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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.

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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The People Plan: The Builder Nugget Podcast

February 4, 2022

Curious about Amsted’s “People Plan?” In the Builder Nuggets’ podcast, Amsted’s co-founder Steve Barkhouse discusses his experience with losing valuable team members, and how a mindset shift has helped overcome this challenge. Steve reflects on how valuing team members as individuals has helped in retaining talent throughout this Great Resignation.

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Thinking of Doing a Renovation? Read This First

January 28, 2022

Over the past two years, we have all spent more time in our homes than ever before. As a result of this ‘new normal,’ people are even more interested in making their homes as functional and beautifully-designed as possible. But before you take a sledgehammer to that wall which has been standing in the way…

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6 Common Kitchen Renovation Mistakes to Avoid

January 22, 2022

A lot of homeowners are planning to do a kitchen renovation this year. This is no surprise considering that a well-executed kitchen renovation increases the value of your home and can greatly enrich your family’s lifestyle.  Of course, not all kitchen renovation stories have a happy ending. Poor planning can lead to big mistakes that deplete…

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Amsted Wins 6 GOHBA Housing Design Awards

December 20, 2021

We have exciting news! Amsted has won six GOHBA Housing Design Awards including Ottawa Renovator of the year. Our projects were also finalists in five other categories. 

These awards help to highlight our commitment to excellence and underline our motivation to build exceptional homes for our amazing clients.

Read on to find out more about our GOHBA Award winners and finalists.

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Getting Your Home Ready for Winter

November 22, 2021

With colder weather around the corner, now is the time to get your home ready for winter. That’s why Amsted Design-Build founder Steve Barkhouse recently appeared on CTV News at Noon to share a winter prep checklist.

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7 Tips for Hiring a Painting Contractor

November 3, 2021

Is it time to paint your home? A fresh coat of paint can make your home feel like new again. Whether you want to paint a couple of rooms or your entire house, it’s important to know how to hire a good painting contractor.

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Another Successful Volunteer Weekend at Camp Smitty

October 23, 2021

Giving back to the community is an integral part of our Core Values. That’s why we consider it a privilege to volunteer at Camp Smitty every fall.

The pandemic prevented us from volunteering in 2020 so we were especially eager to get back to work this past September.

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Amsted Is Nominated for 11 GOHBA Awards

October 12, 2021

We’re proud to announce that Amsted is up for 12 Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA) Housing Design Awards!

Eight of our projects have been named finalists in 11 categories, in addition to being a finalist for the coveted title of Renovator of the Year. This is a testament to the power of our proven process and amazing team. We’re more dedicated than ever to creating exceptional homes while ensuring that our clients have the most positive experience possible.

Read on to find out more about our GOHBA Award finalists.

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