by Lorena Benchis

Often considered to be the most unfriendly area of a house, attics are making a permanent comeback. Forget the dusty air and the scary spider webs, the ghosts behind the old wardrobe and the dark gloomy vibe you expect when going in. Nowadays, attics have been turned into the newest and trendiest ‘addition’ to the house.

So if you’re thinking of attempting to do an attic makeover yourself here are a few starting points:

Deep Clean

Before you attempt any redecorating you need to clean the room to the t. No dust or dirt, everything must be spotless so you can get the best results in return. If you feel like it’s not a one man job, then get your family to work with you, and you can turn a boring chore into a fun family activity.

A lick of paint

All right, so this might sound obvious, but the truth is, paint can make or break a room and if your attic is anything like mine, then it’s probably never seen paint in its life. So what you’re best of doing is making a list of colours you’d like for your new room and then matching them to the floors you want.

Hit the floor

So now think about floors. Do you want carpet? Or maybe you want hardwood flooring or even engineered wood flooring? Once you’ve weighed all the pros and cons you will be in the right position to make a decision about which option to go with and maybe you should look at Flooring And Doors to get an idea about what’s available.

Let the light in

Once you’ve done all the floors and walls, it’s time to think about windows. And considering we’re talking attics, this is once of the most important topics, because most attics don’t have a window. So you will probably want and need a skylight or even two depending on how big the room is. One of the best places to fit a skylight would be just above your bed. Imagine how beautiful and romantic it would be to lie in bed with your loved one and watch the stars. I can’t think of anything I’d like better.

Now all that’s left is picking the right furniture. Depending on whether you want a bedroom or maybe a home office or study area, maybe even a game room for your kids, you can decorate it accordingly and make it truly homely. And when you put a smile on the face of your partner or children or even yourself, you will know your work is done!

By Erie Construction

Driftwood

There is no need to settle for boring carpet or laminate flooring in your home. Why not try something a little more interesting? If you’re looking for unique and distinctive, take a look at these 10 interesting floor coverings.

Driftwood

Driftwood is wood that washes up on the beach after being tossed by winds, waves, and tides. Erosion sometimes makes it difficult to determine the origin of the wood, but it could come from trees that have fallen into the ocean, lost cargo, or even the remains of shipwrecks. It is a hassle for beach-goers everywhere, but it makes for a beautiful and interesting floor.

Liquid Lava ™

These liquid filled tiles swirl under the pressure of your feet, and are sure to make you feel like a kid again. They’re available in several color combinations and make walking around your house way more fun.

Glass

Floors made from thick cut glass are uncommonly beautiful. With a variety of textures to choose from, glass floors can fit in anywhere in your home. Its natural aqua color lends a calming ambiance to your room.

Cork

If you are looking for an Earth-friendly flooring option, consider cork. Cork is harvested from the bark of oak trees every 9 years. The trees don’t need to be cut down during the process. The harvested cork is used first for wine stoppers, the scraps go into cork flooring.

Fruit

One of the most unique floors on the market, this floor is actually made from peach pits! The edges get sanded down to show off the color and make the floors smooth.

Tye Dye ™

These tiles are heat activated. When warmed, the tiles preform a psychedelic color change.  This distinctive tile is sure to grab the attention of any house guest.

Reclaimed Wood

The things you love most in your home have a story, so why shouldn’t your floor? Reclaimed wood is salvaged from barns, factories, and even breweries. This wood lets history shine through its scars, holes, and bruises.

Antibacterial

These amazing tiles eliminate bacteria and help you breathe better, but they look like regular ceramic tiles.

Seashell

Mother of pearl is the inner layer of shell, and is the same material that makes a pearl. The material is traditionally made into jewelry, statues and lighting. The tiles are just as beautiful and iridescent.

Leather

Looks like leather isn’t just for shoes and handbags anymore. Leather tiles are an earthy way to add a bit of luxury to your home. Everything from faux-gator to saddle leather is available in tiles for richly detailed floors.

This article was written by Erie Construction. Visit our website for more information about home remodeling.

by Guest

Epoxy garage floor paint is making its mark on the building community as a durable and attractive way to protect both indoor and outdoor surfaces. However, what many homeowners may not know is that epoxy floors are also a “green” building material, offering many environmental benefits over competing products. Here’s the rundown of eco-friendly assets epoxy brings to the table:

• By doing some research, homeowners will see that many epoxy flooring systems  meet the LEED standards for low VOC emissions, making them safe for indoor and outdoor use without the danger of toxic off-gassing that can damage indoor air supply as well as the outdoor environment.

• By applying an epoxy coating to older, damaged floors, homeowners can prolong their use, instead of tearing them away to be replaced with a fresh one. This is a green solution because it takes away the need to clog up landfills with refuse from renovation products, and also saves the materials and energy that would be expended tearing up the old floor and putting in the replacement.

• Floors with an epoxy coating can easily be cleaned without the use of harsh chemicals, and they do not need to be waxed or polished afterwards to protect their surface. This saves on the amount of chemicals a homeowner will need to purchase, that would eventually make their way into local water systems.

• Due to the reflective qualities of lighter epoxy floor coatings, less indoor lighting and energy will be required to illuminate rooms, and rooftop treatments will protect against excess heat absorption during sunny days, making for greener, more energy efficient buildings.

• Because of its fast and efficient installation process, epoxy flooring takes much less time and energy to install than many other flooring options, and require no additional power tools, sanders, polishers, or varnishes to fit them into the space or smooth them into a useable surface.

by Guest

Warmboard recently introduced a new radiant heating panel, Warmboard‐R, which was available beginning July 15th, 2011. Warmboard‐R is a 13/16” thick structural panel that provides the same superior radiant heat performance of 1‐1/8” thick Warmboard radiant subfloor panel. This slimmer profile combined with an easier to handle panel size, is ideal for remodels and renovations where the full structural strength of 1‐1/8” Warmboard is not required.

When there are specific project limitations, such as floor height, the smaller panel dimensions and reduced thickness of Warmboard‐R allow the homeowner who is remodeling to enjoy all the superior benefits of Warmboard. And it’s an ideal ceiling panel for use in climates that make radiant cooling an option or where ceiling heating is desirable in order to preserve existing floor coverings.

News provided by Warmboard. Warmboard continuously strives to meet and exceed customers’ standards, and it is in response to customer requests that Warmboard designed Warmboard‐R with remodel applications in mind. With the release of Warmboard‐R customers can select the panel combination that best suits their needs, without sacrificing any of the quality that customers have come to expect from Warmboard Inc. when designing their dream living space.

by Benoit Maneckjee

Electric in-floor heating has become a popular upgrade for any kitchen or bathroom renovation project.  In this article, ThermAtlantic Energy Products’ president offers some useful tips and insight into what you should know before you decide to install this amenity into your home.

Have you experienced the delightful feeling of stepping onto a heated tile floor with your bare feet?  If you have then you probably promised yourself that you’d like to consider adding this amenity in your home the next time you renovated. However, now that the time has come to replace the flooring in your reno project you may be wondering what’s involved and whether you can do it yourself.

Floor heating can be accomplished either by circulating hot water under your floor or using an electric heating cable system.  Hot water or hydronic systems are ideal for heating an entire home but not something you would consider installing yourself when renovating a room in your home. We will therefore focus this discussion on the use of electric heating cables & mats which are better suited for DIY renovations.

Electric floor heating products can be used in under virtually any flooring but are most popular under tile and stone flooring which are normally quite cold and uncomfortable to walk on. The same property that makes tiles cold is what makes them the ideal flooring for use over an in-floor heating system. Tiles are fairly good heat conductors and therefore normally draw heat away from your feet. However, when the tiles are warm they act in reverse and easily transmit the heat to your feet and make you feel warm.  Floor heating can also be installed under other finish flooring such as hardwood, laminate, cork, vinyl and even carpet but won’t have quite the same dramatic effect as when used under tile or stone since these products act more like insulators and do not conduct heat as readily as their tile and stone counterparts.

When planning or considering an electric in-floor heating installation there are a number of factors to consider.  Below are some of the most important and common things you will need to consider:

Electrical Considerations

Before you start dreaming about your warm floors you better make sure you can get an electrical connection first.  Have an electrician come in and determine whether they can provide the room with a new or existing 120/240V circuit to where your thermostat will be located on the wall.  If you are upgrading a room where electric baseboard heaters were previously installed then most of the work is already done.  If you are heating a room much larger than 150 square feet then you may need a 240V circuit capable of handling twice the load of a 120V circuit.

Sizing the Heating System

Heating cables and mats come in a range of fixed sizes measured in Watts. The wattage you will need depends on how cold it gets where you live, whether the heated floor will be your primary heat source or used for floor warming only.  By default 12 Watts/square foot is the norm under tile or stone flooring but can go up as high as 15W/SF when used in cold climates or rooms with little floor space to heat. You therefore need to measure the exposed floor space in the room you will be heating and multiply this area by 12-15 W/SF to get an idea of what wattage you will need and pick a size that falls within that range.

Choosing between Heating Cables or Mats

Most vendors offer a choice of heating cables or mats for floor heating installations. Mats will cost more but should be easier and less time consuming to install than loose cable. However, mats are designed to cover exact areas at specific watt densities or W/SF.  Before choosing a mat you must ensure that you choose one either the same size as your heated area or slightly smaller – but never bigger. Cables on the other hand are much more flexible in that you can adapt them to fit any room by merely placing the loops closer or farther apart. Sometimes both can be used in the same room by using a mat to do the larger rectangular part of a room and then using a cable to complete it and used to fill odd shaped areas.

Sub-floor Preparation

If you’ve ever installed tiled flooring before you know that you need to strengthen the sub-floor or de-couple it before it is safe to install tile or stone. Normally this means screwing down an extra sheet of plywood over the existing subfloor so that the overall thickness is at least 1” thick or more.  Alternatively, diamond lath metal mesh and mortar may be used to strengthen a floor – especially when the floor is not level or needs to be raised more than ½”.  Before installing any type of floor heating system you will need to ensure that the floor is clean and secure.

Installing the Heating System

Each system on the market has different installation instructions which you must follow in order to ensure the system will perform as it was designed to, meet safety & electrical regulations and be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. Low profile cables typically require plastic fastening strips or the use of adhesive tape to fasten them to a subfloor while some thicker heating cable types may allow you to use special staples to fasten them to wooden surfaces. The more powerful the heating cable the less cable is required to heat the floor and the farther apart the loops need to be. Sometimes it may be necessary to purchase a thicker, more powerful heating cable product which can be embedded in a thicker “dry-pack” or concrete slab installation. Most installations, however, are likely to be over an existing subfloor and can be covered in self-leveling cement or thinset mortar before flooring is laid.

Longevity Consideration

One thing most people don’t consider is how long they expect their in-floor heating investment to last. Left alone, most electric floor heating products should last as long as your home. However, their ability to survive future finish flooring changes is not likely unless special consideration is made to the heating product and installation method used. When taking-up an outdated tile floor you are almost certain to irreversibly damage any thin heating cables lying directly underneath. One alternative to traditional subfloor installation methods is to use thicker, tougher heating cables intended for interior use over subfloors and cover them with 1/8” thick diamond lath metal or plastic reinforcement mesh before embedding them in self-leveling cement. Reinforcement mesh is an accepted means of reinforcing wooden sub-floors under tile installations and should be nailed securely in place every 5-6” over the thick heating cables before embedding the whole works in at least 3/8” of self-leveling underlayment. This technique is recommended for new construction and some renovations but is not for novices.

Thermostat Installation

In-floor heating thermostats all require the installation of a small floor sensor in order to measure floor temperature. Try not to locate the probe where it may be covered by rugs, furniture or appliances since these will act as insulators and prevent the thermostat from working properly. All electric Floor heating installations are required by the electrical code to offer you protection from electrical shock in the unlikely event of a cable break. This is accomplished by using GFCI protected thermostats which automatically shut down the system if anything should go wrong. Note that the ground sheath surrounding the heating cable must be grounded in the thermostat box in order for the GFCI circuit to work properly.

Shop around for the system best suited for your renovation and make sure you follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions since not all systems are the same. Take care not to damage the heating cables before they are covered in mortar and be sure to test heating cables during installation and before finish flooring is finally installed.

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About the Author

This article was written by Benoit Maneckjee, president of ThermAtlantic Energy Products Inc. which manufactures the ThermaWIre™ line of heating cables and mats.  Benoit has over 10 years experience in this field and has overseen thousands of electric in-floor heating installations during his career.  You may contact him directly with any questions you may have by clicking on this link.

By BISSELL

Okay kings and queens of clean, it’s that time of year again. It’s time to get out the serious cleaning supplies, stretch your scrubbing muscles and tackle those hard-to-reach places you ignore most of the year. In other words, it’s time to start spring cleaning.

Use our spring cleaning guide below to navigate through the different parts of your home and achieve the highest level of clean. Need a guide for each room of your house? Click to view the Spring Cleaning Checklist or download and print the PDF.

Spring Cleaning Checklist

Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Floors:

Whether it’s carpet, hardwood, linoleum or vinyl, all of your floors need to be thoroughly cleaned to get rid of deep down dirt and germs. You may vacuum your carpets and sweep your floors weekly, but chances are you don’t deep clean them very often. Tackle this project by doing the following:

Carpet

• Start by going over all carpets with your regular vacuum.
• Remove as much furniture from the rooms as possible. Any furniture that can’t be moved needs to have plastic placed beneath it.
• Use a carpet deep cleaner to extract deep down dirt and leave carpets fresh and clean.
• PLEASE NOTE: If any carpets do not have backing, they require professional cleaning.

Floors (sealed hard wood, vinyl, linoleum, etc):

• Sweep or vacuum the floors thoroughly.
• Remove as much furniture as possible.
• Use a steam mop to clean and sanitize the floor. (Steam mops use electricity to heat water and then release steam into cleaning pads that pick up dirt and sanitize the floor when used as directed)

Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Walls and Windows:

Your walls and windows take a beating throughout the year, so it’s a good idea to give them a thorough cleaning each spring. You may not even notice many of the stains they’ve accumulated, but this regimen will get them sparkling in no time:

Walls:

• Dust from the top down, making sure to get the corners and other hard to reach places.
• Use a solvent-free degreaser to get rid of grease stains, food splatters and fingerprints (test the product in a small area to make sure it won’t damage your walls).
• Pay special attention to light switches.
• Take this opportunity to also dust down any light fixtures and ceiling fans, as well as bookshelves, pictures, and other furniture pieces located against your walls. A damp cloth works well to remove dust without spreading it around the room.

Windows:

• Wait until there is not direct sunlight to begin cleaning.
• Remove the screens and dust down both sides with a soft-bristle brush.
• Create a cleaning solution with one part white vinegar and one part hot water.
• Clean the window frames by wiping them down with a cloth that’s dampened with an all-purpose cleaner and water. Then wipe the solution away with a clean water cloth and dry the frame thoroughly.
• Clean window treatments in your washing machine if possible, or dry clean if necessary.
• Wipe down blinds with a damp cloth and fabric shades with a dry cloth.

Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Furniture:

Your furniture is in constant use all year long. Get rid of the dirt that has built up by using this effective cleaning regimen:

Couches and Chairs

• Gently beat cushions outside to remove dust and surface dirt.
• Check for stains and treat appropriately according to the care labels.
• Use a vacuum with a powerful hose to clean under seat cushions and in hard-to-reach crevices.

Beds

• Turn over your mattress to evenly distribute wear
• Machine-wash your pillows to get rid of and bacteria or odors. Make sure you give them several hours to dry before putting them back on your bed.
• Replace cool-weather bedding with lighter warm-weather items.

Spring Cleaning Tips for Cabinets, Countertops & Sinks

Cabinets, countertops and sinks are in constant use in any home or apartment. Even if you wipe them down on a regular basis, they still need an extensive cleaning a few times a year to get rid of built-up dirt and stains. Follow our steps to get these areas sparkling:

Cabinets

• Use warm water and soap on a sponge to clean off fingerprints, food stains and other unsightly markings
• If grease is present, use a solvent-free degreaser to target those spots
• Don’t forget the areas in and around handles, since those often get the most use

Countertops and Sinks

• Use warm water and soap on a sponge to wipe away dirt and stains.
• Use a glass cleaning formula to shine any metal fixtures
• Target any mildew build-up with a powerful cleaner
• Take this opportunity to de-clutter your countertops. Put away and organize as much as possible and leave only the bare necessities on the counter itself

Miscellaneous Spring Cleaning Tips:

• Remove light fixtures and wash them carefully with soap and water.
• Replace batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Clean out your freezer and refrigerator, throwing away expired food and wiping down all surfaces with soap and water.
• Sweep and mop underneath your refrigerator and dust the coils (AFTER unplugging it).
• Vacuum and machine wash all doormats and area rugs.
• Replace your shower curtain liner.
• Update your first aid kit and throw away expired medicine.
• Clean shower tiles with an mildew fighting agent and purchase an after-shower spray to be used daily.
• Replace toilet scrub brushes and clean all toilets thoroughly.
• Clean out your closet. Give unused items to charity and store cold-weather clothing in the attic or basement.
• Put storage boxes in your basement on concrete blocks to prevent damage in case of flooding.

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This article was provided by BISSELL. For more information visit http://www.bissell.com/spring-cleaning-guide/.

Just 29 more sleeps until the highlight of my February – the National Home Show in Toronto! If you’re planning on attending buy tickets online and save $4 off your price of admission! Use the promo code: RENOVATION.

Here are some details on the upcoming Spring shows in Canada:

National Home Show: Feb 18-27, Presented by RE/MAX, Direct Energy Centre Exhibition Place

Restore, Refresh, and Renew your home at Canada’s largest home show, the 2011 National Home Show presented by RE/MAX. Get help from top celebrity and industry experts such as: Debbie Travis, HGTV’s Bryan Baeumler, Colin & Justin and Jim Caruk. Shop the latest products with over 700 retailers, and take home new ideas and solutions for your home at our new Boulevard of Dreams!

Calgary Home & Garden Show : Feb 24-27,  BMO Centre & Corral, Stampede Park

Four days only to get help from top celebrity experts like HGTV’s Bryan Baeumler and shop over 650+ exhibitors where you can find the latest renovation, decor and landscaping products for your home.

BC Home & Garden Show:March 2-6, Vancouver Convention Centre (new location)

Five days only to get help from top celebrity experts like HGTV’s Bryan Baeumler and Colin & Justin, plus shop over 650+ exhibitors where you can find the latest renovation, decor and landscaping products for your home.

Edmonton Home & Garden Show:March 24-27, Edmonton Expo Centre,

Four days only to get help from top celebrity experts like HGTV’s Bryan Baeumler and shop over 600 exhibitors where you can find the latest renovation, decor and landscaping products for your home.

For more home show listings visit Home Renovation Guide’s events section.

Ever wonder what interior design work garners the laurels? Here’s a look at the fabulous winners of the Canadian Decorator’s Association (CDECA) awards. According to the judges, entrants for 2009 were of an impressively high caliber all around — as evidenced by the tie in one category, an unexpected occurrence for this event. Very contemporary styles with modern clean lines were dominant this year. If you happen to be a fan of home magazines, the overall themes may look familiar to you – updated, yet classic and enduring. However, the judges weren’t merely scoring on looks alone as eco-friendly and sustainability factors of the projects were equally important considerations.

A small warning before you proceed — these before and afters may inspire the urge to update your decor, or even more so, make one desirous of hiring professional talent. Much appreciation to Tobi Brockway, CDECA Director of Marketing, for providing the details and images.

Awards Ceremony (and winners) images by Dana St. Louis Photography.

Category: Renovation

1st Valerie Rowley Schomberg, Ontario (pictured with presenter Tim Craik)

Bedroom Before

Bedroom After

Bedroom Before

Bedroom After

Ensuite Bathroom Before

Ensuite Bathroom After

2nd (Tie) Sharyn Kastelic North York, Ontario

Kitchen Before

Kitchen After

2nd (Tie) Camille Savage Vancouver, BC

Dining Room Before

Dining Room after

Category: New Construction

1st Lisa Geisler North Bay, Ontario (with presenter Marianne Fenniger)

The Winning Loft

2nd Christina Mogk Etobicoke, Ontario

Studio Before

Studio After

Category: Interior Decoration < $25,000

1st Victoria McKenney Vancouver, BC (pictured with presenters Laila Radage at left, and Sara Nadeau)

bedroom before

Bedroom After

2nd Elizabeth Metcalfe Caledon, Ontario

Living Room Before

Living Room After

Category: Interior Decoration > $25,000

1st Lisa Geisler, North Bay

hobby room before                                                               hobby room after

2nd Christina Mogk Etobicoke, Ontario

bar before                                                                    bar after

About CDECA

The Canadian Decorators’ Association (CDECA) is a professional not-for-profit association representing both Student and Accredited decorators and designers, and Affiliate businesses across Canada. Its goal is to foster the growth of the decorating industry in Canada; provide advocacy respecting policy matters; promote a positive image of the industry through proactive activities and events; and offer its members continuous upgrading of skills and knowledge. Visit www.cdeca.com.

We were recently contacted with further information to provide homeowners with facts about the 2009 Home Renovation Tax Credit. Great timing since there have been many interesting questions about what projects, materials, or labour are applicable for this credit.

Image provided by Sico Paints

To view the webpages, visit:   http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/hrtc/

Below, is the FAQ page content, which hopefully will answer some of your questions about how you can benefit from this tax credit.

Here is the link of the page: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/gncy/bdgt/2009/fqhmrnvtn-eng.html

FAQS

1. What is the Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC)?

The proposed HRTC is a non-refundable tax credit for work performed or goods acquired in respect of an eligible dwelling.

2. What is meant by eligible dwelling?

An eligible dwelling is a housing unit that is eligible to be an individual’s principal residence or that of one or more of their family members, at any time between January 27, 2009 and February 1, 2010. In general, a housing unit is considered eligible to be an individual’s principal residence where it is owned by the individual and ordinarily inhabited by the individual, the individual’s spouse or common-law partner, or their children. This means that any dwelling that you own and use personally could qualify, including your home or your cottage.

3. What is the eligibility period?

The credit will be based on eligible expenditures for work performed or goods acquired after January 27, 2009, and before February 1, 2010. Expenditures incurred pursuant to an agreement that was entered into before January 28, 2009, will not be eligible for the credit.

4. Who will be eligible for the credit?

Eligibility for the HRTC will be family based. A family will generally be considered to consist of an individual or an individual and his or her spouse or common-law partner, including children who will be under 18 years of age, at the end of 2009. A family will be allowed a single credit that may be shared within the family.

If two or more families share the ownership of an eligible dwelling, each family will be eligible for their own separate credit (i.e. each up to $1,350) that will be calculated on their respective eligible expenditures.

5. How will the credit be calculated?

The credit will only be available for the 2009 tax year and applies to eligible expenditures of more than $1,000, but not more than $10,000, resulting in a maximum credit of $1,350 ($9,000 x 15%).

6. What are eligible expenditures?

To be eligible, expenditures incurred in relation to a renovation or alteration to an eligible dwelling (or the land that forms part of the eligible dwelling) must be of an enduring nature and integral to the dwelling, and includes the cost of labour and professional services, building materials, fixtures, rentals, and permits.

Eligible expenditures must be supported by acceptable documentation.

7. What does the CRA consider to be acceptable documentation?

Documentation, such as agreements, invoices, and receipts, must clearly identify the type and quantity of goods purchased or services provided, including, but not limited to, the following information:

• information that clearly identifies the vendor/contractor, their business address and, if applicable, the GST/HST registration number;
• a description of the goods and the date when the goods were purchased;
• The date when the goods were delivered (keep your delivery slip as proof) and/or when the work or services were performed;
• A description of the work performed including the address where the work was performed;
• the amount of the invoice; and
• proof of payment.  Receipts or invoices must indicate paid in full or be accompanied by other proof of payment, such as a credit card slip or cancelled cheque.

Please consult our Underground Economy Web page, for tips to protect yourself when hiring a contractor.

To verify whether someone is registered for GST/HST, please consult the GST/HST Registry.

8. If I own both a house and a cottage and incur eligible expenditures for both, are both sets of expenditures eligible for the HRTC?

If you own and use your home and cottage personally, eligible expenditures incurred for both properties will normally qualify for the HRTC. Please note that the maximum amount of eligible expenditures you can claim in respect of the HRTC is $10,000 per family.

9. I am planning to replace my windows in 2009: can I hire my brother-in-law to help me out and still be eligible?

It depends. Expenditures will not be eligible if the related goods or services are provided by a person not dealing at arm’s length with the individual, unless that person is registered for the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax under the Excise Tax Act. So, in your case, if your brother-in-law is registered for GST/HST and if all other conditions are met, the expenditure will be eligible for the credit.

10. Will expenditures for the common areas of condominiums and co-operative housing corporations qualify for the credit?

In the case of condominiums and co-operative housing corporations, the individual’s share of the cost of eligible expenditures for common areas will qualify.

11. I rent out my basement. If I renovate the basement for my tenant, will I be allowed to claim the credit?

No. Individuals who earn business or rental income from part of their principal residence will be allowed to claim the credit only for expenditures made for the personal-use areas of the residence.

For expenditures made for common areas or that benefit the housing unit as a whole (such as re-shingling a roof), you must divide the expense between personal use and income-earning use. For further information, please consult the Business and Professional Income Guide or the Rental Income Guide, as applicable.

12. If an eligible expenditure also qualifies for the Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC), will I be allowed to claim both the HRTC and METC?

Yes. Where an eligible expenditure qualifies for the METC the individual will be permitted to claim both the METC and the HRTC for that expenditure.

13. Will the credit be reduced by other government grants or credits that I may receive for the same expenditures?

No. Eligible expenditures will not be reduced by other government tax credits or grants that the individual may be entitled to.

14. Does work performed by electricians, plumbers, carpenters, architects, etc. qualify?

Generally, work performed by electricians, plumbers, carpenters, architects, etc. in respect of an eligible expenditure will qualify. See below for examples of eligible expenditures. If you’re planning on hiring a contractor to do construction, renovation, or repair work on your home, the Get it in Writing! Web site has information that will help you.

15. Could you provide me with some examples of eligible and ineligible expenditures?

Yes, some examples are:

16. What types of expenditures will not qualify?

The following expenditures will not be eligible for the HRTC:

• the cost of routine repairs and maintenance normally performed on an annual or more frequent basis;
• expenditures that are not integral to the dwelling, and other indirect expenditures that retain a value independent of the renovation;
• expenditures for appliances and audio-visual electronics; and
• financing costs.

17. Do I have to submit any supporting documents with my income tax return?

No. However, you must ensure that this information is available, should it be requested by the CRA.

18. How will I claim the HRTC?

A new line will be incorporated in the 2009 personal income tax return to allow you to claim the credit.

19. Where can I get more information about this new tax credit?

Additional information will be posted on the CRA’s Web site as it becomes available. In the meantime, please see the Department of Finance’s Budget 2009 documents for details.

20. The Budget also mentions the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes grant. What is it and how can I obtain more information?

The ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes grant is administered by Natural Resources Canada. The grant applies to a host of measures that reduce energy consumption and provide for a cleaner environment. Home and property owners could be eligible for federal grants of up to $5,000 to offset the cost of making energy efficiency improvements to their home or property. Most provinces and territories have complementary programs that offer additional financial assistance based on the results of the ecoENERGY Retrofit evaluation. For information on how you can qualify, please consult the ecoACTION Web site.

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An online pamphlet will soon be available.

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Planning on some home improvements? What project ideas do you have that fits in the $1000-$10,000 range? Does the HRTC give you the incentive to renovate this year?

My coworker Lisa recently introduced me to "KwikDeK" an easy and beautiful solution to ugly
concrete decks. Over the weekend, she helped a friend put it together in only about an hour
(130 sq ft) and her comment was that it was really easy "like clicking Lego" and cost about $400. 

Here's a description about the product:

Do you have a concrete patio, wood deck or garden path that is unsightly due
to cracking and deterioration? Do you wish you could repair or replace
it but this doesn't fit in your budget right now?  KwikDekT is the cosmetic,
cost-effective and EASY way to fix the problem. KwikDekT is made from genuine
exotic woods, backed with a unique plastic grid. Spacing between the wood
slats permit rain to flow through, while the plastic "feet" elevate the wood,
allowing airflow for drying.

and  more info on the company: KwikDek website. 

As a solution to fix up a condo for resale, it was an easy solution, making a big
difference from what the deck was like before:



It was available at The Home Depot, and here are some user comments on how they found the
product: Product Reviews link.