During my years in the renovation industry, I’ve seen countless homeowners make the same mistakes. They start with the best of intentions but fall victim to common misconceptions that derail their projects and inflate their budgets. Let me address three of the most prevalent myths that I encounter when speaking with prospective clients. Myth 1: […]
Read More
How long do you think you’ll live in your home? Will it accommodate you and your family as you age or have a disability? Recently, Yvonne Bambrick, Greening Homes’ Managing Director, and I completed the Adaptiv Home Design course through the Canada Home Builders Association (CHBA). This course is new and long overdue. For years […]
Read More
Over the past few years, I’ve seen an uptick in inquiries about renovating for multi-generational homes. This isn’t a surprise. More homeowners or would-be homeowners are finding creative solutions to secure affordable housing for themselves, family and friends. This may involve dividing their house into separate quarters with a shared space or building a laneway […]
Read More
The term “green building” conjures up a lot of things for a variety of people. What I hope stands out is that green building is responsible building. In addition to having a minimum impact on your health and environment, it should minimize problems down the line. Green building is a sound building practice that provides […]
Read More
I am very excited to announce that the Green Building Learning Zone (GBLZ) is coming to the National Home Show, March 8-10 and March 13-17 at the Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place. What is the Green Building Learning Zone? It is the bringing together of Ontario’s best and brightest residential green building experts in a collaborative […]
Read More
December means holidays. It also means spring renovations, at least for me. I’m fielding a lot of questions from those of you hoping to start major renovation projects in April or May. This timeframe is feasible if you have architectural plans in hand. However, even if you checked all the boxes with your architect, you […]
Read More
For several days this summer, Toronto’s air quality was the worst in the world due to wildfire smoke from northern Ontario and Quebec. We were advised to stay indoors if we could and use a HEPA filter to remove any smoke-related particulate matter that entered the home. A HEPA filter removes other particulates as well, […]
Read More
On July 8, Toronto will mark the ten-year anniversary of the great rainstorm that cost the city $65 million. You may recall submerged cars on the Don Valley Parkway. According to Toronto’s Future Weather and Climate Driver Study, in just 20 years Toronto can expect an average 4.4 C increase in annual temperatures, and more […]
Read More