Remember - Measure Twice, Cut Once

Professional Renovations - 30 Years Experience

WCB Coverage – It’s a Must…Sometimes Even as a Homeowner

WCB LogoIt can be confusing at times to know when you need WCB coverage, especially as a homeowner. Even as a contractor, trying to figure out what you need to do to meet WCB regulations and requirements can be a bit like doing your taxes – a pain in the #!s. However, like taxes, you have to do it right, or you could end up in hot water, and with WCB, failure to have coverage when it is required can put you at a very high financial risk – or worse.

If you are required to register and don’t, you could be fined and charged the total compensation costs of an injury should one of your workers, or worker on your property be injured, plus retroactive insurance premiums. In some cases, if an injury is due to negligence on your part, you could face other fines and charges.  These fines can get as high as $1,200,000 in severe cases (workers death due to negligence), and could include both fine and imprisonment  – not something you want to mess with!

Read more

Cutting a Hole In The Ceiling? How To Keep Drywall Dust Contained!

Image Showing how to pinup plastic to contain drywall dustIf you have to cut a hole in a standard 8′ high ceiling for a skylight, pot lights or anything else, there is an easy way to keep all the drywall dust from covering everything in the room – or rooms if you have a slight draft in the room (and when you cut open in attic space you will get air movement). Instead of trying to cover everything in the room as I have seen many contractors and homeowners do, it is much easier to contain dust within the area you are working.

This can be done in less than five minutes and cleanup afterwards only takes a few minutes. All you need is a small roll of thin plastic 10′ wide and a few feet longer than the perimeter of the work area (see diagram below) , a package of regular sized push pins and a tarp (plastic or cloth) that is larger than the area you will be working in (see diagram below).

Read more







  • My Favorite Magazines!

    When it comes to woodworking and home repairs, two magazines stand out from all the others, Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding. I have collected these for years and always enjoy going back to old issues and checking out various projects and tips. The quality is high and you'll find these magazines feel more like book quality.

    Turning the pages of Fine Woodworking or Fine Homebuilding is like a kid in a candy store - so much cool stuff you just have to try. Over all I give these magazines a rating of 10/10 - some issues 9/10.

    Fine Woodworking

    Fine Homebuilding

    Don't buy these in the store, you can save over 30% using my links above (images) to grab a subscription.

  • NEW! Holmes Magazine

    If there is one guy who's opinion you can trust for construction and renovation advice it is Mike Holmes from Holmes on Homes. Now you can get his advice delivered right to your door with the launch of his new magazine!

    If you've been wondering where you can subscribe to his new magazine? Look no further, you can get a subscription right now for only $18.95 Cdn and save up to 52% off the newsstand price (6 issues). I got mine and am looking forward to the first issue. Visit HolmesMagazine.com to get yours today!