Month: January 2023

Building a secondary suite in Edmonton has many benefits. It will increase the value of your property and add more liveable space. In some cases, a secondary legal dwelling can offer an additional revenue stream. That income can help pay off your mortgage or other expenses.

Thorstein Construction Ltd. offers a complete range of home renovation services, including basement development. They share three legal secondary suites they can build on your property.

In-law suites

Multigenerational homes are becoming more common nowadays. If you’d like to welcome in-laws, adult children, or other family members into your home but still want privacy and independence, an in-law suite is a solution.

Thorstein Construction Ltd. can help you work through the permits and paperwork to create a legal suite renovation plan. Then, they can take care of the work so you can enjoy living together (seperately) with family.

Income suite

An income suite is a smart way to use your property to earn additional income. For some, it could help pay the mortgage faster. Or, it might help you achieve the lifestyle you want with the extra money coming in. In addition, a secondary suite in the basement will increase property value and attract investors if and when you decide to sell your home.

Thorstein Construction Ltd. will help create a design plan for your secondary suite that complies with the City of Edmonton bylaws. They’ll also help you choose layouts and materials that attract quality tenants.

Building a legal suite

A secondary suite built solely for additional income must comply with the City of Edmonton’s secondary suite bylaws. For example, it must have compliant HVAC system, electrical and plumbing. In addition, any bedroom must have a legal egress window to act as a fire escape.

If your home currently has a suite in the basement, it might not be considered legal. For example, it may not have proper permits or be built in an area of the city where secondary suites aren’t permitted. Or perhaps they were built legally at the time but are no longer compliant with the current building code.

Thorstein Construction can inspect your existing suite to see what it requires to be brought up to the current code. Then, they can create a design plan that meets your requirements and is fully legal.

Basement Renovations in Edmonton

Thorstein Construction Ltd. offers renovation and construction services for interior and exterior projects. Their general contracting services include in-house carpentry from red-seal qualified/trained craftsmen, free consultations, and design services. They are passionate about what they do, which is why they continually strive to improve the quality of our products and services in any way they can. Whether you want to build a secondary suite or renovate your basement or another part of your house, Thorstein Construction can help!

Contact them to get started!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Winter weather and cold snaps can cause trouble if you aren’t ready or aware of the warning signs. Plumbing troubles can easily be avoided with proper maintenance and proactivity. Still, knowing when a professional is needed will save having to pay for preventable repairs.

180 Plumbing and Heating in Calgary is a professional and full-service plumbing company. They share some tips and signs of plumbing troubles that can happen during the colder months:

Frozen outdoor pipes

An important part of winterizing your home and pipes is ensuring that outdoor pipes are properly checked. Outdoor pipes can also include faucets, such as garden hoses. If the water is properly drained and the water line is turned off, the water inside risks freezing and bursting. To avoid that, turn off the water and use an insulating cover to cover the hose bib if needed.

Signs of frozen indoor pipes

Freezing pipes can also happen to the pipes inside the home, especially in uninsulated areas. Basements and attics are key areas to watch for any signs of pipe troubles. Limited water, strange gurgling sounds, smelly water or condensation on the pipes are all warning signs. These could all be signs that your pipes are frozen or starting to freeze over and need to be addressed quickly. A frozen pipe is often a burst pipe, and that causes all kinds of water damage. 

Clogged drains

The holidays can be a time of plenty of cooking and celebrations that put a strain on your pipes and drains. Kitchen sinks, especially, can become clogged and lead to blocks, backlogs and potential damage. This is especially problematic in the winter, as a burst pipe can result in costly repairs.

Fat, grease, cooking oil, bones and coffee grounds should never go into the sink or garbage disposal. These are quick ways to clog your pipes and create blocks. If you plan a lot of holiday cooking, get your drains cleaned first. That will flush out any old buildup and ensure your pipes are secure for the winter.

Water heater troubles

Water heaters also are put to heavy use when the weather drops or homes are filled with guests. If your water heater is struggling, it may be a failing water heater, an issue with parts or from the cold weather. Getting the water heater serviced before the winter is important to ensure it’s up to quality and performance for the winter. Insulating the water supply and outlet pipes will also help prevent freezing and retain the heat as the water travels through the pipes.

Plumbers in Calgary

180 Plumbing and Heating may be a small, local plumbing company, but they provide mighty plumbing solutions. Their focus on caring about your home, satisfaction and plumbing ensures you are in the best hands. You know who to call for maintenance, repairs, fixes, installations, and more.

Contact 180 Plumbing and Heating today!

Click To Find >>>> Plumbers in Calgary.

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

A new paint job can be a simple way to change your home. Interior or exterior painting can also be a fun way to accentuate home renovations. Or neutral interior painting can give new homeowners a blank slate for their creativity. But aside from the stylistic reasons for painting your house, there are also functional reasons.

Pedigree Painting in Surrey has a wide range of experience with interior and exterior projects. Their efficient and detail-oriented process comes alongside excellent customer service and what you want as a finished product. Here they share three reasons to paint your home.

Paint can help protect

The colour of paint you choose for your home may take precedence during the planning stages. But the type of paint you choose is as important as the colour. Different types of paint have their own protective qualities. For example, a professional paint job in Surrey must have a certain moisture protection level. Pedigree Painting can help you choose the perfect type of paint for walls, wood finishes, and outdoor siding for long-lasting value.

Painted walls look cleaner and are cleaner.

A professional paint job requires thorough cleaning. As a result, the paint adheres better to spotless surfaces. Pedigree Painting ensures all necessary prep is made before coating your walls in new paint. That way, your paint job will look flawless and last for years to come. From here, you can update and refresh your house with any colour you desire. This is also true of exterior surfaces you wish to paint, which acquire even more dirt and dust.

It benefits you or future owners.

The main benefit of a professional paint service is personalization. Colour and finish choices can easily make your home reflect your personality. This makes the space far more enjoyable and comfortable. While personalized colour choices benefit you, other options can help future owners. Placing your house on the market? A professional paint overhaul, as offered by Pedigree, can create a more attractive listing. However, if you are planning to paint to sell choose lighter neutral colours. These colours are most appealing because they provide a blank slate for new owners to personalize the house.

Painters in Surrey

Pedigree’s full line of services includes residential, commercial, and new construction painting in Surrey. In addition, they are a team of professional painters who can cover interiors or exteriors. Plus, they offer other home décor and finishing services. These include drywall repair, wallpaper application, interior design, or colour and finish consultations.

Call Pedigree Painting today for a free estimate on interior or exterior services!

Click To Find >>>> Painters in Surrey.

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

With a new year comes a time for new beginnings, goals, and changes. For some, that might mean giving your home a few improvements to improve aesthetics and add value. Home improvements can enhance your living spaces, improve your lifestyle and the way you feel about your home.

OCanada Painting Contractors in Edmonton offers complete painting services for commercial, residential, and industrial clientele. Here they share three ways they can help improve your home for 2023.

Interior paint job

Painting your home’s interior can completely change its look and feel. If your wall colours are dated, drab or dinged and stained, a coat of paint will make things feel new again. Painting will give a fresh look and help protect your walls from future damage and moisture.

Choosing the right paint colours is essential. Specific colours and colour schemes can influence the way you feel. For example, blues and greens are considered calming colours. That makes them a good choice for a bedroom or bathroom. Red, on the other hand, is stimulating. So if you like red, it makes it a good choice for a space you entertain in because it can help boost energy.

OCanada Painting Contractors can help you choose paint colours that best suit your home and taste. Their interior painting services will make your home feel modern, new, and comfortable without the cost of an extensive and disruptive renovation.

Paint the deck and fence

Painting or staining your deck and fence this spring will allow you to enjoy them more! First, paint or stain helps protect the wood from the elements like weather and pests. A fresh coat of paint will ensure your outdoor features last much longer.

Second, paint or stain can improve the aesthetics of your deck and fence. The weather can take its toll on wood, making it look grey and worn out. However, with a fresh coat of paint or stain, you can transform these features into beautiful and natural focal points for your outdoor living spaces.

Put up wallpaper

Wallpaper used to be considered old-fashioned, but it is coming back in style! OCanada Painting Contractors can help install new wallpaper in your home to give it an added visual appeal. Wallpaper helps protect your walls, improving their durability and longevity. In addition, it makes your walls easier to clean.

Aesthetically, wallpaper allows you to get creative! Choosing the right wallpaper for a feature wall or room in the house can capture your style and vibe. However, there are endless options, and choosing the right wall paper can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, OCanada Painting Contractors have a trained eye for design and can help you choose a wallpaper that complements the colour scheme and design style in the rest of your house.

Painters in Edmonton

OCanada Painting Contractors are local painting experts ready to serve home and business owners in Edmonton and surrounding areas. This family-run business believes no project is complete until the customer is delighted with their performance. They’re committed to excellent customer service, flawless results, and job site safety and are passionate about what they do.

Improve your home this year with professional painters. Contact OCanada Painting Contractors!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Instead of just owning a backyard that looks luxurious, focus on a design that is also functional. Using that extra space to blend interior and exterior spaces is a great way to expand your home’s living space. 

JPL Earthworks in Edmonton is a professional landscaping company that builds and renovates dream landscapes. They share how you can transform your yard into a new living space:

Don’t be shy about textiles and furniture

Think about how you use your backyard and what goals you have for the space. If you prefer a low-maintenance, high-use space, consider a complete overhaul. First, remove the grass and lay down some hardscaping like colourful tiles, concrete sections or wood decks. Once you have that setting, don’t forget to set up furniture with cozy seating and colourful pillows. Then, to keep the green focus, set up pathways throughout the yard leading to smaller seating areas. Similar to the interior, this layout sets up “rooms” in your backyard where you and guests can mingle and move around.

Bring the indoor entertainment spaces outside

Why limit yourself to just one kitchen inside the home? When you have guests over on a beautiful, sunny day, it’s far nicer to be outside than indoors. You can blend interior and exterior spaces by designing a stunning outdoor kitchen space.

A full kitchen offers far more cooking options than just a barbeque or portable food cooked inside. You can whip up delicious meals outside while entertaining guests and serving piping-hot meals. It’s also the perfect addition to blending seating areas with stylish overhead lighting or installed around the yard. As the sun sets, your yard becomes a welcoming space to stay and enjoy the night scenery and gentler lighting. Landscape lighting can illuminate gathering spaces, highlight a landscape feature, and create a cozy ambiance. 

Create a second living room area with a fireplace

Just because the weather is getting colder doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy your yard. In addition to building spaces throughout the yard, design a central seating area. A paved patio with a pergola covered with plants in the summer and a stylish curtain in the fall creates a luxurious primary setting. Then, add a natural focal point by adding a fireplace. That addition helps define the space and provides privacy for an outdoor room.

Around the rest of the yard, build a gazebo to add another level of luxury and create a separate outdoor room with a cover. Finally, install cozier firepits with comfortable seating for more casual outdoor fun in other parts, open or nestled around a natural pond or sculpted detail of the yard.

Landscapers in Edmonton

JPL Earthworks brings 15 years of experience designing, renovating and sculpting luxurious landscapes. They take their client’s goals and landscape dreams to create a lasting oasis customized to every home. So when you’re reading to renovate or build, their team is ready to help. Start planning your landscape construction project for the spring!

Contact JPL Earthworks today!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Even though it’s the middle of winter, you can still start planning backyard renovations for the spring. Do some research now to find a vetted company that can offer patio and landscaping services. If you have interior work you’d like to do, find a contractor who can build you a new deck and a new bathroom. This way, you and your contractor can streamline the renovation processes for both improvements and get more done.

South Wood Union Co. in Calgary offers patio and deck services, interior remodelling, and renovations. They walk you through how they can makeover your home, inside and out.

Landscaping and decks

By the time the warm weather rolls around, many homeowners dream of spending as much time in their yards as possible. However, the reality can be much less enjoyable than the dream deck in your mind, especially if your backyard needs work. South Wood Union Co. can transform your outdoor space with several services. They can design and build you a garden, add a trellis and put in new sod. In addition, they can build custom decks to fit your space and style perfectly.

Custom wood

The sky is truly the limit when it comes to adding custom wood pieces to elevate the look of your home. For exterior renovations, custom wood fences and gates can add elegance and sophistication. Wood steps to fit a new wood deck will also help your patio stand out. For those dreaming of wood furniture for their yard, South Wood Union Co. also builds custom picnic tables. Custom wood pieces can do wonders for interior spaces as well. Reach out to South Wood Union Company to discuss how you can upgrade your home with their custom cabinet work.

Interior renovations

As you complete your exterior renovations and plan your next big yard party, a brand-new bathroom will wow your guests. A new floor and tile in the bath or shower are two options for a new bathroom space. Additionally, new cabinets will take the bathroom to a whole new level. If you have other rooms in the home you’d also like to renovate, South Wood Union Co. is happy to discuss design options. Share your vision with them and see how they can bring it to life.

Home Renovations in Calgary

South Wood Union Co. is a one-stop shop for patio, deck and other landscaping needs, as well as interior renovations. This trustworthy company has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. In addition, RenovationFind has also prescreened and vetted this company. That means when you book with South Wood Union Co., your can rest assured your contractor has no credit issues, is fully insured and boasts a roster of clients that are extremely pleased with their work. South Wood Union Co. can do everything from new fencing to exterior front door installations to drywall services and more.

Contact South Wood Union Co. today to discuss your next renovation project.

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

You may think that organising the office is a “waste of your time”, but disorganisation will cost you more than having a helping hand to fix your problems.

Did you know, that having an organised work environment has much more than just visual appeal? When your office appears to have clutter, it triggers a stress response in your brain that signals “there’s more work to do”. Having an organised office reduces the recurrence of that stress response, giving you back a feeling of control.

Even more with the help from a handyman to take control of all your organisation needs. So, let’s spend less time searching through all of the disorganized files and more time becoming more efficient.

Creating the company culture your team needs.

For your team to hit their goals it is important that you create a strategically organised space. This will help them by boosting their effectiveness and creating an overall positive work habit for everyone in your team.

We understand this can be challenging and it is easy to let it get out of hand. So, if the thought of having to organise your office space gives you slightly less joy than it should, don’t worry we got a hand to help.

How can we help?

Here at the Handy Squad, we offer several Office maintenance services that we can tailor to your own personal needs. We want to help you achieve a seamless and productive workday and leave the stress of an unorganised office a thing of the past. Our handymen will provide all the help you need and complete their work in a quiet and efficient way so you can keep working with little to no interruptions.

The bottom line is, creating an organised workspace and maintaining an efficient work area for your employees will end up paying off in a bigger way than you can imagine. Give it a go!

The post Rely on an experienced handyman to organise your office space appeared first on Handy Squad Handyman London | Fast & Reliable London Handyman.

What you surround yourself with will influence your productivity, and at the end of the day have a huge effect on your work.

If you are working in an office or at home, it is critical to have an atmosphere that generates excitement.

Start with something small, staying focused during a long workday can be difficult but we find that it helps if you take a few short breaks to gain a better perspective on what you are working on. Movement and change of scenery will help you clear your mind and look at your ideas differently.

Focus and creativity are also key parts of having a productive workspace. Try making a work playlist for you to play as background noise so you don’t keep focusing on the silence. As silence can also be very disturbing.

Are these not your cup of tea? Get a plant! These little guys will brighten up your workspace and make the environment more alive. Plants are a great addition as they can reduce stress, produce cleaner air for you to be in, and give you some energy.

If you are looking for a handier approach, we can also help you set up your office. One of the biggest desk workspace issues is clutter and multiple wires from all your electronic devices. This can cause distraction, stress from the mess on your desk and overall low productivity. So, the best thing is for you to have a tidy workplace, and we fortunately are here to help you with that. Cable tidying is one of the many handyman office services we offer.

We hope these ideas will inspire you to create a better place to work in. After all, if we can create an easy work life, the easier our lives will be. Have a wonderful year, and don’t forget to look back here for some amazing tips we are always one phone call away!

The post Top tips to make your workspace more productive for 2023 appeared first on Handy Squad Handyman London | Fast & Reliable London Handyman.

When thinking about the plumbing system in your home, how often do you think about the water? Outside of good water pressure and flow, little other thought is often given to the water. Poor water systems, however, can lead to impure or hard water and can cause damage to the pipes.

Ritz Mechanical Services in Edmonton is a family-owned and operated company offering complete plumbing services. They share the value of water treatments and on-demand water heaters for your home:

Signs of poor water quality

If you aren’t sure about the quality of your water, take the time to check. Poor quality can lead to health issues like stomach pains or damage to your hair if the water is high in minerals. To start, check the smell for a faint chlorine scent. While some chlorine is added to water lines to kill bacteria, too much is dangerous and may cause skin or eye irritation. Sulphur smells like rotten eggs is another sign that your water needs treatment. Low water pressure or a metallic taste could also mean that pipes are clogged or corroded. That often happens when scale and sediment have built up in the pipes, which can be addressed with water treatment. 

Invest in a water purification and softener system

Water treatment systems are installed to remove and reduce any contaminants from the water. A Reverse Osmosis System is one such system that uses various filters to purify water as it travels through the pipes. The systems are typically installed in the kitchen, bathroom sink, or fridge with a water dispenser. Impurities that are removed include traces of detergents, lead, sulphates, nitrates, chlorine and more.

Water softeners are another way to extract minerals from tap water, specifically calcium and magnesium. For example, if you notice a film after washing your hands, spots on glasses or silverware or dried-out hair, it’s a sign of high minerals. Water softeners can address that problem, while a treatment system will keep it clear. You’ll find detergent is easier to wash out with softer water. It’s also easier on your plumbing and appliances. In addition, soft water can improve dry and irritated skin and hair. 

Upgrade the hot water heater

While upgrading your home’s water, consider also upgrading your water heater. A new system overall is a great combination that can significantly benefit your home. On-demand water heaters only heat water when and as needed instead of storing it in a large heated tank. These long-lasting models provide endless hot water instead of a set, stored amount. It’s also a greener option as it consumes much less fuel and wastes less heat when warming the water. These two-in-one upgrades are valuable changes offering endless and clean hot water. 

Plumbers in Edmonton

Since 2000, Ritz Mechanical Services Ltd. has continued to be the best at whatever they do and proudly so. This family-owned company can assist with everything from minor repairs to extensive renovations. Their team delivers quality, value, and lasting appeal with every project they take.

Contact Ritz Mechanical Services Ltd. today!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

“New year, new me”… as the saying goes we all plan a list of new things to achieve in the new year. The new year means a fresh start, with a tough winter and the first “normal” year, we’ve had in a while we here at the Handy Squad would like to help you make this year the best one yet!

So, sit back, grab a drink and relax while we give you some helpful tips to tick some of those new year’s resolutions off the list!

Looking for a huge change in any room? Try changing your lighting.

This is a great way to start if you want to take your rooms to the next level. Simple yet efficient. Just like LED lights, highly energy-efficient, long-lasting and uses less energy than a normal bulb.

The “language of lights” is an extensive yet colourful one, but also a foreign language for most. We can help you navigate through the rainbow of light and have your lighting needs set up safely and correctly.

Hang thins up!

More than one of us can admit taking painting as a hobby during the lockdown, so let’s grab those masterpieces out of the attic and change the atmosphere of any room!

With this one, you can be very versatile, either hanging them up on the wall or if you aren’t comfortable drilling a hole in the wall, just placing them on some shelves or even on top of a table.

If you aren’t comfortable around tools and need a hand, we are great at hanging things up.

What better blank canvas than walls?

There is no wrongdoing with this idea, you can make a big impact on a small budget even if your room is lacking accent details. Being imaginative can result in a space full of depth and interest.

From paint effects, the vast scope of colours pops of colour, and architectural designs… the things you can achieve are endless and also so much fun!

The post Happy New Year from the Handy Squad – Lets Embrace 2023 appeared first on Handy Squad Handyman London | Fast & Reliable London Handyman.