Independent residential building · Southern Alberta
Homes built to hold—not just to sell.
First Class Construction documents how we plan, build and source durable residential projects—from structure and legal suites to cabinetry, flooring and the final details.
Built for long-term ownershipLarge, complete living spacesDocumented material standards
Current residential developmentBig floorplans. Legal suites. Practical durability.
Why this site exists
This is a public record of the scale, standards and decisions behind our builds—not a sales pitch. If the right project or partnership comes from it, the door is open.
Current development
Two residences. Four complete living spaces.
A paired Southern Alberta new-build designed around generous floor area, legal lower living, durable finishes and long-term rental or ownership flexibility. Exact addresses stay private.
What makes the project different
Full-size lower living—not an afterthought.
Each residence combines an approximately 1,450 sq. ft. main level with an approximately 1,450 sq. ft. lower level. The lower layout is planned as a real four-bedroom, two-bathroom living space, while the main level provides three bedrooms and two full bathrooms.
Built with the operating years in mind.
Material decisions prioritize serviceability, replacement-part access, clean detailing and commercial-grade durability. The process is documented so future maintenance, warranties and improvements do not depend on memory.
Capabilities
Built around the whole project.
Scope is confirmed for each project. The goal is consistent: sensible planning, coordinated execution and materials selected for performance, serviceability and value.
New residential construction
Ground-up planning and coordination from site preparation and foundation through interior completion and handoff.
Renovations & improvements
Practical upgrades, reconfigurations and finish packages designed around the existing building and the intended use.
Secondary suites & interiors
Coordinated interior development with attention to assemblies, services, durable finishes and approval requirements.
Project delivery & procurement
Clear scopes, trade coordination and material review so owners, professionals, trades and suppliers work from the same direction.
How we build
A house, from the ground up.
This is the typical construction sequence. Engineering, inspections, procurement and site conditions determine the exact order and timing for each project.
Define the project before construction starts
Confirm scope, site information, design, engineering, approvals, budget allowances, schedule and long-lead procurement.
Survey · design · engineering · permits · selectionsPrepare the site and build the foundation
Coordinate excavation, services, footings, foundation walls or slab, waterproofing, drainage, backfill and required inspections.
Excavation · concrete · drainage · below-grade protectionFrame, sheath and protect the building
Build the floor, wall and roof structure, then install the roof, windows, exterior doors and weather-control layers.
Framing · sheathing · roofing · windows · claddingInstall and verify the building systems
Coordinate plumbing, heating, ventilation, electrical and life-safety rough-ins before air sealing, insulation and vapour control.
Plumbing · HVAC · electrical · inspections · insulationTurn the structure into a finished home
Complete drywall, paint, tile, cabinetry, counters, flooring, interior doors, trim, fixtures and final equipment connections.
Drywall · paint · kitchens · flooring · finish carpentryCheck the work and close the project clearly
Test systems, review finishes, complete deficiencies, clean the project and organize product, care and warranty information.
Commissioning · deficiencies · documentation · handoffMaterial standards
Preferred directions, with the right controls.
These standards communicate the quality level we are targeting. Final assemblies and exact products follow approved drawings, project conditions, Canadian approvals and local authority requirements.
Why the wording matters
A public website should state accepted systems and performance—not publish one fixed structural bill of materials for every house. Exact framing sizes, gauges, spans, fasteners and quantities belong in the project-specific drawings and request for quote.
Structure
Project standardFoundation & below grade
Preferred direction
Locally engineered reinforced cast-in-place concrete with exterior waterproofing, perimeter drainage and a compatible protection system.
Options & application
Footing, wall and slab design; concrete properties; reinforcement; insulation and radon provisions are selected for the site and approved plans.
Project control
Geotechnical information, sealed structural details, inspections and local conditions govern. Structural substitutions require design review.
Structure
Framing options includedFraming & structural systems
Preferred direction
Typical wood-framing baseline: kiln-dried or S-Dry, grade-stamped SPF No. 2 or better, with treated plates at concrete where required and solid blocking at planned loads.
Options & application
Engineered trusses, I-joists and LVL are used from sealed shop drawings. Engineered light-gauge galvanized steel is also an option where the project drawings specify a steel system.
Project control
Stud size and spacing, steel gauge, spans, panel thickness, connectors, hold-downs, fasteners and quantities are project-specific and must match approved structural documents.
Exterior
Project standardRoofing & wall envelope
Preferred direction
A complete cold-climate assembly: polymer-modified architectural shingles meeting CSA A123.5, continuous flashing and water control, plus factory-finished cladding on a drained rainscreen.
Options & application
A UL 2218 Class 4 impact-rated shingle is a preferred option where suitable. Fibre-cement is a strong low-maintenance cladding direction; other approved systems can suit the design, exposure and budget.
Project control
Every layer must work as a system. Exact products require compatible accessories, installation details and applicable Canadian documentation.
Performance
Project standardWindows, doors & insulation
Preferred direction
Triple-glazed low-E argon PVC or fibreglass windows, insulated fibreglass exterior doors, and a continuous air, water, thermal and vapour-control strategy.
Options & application
Mineral wool is preferred where sound or fire performance matters; cavity and continuous insulation are coordinated to the approved wall and roof assemblies.
Project control
Window size and performance, egress, safety glazing, insulation thickness and membrane placement remain design- and climate-specific.
Building systems
Project standardMechanical, electrical & plumbing
Preferred direction
Simple, efficient and serviceable systems selected by the project design, installed by local qualified trades and supported through Canadian parts and warranty channels.
Options & application
Furnace or cold-climate heat-pump strategies, HRV/ERV ventilation, conventional or project-selected water heating, and practical fixture and lighting packages.
Project control
Loads, capacities, circuits, layouts and life-safety requirements are never selected from floor area alone. Regulated products need approval for use in Canada.
Interior
Project standardDrywall & paint
Preferred direction
12.7 mm regular board for typical locations, 15.9 mm Type X only where a listed assembly requires it, Level 4 finishing, and Cloverdale or equivalent durable low-VOC acrylic coatings.
Options & application
Moisture- and mould-resistant board in damp locations; Level 5 where critical light warrants it; MPI #139-type eggshell walls, flat ceilings and satin or semi-gloss trim.
Project control
Fire and sound assemblies must follow the complete listed assembly. Wet-area board does not replace a dedicated shower waterproofing system.
Top flooring direction
Project standardCommercial-grade flooring
Preferred direction
Glue-down LVT: 2.5–3.0 mm total thickness, 0.50 mm / 20 mil wear layer, UV-PUR finish, ASTM F1700 and FloorScore documentation, with a commercial or multifamily warranty.
Options & application
SPC alternative: minimum 5.0 mm core plus 1.5 mm IXPE underlay and a 0.50 mm wear layer, supported by exact-model performance and indoor-air documentation.
Project control
Subfloor preparation, moisture limits, adhesive or locking profile, transitions, stair details and 5% same-lot spare stock must be included in the flooring plan.
Top millwork direction
Project standardKitchens, cabinetry & counters
Preferred direction
18 mm plywood cabinet boxes, 9 mm captured plywood backs, sealed edges, matte HPL slab fronts with PUR-bonded 2 mm ABS/PP edges, and Blum CLIP top BLUMOTION / MOVENTO hardware or documented equivalent.
Options & application
Double-sided matte PET fronts are an alternate. Warm greige, off-white and light wood tones; wide drawer bases and full-height upper storage are preferred over decorative complexity.
Project control
Final shop drawings must confirm appliance openings, fillers, panels, service access and hardware. Counter direction: 20 mm low-sheen engineered quartz with reinforced cut-outs.
Final details
Project standardTile, doors, trim & hardware
Preferred direction
Matte porcelain tile in wet areas, solid-core interior doors, simple flat trim and durable, replaceable hardware with consistent finishes throughout the project.
Options & application
Porcelain with water absorption below 0.5% and suitable wet-area slip data; moisture-resistant trim in wet rooms; practical chrome, black or selected project finish packages.
Project control
Use complete compatible waterproofing and setting systems. Confirm door handing, clearances, accessibility, finish samples and replacement-part availability before ordering.
Project partners
Useful to everyone at the table.
The site is a public build showcase first, with enough process and material detail to support serious conversations when they arise.
Owners & developers
A clear view of scope, sequence, material direction and the decisions that remain project-specific.
Design & property partners
A concise reference for conversations with designers, engineers, lenders, real-estate professionals and project stakeholders.
Trades & installers
Defined performance expectations, coordination points and a direct route for scope questions and proposed alternatives.
Manufacturers & suppliers
Enough technical direction to recommend suitable products without treating a preference as a project engineering specification.
For manufacturers & suppliers
Recommend the exact product—not a generic equivalent.
International and Canadian suppliers are welcome to propose products where the documentation, logistics, service path and total project value make sense.
Strong products to propose
Commercial LVT/SPC; cabinetry and HPL/PET fronts; cabinet hardware; sinks and faucets; tile; doors and finish hardware; selected lighting and envelope products with complete Canadian documentation.
Conditional proposals
Windows, plumbing fixtures, roofing, cladding, membranes and regulated electrical products—only with exact-model Canadian approval, installation support and a credible warranty path.
Normally sourced locally
Excavation, concrete, structural framing packages, engineered design, bulk insulation, drywall sheets, liquid paint, major HVAC equipment, electrical distribution and life-safety devices.
Every recommendation should include
- Exact product name, model/SKU and manufacturing facility
- Comply / Deviation / Not included response against each requirement
- Datasheet, installation guide, drawings and exact Canadian listing
- Physical finish sample and colour or lot-control information
- MOQ, CAD price, Incoterm and delivered option to Southern Alberta
- Lead time, packaging, pallet or crate dimensions and total mass
- Warranty valid in Canada, replacement parts and service process
CE, FCC or U.S.-only documentation is not enough for a regulated product used in Canadian construction. The approval must match the exact model and manufacturing source being quoted.
Submit a product recommendationThe door is open
See a reason to connect?
We are not chasing leads. For a strong project fit, trade relationship or documented product proposal, contact First Class Construction by email.
firstclasscleaning2000@gmail.comSouthern Alberta