A home with history

Stonewall abode where movie was made sits on former estate of town's founder

It's not often you get an opportunity to purchase a beautifully renovated house and, at the same time, become a stakeholder in Manitoba's fascinating history and the owner of a bit of Hollywood glitz and glamour.In the early 1990s, Victoria . . .

Posted: 2014-11-01

'Modern' is great -- if the basics are solid

A lot of homeowners say they want a "modern" home, but what does that really mean? Is it a modern look or a modern build? When most homeowners think of modern, they're usually concerned about the finishes -- state-of-the-art appliances, the . . .

Posted: 2013-09-14

Simple solutions for that big storage bin

IT may not be sexy and it might not be first on your to-do list but give the garage a little TLC and you'll be surprised at how good it feels.Whether it's a true garage (originally meant for a four-wheel . . .

Posted: 2013-05-18

New heating system can take longer to heat

QUESTION -- My 1, 200-square-foot home used to be heated by a furnace from 1949 that ran at 25, 000 BTU. Recently I changed the system to a newer, 7, 000-BTU system. I thought this newer heater would be more . . .

Posted: 2008-05-18

Check with plumber before building basement bathroom

Question:I read your article on getting rid of a cold-storage room, so I thought of writing you about my three-year-old house. I am planning on finishing my basement and am considering building a washroom in the cold room. We think . . .

Posted: 2015-01-17

Let here be light

Soffit replacement leads to LED upgrade

During a variety of other tasks on the property, the homeowner inquired about replacing the dark brown soffit below the extended roofline of a covered deck area in the backyard. Although the main fascia and soffits along the perimeter . . .

Posted: 2024-06-08

MIKE HOLMES: Squeaky floors an expanding nuisance

SOME homes are impossible to sneak in and out of, and not because of the latest in high-tech security or an iron-clad exterior. These homes have squeaky subfloors and noisy stairs loud enough to wake the dead. And it's a growing . . .

Posted: 2013-03-16

Roofing and deck building come together

The Reno Boss column has truly been a wonderful adventure. With 52 columns under my tool belt, I thought it apropos to start my sophomore year with a topic that leads me back to where it all began — my . . .

Posted: 2017-10-07

No shortage of handyman services

Entrepreneurs available for all jobs -- from landscaping to concrete repair

Property owners know there is no shortage of things to do once the snow melts and the ground is dry enough to commence spring cleanup. Some of us embrace the opportunity to tackle outdoor chores with energy and vigour, while . . .

Posted: 2018-03-17

Assorted advice to make autumn yardwork less yucky

After carving a pumpkin, spray the inside with 50/50 bleach and water to slow down the formation of mould. Stuff wet boots and shoes with dry, crumpled-up newspaper. The ink in the paper will absorb the moisture and any odours. Before cleaning . . .

Posted: 2019-09-28