--- title: Victoria Renovations & Home Building Blog | Tom Labelle - Founder (2) description: Tom is a Red Seal carpenter and the founder of Stillwater Custom Homes, with a focus on design‑forward, high‑performance homes across Greater Victoria and the Gulf Islands. His work centers on thoughtful planning, quality execution, and supporting long‑term comfort and energy performance, guided by an experienced project team. (2) --- [Skip to main content](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/author/tom-labelle/page/2#main-content) [![New Logo Landscape White PNG](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/New%20Logo%20Landscape%20White%20PNG.png?width=250&height=54&name=New%20Logo%20Landscape%20White%20PNG.png) ![New Logo Landscape White PNG](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/New%20Logo%20Landscape%20White%20PNG.png?width=250&height=54&name=New%20Logo%20Landscape%20White%20PNG.png) ![New Logo Landscape White PNG](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/New%20Logo%20Landscape%20White%20PNG.png?width=200&height=43&name=New%20Logo%20Landscape%20White%20PNG.png) ![New Logo Landscape White PNG](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/New%20Logo%20Landscape%20White%20PNG.png?width=200&height=43&name=New%20Logo%20Landscape%20White%20PNG.png)](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca) - [HOME](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca) - Show submenu for NEW CONSTRUCTION NEW CONSTRUCTION - 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[KITCHEN RENOVATIONS](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/victoria-kitchen-renovations) - [BATHROOM RENOVATIONS](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/victoria-bathroom-renovations) - [BASEMENT RENOVATIONS](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/victoria-basement-renovations) - [PROJECTS](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/projects) - Show submenu for ABOUT US ABOUT US - ABOUT US - [OUR PROCESS](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/our-process) - [AWARDS](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/about#awards) - [OUR TEAM](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/about) - [CAREERS](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/careers) - [ARCHITECTS & DESIGNERS](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/architects-and-designers) - [BLOG](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog) - [CONTACT](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/contact) # All articles from Tom Labelle - Founder #### [Renovations • Jul 9, 2026, 2:31:10 PM BC Step Code, High-Performance, and Passive House: A Victoria Homeowner's Guide to Energy Efficiency](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/energy-efficient-home-builder-victoria-bc) [Read article](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/energy-efficient-home-builder-victoria-bc) #### [Renovations • Jul 1, 2026, 3:26:33 PM What to Actually Expect When You're Living Through a Renovation in Victoria](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/living-through-a-renovation-victoria) [Read article](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/living-through-a-renovation-victoria) #### [Renovations • Jun 19, 2026, 2:28:27 PM When Everyone Is Working Towards A Common Goal — Why We Share the Full Financial Picture With Our Clients](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/integrated-project-delivery) [Read article](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/integrated-project-delivery) #### [Custom Homes • Jun 12, 2026, 10:36:58 AM The Smart Home Decisions That Actually Matter When You're Building a Custom Home](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/smart-home-custom-home) [Read article](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/smart-home-custom-home) #### [Custom Homes • Jun 4, 2026, 2:43:50 PM A Builder's Honest Take on Victoria Home Design Trends in 2026](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/victoria-home-design-trends-2026) [Read article](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/victoria-home-design-trends-2026) #### [Custom Homes • May 26, 2026, 1:38:00 PM What Is a Cost-Plus Builder and Why Does It Matter in Greater Victoria?](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/cost-plus-builder-victoria-bc) [Read article](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/cost-plus-builder-victoria-bc) #### [Custom Homes • May 19, 2026, 2:38:37 PM What's the Difference Between an Architect and a Residential Designer in Victoria, BC?](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/architect-vs-residential-designer-victoria-bc) [Read article](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/architect-vs-residential-designer-victoria-bc) #### [Renovations • May 1, 2026, 3:04:03 PM Do I Really Need a Project Manager for My Victoria BC Custom Home Build?](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/do-i-really-need-a-project-manager-for-my-victoria-bc-custom-home-build) [Read article](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/do-i-really-need-a-project-manager-for-my-victoria-bc-custom-home-build) #### [Renovations • Apr 29, 2026, 2:10:11 PM Building High-Performance Homes in Langford: What Buyers Need to Know in 2026](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/building-high-performance-homes-in-langford-what-buyers-need-to-know-in-2026) [Read article](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/building-high-performance-homes-in-langford-what-buyers-need-to-know-in-2026) #### [Renovations • Apr 22, 2026, 10:31:39 AM Before You Build a Custom Home in Victoria, BC](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/before-you-build-a-custom-home-in-victoria-bc) [Read article](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/before-you-build-a-custom-home-in-victoria-bc) ![Tom Labelle - Founder](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Theme%20Build%202025/Logos/Stillwater_LogoOnly%20(Black).png?width=72&name=Stillwater_LogoOnly%20(Black).png) [Tom Labelle - Founder](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/author/tom-labelle) Tom is a Red Seal carpenter and the founder of Stillwater Custom Homes, with a focus on design‑forward, high‑performance homes across Greater Victoria and the Gulf Islands. His work centers on thoughtful planning, quality execution, and supporting long‑term comfort and energy performance, guided by an experienced project team. [Follow me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-labelle/) #### Topics - [Renovations](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/tag/renovations) - [Custom Homes](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/tag/custom-homes) - [Contracts](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/tag/contracts) - [Passive Homes](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/tag/passive-homes) [Prev](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog) [1](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog) [2](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/author/tom-labelle/page/2) [3](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/author/tom-labelle/page/3) [4](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/author/tom-labelle/page/4) [All](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/all) [Next](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/blog/author/tom-labelle/page/3) [![New Logo Landscape White PNG](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/New%20Logo%20Landscape%20White%20PNG.png?width=200&height=43&name=New%20Logo%20Landscape%20White%20PNG.png)](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca) - [Terms of Service](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/terms-of-service) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/privacy-policy) - [Contact Us](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/contact) ©2026 [Stillwater Custom Homes and Renovations.](https://www.stillwatercustomhomes.ca/)All rights reserved. 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