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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.

Meet the Finalist: A Turtle-Y Awesome Basement Renovation

September 24, 2018

An unfinished lower level offered a perfect blank canvas to help a family create an awesome basement renovation that has everything on their wish list, including a space for their beloved turtles. There’s a movie theatre, home gym, hidden sewing station and plenty of room to relax — with clever ways to tuck things away…

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Here We Grow Again! Now Hiring a Lead Carpenter

September 24, 2018

Join Our Team! Amsted Design-Build is on the look-out for an experienced Lead Carpenter.

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Volunteering at Camp Smitty Is Our Annual Weekend Getaway!

September 20, 2018

At Amsted and Promus, giving back is a big part of what we do and one of the ways we do that is by volunteering at Camp Smitty every fall.

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Come Check Us Out on the 2018 Reno Tour

September 19, 2018

If you’re thinking about renovating, we want you to check us out, which you can do on the 2018 Reno Tour! The tour is an annual showcase of Ottawa renovation projects and trends now in its fourth year. The idea behind it is to give you an up-close and in-person look at completed projects by…

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Meet the Finalist: Main-Floor Makeover Nominated for Three Awards

September 17, 2018

It’s humbling to have one of our projects nominated for three awards — and to have them be at both the local and provincial level! Our recent Kanata renovation is a finalist in the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA) Housing Design Awards for Renovation $350,001 – $500,000 and has been named a finalist in…

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Meet the Finalist: Home Renovation Gets Double Nominations

September 10, 2018

As is often the case with our clients’ home renovation goals, this project was an example of reimagining a dated, choppy layout and finding ways to make the space more functional, all while respecting the home’s traditional charm. We’re thrilled that our efforts have earned two nominations in the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association Housing…

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Spacious home addition in Ottawa by Amsted, seamlessly blending with the original structure to create an expanded living area perfect for family gatherings

Meet the Finalist: Creating More Elbow Room for an Expanding Family

September 4, 2018

In the lead-up to both the Ontario Home Builders’ Association Awards of Distinction on Sept. 25 and the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association Housing Design Awards Oct. 20, we’re introducing you each week to our fabulous projects that have been nominated for awards. This week’s project is all about creating more elbow room.

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Wow! We’ve Been Nominated for 14 Local &Amp; Provincial Housing Awards

August 20, 2018

We’re thrilled to announce that 7 of our stunning projects have been nominated for local and provincial awards this year! Both the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association and the Ontario Home Builders’ Association released the lists of finalists for their respective housing awards programs last week and Amsted is up for a whopping 14 awards!

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bathroom renovation amsted design-build Ottawa renovations

Let Our Free E-book Guide You Through the Bathroom Renovation Process

August 13, 2018

If you’re thinking of a bathroom renovation but aren’t sure where to start, you need our Beautiful Bathrooms e-book. Not only will it guide you on ways to add some oomph to your bathroom, it will do it with your return on investment in mind.

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You Can Still Get a Rebate for Energy-Efficient Renovations

August 7, 2018

The Ontario government may have cancelled the Green Ontario Fund rebate program, but there is a way you can still save on energy-efficient renovations, at least until the end of the year.

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Take Our Mid-Construction Tour and Learn What’s Really “Behind the Drywall”!

August 6, 2018

Join us on Saturday, September 8th to take a tour of our (soon to be) newest “Living Room” Presentation Centre while it is under construction!  

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In the Citizen: From Ordinary to Extraordinary With Main-Floor Makeover

July 30, 2018

Our award-winning Barrhaven main-floor makeover got some welcome attention in a recent Ottawa Citizen story. The project, which transformed a modest suburban home into a bright, modern and welcoming space, won its category of home renovation under $150,000 at the Canadian Home Builders’ Association’s National Housing Awards for Excellence.

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ATV Episode 15: The Value of a Dedicated Service Department

July 23, 2018

At Amsted, having a dedicated service department means we are there to provide you with superior service beyond your renovation. In this final episode of our ATV series, President Steve Barkhouse explains the benefits of that dedicated service department.

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home automation renovations smart home Amsted Design-Build

Marty’s Tips: Is Home Automation on Your Horizon? Here’s What to Consider

July 16, 2018

It used to be that home automation meant something as simple as a garage door opener or setting a timer on your lights. But technology has come a long way and we can now have “smart homes” that are interconnected, can be controlled from far away and that create efficiencies that save you time, money…

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ATV Episode 14: What Does It Mean to Have an In-House Design Team?

July 9, 2018

Why is having an in-house design team valuable? In the latest episode of ATV, Amsted President Steve Barkhouse shares the answer.

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What’s Your Kitchen Style? 10 Designs to Choose From

July 3, 2018

Choosing a kitchen style can be a daunting task. If there’s a kitchen reno in your future, do you know what your style is? Do you know what you want it to be? That’s where our design experts and partners can help guide you. To get your creative juices flowing, here are some of the…

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ATV Episode 13: Meet the Amsted Team

June 25, 2018

On ATV, we’ve been sharing a lot about the process of design-build; now, let’s start to meet the Amsted team. A common question we get is: What’s the difference between a Project Co-ordinator and a Project Manager? Amsted President Steve Barkhouse explains.

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What Makes a Successful Renovation? Our Trade Partners Are a Key!

June 21, 2018

A big part of what makes a successful renovation for Amsted is the great trade partners we work with. That’s why we take time out every June to host a huge barbecue, give away a few fun prizes, and relax away from the job site for an afternoon.

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On Ctv: A Cottage Rebuild That Creates a Welcome Family Retreat

June 20, 2018

A cottage rebuild for a family friend has become a cottage in name only as the transformed home on the water provides a modern and roomy family retreat. Take a tour of the home with President Steve Barkhouse and Leanne Cusack of CTV News at Noon.

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ATV Episode 12: The Preconstruction Meeting, or Precon

June 11, 2018

The first meeting after signing your construction contract is known as the preconstruction meeting, or precon. In the latest of our video series, Amsted President Steve Barkhouse explains the value of this important step in the renovation process.

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Renovating for Accessibility: When a Project Gets Personal

June 4, 2018

Renovating for accessibility comes with its own set of challenges. When you own a renovation company and that reno project is your own home, it also gets personal. But Amsted co-owner Kirk Haw didn’t shy away from sharing with the Ottawa Citizen how he and the Amsted team transformed his home for his wheelchair-using son.

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ATV Episode 11: The Value of the Job Showing Meeting

May 28, 2018

A meeting we call the job showing is an important part of the process for a successful renovation. We hold this meeting for our clients before the final drawings and construction contract are completed, and in this latest video, President Steve Barkhouse explains why.

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How 8 and 5 Add Up to a 10 in Customer Service

May 22, 2018

Customer service is key at Amsted. We are dedicated to maximizing client satisfaction, which is why we utilize GuildQuality to ensure we are living up to that promise. So how does that translate to 8 + 5 equaling 10? Through the positive feedback of our clients!

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behind the drywall tour

Our 2nd Mid-Construction Tour Is a Success!

May 15, 2018

This fun, behind-the-walls look at an Amsted project mid-construction let fellow homeowners see first-hand what goes on before the drywall is installed, giving those considering a renovation of their own a good idea of how and why things like insulation, solid framing and thoughtful design choices impact comfort, energy efficiency and budget.

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