M. Knight Construction LTD

5 tips for choosing a general contractor in Victoria BC

tom — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 07:49:52 +0000

Victoria is an enchanting place to live. But, for many home owners, the experience of building or renovating isn’t always so. At Michael Knight Construction, we follow a strict set of standards to help ensure a high quality build and great client relationships. We thought we’d share some of our thinking on what to look for in choosing a quality general contractor in Victoria BC.

Ask for References, Hire on Results

Everyone knows enough to ask general contractors for references, and some homeowners will even go so far as to phone a previous client. But that’s usually where the due diligence ends. We recommend to all our clients that they visit a past customer — any customer. A contractor who does great work will not be embarrassed to show off any of his past projects, so dig a little deeper and visit a client that isn’t on the builder’s list of testimonials, and see for yourself what that contractor is capable of.

Seek Out Good Listeners AND Communicators

Some general contractors do all the talking. We think it’s a mistake to let your builder dominate the discussion. A great contractor will spend a long time listening to what you want before telling you what you need. And it’s just as important that they communicate frequently and proactively, and answer all your questions. We don’t get offended by questions. So if a contractor gets surly with you, that’s a good sign how things will go when something unpredictable happens. And it will. Be wary.

Good Work Makes You Feel Good, Great Work Adds Value

A good general contractor will have a reputation for doing quality work at a fair price, but a great contractor will go further — his work will immediately increase the value of your home beyond its basic functional improvement, providing a solid return on your investment.

Plan to a Fault, But Look for Flexibility

The contractor’s world is filled with unexpected circumstances — it’s inevitable that it will rain when it’s supposed to shine, and that the Up Island mill with the red cedar fascia board you wanted will run out just when you need it. We try to plan every little detail, but stuff happens that we can’t predict. You want a contractor who’s willing and able to help you refine your plans where possible, so when the inevitable occurs, he is knowledgeable enough to come up with creative alternatives that will fit your schedule and budget.

Avoid Cash Deals, Avoid Unnecessary Risks

You may be tempted by a cash deal with someone who promises to get it done fast and cheap. But if something goes wrong or you have a disagreement, that contractor may walk off the job. What happens then? You’ll find it difficult to prove that you paid that contractor. And once a project is completed, what happens if a subcontractor or material supplier has not been paid? Who do you think will be responsible for the bill? Protect yourself and your home — always hire a general contractor above board and get a contract in writing.

What signs do you look for when hiring a great general contractor? Share your thoughts on our Facebook or Google+ pages.

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Hillcrest Custom Home Construction Pictures

lyle — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 09:29:55 +0000

This award winning custom home in Victoria BC was awarded multiple gold care awards, and many silver awards. View the full list of awards for this this custom home. The construction of this home is a masterpiece in of itself. Take a look through all 148 of our construction photos to get a sense of the detail that goes into every Michael Knight Construction custom home.

View gallery in full screen by clicking full screen mode button.

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Oak Bay Custom Home Progression Photos

lyle — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 08:22:46 +0000

Part of the joy from building a custom home is watching the transition from start to finish. In some cases we remove or demolish an existing home, and in others we simply build from scratch after locating a desirable property for a client. Take a look at these wonderful progression and build pictures from this custom home built in oak bay victoria.

View gallery in full screen by clicking full screen mode button.

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Construction of Infinity Pool in Victoria BC

lyle — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:17:48 +0000

We are currently in the process of constructing a new infinity pool along the waterfront area of the Saanich inlet. Take a look at our slide show below as it progresses through part of the build. We expect construction to near completion in January of 2013 where we will be showcasing some more finished pictures.

View gallery in full screen by clicking full screen mode button.

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2012 Care Award Winners in Victoria (Results) – M.Knight wins multiple awards!

lyle — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 07:52:10 +0000

Congratulations to all the other builders, tradesmen, etc. It was a great awards dinner, and a great time had by everyone!

List of 2012 Gold Care Awards for our Hillcrest Home in Victoria

Best Media Room
M. Knight Construction Ltd. – Hillcrest

Best Interior – Residential over 6,000 sq. ft.
M. Knight Construction Ltd. – Hillcrest

Best Custom Millwork over 5,500 sq. ft.
M. Knight Construction Ltd. – Hillcrest

View pictures below of our Award Winning Hillcrest Custom home in Victoria.

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Custom Home Builder Victoria Video – A showcase of Windward Oaks

lyle — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 06:49:25 +0000

We’ve been working on this video for some time, and are extremely happy to finally have it released! It’s a great 4 minute video that showcases homeowners of the Windward Oaks home Dick & Linda. They talk about their experience building a custom home in Victoria with Mike Knight, and their overall thoughts on the project. Additional details such as building and construction challenges are also explored.
[Source: Mike Knight - Custom Home Builder Victoria BC]

Make sure to watch in 1080p and Full screen for the full experience!

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Moving a heritage home…

lyle — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 21:42:46 +0000

Before we could break ground on the stunning Windward Oaks home, we first had to remove the old heritage home which stood on the property for so many years. We worked with a long time home moving company “Nickel Brothers” to move the home up to the road, and then have it transferred. As you can see from the images below, it’s a precision filled event that requires the effort of many individuals.

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Windward Oaks during a recent storm

lyle — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 21:41:42 +0000

It’s always a delight to come back and see how a home take shape years after we’ve built it. The Windward Oaks home is no exception. We recently received some pictures of some massive waves breaking on the shores of this beautiful property and custom home.

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Welcome to Michael Knight Construction Blog

lyle — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 21:04:21 +0000

Welcome to the launch of our new website. Much like one of our fine custom homes in Victoria, building a beautiful and functional site such as this takes a bit of time, patience and attention to detail. We will continue to update our blog and Facebook page with updates on homes we’ve completed, new and innovate custom home building ideas, and lastly tips everyone can use on their own homes. These include great tips that we use to refinish existing mill-work, brighten up & renovate your current home, and other great ideas.

Warm Regards,
The Mike Knight Construction Team

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