If you missed out on Michael and Sherry Holmes’ top renovating tips when the two spoke at the Fall Home Show, here’s your chance to catch up. The adult children of Canadian renovation guru Mike Holmes, the two have worked in the family business since they were young and, like their dad, not only know the ins and outs of a good renovation but thrive on passing along their insights to homeowners.
Here are eight of Michael and Sherry Holmes’ top renovating tips.
MH
A homeowner may want a renovation done immediately, but renovators are busy and it can take time to get to your job. And don’t be surprised if a renovation goes over the time and even the cost limits. “As a contractor, my X-ray vision isn’t that great,” he says, explaining that a renovator doesn’t know what’s behind a wall — possibly damage caused by a DIY job. “Sometimes we open up the walls and find a mess. That can be why a job can take more time and cost more money.”
MH
Think and plan long term. For example, insulating a bathroom floor and walls will cost more but it will also reduce sound transmission, so you’re not hiring a renovator to come later to redo the job because the lack of bathroom privacy has finally gotten to you.
SH
Hire only licensed professionals, not “Joe Blow” from down the street who can do the job more cheaply for cash. Bringing in professionals is the only way to ensure the job is done correctly. That goes not just for electricians and plumbers but for the design work as well. A decorator will help you choose paint colours, but an interior designer can look at the whole space and make recommendations on how the space will function best. “An interior designer will be with you from day one and hold your hand. They are very talented at what they see and can resolve.”
MORE: Hiring the right renovator
MH
Don’t skimp on cost when it comes to exterior work. A good building envelope costs money but it increases energy efficiency and weatherproofing. He recommends mineral wool insulation board on the outside of a home to reduce the likelihood of condensation and mould growth inside the wall cavities.
MH
Finishes are expensive, so it makes sense to spend extra on protecting them against water damage by going with better protective materials like high-end asphalt or metal shingles (the latter are good for up to 50 years). The same principle of spending a bit more applies to finishes like tiles. He recommends a product like Schluter underlay for tiles. The underlay sits between the plywood subfloor and those gorgeous porcelain tiles you want and prevents cracking of the tiles and grout due to temperature differences between the subfloor and tile.
SH
Never leave a wall empty because it makes the entire room look “barren.” Open shelving, artwork, a mirror: they all make that wall and the rest of the space look lived in. A bit of millwork also adds personality: “There are affordable materials so you’re not breaking the bank.” And don’t forget the ceiling, which she calls the “fifth wall.” There’s no reason it has to be boring white when there are all kinds of fun colours and even wallpaper to experiment with.
SH
When selecting artwork, skip the mass-produced stuff and look for something by a local artist. It might cost a bit more, but, like millwork, shopping local adds personality to your space. There are even artists who will create a painting to complement the colours of your walls and furniture, says Sherry. Still on the subject of individuality, she says there’s no rule about your furniture having to be a matched set. Mixing it up is fun.
MORE: How to hang artwork
MH
Remember that air quality is essential to health and comfort. As homes become more airtight, occupants can suffer potential effects of off-gassing from new furniture and other items. A home may also have radon or mould, and should be checked for both. And to prove how easily air quality can be overlooked, he mentioned that when he bought his own heritage home, he neglected to have it inspected for mould, which turned out to be so pervasive that he and his pregnant wife had to move out until the problem was resolved.
