Latest News
A look back at our Roundtable panel discussion. How do you avoid bad clients?
A quick reminder that this coming Sunday, May 14, is Mother’s Day.
Earlier this year, the Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS) released the results of their annual Construction Confidence Survey, which polled 500 ICI (industrial, commercial, and institutional) contractors across the province.
Bath products that bring the tranquility of the spa to your home
Even after a relatively mild winter like we had here in my neck of the worlds, it’s always nice when spring rolls around and the trees start to sprout leaves, the grass turns from brown to green, and we can shed some layers of clothing on the jobsite.
If you haven’t already, don’t forget to file your tax return today. If you or your spouse are self-employed, you have until June 15 to file the return, but any taxes owing are due today if you want to avoid interest and late-payment penalties.
If you’re a salaried employee your tax return is due next week.
Helical piles, also known as ground screws and screw piles, look like oversized wood screws or ice-fishing augers. As a replacement for conventional concrete footings, especially sonotube-style footings, helical piles have one standout advantage
Workers on a construction site in Allen, Texas, had to duck and cover after a neighbour opened fire because they were “irritating” him.
Featured Articles
Bath products that bring the tranquility of the spa to your home
The popular online service, HomeStars, started in 2006 by Canadian Nancy Peterson, has been purchased by HomeAdvisor, a U.S.-based platform offering a similar service.
Well, we’re going to do it again in this year’s June/July issue. So tell us what you like to do in your downtime. Whether you are a community volunteer or an extreme athlete, we’d like to hear about it.
In 2016 VELUX celebrated 75 years of daylight and fresh air by sending a challenge out to over 9900 employees in 40 countries worldwide to engage in an event or team building activity using the number “75”. What resulted when VELUX Canada Managers sat down brainstorming ideas to make the challenge a reality?
Remember that $30,000 boat-shaped tree house that a west-end Toronto resident had been ordered to tear down by the city? Well ......
Our Big Thanks goes out to all our amazing sponsors and to all of you who came out to our hugely successful event, the 2016 Renovators' Roundtable recently held in Niagara Falls! Check out some of the pictures here.
According to reports, the long overdue renovations to Sussex Dr., home to Canada’s prime ministers and their families, will cost nearly $40 million by the time they’re done. Required work on the building includes updating the wiring and plumbing, and replacing the out-dated windows and exterior doors.
As many of you know, in 2010 I founded an organization called Renos for Heroes. Our mission is to support Canadian soldiers who have been injured in the line of duty.
On December 17, 2016, Walter Hachborn passed away, at the age of 95. You may not of have heard of Mr. Hachborn, but you almost certainly have shopped in one of his stores.
Featured Products
Master Edge Homes is built upon a foundation of expertise and unparalleled craftsmanship. With a team of dedicated and diligent personnel, Master Edge Homes executes home builds and renovations precisely how you envisioned them. From design and build to complete renovation, we are passionate about exceeding excellence with meticulous design, skilled construction, and project management.
Allan Rug Co. has been serving the GTA builders, designers, architects and the public for over 50 years. Supplying a full range of commercial and residential carpeting in a wide range of colours and styles from leading manufacturers.
Euro-Line Appliances has brought elite European engineered appliances to Canadian homes for over 25 years. Our brands exceed expectations and have earned awards in design, engineering, performance, and energy efficiency. All of our cooking, refrigeration, dishwashers, and laundry appliances are created to conserve our non-renewable resources.
X-Tile is sure to have whatever you need to express your unique individual style. We offer you an exceptional variety of wall and flooring options in ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, glass, mosaic and much more from leading suppliers around the world. Let our knowledgeable and friendly staff help you in your dream renovation or building project.
Custom drapery, drapery hardware, blinds, shutters, specialty shades (including motorization and home automation), bedspreads, headboards, quilting, upholstery, fabric library, and a complete in-house drapery workroom. We also offer custom programs for builders, designers & decorators.
Fusion Stone is an easy and budget-friendly way to beautifully upgrade your home, inside and out. A patented Shouldice innovation, Fusion Stone is a thin stone veneer that is easily installed with the included stainless steel clips & screws. You just screw it to the wall and it’s “Hooked for Life”.
Space Age Closets and Custom Cabinetry has been serving Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area for over 30 years. Our services include a wide array of custom storage solutions for every room in your home. With decades of experience designing and installing custom closets and cabinets we pledge to provide excellence in service and get the job done right the first time.
Fisher & Paykel incorporates the world’s most innovative technologies and produce the most technically advanced, efficient and contemporary styled appliances. DCS created the first line of high end, commercial quality appliances and expanded to pioneer indoor and outdoor kitchen solutions for the at home chef. TRADE ONLY.
Over the past 14 years Factory Tile Depot has become #1 for everything tile and stone. With 5 locations showcasing the latest and greatest trends in the tile industry, we have built the confidence of trade and retail clients alike. We are proud to offer well thought out showrooms, extensive selections of hard to find tile-stone, on site designers, and some of the best after care support in the industry. Experience the FTD difference on your next project.
Established in 1987, Caesarstone pioneered the original quartz surface and continues to be a leading developer and manufacturer of premium surfaces. Highly functional and design forward, Caesarstone surfaces have endless application possibilities including kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, wall paneling, furniture and more.
At Riobel we design, create and assemble faucets, shower systems and accessories in our Canadian facility located in St-Jérôme, a suburb of Montréal. Our modern and fashionable products are designed to fit all kitchens or bathrooms. They are easy to install, while mechanical parts are accessible from above the counter to facilitate cleaning and maintenance. Riobel: a benchmark of excellence since 1995!
With over 90 years of experience, BLANCO is the leading kitchen sinks and faucets manufacturer. From handcrafted in Germany Steelart® sinks and the beauty of Silgranit®, to the European design faucets, BLANCO products are celebrated worldwide for their unmatched quality and design. Blanco Silgranit® sinks are proudly manufactured in Canada TRADE ONLY.
From a modest machine shop in Baltimore to the surface of the moon, we’ve proudly provided innovative solutions for over a century. Discover the pioneering history of BLACK+DECKER.
Cosentino is a global, family-owned company that produces and distributes high value innovative surfaces for architecture and design. As a leading company, Cosentino imagines and anticipates together with its customers and partners design solutions that offer value and inspiration to people’s lives.
We've been proudly serving the community for more than 160 years. We deliver natural gas safely and reliably to two million homes and businesses across Ontario. With safety as our ongoing priority, we're committed to making communities better places to live.
Canada's premium quartz manufacturer, HanStone Canada, is revolutionizing the quartz industry. Produced in a state of the art facility in London Ontario, HanStone Quartz is known for superior quality and exceptional design. Locally Made. Distinctly Beautiful. Naturally Canadian.
More than a kitchen and bath luxury showroom, The Water Closet offers unparalleled service, selection and solutions for all your plumbing and heating needs. Our goal is to be your full-service showroom while “Enhancing the Flow of Life”.
Sharing Passion & Performance. With our unique expertise and sensibilities, gained from our devotion to sound and music, we are committed to creating excitement and cultural inspiration together with people around the world.
PPG Architectural Coatings is a respected paint industry leader, providing interior and exterior paints and stains for homeowners and professionals across Canada. PPG’s line-up of residential, commercial and industrial paint brands offers a wide range of choices to meet the varying needs of consumers, professionals, interior designers and architects.
For more than 100 years, Hoover® has designed powerful, easy-to-use products that clean your entire home from floor to ceiling, and even the very air you breathe. That’s why we’re a household icon and one of the most trusted brands in America – Hoover® Nobody does it like you™.
Eco Choice Windows & Doors is a leading supplier and installer of quality windows and doors. We have been in business for over 15 years, installing windows and doors for many satisfied customers across the province. Simply put, we supply the best quality products, expertly installed, and built to enhance energy efficiency throughout the home.
Canada’s Biggest Paint & Decorating Supercentre! Benjamin Moore, Para, Pittsburgh Paints and more. Paint and Stain matching our specialty. Huge designer wallpaper and fabric library. Faux finishing products, including Venetian plaster, glazes, waxes and milk paints. NEW, we now make custom coloured caulking and spray bombs to any colour in the universe.
Experience the craftsmanship and performance of Monogram Appliances at our 4,000 sq. ft. Design Centre with interactive culinary studio. Located at the corner of Castlefield and Ronald in Toronto’s Design District, this building is a resource centre for designers, trade and consumers alike.
Created 40 years ago, Urban Mode is a modern furniture boutique showcasing such innovative brands as Blu Dot, Softline, Muuto, Normann, Hay, DellaRobbia & Pablo. UM stands for quality + great design. Voted Best Furniture Store in Toronto for the past 4 years, the UM team are experts in sourcing for hospitality, corporate, retail and residential.
Sherwin-Williams is dedicated to supporting both do-it-yourselfers and painting professionals with exceptional products, resources to make confident colour selections and expert personalized service that’s focused on unique project needs. Sherwin-Williams products can only be found at its more than 4,000 neighbourhood stores across North America.
Deco-Tile, is an importer, distributor and retailer of porcelain tile, ceramics, marble mosaic, glass mosaics, engineered tile, and natural stone products for all residential and commercial projects. We also offer custom fabrication of countertops and shower sills for all your projects.
Matt Smith is a real estate professional in downtown Toronto, specializing in the prestigious neighbourhood of Yorkville. Not only does Matt bring a wealth of knowledge, an extensive rolodex and a MBA to the table, but his business approach, tenacious negotiating skills and ability to identify opportunities has made Matt an invaluable asset to his clients.
Omega Kitchen Hoods: Specializing in Precast Range Hoods. Omega stone cast hoods are manufactured in a multitude of custom finishes including metallic offerings like copper, pewter and stainless steel, each one created with precision and durability. From inspiration to installation... With Omega Mantels & Mouldings.
Specializing in all storage solutions, we cater to both the residential and commercial sectors. We also closely work with interior designers and builders to make sure your storage space goes beyond your expectations. With more than 20 years experience in the industry, we stand behind the quality of our products and guarantee our workmanship.
Euro-Line Appliances has brought elite European engineered appliances to Canadian homes for over 25 years. Our brands exceed expectations and have earned awards in design, engineering, performance, and energy efficiency. Euro-Line Appliances are proud distributors of products from AEG, LIEBHERR, PORTER&CHARLES, SMEG, and FRANKE in Canada.
Featured Video
Expert service to help you get the job done and build your business. Let’s get to work!
Douglas Lockston Professor from Conestoga College talking about training and the trades and attracting future leaders.
Opening remarks from the 5th Renovators Roundtable 2016.
New! STANLEY® Anti-Vibe® Technology isolates vibrations to the hammer's head, minimizing strain on your arm.
The highly innovative FLEXVOLT® battery can power our 20V MAX* tools plus an all-new lineup of groundbreaking 60V MAX* and 120V MAX* tools. This is the power that will change everything.
Join Jim Caruk editor of Renovation Contractor magazine as he takes you through a Vicwest roofing project showcasing our Summerside Shingles product line. You will meet the various trades partners, employees and homeowners as they provide their unique perspective on our product and what it means to them
Editors Choice
According to reports, the long overdue renovations to Sussex Dr., home to Canada’s prime ministers and their families, will cost nearly $40 million by the time they’re done. Required work on the building includes updating the wiring and plumbing, and replacing the out-dated windows and exterior doors.
You know the old saying: If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen? While that’s kind of hard to do when your job includes building kitchens. In our August/September issue we highlight a couple products that can help you keep your cool on the job, including the HyperKewl vest.
Speaking of hot, one of the fastest growing markets in home renovations is helping seniors “age in place.” In other words, modifying houses so older Canadians can continue to live in their own homes, rather than move to a retirement home. We have a couple articles in the August/September issue addressing a number of things to keep in mind when renovating for seniors.
As the baby boomers continue to get older, this will becoming an increasingly bigger demographic for contractors to target.
Plus, we have a piece by long-time contributor Frank Condron on the ultimate elder aid: a home elevator.
Finally, a quick note to readers of the print edition of the magazine: Due to unforeseen circumstances we’ve had to push back the production of our August/September issue, so it will be arriving in your mailboxes later than normal. In the meantime, you can always revisit our back issues in our digital archive.
Mark Twain once referred to golf as “a good walk, spoiled.” As mentioned in our last newsletter, our publisher, Homes Publishing Group, has been hosting an annual charity golf fundraiser for Raising the Roof since 2013. If you’re of the Mark Twain frame of mind – or just happy to hear positive info about a worthy cause – the good news is that the tournament is sold out! But if you have no interest in golf, but would still like to help out, there are spots available for the cocktail reception, dinner, and a raffle that includes a top prize of a trip to the Caribbean. The event takes place at Lionhead Golf & Country Club in Brampton, Ont. Visit Golf.HomesPublishingGroup.com for full details.
Mirka Random Orbit Sanders
Models affected: A variety of 3”-, 5”-, and 6”-diameter compact, yellow and black sanders. Visit the recalls section on HealthyCanadians.gc.ca for the complete list.
Sold: Nearly 300 of the affected units were sold in Canada, and a further 2,500 in the United States, between January 2013 and March 2016.
Potential problem: The sanders can short circuit. There have been two reported incidents – one in Canada – where the sanders started sparking and smoking.
Contact: Mirka, 800-843-3904; Mirka.com
Publications
Launched in 1985, HOMES Magazine continues to be Greater Toronto’s largest and most comprehensive source for new home buying.
Condolife, launched in 1998, continues to be Toronto’s finest and most comprehensive guide to the condo market and lifestyle.
Launched in 1990, R&D is Canada’s Home Idea Book, inspiring readers with the latest decorating/renovating tips and trends.
The award-winning Active Life is your guide to new homes in adult-lifestyle communities across Ontario, with detailed colour-coded maps/charts.
ONTARIO DESIGN is an annual, full colour, catalogue style directory of products and services available to trades in Canada!
Renovation Contractor is a trusted trade publication written by and for Canada’s small to medium-sized home renovators.
