From the Ground Up: Kamouraska Home Retrofit

Project Description

The Retrofit Story

This project was completed in phases, with much of the work done independently by the homeowner, an architectural technologist. Support was provided by a general contractor, contributing to a hands-on, real-world construction experience. The retrofit was driven by evolving family needs, initially focused on creating additional space, and later expanding to improve indoor air quality and overall comfort.

Getting to Net Zero

While achieving full Net Zero performance remains out of reach for now, the project continues to evolve with plans for further improvements in insulation and airtightness. These upgrades are expected to enhance energy efficiency and contribute to significantly better indoor air quality.

Lessons Learned

Structural Challenges and Solutions

The house originally had significant structural issues, it was noticeably crooked. To address this, a new basement was constructed beneath the existing structure, providing a solid foundation and enabling a full rebuild from the ground up. The approach worked well overall, though radon mitigation proved to be a challenge. The first winter revealed elevated radon levels, but installing a fan resolved the issue effectively.

Budget Management

The project stayed on budget, with a 15% contingency built in, and no additional overruns. Careful planning and execution ensured financial control throughout the retrofit process.