Choosing the Right Renovation Partner: Why Trust Comes Before Design
Every year, we see the same pattern. As soon as the weather starts to change, people decide it’s time to renovate. Spring feels close. Summer plans start forming. Suddenly, everyone wants to get moving. The problem is timing. By the time most homeowners reach out, the contractors they actually want to work with are already…
How to Build a Renovation Budget With a Contractor You Trust
Building a renovation budget isn’t about guessing a number or forcing a contractor to commit to a fixed price. Renovations aren’t products. They’re custom projects, built from scratch, and every decision affects the cost. That’s why budgeting only works when it’s done with a contractor you trust. Without trust, the numbers are never accurate. 1.…
Why Smart Planning Makes All the Difference in a Renovation
Most renovation problems start before the work begins.Rushed visits, unclear scopes, and poor communication usually show up later as delays, surprises, and frustration. This is why planning matters — and why we begin with a simple 15-minute call. 1. Why We Start With a 15-Minute Discovery Call Many homeowners want a contractor to come out…
10 Things to Do Before Your Renovation Begins
Set yourself up for success with a stress-free experience. “Clarity is the foundation of every good relationship.” Dan Byl Having the right information ready before you speak with contractors reduces stress, adds clarity, and helps you get the most out of those early conversations. A good contractor will walk you through the challenges, explore ideas,…
4 Questions to Ask Your Contractor — Before You Get Burned
Every week, I see the aftermath of bad renovations — homeowners frustrated, money lost, lawyers involved, and weeks, months, even years of lost use of a space. I’m currently acting as an expert witness for a law firm, and almost every case starts the same way: nobody asked the right questions at the start. Educating…
The Contractor Who Asked What She Wanted
I got a call from a homeowner in Glenmore. She had a master bedroom with a walk-through closet that led into a poorly laid-out en-suite. She asked if I could come take a look. Like every project, we started with a 15-minute discovery call. The project sounded like something we’d be a good fit for,…