Homeowner responsible for Hydro wiring on property

QUESTION: I don’t know who to contact about the following — the hydro line connected to my house rubs against the shingles, which also creates a banging noise when it’s windy. Hydro has previously put something around the wires in . . .

Posted: 2019-02-09

Effective quotes protect client and builder

Avoid surprises with a thorough cost breakdown

Quoting is an inescapable process that, as a contractor, comes with the territory of renovations and construction. Depending on the requested tasks or project’s complexity, generating a quote for a potential customer can sometimes prove to be a laborious process . . .

Posted: 2019-02-09

A nutty solution for removing stains from frosted glass

Question: I have some kind of frosted glass on my pantry door. The one side is plain glass, but on the inside, it is frosted. I can’t seem to get normal, everyday kid spills off the inside of the door . . .

Posted: 2019-02-09

A-Maes-ing murals

Artist adds creative touch to walls, fences and just about any flat surface

Next time the word mural pops to mind, think Rachel Maes. Maes is the very much in-demand Winnipeg artist who comes to your home or business — just about anywhere, actually — and hand-paints the mural of your choosing on any . . .

Posted: 2019-02-09

Add some colour to your patio

'Showpiece' hydrangea bred to grow from spring until fall

What if you could plunk a floriferous long-flowering shrub into your outdoor container — no fillers or spillers required — and it provided continuous colour from spring until fall? A new generation of hydrangea bred and developed specifically for patio container . . .

Posted: 2019-02-09

A safe job site ensures quality working conditions

Certification ensures quality working conditions

This past week, the Construction Safety Association of Manitoba (CSAM) held its annual safety conference at the RBC convention centre. This conference, recognized as one of the best construction safety conferences in Canada, offers local construction companies quality safety training . . .

Posted: 2019-02-09

Luxury home checks all the boxes

Function, style and a free-flowing floor plan make new Arlt home perfect for families

Three features tend to be uppermost in the minds of families looking for a new luxury home — it must be functional, free-flowing and possess a liberal sprinkling of fashion to keep it interesting. Those three design features are showcased in . . .

Posted: 2019-02-09

Like-new feel without sky-high price

Three-bedroom bungalow boasts extensive upgrades

It’s a home-buying debate that’s age-old: to buy new, or resale. On the surface, buying a new home would seem to be a slam dunk. With everything in the home brand-spanking new, it should (at least, theoretically) require little or no maintenance . . .

Posted: 2019-02-09

A watched pot never boils (faster) -- unless you add salt

Question: I love to cook pasta and never know when (or if it is necessary) to add salt to the water. Here’s my question: does water boil faster if you add salt? — Kim Answer: I took on this challenge — I put . . .

Posted: 2019-02-02

Closing the door on eyesores

A little creativity and customized cupboards help tuck away electrical panels

Every now and then, the existing placement of an electrical panel can create a design layout challenge. This past year, two such instances were overcome by using cupboards as a way of concealing the panels, while allowing easy access to . . .

Posted: 2019-02-02