Like many homes in the Lake Bonavista area of Calgary, the time had come to update and modernize the main bathroom.  Our clients had a very particular vision for the end result, and called on Northstar to make their renovation dreams a reality.  Having experienced moisture-related problems in the past, they opted for the Wedi Fundo waterproofing system around the shower walls (as seen in the pictures).  This industry-leading technology provides the highest level of moisture resistance available.

Once the waterproofing was complete the walls were finished with some beautiful marble tile.  Our clients had laid out the exact pattern that they wanted, so it was imperative that each unique piece was cut and installed correctly.  Thankfully we were able to get every tile in just the right spot in accordance with their vision.  The bathroom was then finished with high-quality Grohe fixtures, creating a very modern and elegant space.

“Northstar is a promising young company that deserves to go far. The team are extremely hard-working, very dedicated and conscientious, and with the wide variety of skills needed for renovating a home." 
 

Our clients were looking to renovate their large master ensuite.  They wanted a larger shower to make better use of the unusual space, a free-standing tub in place of the jetted one, and to update a few finishes that screamed “early 80s”. As an aside we also discovered a few classic remnants of that Calgary building boom (and the associated lack of attention to detail), such as an insulation bag masquerading as a vapour barrier.  We did, of course, replace it!

Their new bathroom features a larger 4'x4' neo-angle shower complete with the Schluter Kerdi waterproofing system and a frame-less swing door.  The river rock “waterfall” flowing down the wall and into the base is a unique and visually striking touch.  They chose an integrated shower panel that combines a rainhead, wand, and bodysprays with a clean modern look.   But their favourite part of the new bathroom is definitely the heated floor.  They both mentioned that they had no idea just how much they would enjoy the warm feeling on their toes in the morning!

We went on to give their other two showers a similar makeover; the updated matching bathrooms will be a big plus whenever the time to sell comes.  Plus our happy couple never gets tired of the many compliments they've received from friends and guests!

Our client came to us with a functional but dated bathroom, and a vision.  Working with our expert designers, she chose exactly the fixtures and finishings to turn her renovation dream into a reality.  The luxurious new shower features both a rainhead and wand, a river rock base, and a frameless glass door.  The cherrywood vanity was custom-designed here in Calgary and built by hand in Illinois.  It has a custom quartz countertop and a unique river rock backplash that matches the shower and tub deck.  The new lights are warm on the eyes, and the heated floor is warm on the toes!

This project proved to be one our most unique and interesting bathroom challenges yet.  Our clients had a master ensuite that was very large, but with dated finishings and a layout that wasn't well suited for their needs.  Their concerns included a lack of vanity space, and a very dark and claustrophobic shower experience.  We worked with them to completely re-design the bathroom from the frame up.  When the project was completed, they received several remarks that it was hard to believe it was the same space!

The new bathroom features a much larger vanity, complete with quartz countertops and his-and-hers sinks.  The new potlights really brighten up the room, and the heated floor is perfect for those chilly Calgary winter mornings!  The shower has a rainhead with body sprays, wall niche, and a corner seat, all visible through the frameless glass door.

As is often the case in a renovation, necessity proved to be the mother of invention.  In order to square off the shower, we had to build a two walls that created a small dead space in the room.  That simply wouldn't do for us, so we designed and built a recessed back-lit shelf to make use of what otherwise would have been lost area.  The end result turned out to be a really nice accent piece!

Our client came to us with an all-too-common dilemma: he had torn his bathroom apart and purchased the materials, but needed someone with the necessary skills to complete the renovation.  The unique layout of this ensuite led to the ultimate his-and-hers bathroom, featuring vanities on either side of the room and a large shower with fixtures on both sides.  The shower walls were done entirely in glass tile, which unfortunately was very difficult to photograph thanks to the light from the newly-installed larger window.  Sadly our skills behind a lens are nowhere near our skills behind a tile saw!

When we first met this client he had two goals with the project: to block the sights and sounds of a large air conditioner near his front door, and to enhance his home's curb appeal with a striking new fence.  After showing us a few photos of other fences he and his wife liked, we agreed on this all-cedar design featuring horizontal boards of alternating width.  It was our first fence of the season, and thankfully the soil was remarkably forgiving for Calgary in April!

Our clients had recently purchased their “forever home”.  While the interior had been fully and beautifully renovated, the rotting back fence did a disservice to an otherwise beautiful yard.  So they made the right choice and called Northstar to replace it.  When they mentioned that they planned on staying in this part of Calgary for 25+ years, we recommended a sturdy Fortress 2 that would be built to last with them.  They also opted for the larger 6” rails and subrails, giving their fence an extremely sturdy look.

As a side note, they happened to be getting quotes to paint the house while we were building the fence.  We offered to arrange our own quote, which they ultimately accepted. We managed to save them over $1000 compared to their other quotes, and they couldn't be happier with their new-look house.

Every fence we build presents its own unique challenges, but it is probably fair to see this proved to be our most difficult yet.  The yard, located in Parkland, features some very large trees that are a hallmark of this beautiful Calgary community.  We knew that getting the post holes in next to the tree line would not be easy, but we did not anticipate running into a 14” wide root!  It ran right where several posts needed to go, and our commitment to an exceptionally straight fence meant that they couldn't be moved.  So we started with a hand saw, followed by a sawzall and then a chain saw, but each proved to be inadequate for the task at hand.

By this point the war with the root was on, and we were not going to be defeated!  So we brought in the heavy artillery: a stump grinder.  While not a usual part of a fence builder's toolkit, it got the job done and allowed us to get our posts just where we needed them.  Construction was much smoother from that point on, and this beautifully landscaped yard finally got the new fence it needed to tie it all together.

“The Northstar team built over 120 feet of fence for my backyard, complete with having to dig post holes next to massive pine trees! They did an amazing job, building a solid and perfectly straight fence that provided my family with the security and privacy we were looking for. I would recommend them for any fence job, big or small!" -Tony

When the time came to replace their old and rotting fence, our clients were looking for something unique.  Their house sit on a corner lot in their south-Calgary community, so they wanted a design that would be visually striking from the street.  The end result was a fence featuring Kayu fence boards installed horizontally on a pressure treated frame.  It's the only one like it in the neighbourhood!

We also built a retaining wall along one side, which was filled with drainage gravel and then topsoil to create a large garden area in what was otherwise and unused portion of their yard.

Our client had damage to his home as a result of a severe Calgary windstorm.  One side of his fence had completely blown over, so his insurance company sent a contractor to rebuild the fence.  What he asked for was a stepped Fortress 1 fence to match the other side (which had withstood the storm).  What he got was, well...the photos speak for themselves!  Needless to say he was unimpressed with the result, and called on us to replace it.  We are horribly biased, of course, but in our opinion it looks just a bit better the second time around.

When we first saw this south Calgary home it featured a beautifully landscaped backyard, surrounded by an old rotting fence that really did a disservice to the otherwise gorgeous view.  We replaced it with a sturdy Fortress 2 featuring treated posts and rails and cedar fence boards.  Black metal post caps provide a nice accent, and will protect the lumber from the elements for years to come.  Finally this lovely yard has a nice fence to match!

“They did a terrific job on my fence and beyond my expectation.  They are very friendly and you don’t feel a contractor-client relationship in your project; it is more like ONE team running a project.
Sam”

Our clients first moved to Sundance back when it was the southernmost tip of Calgary...oh how times have changed!  The neighbourhood has hit the age where the time to replace most of the original fences had come, but they wanted something different from the standard designs they saw going up around them.  After going over some photos they liked we settled on this design.  It is a Fortress 2 featuring treated lumber and cedar fence boards, but with a twist.  The middle rail was raised to 5 feet, and the fence boards alternate between wide/short and tall/narrow.  Our happy clients have received many compliments from friends and neighbours.

The real pièce de resistance, however, is the front gate.  The fence boards have the same alternating pattern but rather than a horizontal rail we built a curved, swooping rail instead.  The end result proved to be unique and elegant...not to mention heavy!  Viewed from the street, it really helps this home stand out.

To Jesse, Scott, and Northstar Design and Construction. I would just like to thank you for the beautiful fence you guys built. It is just what we wanted and completed in a timely manner. I thank you for your professionalism from start to finish. The comments we have received  about the design and look of the fence and the quality of product has been outstanding. You both  are very hard workers and  conducted yourself with the honesty and integrity that I look for in any business and would not hesitate to have you back again for future renovations.

This otherwise beautiful home had a serious eyesore: an old rotting deck.  What's worse, it was right next to the front door!  So, tired of the ugly sight, our client one day ripped most of the deck out and hired a contractor to complete the removal and build a new deck.  And then he waited.

And waited.

And waited.

And finally, tired of both waiting and seeing this unfinished business every time he got home, he called Northstar.  So in early 2014 we came in and built a beautiful new cedar deck that quickly became the envy of the neighbours!  We also replaced his back fence with a new pressure-treated Fortress 1.  We then returned in 2015 to replace one of his shared side fences, and with any luck we'll be back in 2016 to replace the other side fence and the back deck.  Slowly but surely, a complete exterior transformation!

This otherwise beautiful home had a serious eyesore: an old rotting deck.  What's worse, it was right next to the front door!  So, tired of the ugly sight, our client one day ripped most of the deck out and hired a contractor to complete the removal and build a new deck.  And then he waited.

And waited.

And waited.

And finally, tired of both waiting and seeing this unfinished business every time he got home, he called Northstar.  So in early 2014 we came in and built a beautiful new cedar deck that quickly became the envy of the neighbours!  We also replaced his back fence with a new pressure-treated Fortress1.  We then returned in 2015 to replace one of his shared side fences, and with any luck we'll be back in 2016 to replace the other side fence and the back deck.  Slowly but surely, a complete exterior transformation!

On this project our client had two goals: to build a deck that would turn their backyard into a more functional summer space, and to complete the returns on their fence so they could allow their dog to run free without worry.  We worked with them to turn their vision into a reality, and in doing so completely changed the way they look at their yard.

“We had a backyard that we never used, just a semi-fenced grassy rectangle. Northstar finished up the fencing and built us a deck, and in doing so they transformed our yard into a space we enjoy all the time now. They were professional and paid attention to details I never would have thought of. We are extremely happy with our new deck...even the dog loves it!" -Christina

This project proved to be a very interesting and fun challenge to build.  When we first met these clients, they outlined their dreams for the yard.  They loved to entertain their large families, and hated mowing the lawn, so they wanted as big a deck as possible.  They wanted a small upper deck leading out of the house, with stairs landing on the larger lower level, a landing leading to the garage door, and a decorative pergola.  And they wanted it in cedar to match their fence.  Despite several challenges, we managed to deliver a create product that delivered on all fronts.  

The biggest difficulty was the digging.  At Northstar we strive to deliver a deck that greatly exceeds the structural minimums set out by the Alberta Building Code.  This means a lot of piles, which means digging a lot of holes!  Seventeen in this case, each one 48” deep.  The ground in this part of Calgary proved to consist of exceptionally hard clay, which had to be removed tediously by hand.  It took three days of blood, sweat, and tears (well mostly the latter two), and nearly 3800 pounds of concrete, but we managed to give the deck a foundation that meets our high standards.  It was hard work, but nothing makes it all worthwhile like happy clients and a beautiful finished product.

Our clients had recently purchased their dream home, a beautiful duplex infill in an established neighbourhood in central Calgary.  While the interior was immaculate, the backyard had a small sheet-vinyl deck that was neither elegant nor overly functional.  With summer beginning, they chose Northstar to complete their backyard transformation.  It featured two parts.  First we removed the old deck and replaced it with a larger one featuring beautiful cedar finishing. Then we cleared part of the yard and installed a stone patio to provide even more entertainment space.  They now rave about enjoying backyard meals on their new patio!

We first met this client when his neighbour hired us to replace their shared fence. Suitably impressed, he asked us to complete a far larger and more ambitious project: replacing his front and back decks. He had a vision of exactly what he wanted, and it was most definitely not a run-of-the-mill deck. We worked with him to sharpen and refine that vision, and then proceeded to build his ultimate backyard space.  This deck features some of the finest composite decking available, including a two-tone accent picture frame along the perimeter.

We arranged for the installation of three natural gas lines to power a BBQ, patio heater, and fireplace.  The railings are also made of composite materials, built to last a lifetime, and feature accent lighting in the post caps (along with lights in the stair risers).  A daylight-sensing timer even turns the lights on automatically as the sun goes down.  A greater sense of seclusion is provided by the privacy wall, built with Kayu Batu wood from Indonesia.

This project was truly a pleasure to build, and we hope that it becomes the scene of many wonderful memories during Calgary's long summer days and beautiful nights!

We received a call from a client who was concerned that water was leaking into her newly-built garage.  She asked us to investigate, and the culprit proved to be the curb of the garage pad.  It was both poorly installed and inadequate in height, and unfortunately those issues could not be resolved without extensive demolition and reconstruction.  Therefore, in order to mitigate further leakage in as minimally invasive a manner possible, we built a retaining wall to direct water away and a new landing for the garage.  While of course the best solution would have been proper construction practices to avoid the problem altogether, she was in the end very pleased with the final result.

“I am very happy with the service I received from Northstar Design & Construction. The quote was fast and well priced. Scott, Chris and Jesse were extremely professional and easy to deal with. They built my retaining wall inside the time line they provided and kept the final cost at the quoted price. I wouldn't hesitate to use them again!" -Kelly

These clients had slowly but surely been renovating and updating their bungalow in Calgary's southwest community of Braeside.  The time came for their most ambitious undertaking to date: a complete overhaul of their kitchen.  They worked with our designer to create their dream space: modern and elegant, open concept, and making better use of the area available to them.  They then need a contractor to turn their computer-animated dream into a reality, and called Northstar.

The first challenge was removing parts two walls: one to create a larger entrance into the kitchen, and the other to create a window into the living room (greatly opening up the space and giving the kitchen a bigger feel).  An engineering review revealed one of the walls to be load-bearing, so a new LVL beam was installed to take the load.

The new design moved the sink to the other side of the kitchen, which presented a new challenge.  When we opened up the floor to re-route the plumbing, we discovered that there were HVAC lines right where our new plumbing needed to go.  We managed to work around this by lowering the plumbing and installing a small bulkhead in the basement.  When it comes to renovations sometime the best laid plans of mice and men go awry in the face of hidden obstacles, but thankfully we were able to devise an acceptable solution.

From there we installed drywall on the new walls, the new cabinets complete with quartz countertops and a mosaic backsplash, and new vinyl plank flooring throughout the kitchen and back entrance.  By the time it was complete we couldn't believe that it was the same space.  A total transformation!

We received a call from a client who was moving back to his condo, after renting it out for several years.  It was built in south Calgary in the 1970s and looked a bit...well...like the 1970s!  Both the carpet and linoleum were original, so the time had some to update and modernize.  He worked with our interior designer to choose new carpet for the living area and bedrooms, new floor tile for the kitchen and bathroom, and new countertops and backsplash.  We also replaced his old mouldings with modern flat-stock.  By the time the renovation was complete it looked like an almost entirely new space! Another happy customer.

There's no way around it: a renovation is going to lead to some disruption of your regular daily life.  So when our clients decided to update their home in Calgary's west-end neighbourhood of Strathcona, their philosophy was simple: do it once, and do it all.

Before the project began they worked with our designers on every aspect of the final product: the choice of hardwood, tile, and carpet, the look and layout of the cabinets, countertops, and backsplash, and the various paint colours.

The pictures speak largely for themselves, but some of what we did includes:
Installed new hardwood and tile flooring on the main floor, new carpet on the second level
Installed new doors, baseboards, and casings
Installed new ceilings with knock-down texture
Installed a new kitchen cabinets with quartz countertops and a tile backsplash
Installed a new floor to eliminate the sunken living room and bring the entire main floor to one level
Installed and stained new railings and bannister
Installed new tile over the existing fireplace
Installed a new closet in the master bedroom
Repainted throughout

All while our poor clients were living in the basement cooking meals on a hot plate! They were incredibly good sports, and we are very thankful for their patience throughout the process. In the end we were very excited to be able to turn over to them the house of their dreams.  

When our clients bought their house in Calgary's northern community of Kincora, they immediately began looking towards completing their basement development.  With family often coming to visit, they wanted a space that offered an extra bedroom and a three piece bath for their guests.  Their other priorities included lots of light to brighten up the space, and a wet bar for entertaining.

This basement is located in High River, the small town just south of Calgary.  The town had just gone through the most traumatic event in its history, the floods of 2013.  When we arrived the hard work of draining, cleaning, and sanitizing the basement had been completed and the time to rebuild had come.

As part of the cleanup effort the basement had been stripped to the framing, but the studs did survive so the layout of the basement remained unchanged.  While there were some challenges working in a post-disaster environment, such as a shortage of materials and skilled subtrades, in the end we managed to get it all put back together.

In the end it was incredibly satisfying experience to be able to give these clients, who had been through so much, their old basement back.  Now we just hope they never have to go through anything like this again!