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Amsted Blog

Learn more about Amsted by reading our latest news or watching our informative videos. If you’d like Amsted’s latest projects and special announcements delivered directly to your inbox, simply sign up for our quarterly newsletter at the bottom of this page.

Your Guide to a Successful Renovation – FREE Seminar

April 10, 2023

Learn all you need to know to comfortably plan your next successful renovation. It has been our pleasure to transform Ottawa homes for the past 34 years. And now we’re proudly serving all the way to Brockville and everywhere in between. If you’re planning an upcoming renovation, let us help you overcome the unknown and plan for…

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Steve Barkhouse Talks Lighting on CTV News

Steve Barkhouse talks lighting on CTV News

March 24, 2023

From flooring to paint to cabinetry, the choices can feel endless when designing your renovated space, and it can be easy to overlook the importance of some choices over the more obvious larger decisions. Take lighting, for example. Lighting can sometimes fall through the cracks when you are considering your design, but poor lighting choices…

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Ice Ice Baby – Steve Barkhouse talks Ice Damming

March 4, 2023

Ice damming is something we get questions on year after year. Heavy snowfalls, particularly coupled with fluctuating temperatures, can cause serious problems for your roof. Left untreated, ice dams can damage your roof, gutters, paint, insulation, drywall, structure and even contribute to mold! In his latest appearance on CTV News at Noon with Leanne Cusack,…

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Design-Build in Brockville

February 15, 2023

If you’re planning a home renovation project, chances are you’ve come across the term “Design-Build”. But you may be wondering – what does a Design-Build company do and how is it different from a contractor or typical renovator in the Ottawa and Brockville areas? What is Design-Build anyway? As the name implies, Design-Build companies handle…

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How to Avoid Renovations Gone Wrong

February 10, 2023

Recently, a local Ottawa Renovation Company went bankrupt leaving many homeowners with unfinished projects. When renovations go wrong, the impact on homeowners is more than monetary.  It can feel deeply personal.  After all, our homes are one of the most personal possessions we have.  We guard them and those who live within our walls with…

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Custom Home Exterior

11 Reasons Why a Custom Home is Worth it

January 6, 2023

Building your dream home can be thrilling. A professional Custom Home Builder, can help you create a home you’ll never want to leave – one that brings a sense of peace and joy into your everyday.  Given the challenges of purchasing a pre-owned home it’s no wonder that many folks are choosing, instead, to start…

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Subtle Pendant Lights by Amsted Design-Build

Lighting Fixtures – Top Tips from a Designer

December 14, 2022

Would it surprise you to learn that one of the toughest parts of a renovation is often the decision making? It’s easy to assume that choosing the details of your project is the “exciting” part of your renovation or custom home, but for many people, it’s easy to feel stressed by the volume of decisions…

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Amsted at Camp Smitty

Amsted Volunteers at Camp Smitty!

November 2, 2022

Our team had a blast volunteering at Camp Smitty again this year! After 17 years of donating our time and talents to help upkeep the camp, we continue to be inspired by this magical place that helps hundreds of kids each year be able to experience the life-changing opportunity that is summer camp. Never heard…

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Amsted Wins Big Awards in 2022!

October 17, 2022

Earlier this month, we excitedly shared that Amsted Design-Build was named one of Ottawa’s Top Ten Places to Work in 2022. And the announcements just keep coming! After an exciting night at the Ontario Home Builders’ Association Awards of Distinction, last month, we took home top prize for: – Best Renovation under $250,000 for this…

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FREE Renovation Seminar!

October 12, 2022

With over 30 years of experience, Amsted is well-known for creating successful renovation projects. We also want to share our knowledge on just how to go about thinking about a renovation. Planning is the key to success! So, we’re back with our popular seminar series, where you will gain valuable information about renovating that will…

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Amsted Voted One of Ottawa’s Top Ten Employers!

October 5, 2022

We are proud to announce that Amsted has been named one of Ottawa’s Top Ten Employers by the Ottawa Business Journal! This was our first year participating in the survey by The Ottawa Business Journal and we are so excited by the outcome. One of the reasons we are able to maintain a 96% satisfaction…

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Amsted is nominated for 10 GOHBA Awards

August 26, 2022

We’re proud to announce that Amsted is up for 10 Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA) Housing Design Awards! Eight of our projects have been named finalists AND we are a finalist for the coveted ‘Renovator of the Year’ and ‘Designer of the Year’ special awards. This is a testament to the power of our…

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Amsted on CTV: Using Paint to Update your Home

August 8, 2022

With Ottawa housing prices expected to grow by 13 percent this year, and historically low inventory of properties for sale, it’s no wonder that many are turning to home renovations as a way to enjoy the space they have now. Not everyone is in a position to do a major remodel of their home, but using…

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Brockville Launch Party

August 3, 2022

This June, Amsted Design-Build announced that the industry-leading team at Precision Contracting in Brockville had joined the Amsted Family. While most of the work was done behind the scenes to integrate Precision Contracting into our Amsted Design-Build brand and processes, our team came together to celebrate our expansion by throwing an official launch party on…

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Ceiling fan home renovation

Tips to Keep Your Cool this Summer

July 4, 2022

Hot and muggy, that’s the theme of our Ottawa Valley summers. If you’re like most homeowners, you probably have an air conditioning unit keeping your home cool, but skyrocketing your energy bill. In today’s energy-conscious world, this just doesn’t cut it. So, we’re sharing some tried-and-true ways you can reduce costs and be a little…

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Precision Contracting in Brockville is Joining the Amsted Design-Build Family

June 15, 2022

We are excited to announce that the industry-leading team at Precision Contracting in Brockville has joined the Amsted Family. By joining together, our expanded team of in-house designers, carpenters, and project managers can offer our services on an even broader scale to you, our valued clients.

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2022 Top Deck Trends For The Ultimate Outdoor Oasis

May 18, 2022

The outdoor deck became a huge hit in the 1980s when homeowners realized their yard could be an extension of their living space. Today the trend is more popular than ever, as the pandemic has motivated homeowners to create comfortable, safe places to gather. Staying on top of the latest outdoor living trends can help you build a composite deck that stands out. Let’s take a look at this year’s trend.

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GuildQuality’s 2022 Guildmaster Award Honours Amsted

May 3, 2022

Amsted of Ottawa, Ontario recognized among the top customer service leaders in the residential construction industry.

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5 Trends to Consider When Designing Your Dream Home This Spring

April 22, 2022

It’s difficult not to feel inspired and motivated when a fresh season rolls around, filled with so much promise and possibility. A new season presents a blank canvas for you to transform your dreams into plans, and there’s no time like Spring to plan the design of your custom dream home!

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CTV News- Renovation Realities

April 18, 2022

Everyone loves a good makeover, and the pandemic has led to an increase in home renovations over the past two years. Amsted Design-Build owner Steve Barkhouse gives us the inside scoop on the realities of renovating and the importance of planning, in this CTV News segment.

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Building a Custom Home: Elements To Consider That Will Surprise You

March 29, 2022

Have you ever wondered what goes into building a custom home? There is more than you might think. From architects, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and civil authorities — there are many moving parts. At Amsted, we take care of all of this so you can relax and see your vision come to life.

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Ultimate Guide To Living Through a Kitchen Renovation

March 16, 2022

Living at home during a kitchen renovation is an experience! As each day goes by, you see the material go from boards and boxes to the kitchen of your dreams. If you are gearing up for a kitchen renovation, and you want to know what to expect, read these five tips to prepare you for whatever comes your way!

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Reclaiming your Basement: 4 Ways to Update your Home’s Lower Level

February 26, 2022

Over the past two years, almost all of us have spent more time at home than ever before. For better or for worse, we have realized the impact our space can have on our lives, productivity, and happiness. Your house has gone beyond being a place you come home to at the end of the day.

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5 Tips Before Creating your Home Gym

February 11, 2022

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all realized how important some places are to us. Many of us have felt the impact of gym closures throughout the various lockdowns, and we have been forced to adapt. From Zoom workout classes to exercising while maintaining social-distancing outdoors, we have all shown our resilience during times of change.

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