The house,
room by room.

A basement is below ground level: water always finds a way. Finishing a damp basement means trapping the problem behind beautiful walls.

This natural, odourless gas comes from the ground and can build up in the lower rooms. Only a test measures it: Health Canada recommends a long-term test, ideally in winter.

Beams, ducts and pipes reduce the clear height. And a basement bedroom needs a window large enough to exit in an emergency.

A duct that’s too long, flexible or crushed traps lint and heat. It should run straight outside, as short as possible.

A hose that bursts can flood a finished room. A floor drain, a drip pan or reinforced hoses limit the damage.

Washing and drying add a lot of humidity to a room that is often poorly ventilated.

A water heater has a limited lifespan. Past a certain age, the risk of leaks increases: its age is on its rating plate.

Heat pump, EV charger, induction cooktop: today’s homes need more. A 100 A panel can become a limit.

Poorly maintained or missing, it no longer renews the air: humidity, condensation and stale air set in.

The most common problem: poorly organized cabinets and a countertop that’s always cluttered, even in a large kitchen.

Too many steps between the sink, the stove and the fridge, or an island without enough room to move around it.

A hood that recirculates air instead of venting it outside, or circuits that can’t keep up with today’s appliances.

The most common wish… and the most technical. A load-bearing wall can be removed, but with a beam designed by an engineer and, often, a permit.

Plumbing, ducts, electrical wires: what a wall hides must be moved before it is opened.

Two rooms joined together don’t always have the same flooring or the same level.

Often caused by a poorly insulated frame or a worn seal rather than the glass itself.

Windows that are too small or badly placed make a large room gloomy for much of the year.

A wood fireplace needs an inspected chimney. Many homeowners convert it to gas or electric.

The entrance takes it all winter long: it needs a floor that resists water and salt, and a place to let things drip.

Worn weatherstripping, a poorly fitted threshold: the front door is a major source of heat loss.

Winter coats, boots, bags: without well-planned storage, everything piles up at the door.

A fan that’s too weak, or that vents into the attic instead of outside, lets humidity settle in.

Behind the tile, it’s the membrane that protects the walls. A slow leak can damage the structure without being seen.

And, more and more, the wish to age at home: curbless shower, grab bars, room to move around.

The upper floor can be much hotter than the rest: attic insulation and ventilation, windows and air conditioning are often the cause.

Creaking floors, noise between bedrooms or from the bathroom: soundproofing is planned during the work.

Closets that are too small or poorly organized: a classic in older homes.

A room designed for sleeping now serves as an office: light, outlets, connectivity and quiet become essential.

An office today, a child’s bedroom tomorrow: a flexible layout avoids redoing everything.

Marked floors, walls repaired again and again: a refresh transforms the room.

Many homes here have less insulation in the attic than is recommended today: it’s often the most cost-effective improvement.

Escaping heat melts the snow; the water refreezes at the edge of the roof and can back up under the shingles.

Blocked soffits or bathroom fans venting into the attic create condensation and mould.

Slopes toward the house or gutters emptying at the foot of the walls send water straight to the basement.

Decks, slabs and low walls must account for our winters, or they shift in the spring.

Pool, fence, shed, addition: every town has its permits and setbacks to respect.