For owners of large acreages and rural properties on Central Vancouver Island, “out of sight” often means “out of mind.” It’s easy for a back-forty or a perimeter lot to be overtaken by invasive Himalayan blackberries, scotch broom, and dense scrub brush.
However, professional land clearing is about more than just aesthetics; it is a critical step in property management, safety, and long-term value. Whether you are in Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Parksville, or Qualicum, clearing your unused land is an investment that pays dividends.
Why Brush Clearing is Essential
- Wildfire Mitigation and FireSmart Safety
On Vancouver Island, our summers are becoming increasingly dry. Overgrown brush acts as “ladder fuel,” allowing ground fires to climb into the tree canopy. By clearing brush and removing dead organic debris, you create a “defensible space” around your home and outbuildings. Following FireSmart principles through strategic excavating and vegetation management is the best way to protect your investment from wildfire risks.
- Pest and Invasive Species Control
Dense thickets are breeding grounds for pests, including ticks and rodents. Furthermore, invasive species like blackberries can quickly choke out native vegetation and damage the soil health of your property. Professional brush cutting stops the spread and allows your native trees and grasses to thrive.
- Increasing Property Value and Usability
You can’t build a shop, install a fence, or plan a garden on land you can’t see. Land clearing services reveal the true topography of your lot. If you are looking to sell, a cleared, “park-like” property in Parksville or Qualicum attracts significantly higher offers than a lot hidden under a wall of brambles.
- Improving Drainage and Soil Health
Overgrowth often hides drainage issues. During the excavation process, we can identify low spots where water pools and correct the grade. This prevents erosion and ensures your land remains stable and usable year-round, even through our wet West Coast winters.
Professional Results with Norm’s Excavating
When it comes to transforming raw land into a clean slate, the DIY approach with a chainsaw often falls short. Larger properties require heavy-duty solutions.
Norm’s Excavating, our specialized excavating division, is equipped to handle the toughest terrain on the Island. We don’t just “cut” the brush; we manage the land.
- The Right Machinery: From versatile mini excavators for tight spaces to heavy-duty excavators and skid steers equipped with specialized attachments, we have the fleet to uproot stumps, clear thickets, and grade the land efficiently.
- Skilled Operators: Our team understands the local landscape of Nanaimo and Ladysmith. We know how to navigate rocky slopes and sensitive ecosystems, ensuring the job is done safely and legally.
- Comprehensive Service: We offer more than just a quick clear. We provide site preparation, stump removal, and debris management to ensure your land is ready for its next chapter—whether that’s a new build, a pasture, or a pristine backyard.
Ready to reclaim your property?
Don’t let your valuable acreage go to waste under a blanket of overgrowth. From Ladysmith to Qualicum, we are the local experts in landscaping and excavation.
Contact Norm’s Excavating today to schedule a site visit and see the hidden potential of your land!
Reclaiming Your Land: The Importance of Brush Clearing for Large Properties
For owners of large acreages and rural properties on Central Vancouver Island, “out of sight” often means “out of mind.” It’s easy for a back-forty or a perimeter lot to be overtaken by invasive Himalayan blackberries, scotch broom, and dense scrub brush.
However, professional land clearing is about more than just aesthetics; it is a critical step in property management, safety, and long-term value. Whether you are in Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Parksville, or Qualicum, clearing your unused land is an investment that pays dividends.
Why Brush Clearing is Essential
On Vancouver Island, our summers are becoming increasingly dry. Overgrown brush acts as “ladder fuel,” allowing ground fires to climb into the tree canopy. By clearing brush and removing dead organic debris, you create a “defensible space” around your home and outbuildings. Following FireSmart principles through strategic excavating and vegetation management is the best way to protect your investment from wildfire risks.
Dense thickets are breeding grounds for pests, including ticks and rodents. Furthermore, invasive species like blackberries can quickly choke out native vegetation and damage the soil health of your property. Professional brush cutting stops the spread and allows your native trees and grasses to thrive.
You can’t build a shop, install a fence, or plan a garden on land you can’t see. Land clearing services reveal the true topography of your lot. If you are looking to sell, a cleared, “park-like” property in Parksville or Qualicum attracts significantly higher offers than a lot hidden under a wall of brambles.
Overgrowth often hides drainage issues. During the excavation process, we can identify low spots where water pools and correct the grade. This prevents erosion and ensures your land remains stable and usable year-round, even through our wet West Coast winters.
Professional Results with Norm’s Excavating
When it comes to transforming raw land into a clean slate, the DIY approach with a chainsaw often falls short. Larger properties require heavy-duty solutions.
Norm’s Excavating, our specialized excavating division, is equipped to handle the toughest terrain on the Island. We don’t just “cut” the brush; we manage the land.
Ready to reclaim your property?
Don’t let your valuable acreage go to waste under a blanket of overgrowth. From Ladysmith to Qualicum, we are the local experts in landscaping and excavation.
Contact Norm’s Excavating today to schedule a site visit and see the hidden potential of your land!
Don Best
Journeyman Plumber and Gas Fitter | 30 Years Experience
Best Plumbers Nanaimo – Don Best
Bio coming soon.
Journeyman Plumber and Gas Fitter | 30 Years Experience
Doug Harty
Journeyman Plumber | 5 Years Experience
Best Plumbers Nanaimo – Doug Harty: Trusted Journeyman Plumber at Norm’s Plumbing
1. What’s your name and job title at Norm’s?
Doug Harty , Red Seal Plumber.
2. How long have you been working at Norm’s?
Doug Harty is a Red Seal Plumber and certified backflow tester at Norm’s, and he’s currently working toward his gas fitter certification. He’s been in the plumbing trade since 2020 and joined the Norm’s team in April 2025.
3. What inspired you to get into plumbing/HVAC/your trade?
Doug got into the trades after high school with a simple coin flip—trade school or university. When it landed on trades, he narrowed his options down to aircraft maintenance or plumbing, and plumbing won. He spent about four and a half years working on the construction and building side of the industry before moving into service work.
4. What do you enjoy most about your job or working at Norm’s?
What Doug enjoys most about working at Norm’s is the sense of community within the company. After 4.5 years in construction, stepping into the service side of plumbing has been a welcome change of pace. He’s proud of the experience he’s gained so far and is looking forward to continuing to build his skills in residential service.
6. What’s your approach when working in a customer’s home?
When working in a customer’s home, Doug treats it the same way he would his parents’ home—with care, respect, and attention to detail.
7. What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Outside of work, Doug enjoys gaming, reading, walking his dog, fishing, and exploring the island.
8. Anything else you’d like people to know about you?
A fun fact about Doug didn’t grow up on the island; he moved from Kelowna in 2021 and has been happy to call it home ever since.
Journeyman Plumber | 5 Years Experience
Dan Sladde
Head of Excavating | 15 Years Experience
Nanaimo Excavating – Dan Sladde
Bio coming soon.
Head of Excavating | 15 Years Experience
Code 55 on Your Rinnai Tankless? Here’s What You Need to Know
Hey friends,
If you’ve got a Rinnai tankless water heater, you might’ve seen a Code 55 show up on the display and wondered what it means. The good news is it’s not a breakdown or an error. But it is an important reminder — and one you shouldn’t ignore.
What Does Code 55 Mean?
Code 55 on your Rinnai tankless unit simply means it’s time for your annual service. It’s a built-in reminder, not a system failure — but it’s one you want to take seriously.
Just like your vehicle needs oil changes, your tankless water heater needs regular maintenance to keep things running smoothly. Code 55 is Rinnai’s way of saying:
“Hey — I’ve been working hard, and it’s time for a check-up.”
Why Annual Maintenance Matters
Annual service keeps your tankless unit:
During a service, we don’t just reset the code. We fully inspect, flush, test, and tune up the system to make sure it’s running like new.
Why Choose Norm’s?
Here at Norm’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, we’ve installed and maintained hundreds of Rinnai systems across Nanaimo, Parksville, Ladysmith and beyond.
Here’s why we’re the go-to team for Rinnai service on Vancouver Island:
And of course, we reset the Code 55 properly — after actually doing the service it’s asking for.
When Was Your Last Service?
If it’s been a year or more since your last tankless check-up — or you’ve got a blinking Code 55 on your unit — give us a call.
We’ll get you booked in quickly and make sure your system is running at its best for the year ahead.
Thanks for trusting us with your home comfort,
— Malcolm
Owner, Norm’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning
Adam Yardley
4th year hvac apprentice | 4 Years Experience
Best HVAC Nanaimo – Adam Yardley
1. What’s your name and job title at Norm’s?
Adam – HVAC Service Technician
2. How long have you been working in the trades? How long at Norm’s?
HVAC since 2021 joined Norm’s this year
3. What inspired you to get into plumbing/HVAC/your trade?
Was looking for a new career, HVAC provided a great place to use my hands but also my head
4. What do you enjoy most about your job or working at Norm’s?
Love working for a local family business.
5. What’s one thing you’re proud of in your career so far?
I love learning and being able to share my knowledgewith others. With so much to learn in HVACI thinkits important to be able to rely on each other
6. What’s your approach when working in a customer’s home?
My aim is for each customer to request me the next time they need a visit
7. What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Spending time with my wife… backpacking the remote corners of Vancouver Island on a long weekend or just walking the dog and watching jeopardy on a weeknight
4th year hvac apprentice | 4 Years Experience
Evan Fisher
Plumbing apprentice | 1 Year Experience
1. What’s your name and job title at Norm’s?
My name’s Evan and I’m an Apprentice Plumber.
2. How long have you been working at Norm’s?
I’ve been working in the trades for 7 years and plumbing with Norm’s for the last year.
3. What inspired you to get into plumbing/HVAC/your trade?
I was looking to make a career change and found plumbing to be interesting, reliable, and allow room for growth.
4. What do you enjoy most about your job or working at Norm’s?
I enjoy the fulfillment from helping someone who has come down on bad luck/ unfortunate circumstance.
5. What’s one thing you’re proud of in your career so far?
I’m proud of all my work.
6. What’s your approach when working in a customer’s home?
Using care to respect the customer and their home including for example: using drop sheets, controlling any mess and cleaning up, preparation and care to installation, removing boots or using boot covers, and leaving with things in better condition than on arrival.
7. What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Hiking, outdoors, sports, exercise.
Plumbing apprentice | 1 Year Experience
Jacob Neeb
Journeyman Plumber + Gasfitter | 10 Years Experience
Best Plumbers Nanaimo – Jacob Neeb
1. What’s your name and job title at Norm’s?
My name is Jake, I am a Journeyman Plumber and Gas fitter.
2. How long have you been working in the trades? How long at Norm’s?
I’ve been plumbing for 15 years and with Norms for 6 months.
3. What inspired you to get into plumbing/HVAC/your trade?
I was assigned as a water and fuel system maintenance technician in the military, that sent me to trade school and got me in the door. I haven’t regretted it since!
4. What do you enjoy most about your job or working at Norm’s?
I enjoy meeting new people in the community and helping them. Hearing their stories are the highlight of my day.
5. What’s one thing you’re proud of in your career so far?
Being welcomed into the trades community and making new friends. Traveling the world plumbing.
6. What’s your approach when working in a customer’s home?
Try and makea great connection with thecustomer. I want to be the person they call for all their plumbing and heating needs.
7. What do you like to do when you’re not working?
I like hunting, fishing and enjoying the outdoors with my family.
Journeyman Plumber + Gasfitter | 10 Years Experience
Graham Largue
Journeyman Plumber | 20 Years Experience
Best Plumbers Nanaimo – Graham Largue
1. What’s your name and job title at Norm’s?
Graham – Journeyman Plumber.
2. How long have you been working in the trades? How long at Norm’s?
32 years in the trade. 13 years at Norms.
3. What inspired you to get into plumbing/HVAC/your trade?
I had an opportunity to learn the trade through a friend and enjoyed it and made it my career.
4. What do you enjoy most about your job or working at Norm’s?
I like the variety of work and the team we’ve had at Norms has always been good to work with.
5. What’s one thing you’re proud of in your career so far?
Proud that I managed to make the move to Canada.
6. What’s your approach when working in a customer’s home?
Honest, efficient, and good communication.
7. What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Gym. Cooking, gardening.
Journeyman Plumber | 20 Years Experience
John Donovan
Shop Mechanic
John Donovan helps Norms organize our shop and ensure products are put away properly and efficiently. He is our go to guy when we need something done around here. John was born and raised in Nanaimo, and lives here with his wife and 4 children. John is a big part of our team.
Shop Mechanic