Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
Renovation spending steady in Manitoba
HOMEOWNER spending on renovations has had an up-and-down ride across Canada, although it's been fairly steady in Manitoba.
Most of Canada was hit harder by the recession in late and early 2009 than we were in Manitoba, and so national spending was reduced accordingly. However, the introduction of the Home Renovation Tax Credit quickly turned things around in terms of renovation spending. As the economy improved in 2010, so did renovation spending.
In general, spending on renovations increased by 9.2 per cent across Canada and 11.5 per cent in Manitoba last year. Forecasts for 2011 have spending declining a bit across the country while increasing ever so slightly here in Manitoba.
In Ontario and British Columbia, the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) has hit the legitimate renovation industry hard. With the introduction of the HST and no relief or exemptions to encourage renovations, taxes for honest contractors have doubled. This has resulted in an estimated 75 per cent of renovations going to the underground economy, forcing honest people to bear the brunt of the tax load.
In 2010, renovation spending totalled $60 billion in across Canada, with improvements accounting for 75 per cent and repairs the rest.
The Home Renovation Tax Credit was introduced in the 2009 federal budget and was a resounding success. About $2.3 billion was paid out, or about 75 per cent of what was originally set aside. Residential renovation spending rose 18 per cent over the period, with three million homeowners (one in three owner-occupied households) subscribed and receiving an average rebate of $700.
Since this was obviously a tremendously successful program for the government, consumers, retailers and contractors, perhaps Ottawa and/or the provincial government should look at resurrecting it in some fashion. Since contractors and consumers must declare the work performed in order to collect rebates, increased tax revenue alone would pay for the program.
It's certainly food for thought, given the projected increase of 3.5 per cent in renovation spending forecast for 2012.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
Renovation & Design
SOLUTIONS: Rubber ball takes out running-shoe marks
QUESTION: I am 76 years old and regularly look after my grandchildren on weekdays. Although I enjoy my time with them, when they leave, I almost always notice black marks on the floor from their runners. It is hard to bend over to clean the floor. Any suggestions on what I can use to get rid of the marks? Helda (Melita, Man.)
ANSWER: Of course, the most obvious solution, and I am sure you have considered this, is asking your beloved grandchildren to remove their footwear upon entering your castle. If this is not an option, I have another solution for you. Make a slit in a rubber ball and slide it onto the end of a broom handle. Move the ball along the floor to erase the marks; it works with little effort.
QUESTION: Do you have any solutions or preventions for yellowed linoleum around forced-air registers? Thanks, Myrla (Winnipeg)
ANSWER: I'm assuming that your flooring is vinyl. In order to prevent discolouration from occurring under the lip of vent covers, put masking tape in that area.
Yellowing stains that are already present are tricky to remove and in many cases permanent. You have nothing to lose by trying the following: Pour three-per-cent hydrogen peroxide onto the area every day for three days. Do not wipe and observe whether stains become less-noticeable.
Some people have had great results by using oven cleaner to remove these stains. Test on an inconspicuous area first because what works on one type of vinyl will not necessarily work on another.
If you're desperate, consider purchasing a stronger concentration of hydrogen peroxide from a hair salon.
Just as a side note, the terms vinyl and linoleum are often used interchangeably. Vinyl is made from synthetic fibres. The main body is cardboard or vinyl that is covered with one sheet that contains the design, another sheet for the finish followed by a protective coat of varying thickness.
Linoleum is a 100-per-cent natural product. It contains linseed oil, cork powder, natural resins, colour mineral pigments and other natural materials. As the linseed oxidizes, the linoleum gets harder. Linoleum is a much more durable product than vinyl and is ideal for high-traffic areas. Linoleum is currently making a big comeback. Vinyl and linoleum need to be treated differently.
QUESTION: My kid keeps applying temporary tattoos to his arms. After a while, part of the tattoo wears off and his arm just ends up looking dirty. Any idea on how to quickly remove the remaining mess? Tess (Clear Lake, Man.)
ANSWER: Wipe the tattoo residue with rubbing alcohol; it will quickly disappear.
QUESTION: My husband and I received a lovely handmade quilt from my husband's grandmother as a wedding present. The quilt is made out of cotton and synthetic materials. The quilt was stored in a plastic container with mothballs for a significant period of time before it was given to us.
For the past three years, I have not been able to get the mothball smell out of the quilt. We've tried a variety of laundry detergents, hanging it in the sun, and storing it for months in a cedar-lined chest. Nothing has worked and the smell does not seem to be fading. Is there anyway to get this smell out? Thank you, Terri (Winnipeg)
ANSWER: Try one or more of the following tricks: Lay the quilt on the grass during a rain shower. The combo of water and chlorophyll are powerful odour zappers. Or soak the quilt in plain old vinegar and a few drops of tea tree oil. Leave it for a few hours, then wash as usual. Air-dry it because the dryer can permanently set the smell of mothballs.
Success Story from Manitoban:
Original Question: I spilled oil-based paint on leather upholstery. Is there anything that will get it out? Rick
Update:
Hi Reena,
I used extra-virgin olive oil and dabbed it on with a paper towel, used a soft rag covering a spoon and lots of elbow grease, and it eventually came out, but it took a while. There was no discolouration of the leather! Thanks, Rick
Fabulous Breakfast Tips:
Did you know that poaching eggs is one of the healthiest protein-packed ways to cook eggs because no butter or oil is required?
-- You can make poached eggs a day in advance and refrigerate them. When you are ready to eat the egg, reheat it by placing it in simmering water for one minute.
-- When cooking pancakes, resist the urge to press pancakes down with a spatula. Doing so will not quicken cooking time and will take away its fluffy texture.
-- To cook perfect hard-boiled eggs, place the eggs in a pot and fill it with enough water to cover the eggs. Bring it to a boil for twelve minutes. Remove the eggs (with a slotted spoon) from the pot and submerge them in a bowl of ice water for five minutes. Crack each egg and peel it under cold water.
Reena Nerbas is the author of the national bestselling Household Solutions series. Her website is www.householdsolutions.org You can contact her at Box 429, Blumenort, Man., ROA 0C0.
