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
Major renovation: where to start?
Published on:
August 12, 2021
5 min read
Major renovation: where to start?

The decision has finally been made: your renovation project "for later" can't wait! How do you go about it, and where do you start? Here are 9 tips to help ...

Maxence Dauphinais-Pelletier
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
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
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
Preparing your Home for Spring: What to Check
Published on:
March 31, 2020
6 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
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
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
Building or buying a new home: which is best?
Published on:
April 25, 2019
13 min read
Building or buying a new home: which is best?

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

Paul Begin
VP | RenoAssistance
Moving vs Renovating: Which to Choose
Published on:
April 22, 2019
4 min read
Moving vs Renovating: Which to Choose

It's a common dilemma most homeowners will face - you feel like it's time for a change, but aren't sure whether or not you should sell your home and move, ...

Maria Santamaria
Renovation Advisor | RenoAssistance
Should You Go For a Full House Remodel?
Published on:
April 20, 2019
13 min read
Should You Go For a Full House Remodel?

As the needs of your household change, thoughts of selling your home may arise. You do not have to take that route, however, if you are not smitten on the ...

Eric Perigny
Chief Operating Officer | Founder
Save Money on Your Home Renovation by Hiring a Contractor Off-Season
Published on:
April 10, 2019
4 min read
Save Money on Your Home Renovation by Hiring a Contractor Off-Season

It's wintertime, and most contractors are still in hibernation mode. But if you’re the type to take advantage of end-of-season sales, then it’s the perfect time for you to start ...

Marilena Tricarico
Renovation Expert & Interior Designer | RenoAssistance
Renovation Quotes: 5 Essential Things To Look For
Published on:
March 18, 2019
2 min read
Renovation Quotes: 5 Essential Things To Look For

How do you find the perfect contractor for your renovation? A good place to start is with the quote. A common misconception is that the quote is just the price ...

Marilena Tricarico
Renovation Expert & Interior Designer | RenoAssistance
5 Tips to Protecting Your Home While You’re Away
Published on:
December 12, 2018
3 min read
5 Tips to Protecting Your Home While You’re Away

Making your home seem lived in while you're away is key to avoiding potential break-ins and thefts. Intruders are much less likely to break in if they believe you're home. Some ...

Eric Perigny
Chief Operating Officer | Founder
Water infiltration, flooding in the house: what to do and how to protect yourself 
Published on:
October 15, 2018
12 min read
Water infiltration, flooding in the house: what to do and how to protect yourself 

Whether you have water infiltration through cracks in the foundation, basement floor, roof, exterior siding or windows, it’s recommended to act quickly. After fire, water is a building’s worst enemy.  ...

Adele Orsini
Renovation Advisor | RenoAssistance
5 Things you can do to Avoid Paying Twice for your Renovation Project
Published on:
September 5, 2017
2 min read
5 Things you can do to Avoid Paying Twice for your Renovation Project

You hired a contractor for a major renovation and everything went very well. Shortly after, though, you receive formal notices from suppliers who claim that they have not been paid. ...

Jason Pagliuca
Verification Coordinator | RenoAssistance
6 Things You Need to Know Before Checking a Contractor’s RBQ Licence
Published on:
August 31, 2017
3 min read
6 Things You Need to Know Before Checking a Contractor’s RBQ Licence

Checking a construction or renovation contractor's RBQ licence may be in vain if you do not do it at the right time or based on an informed assessment. Informed consumer ...

Manuel Lochard
Team Leader – Customer Experience | RenoAssistance
How to Choose a Contractor for Your Renovation Project
Published on:
February 8, 2017
6 min read
How to Choose a Contractor for Your Renovation Project

Home renovation projects can be very stressful. Your home is a mess, you might have to move out, and you’re constantly paying bills for labour and materials. The best way ...

Manuel Lochard
Team Leader – Customer Experience | RenoAssistance
Yes, You Should Pay a Fair Price for Your Renovations!
Published on:
December 11, 2015
2 min read
Yes, You Should Pay a Fair Price for Your Renovations!

Whenever I did renovations in the past, my goal was to get the best possible price. I would get estimates from two or three contractors and then simply choose the ...

Eric Perigny
Chief Operating Officer | Founder