Advice

Property ownership comes with a lot of responsibility. To ensure that your home, condo, or building stays in good shape, it’s important to know when to get things inspected, who to hire, how to prepare for a major renovation, and more! Here you’ll find tips and tricks to help you make the right decisions the first time around.

Browse our articles to find the latest building code updates, home inspection tips, renovation costs, and so much more. And, if you’re looking for inspiration, check out our projects, completed by our 53-point Verified Contractors.

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Click on the orange Start a Project button to get in touch with one of our Renovation Advisors. They’ll refer you to the best general contractors to make sure that you get the right price. All at no cost and no obligation!

Should I Renovate Right Now? Thoughts From Canadian Homeowners 

Two months ago, RenoAssistance partnered with Desjardins and l’Association des Professionels de la Construction et de l’Habitation du Quebec (APCHQ) to ask homeowners in Quebec and Ontario how they felt ...

Published on:
April 20, 2022
5 min read
Anthony Granziol
Writer
Should I Renovate Right Now? Thoughts From Canadian Homeowners 
Navigating Condos: Private, Common, and Exclusive Use Areas 
Published on:
April 19, 2022
4 min read
Navigating Condos: Private, Common, and Exclusive Use Areas 

Much like other types of home ownership, condo life comes with its own set of pros and cons. A lot of these become more obvious as you start renovating and ...

Flore Bessette
Writer
Basement Rental Tax Deductions: How to Save While Avoiding an Audit
Published on:
August 26, 2021
6 min read
Basement Rental Tax Deductions: How to Save While Avoiding an Audit

Taxes are part of owning a property. The roads, sidewalks, and other local amenities have to be paid for somehow and most municipalities rely on property owners to foot the bill. But what if there was a ...

Anthony Granziol
Writer
9 Tips to Prepare for a Major Renovation
Published on:
August 12, 2021
6 min read
9 Tips to Prepare for a Major Renovation

It’s decided then! After surviving lockdowns, working from home, and being with the kids 24/7, your down-the-road renovation project can’t be put off any longer – we hear you! Challenges posed by the pandemic have caused many households to take a hard ...

Yves Carignan
President & CEO - Drummond House Plans
Top 11 Basement Renovation Ideas
Published on:
August 4, 2021
6 min read
Top 11 Basement Renovation Ideas

Explore more basement renovation ideas Need more basement inspiration? Browse through our completed basement projects. You’ll find a ton of real-life basement renovations done by our contractors, complete with pictures ...

Charles Gosselin
Content Manager | RenoAssistance
A Retrofitting Boost: Supporting your Renovation with the Canada Greener Homes Grant
Published on:
July 6, 2021
6 min read
A Retrofitting Boost: Supporting your Renovation with the Canada Greener Homes Grant

So, you’ve read about energy-efficient retrofitting and you’ve got a few ideas about what you’d like to do to bring down your energy bill and make your home more environmentally friendly? Maybe you ...

Anthony Granziol
Writer
Building a House: Floor Plans and Types of Construction
Published on:
June 17, 2021
6 min read
Building a House: Floor Plans and Types of Construction

A lot of questions quickly come up when it’s time to start a new construction project, but their answers aren’t always easy to find. Many people don’t recognize the amount of planning that goes into construction projects. Land selection, floor ...

Yves Carignan
President & CEO - Drummond House Plans
Architect vs. Architectural Technologist: Which Should You Choose?
Published on:
April 25, 2021
6 min read
Architect vs. Architectural Technologist: Which Should You Choose?

Do you need a professional to help you plan a renovation, construction, or expansion project? Architects and architectural technologists are trained to help with these tasks but choosing the right one will depend on your needs. Let's explore the differences.  Education and licensing requirements ...

Yves Carignan
President & CEO - Drummond House Plans
Support Local with Home Decor
Published on:
January 8, 2021
11 min read
Support Local with Home Decor

Once renovations are completed, it's time to decorate! That's why we've put together some of the best Ontarian and Canadian brands that are as decorative as they are functional for your ...

Lucia Di Sclafani
Content Manager | RenoAssistance
Covid Lockdown: What to Consider Before Your Spring 2021 Renovations
Published on:
December 17, 2020
6 min read
Covid Lockdown: What to Consider Before Your Spring 2021 Renovations

According to many in the renovation industry, investment in home renovations is on the rise and the trend is expected to continue in 2021. Are you prepared? The Covid-19 pandemic ...

Sylvain Lauzon
Writer
Preparing Your Home for Winter: What to Check
Published on:
October 29, 2020
5 min read
Preparing Your Home for Winter: What to Check

The days are growing colder, sweaters and hoodies are coming out of the closet... It's clear: winter is coming. While we're donning our toques and putting on our winter tires, ...

Karine Gazeryan
Renovation Advisor | RenoAssistance
Who to Hire: A General or Specialized Contractor?
Published on:
June 29, 2020
3 min read
Who to Hire: A General or Specialized Contractor?

Have a bathroom to remodel? Or are planning on extending your home with a garage addition? Who should you hire? Will a general contractor be best suited or a specialized contractor? ...

Paul Begin
VP | RenoAssistance
Roof Inspection and Maintenance
Published on:
April 28, 2020
8 min read
Roof Inspection and Maintenance

  Any contractor can tell you that the roof is the most important part of your home. If it’s not in good condition – or, worse yet, if it was ...

Karine Gazeryan
Renovation Advisor | RenoAssistance
How To Renovate Your Home Theatre For The Perfect Movie Night
Published on:
April 1, 2020
5 min read
How To Renovate Your Home Theatre For The Perfect Movie Night

Staying in has never been so simple! With so many great films on streaming services out there, it's the perfect time to create the ultimate home theatre. To get you ...

Julie Calce
Content Writer | RenoAssistance
5 Steps for an Quick and Efficient Spring Cleaning
Published on:
March 31, 2020
4 min read
5 Steps for an Quick and Efficient Spring Cleaning

Nothing is more satisfying than a perfectly clean house. It's spring cleaning season, so roll those sleeves up and get to work! Without the correct plan of action, however, those ...

Julie Calce
Content Writer | RenoAssistance
Preparing your Home for Spring: What to Check
Published on:
March 31, 2020
5 min read
Preparing your Home for Spring: What to Check

The arrival of spring means it's the season of renewal. It's the perfect occasion to give your home some TLC, to ensure everything is in good working order. To help ...

Marilena Tricarico
Renovation Expert & Interior Designer | RenoAssistance
Opening a Restaurant in Toronto: 4 Things to Tackle When Getting Started
Published on:
February 21, 2020
5 min read
Opening a Restaurant in Toronto: 4 Things to Tackle When Getting Started

Opening a restaurant can be a dream for some, but still seem like a nightmare to realize. From concept planning, to financing, to finding suppliers and hiring staff, there is ...

Louise Leonard
Account Manager - Commercial Division | RenoAssistance
Basement Conversion: Short-Term vs Long-Term Rental
Published on:
January 31, 2020
7 min read
Basement Conversion: Short-Term vs Long-Term Rental

With the prices of houses being more than 3 times higher now than they were in 2000, more and more homeowners in the Greater Toronto Area are looking to turn their ...

Julie Calce
Content Writer | RenoAssistance
Should You Take On A Mold Remediation Yourself?
Published on:
January 28, 2020
5 min read
Should You Take On A Mold Remediation Yourself?

Mold is a problem that no homeowner wants to have. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including basement humidity and water infiltration. It’s a significant issue to ...

Adele Orsini
Renovation Advisor | RenoAssistance
Top 6 Signs You Need Masonry Work Done
Published on:
January 9, 2020
5 min read
Top 6 Signs You Need Masonry Work Done

If your house, condo, or commercial building has brick or stone walls, you’ll need a mason at some point. And with Canada, where exposure to the elements can significantly damage ...

Maria Santamaria
Renovation Advisor | RenoAssistance
5 Advantages To Renovating During The Winter
Published on:
January 8, 2020
4 min read
5 Advantages To Renovating During The Winter

During the winter months, we often are under the impression that home renovations must come to a halt. However, that is very much not the case! There are quite a ...

Karine Gazeryan
Renovation Advisor | RenoAssistance
Renovating Your Home for Resale
Published on:
January 7, 2020
5 min read
Renovating Your Home for Resale

After years in the same home, every homeowner wants to get the most return on their investment when it comes time to sell. Taking on one or many renovation projects ...

Marilena Tricarico
Renovation Expert & Interior Designer | RenoAssistance
Home Staging Hacks for the Holidays
Published on:
December 10, 2019
9 min read
Home Staging Hacks for the Holidays

With friends and family visiting often in the coming months, it’s normal that any homeowner would want their house to look great. If you haven’t had time to renovate or ...

Julie Calce
Content Writer | RenoAssistance
12 Host Gift Ideas for the Holidays
Published on:
December 4, 2019
3 min read
12 Host Gift Ideas for the Holidays

Holiday party season is in full swing! There may be a lot of shopping to do and Christmas decorations to hang, but it’s important to not forget to thank the ...

Julie Calce
Content Writer | RenoAssistance
6 Questions You Should Be Asking Yourself About Building Permits
Published on:
November 1, 2019
7 min read
6 Questions You Should Be Asking Yourself About Building Permits

While there are many steps to a renovation that can seem overwhelming, understanding building permits is one that can bring up a lot of questions for any homeowner. As experts ...

Julie Calce
Content Writer | RenoAssistance
Choosing a Contractor: When Is The Time To Start Planning?
Published on:
October 22, 2019
1 min read
Choosing a Contractor: When Is The Time To Start Planning?

Do you have a interior or exterior renovation project to do and don't know where to find contractors? It's important to know that the best contractors are very busy, so ...

Karine Gazeryan
Renovation Advisor | RenoAssistance
How to Give Your Home a Whole New Look with Architectural Lighting
Published on:
September 6, 2019
5 min read
How to Give Your Home a Whole New Look with Architectural Lighting

A well lit space never goes unnoticed. Architectural lighting not only completes the look and design of your home or commercial space, but it also accentuates certain areas of the ...

Lucia Di Sclafani
Content Manager | RenoAssistance
The Complete Guide to Your Toronto Home Addition
Published on:
July 19, 2019
9 min read
The Complete Guide to Your Toronto Home Addition

Running out of space at home? With Toronto real estate pricing increasing rather quickly, moving into a different home might not be the most economical option. With a home addition, ...

Maria Santamaria
Renovation Advisor | RenoAssistance
Outdoor Kitchen: 7 Tips For A Great Space
Published on:
July 16, 2019
6 min read
Outdoor Kitchen: 7 Tips For A Great Space

Now that summer is in full swing, we can finally enjoy our backyards! Why not make the most of your space by putting in an outdoor kitchen? We spoke with ...

Lucia Di Sclafani
Content Manager | RenoAssistance
Building or Buying a New Home: Which Is Best?
Published on:
April 25, 2019
6 min read
Building or Buying a New Home: Which Is Best?

Purchasing new property is always exciting, but it's also a decision that requires a lot of thought. Should you buy a new home from a home building company, a lot ...

Paul Begin
VP | RenoAssistance