Tips to Buy a House in Ontario for the First Time
Buying your first house in Ontario has become a bit of an intimidating process. It was already challenging for newcomers to the real estate industry who needed to learn the best home buying strategy. Now there is pressure to do so on the fly, w…
Can You Get Fined for Renting an Illegal Suite in Ontario?
Renting out a basement or secondary suite has become common in many areas, but it’s essential you understand what’s legal and what isn’t. As a responsible landlord, you must comply with local bylaws and regulations to…
5 TOP TIPS FOR MOVING IN THE WINTER
Moving in the winter can actually be… advantageous. Winter months are usually less busy when it comes to moving, and this also results in lower home prices. Historical data shows that houses have the highest average days on market and the lo…
10 Signs Your Contractor is Bad News
When you hire a contractor, you expect to get exactly what you paid for. There are good contractors, and there are bad contractors. The bad ones don’t represent the majority of builders and craftspeople that take pride in their work, howeve…
How to Check Your Contractor’s References: 5 Questions to Ask
Checking a contractor’s references is an important step in hiring the best professional for the job. Just as a company would never hire someone without calling up their references, you should also be sure to ask former clients of you…
How to Choose a Commercial Contractor
Your organization might have guidelines on how many quotes to get from commercial contractors. But, from there, you’re essentially on your own choosing a contractor for your project. Commercial projects tend to involve a lot of investme…
Pros and Cons of Living in Ottawa: What You Need You to Know
Canada’s capital is a world-class city offering an exciting lifestyle with all the amenities you can imagine. If the opportunity arises, a move to Ottawa could be just what you need to enjoy the lifestyle you’ve always imagined. However,…
Increase the Value of Your Home
As corny as it sounds, New Year’s offers us all a chance to start fresh. New Year’s resolutions can range from getting in shape to reading more, but what about making a clutter-free home your resolution for the New Year? A de-cluttered…
4 Steps to Baby-Proof A Fireplace
When you have a toddler or small child in the house, fireplaces, just like many other areas of the home, can become a hazard if not taken care of correctly. Whether you have a traditional wood-burning fireplace on a stone hearth, a gas or wood s…
Renovation Q&A With Bryan Baeumler: Odours, Flooring & More
He who rejects change is the architect of decay. A decaying house that is. In this article, we dive into common renovation questions—or at least things that may prompt a renovation. Question 1 Hi Bryan. We have an odour coming from our cold-…
Some Promises are Made to be Broken
We’ve all been there. You make a promise you think you can keep, then life happens and you break that promise. If the promise wasn’t a major one, the fallout will likely be minimal…but if you had to break a big promise, well, that c…
Can Palm Trees Survive In Canada?
Yes, they can. In Vancouver of course but did you know they can grow in Southern Ontario? In fact at our location in Brantford, Ontario we have a few different varieties that will withstand Canada’s Winter. With a little help there…
Bryan Baeumler Q&A – DIY – failure is price of admission
Hi, Bryan. We have a small, three-season cottage built above a boathouse. The floor is insulated with pink fiberglass insulation; it has two thin layers of plywood subfloor and underlay, on top of which is carpet. We’d like to replace the ca…
2019 Has Begun, January has Passed
2019 has begun, January has passed! January is a month of change, the weather changes from one day to the next, our new clubs and exercise classes change, as a business owner this is when I think of things to change and improve in m…
Bryan Baeumler – Spring weather can make your floors mov
We moved into our Linwood custom home in the country 10 years ago. The kitchen floor is red oak — from a tree on our cottage property. The wide plank flooring was laid and pegged by a local tradesman, but they had trouble laying it without gaps…
Helping with Social Distancing
We at R.E.I. & Co Home Inspections wanted to give you an update going forward in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic. The health and safety of our clients, referral partners and staff are our utmost priority during this time. To do…
8 REASONS WHY WE KEEP CLOTHES WE DON’T WEAR
One of the most difficult items in the house to get rid of is our clothing. We hold great emotional attachment to our wardrobe, and this is why many people keep clothes they do not wear anymore. I am not talking about special …
Bryan Baeumler – Even the experts count on reno surprises
Hi, Bryan. We live in an old home on a ravine lot. There is a persistent problem with a foul smell — like sewage — that comes and goes through the middle of the house. We can go weeks without the smell but it always returns. We have tried everything…
Bryan Baeumler – Advice for DIY and home repairs
Hi, Bryan. Our house was built in the late 1980’s; we bought it in 1993 and ever since have had problems with it shifting. One season doors will close, the next they won’t. Drywall tape has ripped away on the vertical in two different rooms. Til…
How To Know If You’ve Hired the Wrong Contractor (and What To Do About It)
You’ve finally hired a contractor for your big renovation, and just as things are about to kick off, you get a sinking feeling in your stomach. “What have I done?” you ask yourself. Your contractor is making you second-guess your decision. W…
