Multi-award-winning RND Construction is Ottawa’s leading net zero builder with 22 certified homes under its belt, so perhaps it’s no surprise that the company is choosing to showcase its first net zero ready whole-home renovation on the 2024 RenoTour Parade of Homes.
RND has taken a 1950s bungalow and reimagined it into a modern and immensely energy-efficient home, building sustainability with style (the company’s mantra) into it along the way.
The RenoTour Parade of Homes is presented by the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA) and RenoMark (a national program that identifies professional contractors who have signed on to a code of conduct that protects the homeowner).
This home is one of nine that can be seen in person on Oct. 6. There is no charge, and the tour map can be found online (or scan/tap the accompanying QR code). You can also pick up a map in person at the GOHBA booth at the Ottawa Fall Home Show (EY Centre, Sept. 26-29).
If you can’t make the in-person tour, 3D virtual walk-throughs of most of the homes will be available afterwards at RenoTour.ca. (This home, however, is one that will only be available on tour day; it will not have a virtual tour afterwards.)
Here’s more info on RND Construction and its project from company founder Roy Nandram (edited for clarity).
Q: Why did you join the tour this year?
A: We have taken part in RenoTour since its inception. It’s a great way to meet potential customers, who can get to know us, and it helps get the word out about us.
Q: Why choose this project for the tour?
A: This one is very important to us because this is our first net zero ready, whole-home renovation. We renovated the entire home to net zero standards and it was extensive. While we kept some of the ground floor, we added to the foundation, took off the roof and raised the ceiling to nine feet from eight, gutted the basement, put in new floors with heating systems — by the time we were finished, it was renovated to a new-home standard.
Q: What can you tell us about this project?
A: This project is taking an old bungalow and making a modern-looking home. It’s got a lot of modern finishes on the exterior. Inside, it’s very modern, open concept and has a small addition. A cool feature is the structural netting above the living room. There’s a beam system with the net bolted on and you can go and play up there.
Of course, getting it to net zero standards is significant. It included things like new windows and insulation, but we also installed a wood-burning fireplace, which makes it much harder to achieve a net zero ready rating. But the owners preferred wood over gas, so we had to find a special fireplace that would meet the net zero requirement.
Q: What kinds of things should visitors watch out for when they tour the project?
A: People are going to see how they could transform their existing bungalow into a modern, not necessarily net zero, but into a modern home where they can age gracefully in place. They will see a lot of high-quality finishes of a modern home. They will get to see a modern HVAC system, which is helping the house to have amazing indoor air quality.
There’s a lot of built-in millwork in this house. It’s got a beautiful kitchen with large-format porcelain tiles (also in the dining room) and a beautiful bathroom with full slabs instead of tile. There’s a pool house out back with a washroom and heating system.
Q: What do you expect to have on hand for visitors?
A: We’ll have posters up showing the before and after photos, and possibly some of the construction process. I will also be joined by other staff to be on hand to answer questions, as well as my mechanical expert, who will help explain the sophisticated system in the basement.
The homeowners have been invited to stay for the tour — I like when the homeowner’s there — but normally we will buy them a day at the spa if they choose not to be present.
We also expect to have a food tent on site with prepared food, although details are still being worked out. And we are supporting two charities: we’ll collect food for the Ottawa Food Bank, and any funds collected will be split between the food bank and Their Opportunity, which supports youth in sport and is important to the homeowners.
Q: Tell us a bit about your company.
A: RND, with more than three decades in Ottawa, is all about sustainability with style. For every project we do, whether or not it’s a certified net zero or any certification, we always emphasize making the project as sustainable as possible. It’s important to us to maintain who we are as a company, to continue to provide energy efficiency and sustainability in everything we do. And we will take the time to educate homeowners on the aspects of being sustainable.
We are the largest net zero builder in Ottawa, with 22 net zero certified homes to date and two more coming in the next month.
Q: What’s the value of this tour for those who will visit the homes?
A: Homeowners want to imagine what their kitchen or bathroom could be like or a renovation in general. They can see, and they can assess, which company they would like to do work for them, or ask for a price.
The tour gives you a better appreciation for who’s out there in the market. And, in our case, you’ll get to meet the owner and some of the main staff of the operation.
