Tales of renovations gone wrong are as common as they are expensive. For example, a do-it-yourselfer who lays flooring beginning at an angled wall ends up with a wonky flooring job that costs thousands of dollars to rip out and replace. Even worse are DIY plumbing and electrical projects that result in floods, fires and injury! Add this to the already-considerable stress that comes along with major home upgrades.   Consider these important renovations mistakes to avoid: Hiring friends, family and neighbours... read more

Winterizing your home creates a cozy space, lowers energy bills, and prevents damage such as broken eavestroughs or a cracked foundation. The following steps can be completed in a weekend—and all for less than $180. Check that your rain gutter spouts are pointing away from your house and there are no blockages. Doing this can save you from an expensive and potentially catastrophic foundation problem. If water from the roof is repeatedly deposited beside your home, the soil becomes saturated with moisture. I... read more