IKon General Contracting

12/28/2015

It has been quite some time since I have posted anything and thought that since this year was quickly coming to a close that it would be a good idea to do so.The last number of months have been hectic to say the least.Not only with job related tasks but also on a personal level with a move which put me in a more central location in Newmarket. Closer to the material suppliers which I frequent and also to my client base in Newmarket and Aurora.
I have had the good fortune to be able to work projects both large and small for many of you and also made a lot of friends along the way.For this I am grateful and would like to say thank you to all of you for your continued support.I hope that you will continue to keep Ikon G.C. in mind for your renovation and construction needs.Feel free to pass our name and contact info to your friends as we service all of the greater York region.
Wishing all of you a happy and successful New Year.All the best for 2016.
Konrad Jorens. (Ikon G.C.)

07/29/2015

Made one last visit today to pick up tools and do the final cleanup on this 1st deck build of the summer. The clients were extremely understanding about our need to put the final touches on our last reno project. My policy has always been to complete one job before getting involved in the next one...however circumstances dictated,and all parties were agreeable with the overlapped work schedule.
The meaning of the words "crazy busy" do not escape me.! Taking an easy week and getting a small break,a bit of rest and on to the next project. If you have enquiries you can contact me at
[email protected] or if you prefer to call 905 898 2319.

07/25/2015

The Century home renovation has been fully completed...only thing left is the final inspection.Negotiations and planning with the client began March 26...after which we essentially gutted everything and had a clean slate to work with. All new electrical, plumbing , HVAC , framing , insulation, floors , doors and windows. We installed a new deck , mud room , kitchen , laundry , not to mention huge bathroom and finished the attic space above to provide some extra finished space. The job is done and all the bills have been paid.I'm exhausted yet elated...!
The last shots in no particular order...

06/26/2015

..well tomorrow is the last day on the Century home renovation...at least for the next 2 weeks while we are doing
our first decking project of the summer....all promises made.. and kept..! Just a quick look until job final.

06/14/2015

06/14/2015

The last 2 weeks have been extremely busy and we've managed to get a lot of things done in just 10 days.All the main area floor tiles are done with only the grouting to do.The kitchen cabinetry is all assembled,installed and templated for the counter tops,and the bathroom tiling is 90% completed. The new windows and doors are scheduled for Monday and all of the trim woodwork is painted and ready for installation. The finish electrical should be complete on Tuesday,and finally we'll shed some light on our efforts.Feeling upbeat and confident that we will meet our deadline for June 26th despite all that still needs to be done.Every one is putting in 100% effort and I am thankful for all the help and hard work ! Thanks guys.!

05/31/2015

Well rested and back on the job.The drywall crew did an amazing piece of work,and the client proactively completed the painting this weekend.Getting prepped and ready for tile installation with the kitchen installation and window and door replacement scheduled in short order after the main areas are done.Then on to tackle the bathroom tile and do all of the finishing details both large and small, with the ultimate goal to have a combination of both modern, and traditional features common to "century home" style.On schedule to date with maybe a few days to spare when all is done. Will post more photos as we progress.
The deck building schedule is filling up for the season and we are looking forward to getting back at it.!

05/06/2015

..things progressing according to plan..structure done electrical,plumbing,gas fitting and HVAC rough ins are
completed and awaiting inspection. Next step insulate and vapour barrier..and on to drywall..10 days that fall right at
the best time of year for trout fishing..hmm (wonder how that worked out) ?
The biggest surprise so far apart from the long dead cat under the floor is a huge concrete cistern under the kitchen floor which
no one knew about...4 ft. deep with stagnant water.Yup..pump it out wash it down and bleach it ..lots of bleach..!! It was just a touch over 12' x 12'. Pretty cool actually that our ancestors
collected and used water in this way...respect..
Photo is the official "before" shot of the new bathroom.
Have a great Summer,and stay safe.
IKON G.C.

04/22/2015

Spent the last 2 days working with carpenters on loan from a competitor @ $95./ Hr. We tore out all main structural components and got it all replaced in 16 hrs. I'm sure as hell impressed by how well we worked on this together.Clients are happy...and I owe a debt of thanks to Larry,Joe & Trevor...So Thanks guys.! Great to work with you.!

04/16/2015

I left off last time with "this should be interesting". Should have inserted a few more adjectives in there to round it all out..Picked up the permits yesterday , the demolition is 90% done , and on Monday we remove the sagging beams joists etc..to be replaced with a new set of "bones". Thinking it's going to be a bit of a challenge to get it done but worth it.Maybe even get another lifetime or two out of the renovation.
Tomorrow we remove some floor to access the crawl space from above and install a concrete footing 5'x3'x 12" deep...all within the 18" clearance down there.As I said earlier there will be a few challenges along the way, but I feel very confident about everyone involved..thinking I managed to assemble a good team of guys. We can handle it.!
Will follow up later...btw..loving this weather.!

03/14/2015

Here we go...century home in the older part of town with a fifty yr. plus addition complete with a sixteen ft. beam which is sagging about 31/2" at the midpoint into the living area.Along with a stone foundation and a basement ceiling height of 5 foot 8 , access to which is down a severely steep set of stairs. Bonus points for a crawl space..dirt floor with roughly 18" clearance under.
Just what the Dr. ordered.!
The good thing is that every sub trade from P Eng. to the guy who puts the final coat on are awesome at what they do, and the clients are great. Sounds like a combination for success. Roughly three weeks to get it all organized , and despite whatever challenges lie ahead, I seriously Can't wait....this should be interesting.!

03/07/2015

..so as a general contractor you certainly have to learn to "go with the flow"..meaning that you a/ have to learn to be able to accept rejection b/ you always have to be ON ie: looking for all and any work prospects that may come your way c/ learn to put aside your money for those times when there is no work d/ always be diplomatic, despite the fact that some clients can be difficult (i've been lucky so far).e/ develop outside interests to occupy your time while you are waiting for a yes or no response on a proposal which you just submitted ,and f/ be ready to make yourself available at any given time to attend to a clients needs (within reason). I guess g/ would be etc. etc.
Bearing all of this in mind I sometimes question my own sanity..?? Yet during the course of the most recent period of "time off", I have been able to help my son renovate a bathroom ,picked up on a painting hobby that has lain dormant for a few years and managed to promote myself in order to "pick up"jobs enough till mid May.
It's become evident to me during the course of the last 35 yrs. that the key ingredient to any success is hard work , honesty , and perseverance. Not to forget a positive mental attitude without which I likely would have walked away years ago.It may sound trite,but I love it when people say Thank you,and let you know that they chose the right person for the job!.....just sayin.!