ASK THE INSPECTOR: Where there's water, there's a solution

QUESTION: Our sump pump works but it seems our house is the lowest spot on our street. Our house was built in 1996 and our sump pump was replaced in the last couple of years. Our street is in a . . .

Posted: 2009-06-07

Looking to be trendy? It all starts at home

WHAT'S hot in bathrooms and kitchens? The National Kitchen & Bath Association surveyed more than 100 designers, and the results identified seven kitchen and four bathroom trends: Kitchens 1. Shake up your cabinets. Traditional Shaker-style cupboards are making a comeback. They are . . .

Posted: 2011-11-19

OK, construction has begun, when can we move in?

An important question that most new homebuyers ask when looking at building a new home is how long will it take for my new home to be built? Just how long does the whole construction process usually take and what . . .

Posted: 2022-08-06

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Sun tunnels vs. skylights: about the same

QUESTION: In a previous edition of the Free Press, you addressed the question relating to the removal of skylights. In that article you highlighted concerns with the installation of skylights, such as condensation and leakage. These are concerns that I . . .

Posted: 2011-07-09

Upstairs, downstairs

Not much difference these days

Like the Beast who was transformed by Beauty's sweet tears, basements are shedding their grim edges and strutting a newly discovered glamour. Vansishing faster than you can say "makeover" are the cellars of yore: the banal veneer panelling, water-stained acoustic tiles . . .

Posted: 2010-12-31

Blank deck

Railings should be determined before project begins

Homeowners often assume the type and style of railings they want can be chosen once the deck is built. That is the case in some instances, but most times the railings must be determined before a deck build can begin. The . . .

Posted: 2021-04-10

Renting equipment makes sense

Owning your hot water tank or furnace isn't always the best financial decision

For many consumers, the term "rent" is a resoundingly negative concept.That is why so many people prefer to own a home — and, by extension other, necessary household equipment such as hot water tanks, furnaces, even water purification systems. There’s . . .

Posted: 2016-12-17

MIKE HOLMES: Pros and cons of new building systems

If you're thinking about building a new house and doing some research, you may be hearing about SIPs and ICFs, two new building systems that have been gaining popularity. But like everything, they have their pros and cons. SIP stands for . . .

Posted: 2012-10-06

MIKE HOLMES: Earth Hour helps us see the green light

Every year, people around the world shut off their lights for one hour, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., all in the name of Earth Hour and saving our planet. This year, Earth Hour was on March 29. I turned off . . .

Posted: 2014-04-12

CONNIE OLIVER: Creating a cool teen hangout worth the time

If you watch any decorating shows, you might notice a trend where teenagers and young adults are requesting their own hangout space. Back in the day, we used a rumpus room or our own bedroom to entertain friends, but now it . . .

Posted: 2013-09-07