Remodel
Tarion New Home Warranty – Do I Need an Inspection?
Every new home in Ontario is protected by a mandatory Warranty that is provided by the Builder and guaranteed by the Tarion Home Warranty Programme. The Warranty covers deposit insurance, protection against defects in work and materials, unauthorized substitutions, delayed closings or delayed occupancy. The most common claims relate to defects in work and materials, which require homeowners to submit a list of deficiencies at 30 day and one-year deadlines.
While Builders provide a pre-delivery inspection (PDI) for buyers just before closing, these are more related to cosmetic issues such as whether the chosen flooring, cabinets, countertops, etc. are installed. Although the PDI serves a purpose it really does not cover all the systems of the house.
While a typical PDI is basically a walk through inspection and generally takes about one hour, an independent thorough inspection should take about three hours and should include such items as foundation, roofing, grading, structure, insulation, plumbing, heating and ventilation.
While most people think that buying a new house will mean everything will be perfect, it’s not uncommon to find missing insulation in the attic, poor ventilation systems or even structural issues. An example of this may be something as simple as a bathroom fan venting into the attic. This can cause serious damage when moist air meets the cold attic. If caught quickly little damage will result but a year down the road, mould, mildew and even rot may be visible on the attic sheathing and rafters.
Although buyers may believe that the Builder and the City Inspectors will have thoroughly inspected everything, this is rarely the case. The problem generally stems from the fact that there are many tradesmen following each other during construction, each with a very tight schedule. On a large site with multiple trades and many house designs in different stages of construction it’s not unusual for some things to get moved or damaged or just plain forgotten.
The average home owner can not be expected to be familiar with the complex systems of a home.
A professional Home Inspection by a Registered Home Inspector (RHI) is your best defence when it comes to protecting your investment and receiving the full benefit of the New Home Warranty program.
When choosing an inspector, those with RHI designation have extensive training and are required to conform to a strict Code of Ethics and the Standards of Practice as set out by the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors.…
Want Wide Plank Pine Flooring Underfoot?
Wide plank pine flooring is a versatile look that can go with a variety of decorating schemes. Country, contemporary or covered with antiques and bright leather chairs and sofa, this wood flooring practically screams “home sweet home.” Wouldn’t you like to have this be the foundation for your abode?
First thing that a homeowner needs to do is to find a style and stain color that they like. There is a large variety out there, so it’s wise to go to showrooms, pick up a few samples and bring them back to your house to see how they will look. There are narrow planks as well as wide ones, and light, medium and dark stains. There are some that are very smooth and refined looking, while others are adorned with personality-plus knotholes and irregularities. Some wood has been converted from antique sources that have been recovered from old barns, pickle vats, factories and homes. How’d you like to have a bit of history converted into your gorgeous new floor? Not only is this a huge design statement, but it’s a green thing to do in that you’re recycling used wood rather than cutting down another tree in the forest. Once the style of wood has been picked out, it’s time to get it installed.
Some handy homeowners can do it themselves. Others will need to hire an experienced installer in order to have it done professionally. Since pine is a softer wood than some of the hardwoods such as oak, it tends to be an easier installation. A do-it-yourselfer will need to own or rent a ready supply of tools such as a table saw, circular saw, a heavy duty stapler, nails, clamps, router, tape measure or ruler, and of course a hammer and some nails. Drills with an assortment of drill bits will also be needed. If there is existing flooring or carpeting in the home, tools will be required to tear it out as well. This tool list will depend of the type of flooring to be removed. A trip to the dump to discard the old carpet, padding or tile remains may be in order, as well.
Once the floor has been assembled in place, the handy homeowner or professional installer will need to finish with sandpaper, stain and wood oil. The best thing about wide plank pine flooring is that it will only get better with age. The natural wood will adapt to the surroundings and develop a look all its own.…
Using Renovations to Increase a Home’s Value
When it comes to determining a home’s value, the primary metrics are location and square footage. However, there are a number of other factors that can help. For some homeowners, the best way to improve the value of their homes is to perform renovations.
– Structural Upgrades
Some renovations deal with structural changes to the home. Rebuilding a staircase, for example, provides both structural and aesthetic improvements that will lead to higher property appraisals. Another such renovation is to build a new porch deck or patio. While it will not increase a home’s size, those who look at the home will view a deck or patio as an extra room that makes the home a more attractive purchase.
– Aesthetic Upgrades
Renovations that focus solely on aesthetic components can also help. An attractive, modern shade can make a room seem more impressive, and appraisers and potential buyers will consider these improvements even if only on a subconscious level. While modern design trends are useful, it is also important to have a look that embodies the area in which the home is located.
– Exterior Renovations
While people spend most of their time inside their homes, it is the exterior that they see first. Further, people like to live homes that appear attractive to those who pass by. The simplest exterior renovation is a simple paint job; paint can radically transform a home’s appearance, and the right paint can improve a home’s value. In addition, it might be worth installing a new door or making it larger. While it can be an expensive renovation, installing new windows may make a substantial difference.
– The Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the most popular rooms for renovation as people spend much of their time in kitchens. Upgrading to modern kitchen appliances can improve a home’s value far beyond the cost of the appliances, and new countertops can make the room stand out. While kitchen appliances must perform well, it is also important that they also look great. Fortunately, many of the best upgrades score highly on metrics of usefulness and attractiveness. Granite countertops, for example, last for decades, are easy to maintain and look great.
– The Bathroom
Everyone spends part of their days in the bathrooms, and people often enter the bathroom right after waking up and right before going to bed. Homeowners should ensure that their upgrades will last for a while, and careful attention must be paid to bathroom renovations. Upgrades that can help fight mildew are useful, and it is critical that all renovations are tested to ensure that water does not leak. An upgraded bathroom is one of the best ways to impresses appraisers and potential buyers.
People often live in their homes for decades. After a while, a home’s look can begin to appear a bit stale. An occasional upgrade can both make a home more enjoyable and increase its value should the homeowners decide to sell.…
Finding Modern Housing Designs Online
Over the years the way that home owners like to decorate and remodel their properties has changed quite substantially, especially with the younger generations. Most new home owners like to opt for a more modern and contemporary design, rather than the more traditional housing designs. There are much more houses around the world with open plan living spaces, minimal furnishings and light bright colourings on the walls. This type of home design helps to gibe your home an open and spacious feeling which is particularly useful if you have a relatively small property as many young people do.
Locating the perfect modern house design
There are a number of different ways that you can attain inspiration and ideas for the design of your dream home. Many people will opt to simply come up with the ideas themselves, but this does mean that you have to a relative amount of experience with home design to make a good job of things. It is also possible to employ the services of an expert interior designer or an architect to help you with your plans but obviously this can be rather expensive, especially if you want the best. As we are suffering from one of the worst global recessions that we have seen for many years this is not always an option for many home owners, especially first time buyers. Undoubtedly the cheapest and arguably the best way to attain your ideal modern house design is to use the internet. There is now a plethora of different websites that will provide you with everything that you could ever need to design and complete your perfect home design. The various sites that are on offer will tend to differ in the way that they work but you should have no problem finding one that suits your needs. You will be able to search through the variety of different house plan options that they have and then pick out the one that you feels fits your requirements. Once you have chosen one you can then download it in whatever format you prefer. Generally it will either be PDF or CAD format.
Completing your modern house design
Once you have downloaded your chosen modern house design you will be able to begin making it a reality. If you have building experience then you will obviously be able to carry out the work yourself. However, if you do not then you will need to employ the services of a professional. It is important to attain a number of different quotations so that you can sure that you are getting the very best value possible. Prices for labour and parts can vary quite substantially so it is vital to attain at least 3 different quotes to allow you to make an educated decision.…
Where To Find Discount Laminate Flooring
Whether you are remodeling your home or building a new home you will inevitably have many decisions to make regarding the kinds of materials to use. And if you are like most homeowners one of your main objectives will be to save as much money as possible. One of the best ways to make sure your costs are as low as possible is to use discount laminate flooring.
Many people are very happy with their decision to save money on this area of their homes as no one can usually tell the difference between this type of floor and hardwood. If you are unsure about using this cheaper alternative, visit some stores to see what kinds are on the market. There are many different shades to choose from so almost everyone can find something they like.
Home improvement stores are great places to do some research on the different types. Even if you decide not to purchase from these stores shopping around to compare styles and prices will mean you can get the best deal on what you really want. Another way some people go is to buy their materials online.
A benefit to purchasing anything online instead of from a traditional store is that you may be able to get a better price. Some people may be hesitant to do this because they will not be able to see the product before it arrives. Remember that you can visit stores to see similar products or sometimes even the same product in person before you buy them online.
One of the great benefits of this kind of material instead of real hardwood is that it is easier to take care of for many people. Besides being a cheaper alternative, it will also save you time while cleaning. If water is spilled on it, there is no chance that it will be damaged unlike real hardwood.
These materials are also easily installed with a little practice. Even if you are not a professional, if you are doing other household repairs or installations, you should have no problem doing this as well. For those of you not quite so inclined to take on this project remember that there are many options for contractors who would be happy to do this job for you.
Using discount laminate flooring is something every homeowner should consider when replacing this part of their home. This is especially true if saving money is at the top of your list. And without even trying you will have great looking floors as well.…
Great Home Improvement Ideas Everyone Should Know
Are you planning to improve your house for the very first time? You may not know how to start. You are not alone – many times people who start a home improvement project feel overwhelmed. As you continue to read the article, you will run across some great, professional tips that are sure to help you with your next home improvement job.
As you tackle home improvements, be mindful to observe your surroundings, making sure to do just those projects that are sensible. Forgetting things like insulation in the North, or sun-shielding in the South, will seriously lower the value of any renovations you make. Stick with things that are popular, and do not veer from the neighborhood norm.
Think about inserting solar panels on your home. The high initial investment will be offset by years of lower electric bills. This should help you save a lot on your energy bills. This is also a good way to reduce your impact on the environment.
Use wallpaper to create a unique and attractive bookcase. Choose a design that is both interesting and one of a kind. Only put the wallpaper on the back of the bookcase; you will see the wallpaper behind the books. This tip can give an old bookcase a new look and create a visually appealing focal point in any room.
Store your building material in between your ceiling rafters or floor joists. Larger materials can even be stored without problems. You can easily hammer in furring strips across a couple of exposed rafters or floor joists and put in the material that needs to be stored.
Don’t get too carried away demolishing everything in your path when you begin a project. You need to ensure that your structures are not a support to your home before you rip them out. If there is electrical wiring there, it can be a costly mistake to fix.
If your home heating costs are out of control, consider insulating your attic to save money. Because hot air inevitably rises, in the colder months poorly-insulated homes are letting huge amounts of heated air escape wastefully. You can purchase this insulation at a hardware shop and you will be able to install it yourself.
If you have chosen to do your own home improvement project, make it a point to purchase the highest-quality tools and materials. The start up costs will be higher, but in the end, you will save more money this way. High-quality products have longer lives, and stand up to wear better, over time. Tools can be expensive and you don’t want to have to replace them regularly.
As has been shown in this article, making improvements to your home isn’t as daunting as it first seemed. You’ll find it’s easy to maintain your motivation for home improvement too. All you need to do is keep in mind how much of a difference home improvements can make in your quality of life, as well as the money they can save …
Clogged, Old Or Leaking Pipes? Try These Tips!
Every once in a while, we have questions about plumbing. Be it a do-it-yourself repair or just general preventative maintenance, we need plumbing advice. The following article is going to give you advice to help you with any plumbing situation.
Obnoxiously loud pipes that like to squeal and hammer are easy situations to correct. You must anchor all exposed pipes. It may be necessary to hire a professional to address noisy pipes that are located in less accessible places in your home.
To prevent your frozen pipes from bursting, leave the nearest faucet on to give the water a way to escape. This can prevent damage to your house because it lets the pressure that is in the pipe out, and keeps it from bursting.
You should have your septic tank pumped once every five years for best performance. Doing this prevents any sediment from getting built up within the tank, which causes a backup in your home or causes your entire septic system to fail. In this case, the cost of prevention definitely outweighs having your septic backing up into your house or failing.
Knowing which tools to use and how to operate them is essential to any aspiring plumber. Read all the user manuals, and make use of the library and internet to learn all about projects you can do by yourself. Be sure to plan before starting a repair, because it can be expensive to fix mistakes.
If you have a clogged toiled with a lower water lever, and the plunger isn’t working, try pouring in some warm water directly into the toilet. Do this every time the water level gets too low.
Feel the floors around the toilets to see if they are soft; this will help you know if you have any damage. Sit on your toilet and sway across both feet to feel if there are any spots less firm than the others. Identify any damage and repair it before it gets worse. In the long run, you are likely to save money by not putting off the repair.
Give all drains strainers to gather particulate matter that can clog pipes. Whenever large particles become trapped in the strainer, remove them. Those in the bathtub should be cleaned out periodically, as needed.
A great maintenance routine for bathtub drains is to pour baking soda and vinegar into the drain opening once a month. Put a rag over the drain afterward, though, to keep the chemicals from coming back up after the reaction. After about 10 minutes you can flush the pipes out with boiling water. Doing this periodically should keep your pipes free of hair and soap scum.
Ensure that your sink’s overflow holes are clear. If your sink starts to overflow, the water will run into the overflow holes, this might not be a huge issue, unless they are clogged. When you’re periodically checking your sink for possible problems, take the time to clean out the overflow holes.
Always learn about the options …
Have A Look At These Great Roofing Tips
Roof maintenance, and necessary repairs, are important issues for everyone who owns a home. The trouble with this is that people don’t know what to do when it comes to roofing so that the roof stays in good shape. Using the advice below can help your roof last a long time.
Don’t go up on your roof in inclement weather. If the roof is slippery or wet, you may fall, resulting in a potentially major injury or even death. If you are performing your own roof repair, only work when conditions are sunny and dry.
When you’re trying to hire someone to do roofing work for you, you need to check on their background references. Once you’ve got them, check them out and ask about value and quality of the work. Drive by some of the addresses on your own. Drive by them and look at them carefully to figure out who to hire.
If a salesman is pressuring you into a deal, turn him away. People who use high-pressure tactics almost always do not deliver what they promise.
Make sure to do your research when looking for a roofing contractor. Don’t just think that you should hire the first person that you find or one that’s the cheapest. Compare the various contractors in your area to get an idea of the common rate. You can ask family and friends and search online for this valuable information.
Stay away from short-term fixes for your roof. Though you may think you are saving money, more damage can occur, which will cost even more. Fix any issues promptly and properly to ensure that the problem does not worsen down the line.
When hiring a roofing contractor, ensure that they’re skilled at roofing. Ask loved ones for referrals. You would hate to hire the wrong roofing contractor because this could result in wasted time and money.
Be sure a potential roofer is properly licensed. If you are unsure of local regulations or licensure requirements, never just take the word of the roofing company. Look up your local building department and call to ask what paperwork is needed.
Proper insurance is an absolute must-have. In the event that a roofer damages anything on your property and is not insured, it’s up to you to pay for it. Don’t just ask prospective roofing contractors if they have insurance, have them provide the insurance documents saying that it is comprehensive and current.
Contractors with workers tend to be cheaper than those who work alone. More workers means the job will be completed quicker, which means lower costs. Weigh out the pros and cons of each contractor as a worker doing the job alone may charge you more.
The age of your roof is the most important factor in deciding whether to repair or replace it. Roofs are generally warrantied for 20 years. Some homes have been fitted with a new roof right on top of the old one; if you’re in this situation it may be …
Clogged Drains Got You Down? Get Help With All Your Plumbing Needs Here!
Taking care of plumbing problems yourself has a reputation for being troublesome. It can, however, be a manageable task if you learn about what you are doing and receive tips and hints from others knowledgeable in the field. This article contains a number of tips on plumbing that will help you on your way to finishing your project.
If a pipe freezes, make sure you turn the closest faucet to allow the thawing water to exit. By doing this, the pipe pressure is relieved, and this should stop it from bursting, which would prevent further home damage.
Have your septic tank cleaned every five years to keep it in prime condition. This will stop any buildup in your septic tank and prevent any horrible issues. Hiring a professional to pump out your septic tank is costly, but it is far preferable to the damages that could be incurred if the tank becomes backed-up or inoperative.
You plumbing experiences will go much smoother if you know your tools, and have the knowledge of how to use each one. Use manuals and online sites to get informed before doing a plumbing project yourself. Think ahead and learn everything you can before tackling a plumbing repair project. If you make things worse rather than better, you’ll have to pay expensive plumbing fees to fix the problems.
You should avoid using blue toilet tablets, bleach tablets or any other odor removers in your toilet. While these tablets may be an easy way to clean your toilet and hide odors, they also contain chemicals that can break down the rubber fixtures in your toilet. Long-term use of these products can slow or even stop the functioning of your toilet.
If you have well water and discover orange or pink discoloration on your bathtub or sink, you probably have iron in your water supply. A water softener can filter out unnecessary minerals, and leave you with clean, usable water.
Here is a good tip for a safe, inexpensive way to keep the drain in your bathtub trouble-free. Take one cup of baking soda and pour it into the drain. Then do the same with a cup of vinegar. Do this procedure once a month. Plug up the drain and allow the chemical reaction to occur. Allow some time to pass, then follow up by pouring down boiling hot water. This procedure should be able to clear pipes of hair and soap scum.
To keep your garbage disposal working at its best, use plenty of cold water when you turn it on. The cold water helps keep the blades sharp and can make disposal much smoother. Grease will stay solid and go through your drain with cold water; you don’t want gooey grease in your pipes.
As was discussed at the beginning of the article, while plumbing can be an extremely difficult chore for anyone to complete, it becomes significantly easier if you have the right advice and information. Use the advice from this article, and you’ll …
Handy Interior Design Tips That Will Enhances Your Home
If you’re thinking about redesigning, but have no clue where to begin, this article is for you! Consulting and planning with design experts can help, especially for people on a limited budget. Continue reading for more information about this!
Learn to choose paint according to the light level that exists in a given room. Lighter shades are important to use in rooms without windows to add a lighter feel.
Never try to decorate a room without removing clutter first. Get rid of old clothes and organize your drawers, closets and cabinets. You can give your things to charity, or sell them at a yard sale.
When you are doing interior design you should think about what the room is used for. Consider the number of people you will have in the room at once and just what they are going to do in it. Publicly used rooms should take various family members and guests into consideration when designing; however, rooms such as bedrooms should be tailored to the individuals who spend the most time there.
Use area rugs on cold types of flooring. Ensure you rotate the rugs on a regular basis in order to evenly minimize wear and tear due to traffic. Moving or turning your rugs regularly will keep them looking new for longer.
Take lighting into deep consideration when renovating a room. It helps create a mood for the room. Bright is best for kitchens and baths, where a positive aura is most important. However, bright lights may also project way too much energy in rooms where a more calmer atmosphere is desired. For the rooms where you want these kinds of moods, including bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms, use dimmer lights.
It’s fine to keep up with the current decorating designs and themes. It adds some style and give a room a modern feeling. But, you should only add modern decorations as accents, not permanent fixtures. If your leopard print pillows begin to look dated, you can easily get something new. A sofa with zebra print isn’t as easy to change.
If you want to improve a dull room in your house, add an area rug. That said, it is critical that you select an area rug properly scaled for the room. If the room is large, the rug should be big enough that it doesn’t look too out of place. Smaller rooms look best with rugs of a smaller scale.
If you have many items on your walls, make sure the walls remain simple. Some individuals just own more things than others do. If you have tons of valuables or special items that you don’t want in storage, try keeping the walls plain. If you add to much to your walls, it will really make your home look cluttered.
The term “interior design” can sound somewhat intimidating and expensive. However, this isn’t always the case. With the right planning and a little patience, you will find many options for your home and budget. Remember …