Whether you’re remodelling to enhance your family’s treasured home for your own enjoyment or to increase resale value, it is bound to be a vast undertaking. To adequately prepare yourself for the project that lies ahead, consider the following common renovation problems and the best solutions to fix them.

Being Caught Off-Guard by Hidden Issues

Sometimes, once the renovation project is underway, problems surface that require further attention, time and money. Be aware of the following issues that could pose extra work during your remodel process:
  • Carpentry – When a floorboard is removed, other surprises often lurk, such as rotten framing or unleveled areas.
  • Glazing on windows is often thin in older homes and can break easily.
  • Asbestos…

1250 Views, 0 Comments

What is radon gas?

Radon is an invisible, odourless, cancer-causing, radioactive gas that comes from the ground. When inhaled, radon breaks down into radioactive particles, releasing bursts of radioactivity that can cause injury to lung tissue. Exposure to high levels of radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoking. Radon enters homes where the house comes into contact with the ground and can accumulate into high levels, posing health risks to the occupants. The health implications of radon exposure depend on both the level and length of exposure, and the risk of developing lung cancer is especially high for smokers. The only way to find out if your home has high radon levels is to have your home tested. A reading of 200…

6325 Views, 0 Comments

A brand new driveway will improve the curb appeal of your home, extend your outdoor living space, increase property value and even help with resale. If you're installing a new driveway for a brand new home or want to replace your current damaged and cracked driveway, there are two main materials to consider: concrete and asphalt. Here are the pros and cons of each.

Concrete Driveways

Concrete driveways are aesthetically pleasing and versatile. There are multiple finishes to choose from, including tinted or stamped finish, broom finish or an exposed aggregate finish which gives it that pebble-like look. Whichever finish you choose, the concrete takes several days to cure.  Cold Canadian winters and the freeze-thaw process can cause concrete driveways…

750 Views, 0 Comments

We know it’s been a long hot summer, and summer floods are the last thing from our minds, but those summer storms can sneak up on us here in Edmonton. Is your home ready for it? One way to protect your home from flooding is having a backwater valve on your main sanitary sewer pipe. While these are required and come standard in newer homes, homes built prior to 1989 may not have this device.  If you own an older home and don’t have a backwater valve, don’t worry, you’re not out of luck; you may qualify for the EPCOR Backwater Valve Subsidy Program.

What is a Backwater Valve?

A backwater valve is a device with a flap that floats up and closes off the pipe when there is backflow from the sewer. This ensures that sewage only flows one way, out.

What is…

576 Views, 0 Comments

With the weather finally warming up, and the days getting longer, it’s time to move the party outside. But is your outdoor living space ready? Here are 4 quick and easy ways to refresh your outdoor living space - and you won’t have to break the bank to do it.

1. Add an outdoor area rug

Outdoor area rugs are great for centring your patio furniture, upping the cozy factor and adding a pop of colour.

2. Change out your accent pillows

Accent pillows are great for sprucing up your patio furniture, making it more comfortable for lounging and even adding a pop of colour if you choose to.

3. Add Lights:

String Lights: String lights are a fun way to light up your outdoor space for those summer evenings. You can hang them on a pergola, across the fence,…

508 Views, 0 Comments

Winter is a great time to tackle the home renovation projects you’ve been putting off. Here are some reasons why:

It’s a slow time for contractors.

Every trade is different, but for many renovation contractors the winter is a slower time. Therefore, they might have more availability and you won’t have to fight for their time. That means more flexible scheduling and quicker end dates for your home remodel. Because there is less demand for their services, less supply is required. Some contractors might be more willing to negotiate prices on projects when they have less to work on.

Suppliers are clearing last year’s stock.

When it comes to materials, supplies, appliances, furniture and other home renovation materials, retailers could be clearing last…

1050 Views, 0 Comments

Whether you’re looking to turn your unfinished basement into livable space, you’re interested in creating a legal basement suite or you just want to refresh and repurpose a dated basement – there are a few things to consider before you get to picking out paint colours. By doing your homework, finding the right fit and being prepared for the work ahead you have a much better chance of achieving basement bliss - here are our top five tips for an Edmonton basement renovation:

Build Your Budget

Setting aside an appropriate amount of money to complete your renovation project is essential. “$25,000 to $30,000 is what you can expect to spend on a pretty standard basement,” says Ryan DeBruyne of MODE Contracting. “That would include a bathroom, bedroom and…

456 Views, 0 Comments

We haven't had much summer in Edmonton yet this year but we're getting a taste of it now, and if you're like me, I'm counting on my a/c in this warm weather. Regular maintenance of your HVAC system, including the air conditioner, can prevent major breakdowns and repair costs. Review this air conditioner maintenance checklist and ensure your AC is getting serviced annually. In the meantime, here are some warning signs that something is wrong with your air conditioning and what you can do about it:

There’s water pooling around the AC unit.

Condensation will naturally form inside your AC unit as it runs. This is nothing to worry about. This moisture is drained away by a drain tube, when the unit is in good working order. If you notice pools of water…

428 Views, 0 Comments

Estimating Edmonton renovation costs before you buy.

By Camillo Esposito, Owner of Independent Bath & Renovations: https://www.independentbath.com/ You found a house or a condo in a mature neighbourhood you love but it needs some attention for you to call it home. Established neighbourhoods provide mature trees and landscaping, shopping, a central location and a ton of convenience many people are drawn to. The trade-off is updates and repairs are sometimes required for homes in older neighbourhoods. The challenge becomes, how can remodelling costs be calculated to ensure the combined totals of your mortgage and improvements do not exceed your budget? Ballparking renovations can be a minefield for established contractors as the scope of work is unique…

590 Views, 0 Comments

A kitchen renovation can be a massive investment, but it does have a good return. A new, modern kitchen will improve the aesthetics and personal enjoyment of the space. It can also add resale value to your home and improve marketability if you decide to sell. The most expensive part of your kitchen renovation will be the kitchen cabinets. Not only will the cabinets eat up a large portion of the total renovation budget, they also play the biggest role in how your kitchen looks and functions. If you want to renovate the kitchen to sell your home, or to just enjoy it yourself, there is an alternative to an expensive cabinet replacement.

Cabinet painting can save thousands.

Cabinet painting, or cabinet refinishing, is a budget-friendly alternative to…

546 Views, 0 Comments