If your family has outgrown your current house, you might be considering a big change. Or, maybe you want that luxurious master suite, a third bathroom or an additional family room. If you need more living space, you have two options: add on to the house you already have and renovate it to make it work OR move into a bigger house.

How much do you love this house?

Homeowners typically build additions because they love the house and neighbourhood that they live in. Perhaps you don’t want to uproot their kids or maybe you had searched for this dream home for years before initially moving in. Chances are you can find a different house that meets you needs for space, but if you’re not willing to move, an addition might be a good option.

Will you get a…

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From creating a space for mindful relaxation, to cultivating your own food, landscaping trends in Edmonton in 2019 are going to be all about getting away from the everyday rush, spending time with loved ones, and getting closer to nature. The outdoor living trend will carry over and grow from 2018, to realize creating unique, exciting ideas that are beautiful additions to your home. Here's what's coming in 2019:

1. Lo-Fi Gardens

The larger the mess, the larger the mess - it's not a concept that’s restricted to the indoors. A messy garden can leave you feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. Considering the busy lives we lead, landscapes are moving towards minimalism in 2019. Plant perennials that will return each year and group them according to their…

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In August the City of Edmonton updated their Secondary Suite zoning bylaws, making it easier for property owners to add a secondary suite to their property. The city expects to see 500 new legal suites in duplex homes, 600 in row-houses and about 550 in homes on small lots around the city, which has greatly increased interest for Secondary Suites in Edmonton’s Real Estate market. Here are the top 3 reasons you should consider adding a secondary suite to your home Income Properties Adding a secondary suite to your property adds a new income stream, increasing your monthly income without requiring more of your time or effort. This money can easily go towards paying down your mortgage, building up your savings or even paying off debt. The decision to…

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Everyone likes a trooper; especially when it comes to appliances. Sometimes the best ones are those we rarely have to think about: quietly standing by, doing their jobs; making us more comfortable. Occasionally, they last well beyond their normal lifespan. For the most part, these are the major appliances we want. But, this is Edmonton. We rely on our furnaces more than most. Ageing furnaces are more likely to need repairs. They should be inspected for safety and cleaned regularly. When the signs of ageing appear, it might be time to start thinking about a replacement.

How Does a Furnace Work?

A basic gas furnace uses a series of individual components to control two airflows. Each is critical for delivering warm air into your home.
  • Airflow…

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Most homeowners would love to spend more time outdoors on the deck or patio, but sometimes the weather can keep you inside. A motorized, retractable awning in Edmonton, over your patio or deck, can enhance that outdoor living space and make it more comfortable and enjoyable for relaxing, spending time with family and entertaining.

Create more livable space, regardless of the weather.

A retractable awning allows you to enjoy your outdoor living space, regardless of the weather. You won’t have to worry about scorching under the sun and you can still enjoy being outside when it starts to rain. Plus, you won’t have to worry about your awning getting damaged in heavy weather. When a big storm rolls in, you can retract the awning, so it will not get…

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You’ve probably heard of Phantom® retractable screen doors, the biggest brand in retractable screen doors in Edmonton. This clever innovation has well-earned it’s reputation and will be a good addition to your new home. Installed in your patio doors, back or side doors, a retractable screen door will allow you to enjoy a summer’s breeze while keeping bugs and UV rays out of your house. The three main benefits of retractable screen doors in Edmonton are that they are functional, versatile and durable.

Retractable screen doors are functional.

We install screen doors in our homes, so we can allow the lovely breeze into the house, with the sounds and smells of spring and summer with it, without allowing the mosquitos in! Not only do retractable screen…

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If you live in or are looking at a home for sale that was built before 1990, it might have asbestos in certain building materials like older tile and drywall compound. It was a widely used construction material because of its thermal resistance, strength and sound absorption. In those days, asbestos was commonly used in ceiling and floor tile, siding, insulation and in the compound used on seams between pieces of drywall. Older vermiculite attic insulation may also contain asbestos. Learn more about asbestos in the home.

What is asbestos and why is it bad?

Asbestos is the generic name for 6 different fibrous minerals that occur in nature. There are two major groups of asbestos: serpentine and amphibole. Asbestos can be a hazard to health when the…

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Have you noticed a drop in your home’s water pressure? While running multiple plumbing fixtures at the same time could cause you to lose some water pressure, a consistent and constant weakening of pressure could mean there is something wrong with your plumbing. Here are some common causes for low water pressure:

Clogged shower head.

If the water pressure seems weak in the shower, but okay in other parts of the home, it’s probably a problem with your showerhead. Check to see if there are mineral deposits built up on your showerhead and use a vinegar and water solution to clear the blockages. This should improve water flow. Learn how to clean a shower head.

Waterline valves shut off.

Sometimes water valves are accidentally shut off. If the home’s main…

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Solar rebates have arrived!  On June 21, 2017, the Government of Alberta officially opened the rebate program to homes and businesses in Alberta.

Alberta Residential and Commercial Solar Program

Energy Efficiency Alberta, a third-party organization, has been designated to distribute multiple rebate programs, including the Residential and Commercial Solar Program and other rebates to help you save money on Energy Efficiency upgrades. The solar rebate is funded by a $36 million-dollar pool generated from carbon tax revenues. The rebate is allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis subject to your time of application.

Funding

The residential rebate provides $0.75/W up to $10,000 or 30% of eligible system costs. The commercial rebate provides $0.75/W…

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Your windows can be responsible for up to 30 to 40 per cent of energy lost in your home. When winter rolls around and you start to feel a cold draft coming from your windows, it could be a sign that it’s time for a replacement. If you have noticeably warped or damaged frames, original aluminum sliders or older wood-framed windows that feel soft and possibly rotten, a window replacement is in your future.

Benefits of a window replacement.

Replacing all the windows in your home is going to be an expensive job. While it might feel like a hit, you will enjoy the benefits after the job is complete. Your home will retain heat in the winter and cool air in the summer, making your home more comfortable and energy efficient. You will start saving money on your…

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