Home Improvements

We are under renovations and I wanted a rustic look for my kitchen island, so we chose a pine shiplap. That said, our contractor painted the island with a lacquer, so it doesn't show the grain a...

1 2 days ago

We have a foyer at the entrance which has high ceiling over it. The approximate area is 70 square feet. We would like to add a loft over the the foyer. How much would it cost us in the Edmonton area with permit...

2 2 days ago

I want to replace my fuse box with a breaker panel. I'm not changing anything else. Do I need to install AFCI breakers (I heard they are required by the code for many circuits) even it is not new wi...

5 2 days ago

I am finishing my partially finished basement in Ontario. The walls currently have black paper on foundation walls then a 2”x3” studded wall 1” away from foundation, 24” on centre, with R12 batt insulat...

3 3 days ago

With the broken boards in the center support of the trusses who can replace them and what is involved. The trusses look like they are undersized compared to new construction. the house was built in 1981...

3 3 days ago

Background: I share a wall with them. The odours get inside both the party wall and at least one other intersecting wall. They also get inside my furnace and emit through every vent in my home. My home do...

0 4 days ago

Hi - I have had a leak come thru my bedroom ceiling. I have since had that portion of the roof repaired. I fear that there is considerable water still in my attic (it’s a bungalow) and there’s quite a b...

4 2 days ago

Advice needed on painting the exterior of our house. I’m not a fan of the brown paint color and the extra pieces of what the trim. What color scheme for the wall, trim, and windows would go with red bri...

2 4 days ago

Finishing wiring of my basement for rough-in inspection. I’m putting in 4” direct ceiling mount LED pots (box attached) but would rather leave the wire with the insulation on until after drywall (as...

1 5 days ago

How much should I expect to pay in Toronto to have an old plaster/lathe wall replaced with fire-resistant drywall and soundproofing insulation? The quotes I'm getting are all over the map. Thanks in...

4 6 days ago

I would like to widen my basement stairway and install new stairs, with probable load-bearing changes. We want the minimum extra inches needed to accommodate modern appliances, currently a problem.The s...

3 8 days ago

I am removing plaster crown moulding in my living room. There is concrete and mesh wiring behind it. I’m wondering if it is okay to remove some of the mesh wiring and concrete to square off the corners of the c...

0 9 days ago

Hi there - I would like to finish my basement including the cold room. We are planning to insulate the exterior walls of the cold room but should I be insulating the interior concrete wall of the cold room. ...

3 8 days ago

I have a walk out basement. I am getting set to complete the flooring with laminate. However, where the cement floor meets the concrete foundation there is a half inch gap, and the foundation is about 2...

3 7 days ago

There is an app called Construction Cost Estimator. Available for laptop, ipad, or phone. It's recommended by Michael Stone author of Markup & Profit. Can be used in US and Canada only. Does anyone ...

1 10 days ago

I hired a contractor to do some rennovations at my house. Midway through the contract, he had an unrelated accident and so he's unable to work for some time. I have talked to him and he's willing...

3 13 days ago

Can following pass Ontario electric inspection on single 15A circuit break? - 29 pot lights, 9 watt each - 1 strip led, 15 watt - bath fan, 72 watts - 6 plugs Known current is 28x9+15&#...

2 11 days ago

I have a toilet that was installed just over a year ago. Over the last month or so, it’s been making a loud screeching sound, every time it’s flushed. I am wondering what it could be. Is it cause for co...

1 13 days ago

I have white flakes in my vent up stairs. Falling in the floor. Noticed it after having our heat unit serviced ...

0 13 days ago

Hi Everyone, Went to replace a shower valve and found this ontop of a closet in the void. This house was supposedly renovated only 20 years ago so I'm hoping they just put some cellulose there. But&#...

1 11 days ago