by Robert Wright

Maybe your kids are starting to think about what they would like to do when finish school.  Have you considered a trade?

You may say no way – “it’s a dirty, unsafe, low pay occupation!”  You maybe surprised by the reality of working in the trades and the opportunities available for the kids. While some trades can be a bit dirtier than others, most today are only dusty. With the current labour laws and best practices today, most trades are very safe. The pay scales are very reasonable if only 35 to 40 hrs a week of work are completed. However, when the overtime opportunities are taken advantage of, the pay can be very worthwhile!

You may think that the trades are an unstable occupation, but some of the trades have been around a long time…1000’s of years. The kids will have a skill that will always be needed and wanted.

You will always need someone to build and repair your home, office, and stores; no matter what the next technology breakthrough is. Having a trade can also be a stepping stone into other occupations. Many tradesmen go on to management positions or to self employment. You may also think that there is no room for new people in the trades, but you would be mistaken  Currently, many of the present tradesmen are retiring or planning to. In many trades, the average age of the tradesman is the early 50’s or more. So there will continue to be a large demand for new tradesmen to replace the current ones, let alone to account for future expansions.

Many trades have branches with special skills. For example carpenters: there are framers, who build the basic structure of your home; finish carpenters, who install the doors, trim, and millwork; cabinet makers, who build and install millwork; and formwork, who build the forms so concrete structures can be placed.  Many of the other major trades also have many branches.

So how do you become a tradesman? You start by registering in an apprenticeship program and with an employer. Sometimes the union hall is also a good place to start. You then work on site and after you have enough hours go to school for a few weeks. You then return to work for more hours before you return to school again. Once you have completed the courses and the time, you then become a journey man. This is done while you earn money, so that you will have a skill after approx. 4 years and be debt free.

So while working with your hands may be a small benefit to being a tradesman, the additional reasons are:  very good pay, no debt when schooling is complete, being part of an occupation in demand, and pride in seeing what you have accomplished everyday. These alone should create a compelling desire for your kids to join the ranks of the trades.

About the Author

Rob Wright has grown up around construction and in the mid 1990’s, Rob joined and took over Citadel Renovations in Ottawa. Rob has presented seminars at the local home shows on various renovations subjects and is a contributor to the Home Renovation Guide. Rob has been active in the Greater Ottawa Home Builders Association for many years and previously served as the Renovation Council Chair. For more information, visit CitadelRenovations.com.

Looking for a local contractor? Visit the Home Renovation Guide’s Complete Directory or Get a Free Quote.

Triconfilms is currently casting couples for the HGTV show Marriage Under Constrution.

Are you a young couple, married or engaged, and looking to buy your first home together? If so, we want to meet you!

Marriage Under Construction is a hit show that chronicles the real lives of a young, newly married couple as they go through the process of finding, buying, renovating and decorating their first home.

If you are:

-    -Between the ages of 21 and 35
-    -Married, engaged, or are committed partners planning to eventually get married
-    -Are ready to purchase your first home together and are approved for a mortgage
-    -Have a budget of some size set aside for renovations
-    -Live in the Greater Toronto Area

The show will provide you with:
Help in the costs for the renovation.

If this sounds like you, we want to hear from you. You could be the stars of the next season of Marriage Under Construction!

Send pictures if you can!

Please contact:  marriageunderconstruction@triconfilms.com

Leopard Films USA is currently casting a brand new series for HGTV.  The new series titled Home Rules is the network’s premiere hour long show, featuring home renovation with a twist. …

In the channels first hour-long show, a lucky family receives a complete home and life makeover.
We are looking for families with big personalities and unique stories, whose homes are negatively affecting their relationships with their family or whose family is negatively effecting the home!

Our team of experts will then set about making changes to reconstruct a home that suits your families needs, while our life coach will guide your family in the right direction.

To be considered for the show, please email: homerulescasting@gmail.com, telling us why you think your family is in need of a home and  lifestyle makeover.

As the renovations are extensive, we can only consider homeowners with detached properties living within 50 miles of New York City.

The show will focus on families who have a unique living situation that is in some way affecting their homes and applicants must be have some type of conflict within the family they would like to change along with the house.

If you feel that you and your family fits the bill and live within 50 miles of New York City, email homerulescasting@gmail.com with your story and why you would be perfect for the show!

Featured as Home Renovation Guide’s October Renovation of the month, the stunning Conservatory by Pioneer Craftsmen Ltd has been selected as a finalist for the SAM Awards. Held annually by the Calgary Region of the Canadian Home Builder’s Association (CHBA), originally the “Sales and Marketing” Awards, the competition expanded over the years to honour all segments of the Calgary housing industry. Celebrating excellence in renovation design, innovative technology and construction techniques, this year’s entrants exemplify local talent as noted by CHBA President Gary Friend, “The competition is fierce and the quality of the entries received from across Canada is truly outstanding. The finalists indeed are making their mark on the home building industry.” Judges are chosen from strict criteria per specific category and there are over 150 volunteers who fill the position. An independent accounting firm, which audits the judging process insures accuracy.

Pioneer’s finalist entry is a cathedral ceiling conservatory that is a breath-taking work of home architecture. Incorporating natural clear cedar, a unique window arrangement, skylights and a fireplace, the structure certainly has award-winning qualities such as innovative construction and stellar design. Founded in 1953 by Ken Adam, Pioneer Craftsman Ltd was steered to residential renovations by son Gary Adam in the seventies. Third generation and current president, Jamie Adam, is naturally proud. “We are thrilled to have been chosen as a finalist again this year. We believe our team is one of the best in the country, from our designers through to our site staff. Receiving recognition of this caliber means a lot to us.”

To view the stunning renovation, visit the feature story on The Home Renovation Guide.

by Pat Krushen

As our parents age, we, the baby boomer generation, are confronted with new challenges in being able to assure that their lives will remain as enjoyable as possible. How can we help our parents to make decisions that will be in their best interests? Are we ready for the physical, social, emotional and financial changes that will arise?

It is hard for us to accept our own aging process, and just as difficult for parents to accept that things that were, at one time, no problem at all, now present themselves as obstacles….things like driving a vehicle, doing ones own shopping, remembering daily events, and handling finances become more difficult and, in time, adequate nutrition, poor mobility and personal hygiene become reasons for concern.

While there are many products and solutions available, acceptance of the need for them is often the most difficult obstacle. As children there are some points we need to keep in mind when approaching the need for assistance:

• Begin by talking about their concerns long before the situation arises. They most certainly have thought about the future and have some fears of it.

• Speak to them as an adult speaking to adults - Do not talk down to them or treat them as children – they have their own pride and dignity

• Have reasonable expectations of their abilities to care for themselves

• Let them make as many decisions as possible themselves

• Be compassionate and understanding

• Be knowledgeable about the products and solutions that are available to accommodate their needs

As baby boomers, our own senior years are not far off. Remember that one day your own children will be facing the same issues as you are now. Think of how you would like to be approached – approach your parents in the same way.

About the Author

Pat Krushen is a former teacher and sign language interpreter, hugely aware of lifestyle limitations due to physical abilities. She is currently a web designer and free lance writer, now involved in the walk in bathtub industry.

by Vicky Saunderson

Tweets, texts and hurried telephone calls have become the hallmarks of our time-starved lives. Given all the pressure, it’s no wonder that there’s been a return to spending downtime at home, cocooning with friends and family. It’s a sad fact, though, that for many people, one of best ways to do that — home entertaining — is fraught with worry. They’ll fuss over not knowing what to cook, or how to dress the table, or get in a tizzy if they don’t have time to clean the house from tip to top before the first guest arrives.

If that sounds like you, there are a few simple tips you can follow to take the horror out of home entertaining. First of all, take it easy. Pals are coming to see you, not to find out if you swept under the couch this week or whether you can make a killer Banana Flambé. And if they are, maybe it’s time to trade them in for more laid-back buddies.

One of the biggest concerns of wannabe hosts is that they’ll end up spending too much time in the kitchen, sweating over the meal, while guests are left alone to amuse themselves in the living room (possibly by checking for dust bunnies under the couch). The “smart” features that are a part of so many of today’s appliances can help there. For example, Hamilton Beach has a new 20-cup rice cooker with pre-programmed and timed settings for rice, soups and hot cereals. That means you can set it up in the morning, and program it to be ready for whenever you plan to sit down to the table. It’s terrific for a large crowd, and sells for about $70. For more information, go to hamiltonbeach.ca.

If it’s cooking for a crowd that stops you from having the gang over, get some help from a good grocer. Some, such as Longo’s (longos.com), have a range of very good salads, entrees and desserts, or offer full catering options. Longo’s also has a spectacular selection of house brands, including cheeses, dips and compotes, as well as a bakery that offers artisanal bread that’s to die for. Grab a great loaf, flavoured oil for dipping, and some mixed nuts, and your pre-dinner nibbles are taken care of.

Achieving a well-dressed table needn’t be a huge chore, either. The easiest, no-fuss idea I’ve seen this season comes from Home Hardware’s Home at Home magazine. The editors took a simple paint drop cloth, (about $20) and used it on the table. The coarse, heavy cotton looks like a fabulous rustic linen and is very durable (so who cares if Aunt Edna spills the Beaujolais on it!).

You can also add sizzle to a plain white table cloth by running a length of leftover wallpaper or wrapping paper along the table length. I recently used a gorgeous gold and green wallpaper to create a rich backdrop for my gold-rimmed, green floral china. It would work equally well, though, with a bold black and white graphic paper, using white tableware on a shiny red chargers.

The best tip for successful entertaining? Relax, and remember that it’s supposed to be fun. Because in this high-pressure world, what the best hosts offer friends and family is a few hours of undivided attention in a calm, unhurried atmosphere. That’s sweeter than any fancy dessert, and richer than a double-creme Camembert.

Vicky Sanderson is a columnists who reports on home products, gadgets and trends and recently appeared as a guest presenter at the Fall Home Show.

The Home Renovation Guide helps with your remodeling planning not only with many home solution directories of businesses, but also offers an easy to use Get a Free Quote service. All you need to do is fill a quick online form which gets sent to 5 contractors who will contact you by the means of your choice, via email or by phone.

Get a Free Quote North American Cities include:

San Jose
Seattle
Springfield
St. Louis
St. Paul
Stamford
Tampa
Tucson
Tulsa
Ventura
Virginia Beach
Washington, D.C.
Westchester
Wichita
Worcester

Truro
Vancouver
Victoria
White Rock
Windsor
Winnipeg

News from Hi Velocity

6 months after the fire that completely destroyed their Edmonton facilities, Energy Saving Products Ltd. is proud to be back at full production at their interim location.  With over 25 years in business, the manufacturers of Hi-Velocity Mini-Duct Systems are looking ahead to rebuilding a purpose built facility on the old site, maximizing space and efficiency.

The new building will incorporate many energy efficient components and will feature an innovative training facility showcasing the efficiency and flexibility of our fancoils and support equipment.  The structure itself is being designed to reduce the heat loss over our old facility by as much as 60%, through utilization of high grade insulation, energy efficient windows and doors, and many other concepts and ideas from the LEED Green Building Rating System.

Our thanks to all who have helped us through this trying time.

Further Announcement:
Energy Saving Products, proud manufacturers of Hi-Velocity Systems, have appointed 3 new agents to the ESP team: Rocky Mountain Integrated Solutions, Inc. representing the state of Utah, JayKay Sales Co. to represent Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee, and Ram Mechanical Marketing Inc. in Manitoba.

Originally published Feb 6, 2009

An open letter to our Agents, Customers, Suppliers and Friends,

Late Tuesday evening January 27 our manufacturing facilities and offices were totally destroyed by fire.  While this occurred after hours and no one was in the building, all employees are devastated but thankfully in good health.

Our thoughts today are in turmoil, as what we have achieved in the past 25 years has been taken from us in a brief moment.  But we want to assure you that although the material things are gone, we have the strong support of all Energy Saving Products family and friends, and our combined efforts will only make us stronger.  Continuing to work as a team, we will remain a leader in the SDHV industry.

We will keep you fully informed of our progress via our website, through email, and through personal contact, and rest assured that we are coming back stronger than ever before because of your support.

We take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your words of encouragement, your offers of assistance and your continued support.  Energy Saving Products has the best network of customers, representatives, and suppliers that any company could ever ask for.

Energy and persistence conquer all things.  May we be blessed with an abundance of both over the next few weeks.

A heartfelt thank-you to each and every one of you,

Leon and Elaine Prevost

Update February 4, 2009:

We  have some great news and are happy to announce that Energy Saving Products has now secured a building in Edmonton and will have our telephones and faxes up and running by the 2nd week of February. E-mail access has not been affected and you can continue to contact all staff in that manner should you choose.

Today we have just started to receive material into our new facilities, and with the arrival of parts in on a daily basis, we will be able to go into production of the Hi-Velocity line immediately, which is our priority at this time.  Shipments will begin early next week. We expect to have our full product line, including Lo-V, JH and the Hi-Velocity Air Purification System available for shipping within 4 weeks.

Please note that this turn of events has not affected our ability to supply your flex duct requirements. Please visit our web site at www.hi-velocity.com for an open letter to all our associates, along with news and updates.  We have added a link to photos and articles of the fire.

All of us here at Energy Saving Products sincerely appreciate your responsiveness and patience.

Update February 6, 2009 News Flash!!!

Friday Feb 6th is a key day for the New Energy Saving Products, we have started building units in our temporary facilities. We have refurbished much of our early assembly equipment that was in storage and are preparing components. We are on schedule to be able to ship limited product next week and barring delays on replacement products, we will be back into partial production the week after. Our new offices should be up and running back at full speed by Wednesday of next week.

Once again this would not be possible without the support of the ESP family and friends, without the physical and moral support of all of you this would not be possible. We cannot say THANK YOU enough.

Yes, we are finally getting up to speed on this “technology” thing. But seriously, you tweet addicts and fan-ites may be happy to note that The Home Renovation Guide is on Twitter:

http://www.twitter.com/homerenoguide

http://www.twitter.com/hminteriorguide

and has just started our Facebook fan pages:

Home Reno Guide

Home Interior Guide

We welcome your “friendship” or “following” and conversely, if you have some awesome reno and decor tips, scoops, and more, add us! Start a discussion, post us your pics — looking forward to meeting you.

What? National Home Show
When? Feb. 20 - March 1, 2009!
Where? The Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, 100 Princes’ Blvd.

The largest home show in Toronto is coming up next week with a plethora of home improvement and decor products, accessories, ideas, and celebrity guest appearances.

What to Expect at the Show: (info provided by www.NationalHomeShow.com - visit the official show site for more details)

* The Dream Home – Built by Probuilt by Michael Upshall and styled by Janette Ewen.

* Toronto Star Dream Gardens

* tySTYLE presented by Toshiba

* Colin and Justin, hosts of HGTV’s Home Heist (appearance courtesy of Penguin Books)

* Carson Arthur, host of HGTV’s Green Force

* Scott McGillivray, host of HGTV’s Income Property

* Cheryl Torrenueva, host of HGTV’s Home Heist and Restaurant Makeover

* Corbin Tomaszeski, appearing on HGTV’s Restaurant Makeover

* Igor Shamraychuk, appearing on HGTV’s Restaurant Makeover

Show Date & Hours

Friday, February 20th
11 am to 9pm

Saturday, February 21st
10am to 9pm

Sunday, February 22nd
10am to 6pm

Monday, February 23rd to Friday, February 27th
11 am to 9pm

Saturday, February 28th
10am to 9pm

Sunday, March 1st
10am to 6pm

Admission

Adults: $15.00 (at the door)
Adults: $12.00 (online)
Seniors (65+): $11.00
Seniors: $8.00 (online)
Youth 13 – 17 years: $11.00
Youth 13 – 17 years: $8.00 (online)
Children 12 and under: FREE

* Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. Buy online and save (use promo code:RENOVATION) !

Show Venue & Location

The Direct Energy Centre,
Exhibition Place,
100 Princes’ Blvd.
Toronto ON
416-263-3000

Website:

www.NationalHomeShow.com