The architect is often seen as the “Master Builder” – a description with deep roots. It’s embedded in the name, which comes from ancient Greece: arkhitekton. “Arkhi” means master. “Tekton” means builder or carpenter. This description was accurate before the modern age when few trades were required. A hundred-year-old house, once simple with its masonry, […]
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Heat pumps have really taken off. There’s been genuine interest among my clients to get off gas. Rebates and no-interest financing have certainly helped. Ontario homeowners can access significant rebates for high-efficiency electric heat pumps, primarily through the new Home Renovation Savings Program. Beware of companies that pitch the equipment without a proper home assessment, though. There […]
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Prefab building is the way of the future. Wall assemblies, which include framing, vapour/air control layers, insulation and windows, are built in a factory and installed quickly on site. It’s ideal for custom builds and some additions to existing homes. They certainly have their appeal for builders like me. I recall working on an addition […]
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Located at the bottom of a ravine in Toronto’s Caledonia-Fairbank neighbourhood, a once-modest bungalow, now transformed into a three-storey multi-generational home, exemplifies what can happen when values, craftsmanship, trust and community align. I wrote about this full house renovation in July 2024 when the project was in its infancy. Terrell Wong of Stones Throw Design, […]
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Previously, I wrote about the impact of Trump’s tariff threats on Canada’s home renovation industry. While it has had a minimal effect on reno-related supply chains to this point, it is giving pause to homeowners who are concerned about job security. Overall, home renovations are going ahead. For anyone proceeding with one while cutting corners […]
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Tariffs, and threat of more to come, are impacting the home renovation industry, but it’s not what you may think.
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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: […]
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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 […]
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