Crown and Baseboards

I've been so pleased with the materials from Classic Wood Mouldings here in Ottawa.

They offer fabulous moulding made in pine that show off the great lines and detail. Much better than MDF because the lines are sharp and crisp where MDF tends to have softer lines.

This home in Kanata had new crown moulding and baseboards installed in the Dining room and Living Room

Crown continues to grow in popularity. For an 8' ceiling use a 4 1/2" and for a 9' ceiling use a 5 1/2" crown.

The crown and baseboards were completed in a soft C2 Cotton semi- gloss paint. the walls were finished in C2 Sandstone.

Dave - 360renos

Cost Effective Home Renovating

When you buy a home, somewhere along the line you will be faced with the prospect of doing some home renovations. The good news however is, there are many ways accomplishing cost effective home renovations.

All you actually need to do is sit down, take a deep breath and begin to make a list of all the renovations you feel your home may need. At first, do not worry about putting a cost to these renovations, but rather make an accurate and detailed list of everything which you feel may be in need of renovation.

Once you have completed the list, try to prioritise it according to which of these renovations you feel are the most necessary taking into consideration the impact each of these renovations may have on the lifestyle of the homes occupants and on the look of the home as well.

When you look at this list and should you have been honest with yourself, you will soon realise that the renovations which are likely to have the most impact on the appearance of the home and more likely the comfort of its inhabitants are likely to be the more affordable and achievable ones.

Things such as a fresh coat of paint, cupboard renovations and even faucet and fitting renovations or replacements are guaranteed to have a great effect. These in reality are some of the smaller renovations which you may have chosen, but they truly have a great impact not only on living conditions but the value of the home as well.

More often than not one tends to want to tackle all of the renovations you wish done at once, but by breaking it down into a list and prioritising it, you are able to gain perspective and see that it is all possible should you just gain perspective.

By handling the tasks one by one you reduce the initial cost shock and once you see the difference the smaller changes you make have made you will be more willing and able to take on the bigger ones.

Ezine Articles

Dave - 360renos

Stittsville Project

Always fun painting and laying out a young sports fan room

Entire first and second floor painting of all walls, baseboards, door and window trim. Walls completed in 'Straw Hat'

Walls completed in 'Caramel Apple' that work fabulously with the cabinets and counter

Great focal point of the family room with the awesome stone fireplace. Benjamin Moore color called 'Caramel Apple' compliments the furniture and fireplace nicely.

Dave - 360renos

Color Your Kitchen

There are no rules when it comes to making your color choice for Kitchens. Popular colors which are known to create a cheery atmosphere or increase appetite incude sunny yellow, peach, terra cotta or citrus lime green.

Paint is the least expensive way of making a change and increasing your homes value. It's not just your walls you can spruce up with paint, but why not freshen up your cabinetry with a new coat of melamine paint. Update your fixtures and voila, a whole new look to your existing Kitchen.

Other projects you may wish to take on are ceilings, back splash, range hoods or even giving your old out of date table a fresh look with a coat of paint. when painting these features it is important to use paint which has superior adhesion properties.

Dave - 360renos

HST for Busineses

A little bed time reading!!

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/harmonization/

Dave - 360renos

Magnetic Paint

I love it - Magnetic Paint. Actually it is simply paint with iron particles in it. So what? Paint it on any surface, drywall, bed boards, dressers and then paint over it with any paint you want. Now all the fridge magnets will stick, and not just to a metal fridge. Actually if you put on two coats it will hold the magnets better. (Remember to stir it well to get those metal particles evenly distributed!)

I think kids will love this, and if you want them to practice creative writing, just buy them those magnetic phrase builder kits. This paint is not cheap, but you don't need a lot of it.

You can find it at Lee Valley

Dave - 360renos

360renos Case Study

Check out the case study of 360renos by Wendy of Ask Around.

http://thebusinessend.askaround.ca/

Home Owner recommendations do work and the reputation of Ask Around is growing by leaps and bounds.

Dave - 360renos

Kitchen - Mid Project Preview

Getting down to the end -

We've got the new cabinets and counter top in. Sink and faucet have been re-located and installed and now the home owner is not washing dishes in the laundry tub!

Under cabinet halogen lighting to go in

Now the back splash needs to be installed and the final color touches

Dave - 360renos

360renos is now a recommended painting company at Randall's

Choosing non-toxic paints and finishes

Sift through the product hype and understand what you're buying when it comes to safer paints

You may be getting more than a splash of colour when you paint. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), our indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air and one of the culprits is common household paint.

Dangerous fumes

Due to their complex chemicals, conventional paints and finishes off-gas Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) for months after being applied. Since these chemicals are neurotoxins, inhaling them over long periods can be a health hazard, particularly for younger children.

VOCs have been known to cause eye, nose and throat irritations as well as nausea, dizziness and headaches. That light-headed feeling you get after painting is actually a reaction to low-level toxins.

Industry-changing
Fortunately, new regulations from the federal government, first introduced in 2005 along with increased consumer awareness have created a demand for low-VOC paints and finishes.

“In the past, like many industries, the paint industry really wasn’t fully aware of the impact of all those solvents in the air and how they contribute to problem VOCs,” says Ed Linton, manager of environmental and safety compliance at Cloverdale Paint. “Now that we realize what those impacts are, we’re making changes.”

Cloverdale is just one of the many companies developing greener and cleaner paints. Its Horizon line of interior paints and primers currently has the lowest VOC on the market (less than one gram/litre).

Reducing pollution

Low VOC paints have a number of environmental benefits. The easy cleanup with soap and water means less contamination of groundwater and less waste heading for the landfill. Since there are so little fumes, you can occupy the painted room sooner. Their performance is equal to most other paints in terms of coverage and cleaning.

Finding the right paint
But with even more choices out there, finding a low-toxicity paint can get a bit confusing. Prices are the same as most mid-range conventional paint, but there are different types of low-VOC paints and finishes.

Low–VOC paints
Since low-VOC paints use water as a carrier, they often have low levels of heavy metals and other chemicals. They still off-gas, but it doesn’t stay around as long. Be careful with this label since there are currently no real guidelines in place yet. Environment Canada's standard is 250 grams per litre, but reputable dealers will only advertise their paint as low VOC when it has 50 g/L or less.

Try:

• C2’s LoVo line, available in over 300 colours - 360renos favourite for quality and richness of colors
• Sherwin Williams, Duration Home Harmony, available in over 50 shades
• Sico’s Cashmere, Chamois and Shantung line, available in four shades
• Benjamin Moore Aura Interior Paint, available in 144 shades

Zero-VOC paints
Zero-VOC is a trickier label. Technically there is no such thing as zero-VOC paints since all paints have chemicals, colourants, biocides and fungicides—which all off-gas. Like Low-VOC paints, the off-gassing is shorter and less toxic. A paint is considered zero-VOC if it’s under five grams/litre. Check the label carefully on these products.

Try:
Benjamin Moore’s Natura line, available in four shades

Courtesy of - Canadian Home Workshop

Dave - 360renos

In Time for Winter

This fall I've been installing numerous exterior storm doors for clients.

Many home owners wanting to save on energy costs have been installing new storm doors. Energy Audits Advisors are also recommending them to be replaced if they are not sealing properly due to age.

If you are seeing light around the frame and

door when closed then it is time to have the door and trim adjusted and re-caulked to keep out the cold winter drafts. Also the bottom door sweep if worn out will need replacing from normal wear and tear.

I recommend replacing the door if it not sealing properly and weather stripping has worn out or crushed.

Dave - 360renos

Get it in Writing!

If you're planning on hiring a contractor to do construction, renovation, or repair work on your home, the Get it in Writing! Web site has information that will help you.

Get it in Writing! is a national campaign to warn consumers of the risks involved in dealing with contractors who offer "under-the-table" cash deals and to explain why it's important to insist on a written contract and get receipts.

There are many experienced and reliable contractors working in your community—highly skilled professionals who do business the right way. But not all contractors play by the same rules. Some cut corners to offer low prices as long as nothing is written down, and you pay them in cash. You should know about the risks involved in "under-the-table" cash deals before you decide to hire a contractor.

The Get it in Writing! campaign is being carried out by the Canadian Home Builders' Association with support from the Government of Canada. In Quebec, the Association provinciale des constructeurs d'habitations du Québec is managing the campaign.

Courtesy CHBA

Dave - 360renos

Every Kilowatt Counts

Last week to SAVE with instant coupons from the 2009 Power Saving Event.

Available at the Ontario Power Authority -

http://tinyurl.com/yfcrcbm

Dave - 360renos

Save Energy Save Money

• Switch to CFL lightbulbs
• Change your Furnace Filter
• Install a low flow Faucet
• Intall light dimmers
• Install weatherstripping
• Choose Energy Star appliances
• Install timers inside and out
• Install a programmable thermostat
• Properly insulate your home

Dave - 360renos

Save money with these Green Incentives and Grants

A collection of links from the past articles on Government Incentives -

Grant ecoENERGY
Provincial, territorial and municipal grants and

incentives
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Mortgage Loan

Insurance Refund (Home purchase/construction)
Energy-Efficient Housing ProgramHome Renovation Tax Credit
ENERGY STAR Rebates and Incentives

Home Energy Ontario
Ontario Power Authority
Enbridge Gas Distribution

Dave - 360renos

Home Sales & Painting

This home in old south Ottawa - Sunnyside area had some outstanding architectural features that were amazing.

Original 4" wide plate rail with wainscoting through out the Dining Room.

Huge, thick baseboards, door and window trim.

This beautiful, brick home was being painted before move in day.

There has been a flurry of activity with home buyers and sellers wanting their homes re-freshed with coats of paint.

Weather it is a home owner selling and they need a neutral color decor before they list on the market or a home buyer that wants a punch of color before they move in, it has kept us busy at 360renos.

We can help home owners or Realtors with advice and services.

Dave - 360renos

Ways to get Government Incentives and Save Part III

Home Renovation Tax Credit

The proposed HRTC is a non-refundable tax credit for work performed or goods acquired in respect of an eligible dwelling.
The credit will only be available for the 2009 tax year and applies to eligible expenditures of more than $1,000, but not more than $10,000, resulting in a maximum credit of $1,350 ($9,000 x 15%).

To be eligible, expenditures incurred in relation to a renovation or alteration to an eligible dwelling (or the land that forms part of the eligible dwelling) must be of an enduring nature and integral to the dwelling, and includes the cost of labour and professional services, building materials, fixtures, rentals, and permits. Eligible expenditures must be supported by acceptable documentation.

Some examples of eligible expenditures: Renovating a kitchen, bathroom or basement; New carpet or hardwood floors; Building an addition, garage, deck, garden/storage shed, fence; Re-shingling a roof; A new furnace, woodstove, boiler, fireplace, water softener or water heater; A new driveway or resurfacing a driveway; Painting of interior or exterior of a house; Window coverings directly attached to the window frame and whose removal would alter the nature of the dwelling; Laying new sod; Swimming Pools (Permanent – in ground and above ground); Fixtures – lights, fans, etc.; Associated costs such as permits, professional services, equipment rentals and incidental expenses.

A new line will be incorporated in the 2009 personal income tax return allowing to claim the credit.
For more information go to Home Renovation Tax Credit

ENERGY STAR Rebates and Incentives

Check out Details on Rebates and Incentives for Selected ENERGY STAR® Qualified Products in Canada

Courtesy of BestBiddy

Dave - 360renos

Another Cool Project

Another awesome home that I got to work on. Built in 1901 in Hull. This home was constructed shortly after the Great Fire of 1900.

I had the pleasure of completing the exterior trim work on this 'Craftsman' style home. Fabulous trim with some cool colors! And the vine leaves are changing colors!

If you want to read up a little on the Great Fire that destroyed most of Ottawa? Check it out - http://tinyurl.com/yjxeeq6

Dave - 360renos

Ways to Get Government Incentives and Save Part II

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Mortgage Loan Insurance Refund (Home purchase/construction)
CMHC offers a 10% premium refund on its mortgage loan insurance premiums(e.g., approximately $550 for a $200,000 mortgage with a 5% down payment), as well as extended amortizations to a maximum of 40 years (subject to lender availability) without regular premium surcharges, (e.g. approximately $1,200 for a $200,000 mortgage amortized over 40 years) to individuals who use CMHC-insured financing to purchase an energy efficient home, purchase a home and make energy-saving renovations, or renovate their existing home to make it more energy efficient.
For more information go to Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation

Energy-Efficient Housing Program

Qualifying home buyers can receive a 10 per cent refund on their Genworth-insured mortgages premium.

Through the Energy-Efficient Housing Program, home buyers purchasing an energy-efficient home or refinancing an existing home to make energy-saving renovations with Genworth-insured mortgages are now eligible to receive a 10 per cent premium refund.

Homes built under the following programs will qualify for the 10 percent premium refund without the requirement for an individual EnerGuide evaluation:

•Built Green (TM) Alberta Gold Label Homes
•Novoclimat (MC) (Quebec)
•EnergyStar (R) (Ontario)
•Power Smart (TM) (Manitoba)
•R-2000 (National)
For more informa

tion go to Energy-Efficient Housing Program

Courtesy of BestBiddy

Dave - 360renos

Ways to get Government Incentives and Save

Retrofit Your Home and Qualify for a ecoENERGY Grant
To help homeowners save energy, save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Canadian Government has created the ecoENERGY Retrofit Program. The program awards homeowners with rebates of up to $5,000 for home energy improvements. This matches up to $5,000 available from the Ontario Home Energy Retrofit Program- for a total of up to $10,000.
See the list of provincial, territorial and municipal entities offering grants and incentives below.

Sounds good, isn’t it? But how real this grant and what exactly do I need to do to get it?

It was reported on February 27, 2009 by Natural Resources Canada that

Due to the greater-than-expected number of Canadians participating in the program in its first year, some homeowners have experienced delays in receiving their cheques. has resumed payment of retrofit grants to Canadian homeowners.
This is the good evidence, that program works and help homeowners to cut their energy costs, emissions and get some cash back from the government.
Because of the immediate and lasting benefits to homeowners, the economy and environment, Canada’s Economic Action Plan includes an additional $300 million for the ecoENERGY Retrofit-Homes program. This will allow as many as 200,000 more homeowners to participate in the program over the next two year

Here’s what you can do to reduce your energy consumption and receive grants through ecoENERGY Retrofit:

1. Before you undertake any energy efficiency renovations, hire a Natural Resources Canada certified energy advisor to perform an energy evaluation of your home. The advisor will give you a pre-retrofit evaluation report and an EnerGuide rating label for your home.
2. Select your improvements and implement the recommended energy upgrades, leaving time to ensure your post-retrofit evaluation is completed within 18 months or before March 31, 2011, (whichever comes first).
3. Call your energy advisor to perform your post-retrofit evaluation, to confirm your new energy rating and to submit your grant application.
4. Wait no more than 90 days of your post-retrofit evaluation to receive your cheque.

Here are examples of improvements that are covered under ecoENERGY Retrofit Homes: Replace your heating system with an ENERGY STAR® qualified oil or gas boiler that has an 85.0% AFUE or better – $600 grant amount; Install a CAN/CSA-C448 compliant earth-energy system (ground or water source) -$3,500 grant amount; Replace the heat pump unit of an existing earth-energy system (ground or water source). The system must be compliant with CAN/CSA-C448 – $1,400 grant amount.

•Home Energy Ontario
•Ontario Power Authority
•Enbridge Gas Distribution

Courtesy of BestBiddy

Dave - 360renos

New Colors

A complete Main floor painting project that freshened up this home.

An excellent sitting area that has lots of light is such a relaxing feature of the home.

The fireplace has been given an updated look by priming and painting the red brick. There was minor smoke staining on the brick but with the use of a good quality primer and stain blocker this problem can be eliminated. Finished off with 2 coats of high quality latex paint will give any fireplace a fresh, new look.

An excellent entrance that has great potential. Stair stringers were completed in semi-gloss white to highlight the curve to the second floor. Wall decor and accents to be completed will

finish this entrance way off perfectly.

Dave - 360renos

Courtesy of Jon Eakes -

Besides the price, what is the real difference between professional tools and handyman tools? It is true that you can accomplish almost all the same things with both -- the handyman versions may require going more slowly and working more carefully to not overload the tool -- or making several passes each removing a small bit of wood rather than hogging out the wood with the power of a professional tool.

In a nutshell handyman tools are made lighter to be easier to use and have less power to reduce the strain on the hands or arms. They are designed to last about 3 years with normal household maintenance tasks and given their use they often give a good balance between quality and price. The one place where making things cheaper hurts is in the cutting edges: the drills and blades. Often if you put professional blades in a handyman tool you can get really good results.

If you run a handyman tool in a professional environment, it may not last the week before overuse will bring it to the end of its life. So if suddenly you have a big construction project to take on, you may want to upgrade at least your circular saw -- or rent a powerful concrete drill.

Dave - 360renos

Take Care of Your Customers

Wow, I received this in my inbox this morning!!

To Whom It May Concern,

I was very pleased with INTERIOR PAINTING by Dave Bennett. The job which took two weeks included my downstairs and two stairways.

Dave gave me a written plan for his allocation of time, when he first arrived on the job, allowing me to plan accordingly. I found this to be very helpful. On the job itself: I found important time was given to preparation - clean removal of wallpaper, plastering, and sanding. Painting was clean and carefully done (removal of door handles and fixtures). I love my 'new rooms'.

Consideration was paid to me, the client, during the process. I need time and flexibility in determining colours and I found Dave very accommodating. Consideration was given not to inconvenience me while appliances were moved. The work area was cleaned everyday and I had the use of my house everyday. Curtains were replaced and Dave even gave me help hanging pictures when the job was completed.

Advice and paperwork were given to me on the tax credit for Home Improvements for next year's Income Tax.

I am happy to recommend the company 360 Renos.

D Bursey

Dave - 360renos

1880's Home

I had the pleasure of being able to paint a portion of a home built in Ottawa in 1880.

Absolutely fantastic customer who is slowly upgrading and refreshing her home.

Original floors and stairs with all of the natural squeaks!
Check out the one of a kind handrail. Hand turned newels and balusters from 1880!

Thick walls, wide door and window casings and way cool baseboards.

It has had a many upgrades of the years and now it is time to pull it all together and create a look for our customer that works for them.

Stayed tuned for more renos from this home later on down the road

Dave - 360renos

An exterior painting project where door and window trim was painted in C2 Architectural White ....

... the garage door and front door painted in gorgeous C2 Wine and Dine

Dave - 360renos

What's Behind Door Number ....

Updated this home with new 6 panel doors for the bedrooms and bathrooms -

All 4 of the closets had the floor to ceiling sliding doors removed. Headers were fabricated to accomodate the new bi-fold closet doors. 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms received new doors. New 6" baseboards were installed to complement the hardwood floor on the Main and 2nd story.

The carpeting was removed from the stairs. New risers were installed, stringers and risers were painted. New on site custom cut single piece hardwood treads were installed for all levels of the home.

Dave - 360renos

Cardinal Project

Fresh, new colors on the exterior doors and trim.

Lots of TLC given to this home to upgrade the quality and update the decor. Out with the old and in with the New and new and new .... Yup, lots of shopping was done!

2nd floor bedrooms and Office decorated with new colors for the walls, doors and trim

The main bath was re done from top to bottom. Cabinetry, counters and lighting all co-ordinated beautifully by the Interior Designer. Boutique bathroom at an affordable price.

Dave - 360renos