http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/general-contracting-articles.htm Up to date General Contracting Articles and information from HomeRenovationGuide en-us info@homerenovationguide.com Tue, 06 May 2008 16:38:37 EDT Copyright 2007, HomeRenovationGuide,com http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/level-contractor.htm The skilled labour shortage in BC is no secret – it’s been making headlines for some time now as construction companies struggle to attract and retain employees.But commercial construction businesses are not the only ones affected by the labour shortage. Homeowners are also feeling the pinch. “The labour shortage in BC means some homeowners are trying to do home renovations themselves, or they’re hiring unqualified people to do the work for them,” said Pearse Walsh, Leader, Business Development for the British Columbia Safety Authority, an independent organization Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:39:29 EST http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/level-contractor.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/safety-contracting.htm Renovating or building your home should be a positive experience free from stress and worry. But did you know that electrical and gas installations and renovations can pose some of the most serious safety risks in the home?“Do-it-yourself” might make sense when it comes to some home improvements, but when it comes to doing electrical or gas work , it’s best that you rely on the experts. Simply put, hiring licensed contractors provides peace of mind.So while you’re thinking about renovations that involve gas and electricity, think about the legal requirements and be Thu, 18 Oct 2007 15:33:10 EDT http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/safety-contracting.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/contractor-vs-diy.htm Being in the home improvement industry for nearly a decade, people often ask us whether they really need a design/build firm or whether they can save money by managing their remodeling project on their own. Our answer always starts with the basic presumption that managing it oneself, can, but does not always equal savings. And, if you factor in the value of your own time spent on the project, you’ll often find that it is quite a bargain to work with a full service company.Whether you’re remodeling your home in the city, a vacation home, your home in the suburbs, or a Fri, 17 Aug 2007 09:01:40 EDT http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/contractor-vs-diy.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/home-remodeling.htm Nothing adds value to your home more quickly than updating or remodeling your kitchen or bathroom. These two rooms in your home receive daily use and usually suffer wear and tear sooner than any other rooms. An update of fixtures, appliances, and accessories can make an immediate and dramatic difference in either of these rooms. A complete remodel of your bath or kitchen can increase the value of your home immediately and significantly!Kitchen RemodelingIf remodeling your kitchen is your next home remodeling project, replacing the cabinets is a great starting point. Be Thu, 17 May 2007 10:54:47 EDT http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/home-remodeling.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/renoplans.htm The talent of the designer in blending colour and light with form and function is of paramount importance to every home renovation. A well placed window that takes full advantage of morning sunlight costs no more than a window that misses the sun entirely.While you could have enjoyed mornings in your breakfast room, drinking coffee and reading the newspaper, poor design denies you the chance.Who’s the best person to design your renovation?For some projects, a good drafting service should be more than enough. For others, it’s an interior designer, an architect Sun, 29 Apr 2007 16:01:00 EDT http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/renoplans.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/15.htm 1. Labor saving equipment is often difficult to use due to the physical limitations of many renovations. In those cases that means that only hand operated equipment can be used. Think of excavating a basement by hand using a conveyor belt or wheel barrel to remove the dirt. Time consuming and very costly! 2. Accessibility for excavation equipment is often limited. The size of equipment used is smaller taking more time - and time is money. 3. In many renovations the distances required to move excavated materials add costs. Most additions take place at the rear of the Wed, 06 Jun 2007 09:13:38 EDT http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/15.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/reality.htm Turn the TV on and splash, a new group of castaways is being dropped off in the tropical waters lapping the sandy shores of the newest "Survivor" destination. A quick hit on the remote and your favorite world class chef is putting the final touches on a feast fit for a king, or at least your Saturday evening dinner guests. One more tap on the channel selector and the good old boys from the sunny south are dropping in a big block and putting the final touches on a prefect classic restoration. And it all happens in 60 minutes or less.What does this all mean? It means tha Wed, 06 Jun 2007 09:09:15 EDT http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/reality.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/quickbooks.htm Ask any contractor and they’ll tell you: there’s a right tool for every job.Although many contractors can plane a perfect edge and work magic with drywall, few have claimed to be financial specialists. They’d ignore the books if they could - but, because they need to pay employees and subcontractors, quote on projects for clients and track the money invested in each project from beginning to end, ignoring the books is not an option. To make matters more frustrating many contractors are often away from the office, further reducing the amount of time avail Sun, 29 Apr 2007 15:54:35 EDT http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/quickbooks.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/carick.htm Our client bought this Victorian semi-detached row house in Downtown Toronto. The location was very important. The size of the home was quite small. An open concept design was perfect for this project.Transforming this old rooming house was a challenge. With careful planning the house was turned into a stylish, sleek, urban home. Using creativity, the main floor was remodeled into an attractive open concept design making this space appear much larger than it is.At the front door a closet was built creating a foyer with a transom above, matching the front door entrance. Sun, 29 Apr 2007 15:48:41 EDT http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/carick.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/home-remodeling-materials.htm Home building and remodeling are at all time highs and our natural resources are in more danger than ever. How can these two factors reconcile themselves? Newer, friendlier products and approaches make it easier to shop smart when home remodeling.Home Remodeling Trends: Using Environmentally Friendly MaterialsRemodeling a home is the process of remaking or restyling existing structures or designs, updating the existing fabric of the home into something new, whether it really is new or just fresh in the setting of your house. People remodel for various reasons - to upda Sun, 29 Apr 2007 15:42:58 EDT http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/home-remodeling-materials.htm