The best time to start planning your outdoor living projects

A modern outdoor patio at dusk features a glass dining table with wicker chairs, a stone fireplace, and bar stools—showcasing why the best time to start planning your outdoor living projects is now. Warm lighting reveals a stylish interior beyond.

Across the country as we get into the longest stretch of winter, it might seem like an odd time to start thinking about your outdoor living projects for next summer. But by taking care of the design, planning, and logistics now, you’ll be able to enjoy your new outdoor space as soon as possible when […]

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Talk the Talk: Part 1

A variety of renovation tools, including a hammer, nail gun, tape measure, and chisels, are laid out on a wooden surface with the bold white text: Talk the Talk: Part 1—Renovation Terms.

Every industry has its own jargon and acronyms, and the home renovation field is no different. While no homeowner is expected to completely understand all the lingo used around a jobsite, knowing some of the key terminology will you help better communicate with your contractor and, ultimately, avoid any misunderstandings with your project. This is […]

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Talk the Talk: Part 2

A variety of renovation tools, including a hammer, nail gun, tape measure, and chisels, are laid out on a wooden surface with the bold white text: Talk the Talk: Part 1—Renovation Terms.

In our previous blog post, we explained the meaning behind six key terms or concepts used by home renovators. Here we cover six more common expressions to help you clearly communicate with your contractor and avoid any misunderstandings with your project. Framing the Issue The “framing” of your house refers to the material used (lumber […]

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Talk the Talk: Part 3

A variety of renovation tools, including a hammer, nail gun, tape measure, and chisels, are laid out on a wooden surface with the bold white text: Talk the Talk: Part 1—Renovation Terms.

In our previous two blog posts (Part 1 and Part 2), we explained the meaning behind key terms or concepts used by home renovators. Here we cover more common expressions to help you clearly communicate with your contractor and avoid any misunderstandings with your project. Load Bearing Load-bearing walls are ones that support the structure […]

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How to help make your renovation go smoothly: Site preparation 101

A Tim Hortons box of assorted Timbits and a coffee cup sit on a reflective surface outdoors, resembling the perfect break during site preparation—just one way to help make your renovation go smoothly: Site preparation 101 in action.

Anyone who’s been through a major renovation project knows that the process can be equal parts exciting and unnerving. As the homeowner or primary resident, there are a few steps you can take to help ensure your reno goes as smoothly as possible. Plan ahead As with anything, communication is key. Once you’ve chosen your […]

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Most Popular Home Features for 2020 Homebuyers

Modern kitchen with wood cabinets, white countertops, a large island with four gray bar stools, pendant lights, and built-in appliances—showcasing some of the Most Popular Home Features for 2020 Homebuyers. Wood accents highlight the floor and ceiling.

There are a lot of reasons to renovate your home: better function, added comfort, improved energy efficiency, or aesthetics. Even if you’re making personal changes, many people want to keep resale value in mind. We’ve compiled the most popular home features that new home buyers in Canada are looking for in 2020. The data comes […]

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This is What a National-Award Winning Kitchen Looks Like

A split image reveals a stunning transformation: the left shows a dated kitchen, while the right displays a bright, modern space. This is What a National-Award Winning Kitchen Looks Like—complete with blue cabinets, white stools, and elegant lighting.

This is What a National-Award Winning Kitchen Looks Like Company name: Clay Construction Inc. Project name: Blue Horizon Location: Langley, BC Local Home Builders’ Association: Homebuilders Association Vancouver (HAVAN) There’s kitchen envy, and then there’s major kitchen envy. As far as we’re concerned, this award-winning project from British Columbia-based company Clay Construction Inc. definitely falls […]

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Before and After: You Won’t Believe this Modern Penthouse Condo Kitchen Transformation

Before and After: You won’t believe this modern penthouse condo kitchen transformation—side-by-side photos reveal an unfinished, empty space turned into a bright, white kitchen filled with fruit and flowers on the counter.

Before and After: You Won’t Believe this Modern Penthouse Condo Kitchen Transformation Company name: Keystone Ridge Developments Ltd. Project name: Condo Kitchen in The Sky Location: Toronto, Ontario Local Home Builders’ Association: BILD-GTA   Keystone Ridge Developments, a RenoMark member in the Toronto, Ontario area, transformed this once closed-off penthouse condominium kitchen into a beautiful, modern […]

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How to fix ice damming on your roof

Close-up of a house roof with melting snow and icicles, highlighting how to fix ice damming on your roof. A metal gutter is partially filled with ice and water, while the blurred background emphasizes winter’s impact.

Most Canadian roofs develop at least a little ice each winter, but if the ice gets more than a couple of inches thick around the eaves it can cause leaks. A build-up of ice like this is called an ice dam and can be a problem because as water pools behind the dam it can work […]

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How to Make a Legal Basement Apartment

Green and white graphic with large black text reading ASK a Renovator and the RenoMark logo, featuring a check mark in a circle with the words RENOMARK Renovators Mark of Excellence—perfect for tips on How to Make a Legal Basement Apartment.

Bill Meek of W. C. Meek Design & Construction Many Canadians are trying to make any extra income they can to help pay for the rising housing costs. The addition of a legal basement apartment is a great way of doing that. But what many homeowners don’t know is that there are regulations that must […]

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