Question 1

Should I get a blower-door test before my Ottawa reno starts?

Accepted Answer

Yes, getting a blower-door test before your renovation is a smart move — especially in Ottawa's climate. It gives you a clear baseline of your home's air leakage so you can make targeted improvements during the reno rather than guessing afterward.

A blower-door test works by depressurizing your home with a calibrated fan mounted in a doorframe, then measuring how much air leaks in from outside. The result is expressed as ACH (Air Changes per Hour) or ACH50 (at 50 pascals of pressure). For conte

Question 2

Where do I start renovating an Ottawa home I just inherited?

Accepted Answer

Start with a thorough assessment before touching anything — inherited homes often have hidden issues that can completely change your renovation priorities and budget.

The very first step is a professional home inspection, even if the property was recently inspected during estate proceedings. A qualified home inspector will identify structural concerns, outdated electrical panels (knob-and-tube wiring is common in Ottawa homes built before the 1950s), aging plumbing (galvanized steel or lead pip

Question 3

What's the right downsize strategy for an Ottawa empty-nest reno?

Accepted Answer

The smartest downsizing strategy for Ottawa empty-nesters is to renovate strategically before selling — or convert unused space into income — rather than simply moving to a smaller home.

With kids out of the house, you're likely sitting on significant square footage that's either underused or actively costing you money to heat and maintain. Ottawa's housing market and the city's progressive secondary suite policies mean you have more options than most Canadian cities, and the right move depends

Question 4

What should I do to prepare for a home renovation?

Accepted Answer

Proper preparation is the difference between a smooth renovation and a stressful nightmare. Start by clearly defining your goals, budget, and timeline at least 2-3 months before you want work to begin.

Planning and Documentation

Begin by creating a detailed scope of work - what exactly do you want accomplished? Take photos of the current space from multiple angles and measure everything. In Ottawa's older homes (many built pre-1960), surprises like knob-and-tube wiring or cast iron plumbing a

Before You Start

Should I get a blower-door test before my Ottawa reno starts?

Where do I start renovating an Ottawa home I just inherited?

What's the right downsize strategy for an Ottawa empty-nest reno?

What should I do to prepare for a home renovation?