issue...'my doorknob is stuck and I can't turn it'. Just this week I had such a call. The problem was even better for them as they couldn't even insert their key to unlock the door. So I thought it would be a great idea to share with everyone just why this happens.

The problem revolves around our climate...which ones don't you ask...but let's stay on topic here! The issue comes from the fact that the interior of our homes require heating in the winter in order for us to survive comfortably. However, when the inside of the house is heated we also experience higher levels of humidity on the interior by virtue of the fact that warm air can hold more moisture than cold air. Because of this phenomenon...and I must say that we have varying degrees of moisture in the air we have in our homes for various reasons...whenever that warm moist air comes into contact with a cold surface, condensation will take place. Think of a cold glass of water on the counter that gets wet with condensation on the outside. But it doesn't stop here! Now if we make an object...like a doorknob...really, really cold by dropping the temperature outside we will go to the next level and actually have ice forming instead of just water condensation. Then...you guessed it...the object will/can actually freeze up and make using it almost impossible. As I jokingly told our customer this week...I can fix it but that would mean I would have to change the weather. Of course it was even worse for them because their door faces the northwest and now the wind aggravates it even more.

The only thought I have on a solution is to try spraying lock De-ice into the lock from time to time. That's what we do with our vehicles and it may also be a fix for our homes. *Don't use WD-40 as it will degrease the mechanism inside and create another problem for you.

Maybe next time we'll talk about why you have frost form in the corners of your unfinished concrete basements...maybe.

ps
Keep an eye on Norm Fisher's listings. We'll be listing a 1261 sqft bi-level in Willowgrove with him soon and you won't want to miss it! You can veiw all his listings at http://www.teamfisher.com/.

Yes that's right...a sign. Of course you do, you might say, after all you've got signs on all your lots and we even see your billboards from time to time. Ah,but those aren't the signs I'm talking about. No, I'm talking about the neon sign that I apparently have stuck to my forehead that says 'hey, I want to talk to you'. Yes that sign. I don't ever remember putting it on in the mornings before I leave home, and I don't recall plugging it in so anyone driving by on the street won't miss it, and I don't remember advertising it on national television...but I must have done all the above. Why you ask? It's simple...that's the only explanation I can think of to explain all the interruptions I get during the day. Sorry, I should clarify what kind of days I'm talking about. It's usually on the days when I really need/want to get something done. And it's usually when I'm on a roof, in an attic, lifting a beam into place, standing a wall (yes I've been framing a bit lately) or trying to do a walk through with an excited customer before they move into their new Liberty home. I know what you're all thinking...just don't answer your phone then. That would be a great idea. Wish I would have thought of that! I also wish it were that easy. You see, I don't just have people call me on the phone. I have them walk right up to me because at that moment the sign must have changed to 'please interrupt my lunch right now and tell me all the reasons why I should be buying my insurance from you'! That's one of my personal favourites! Another is when I'm preoccupied with doing something I thought was sort of important on a job site, only to turn around and find myself face to face with someone (that I've never met before) who really doesn't have any weighty matters of national importance to discuss, but rather they just noticed me over there, and thought they should come by and perhaps with my help, solve a few of the smaller issues that mankind deals with. I'm a fairly social kind of a guy...you have to be if you're going to work with people...but there are times when I wish the neon bulbs weren't working so well.

I could go on and on and on...but I won't. Suffice to say. I must have a sign...

Tune in next time when you'll hear me say, 'Sorry I'm in the shower and I can't talk right now'!

ps

Check our our new listing with Norm Fisher at http://www.1443willowgrove.com/

So I heard an interesting story today about a furnace going missing from a house. That's right...I said a furnace. Apparently a couple of weeks ago another builder in the city had one stolen from one of their homes the night before it was to be installed. The issue of theft is one that builders and trades are forced to think about every time they leave a job site. The question always asked by trades is 'do you think my tools are safe in here'? The question asked by builders is 'will these materials be here in the morning'? We've had many things go missing from job sites which range in value from just a few dollars to several hundred and each time it's happened the first thought that comes into your mind is always the same...I wish I had been there. Now, the scenario that plays through your mind always brings you great satisfaction, and usually begins with you confronting the thief, and ends with him having been convinced that he never wants to do that again...due to the unpleasant experience he's just gone through. However, that scenario...much to your dismay...never comes to pass. I think that the scum who steal tools and building supplies need to be introduced to some of the people they have stolen from. The victims of their crimes are hard working individuals who are just trying to put food on their kids' plates, and every piece of equipment or 2x4 stud or railing spindle they steal is a greater loss than just the value of that item.

The stories of theft that I could tell are too many to put into this blog entry so I won't even attempt it. I'll just leave it at this...and I only wish we had thieves reading this. Someday you're going to hear of a scumbag stealing from a framer or drywaller or finishing carpenter or builder, and the owner was there...and now they never want to steal again.

PS
Hats off to Saskatoon's finest who are doing their best with all their patrols in our new residential areas. They're making a difference and we in the construction industry appreciate it. Keep up the good work.


Your Saskatoon Home Builder

I know...where have we been right? Well after some time off it's back to work. And all of you thought that builders just worked all the time!

Let's talk about some thing good today! Have you noticed the exceptional activity we've been seeing in the residential market here in Saskatoon. In case you haven't, the numbers on the MLS listings are dropping, and that's good news if you're in the market as a seller. At the same time with the inventory we still have it's also good news if you're a buyer as you still have some choice out there. I met with an individual today about building a house and to be honest, if I were thinking about building or buying I would be getting serious right about now. I don't think that we're going to see any more big reductions in prices, interest rates are great, there's still lots to choose from, many trades have started to come back to earth, and we're seeing projections for increased growth. Is it going to get any better than this? If it does, I can't see it making much difference if any at all. Of course, I could be wrong. But then again I may be right.

If you're looking for some great up to date info on the Saskatoon real estate market check out our realtor Norm Fisher's blog at http://www.teamfisher.com/. If you're looking for a realtor to list your house with, or to help you find that home you've been dreaming of, make sure you talk to him.


Your Saskatoon Home Builder

Who would have thought? Did you know that housing starts in Saskatoon are down arround 88% for the year? That would mean that those construction trades that work in the residential construction industry would likely be dropping their rates...right? Well, not all of them! It amazes me how many trades call us every week looking for work because they're either out of work or just about out of work. It's also amazing when a trade tells you that their rates have come down but just a few short weeks later when you have something for them there's suddenly an increase rather than a decrease just because they have 'three houses lined up', and 'boy it's busy'. This is one of the most frustrating things that happens to a home builder. For the most part the people/companies we have working for us are great people. They have worked with us in keeping our costs within reason and for that we are grateful. Having said that, we do however experience the opposite from time to time as well, which simply results in our finding new people to work with who understand the following concept: "When the tide comes in, all the boats in the harbour rise. When the tide goes out, all the boats in the harbour go down." If you don't think that applies to you then you're going to find yourself without a boat or a harbour to put it in.


Thanks to everyone for following along with us!

Keep your stick on the ice!

So what really goes on in a typical day for a home builder you ask? Well, as for the past several days this home builder has been framing a house. Yes there are times when we strap on the tools and go to work. If you've never had an appreciation for those in the trades it's likely because you've never walked in their shoes. Even if it's not something you aspire to do I would recommend that sometime you stop your car when you're driving by that house that's being framed...on the way to look at that Liberty Home you've been wanting to make yours...and take a few minutes to watch the men working. It won't take long for you to appreciate all the work that goes into building a home...especially a Liberty Home!

Until next time...

Hello to everyone who continually logs into our website from wherever you may be! Whether you're from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, or regions beyond, thanks for logging in.


It's been on our minds for a while now to begin communicating with those of you who log onto our website...www.libertybuilthomes.com...in search of your new home purchase here in Saskatoon. We would also like to give the world at large some insights into the world of home building. There will likely be issues, stories, helpful hints, and perhaps even some 'Home Builder Rants' that you will read about here in the days ahead. You may even have some questions regarding home building or some aspect of residential construction that you'll get answered as you follow along.


Building homes is something that I find people always seem to be interested in whenever they meet someone who does it as an occupation. I think it's generally because people often talk about 'home builders', but don't actually know one personally. We often meet people, who upon discovering that we build homes in Saskatoon and area, will then turn the conversation to what a home builder does. Usually the first question that comes up is...and we just had this happen again today..."do you do the work yourselves", which is often followed by "what's a typical day like for you"? Well, to be honest, those are questions that can have some very long answers which I'm sure you'll begin to piece together as we go along.


On the topic of 'Home Builder Rants' we are going to do our best to keep it somewhat professional. There are many times a month when we just have something to say about home building in general, and I think you'll find what we have to say interesting to say the least.


So thanks for tuning in!

Your Saskatoon Home Builder