This series will assist you in making informed decisions before you renovate. Each easy-to-read fact sheet helps you ask the key questions, reviews the available options and discusses the consequences if certain aspects of the renovation are overlooked.

Advance planning is the key to successful renovations. These fact sheets help you plan, assess, and avoid surprises. Achieve the results you want by doing your renovation right the first time.

a) Assessing the Renovation Project
Before renovating, it's important to assess your home's current condition to determine if there are significant problems that you must deal with before or during the renovation project.
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b) Renovating your Basement - Structural Issues and Soil Conditions
Renovating a basement can add value and extra living space to a home. Fixing foundation problems before renovating is essential to preserve the durability and structure of the house.
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c) Renovating Your Basement - Moisture Problems
Is there condensation on the basement windows? Are there white chalky stains on the foundation? Do the carpets smell musty? Creating a clean, dry and healthy living space is a critical first step.
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d) Renovating Your Kitchen
The kitchen is often the most used room in the house and kitchen renovations typically have the highest financial payback. Conduct a pre-renovation inspection and prioritize the most desirable features for your new kitchen.
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e) Renovating Your Bathroom
Bathroom renovations offer the second highest financial payback rate and are one of the most common home improvement projects. Use this fact sheet to check for problems before you renovate.
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f) Window and Door Renovations
Do you want more natural light in your living area? Are you concerned about security? Before repairing or replacing windows and doors, consider all of the factors outlined in this fact sheet.
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g) Repairing or Replacing Roof Finishes
Regular maintenance and periodic roof inspections will identify problems before they cause costly damage to your home. Learn about the key factors that will determine whether you should repair or replace your roof.
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h) Repairing or Replacing Exterior Wall Materials
Exterior finish materials must prevent rain and snow from penetrating the building and causing moisture damage. Repairing or replacing exterior wall finishes will protect and preserve the durability and structure of the home.
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i) Energy Efficient Upgrade — Mechanical Systems
Upgrading the heating, cooling and ventilation (HVAC) equipment is the best way to create a healthy, comfortable and less expensive home to operate. Before altering these, it is important to understand how the overall performance of the house will be affected.
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j) Energy Efficient Upgrade — The Building Envelope
The envelope, or outer layer, of your house separates living space from the outdoor elements. Improving it can result in a better insulated, more airtight home that is easier to heat.
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k) Assessing the Comfort and Safety of Your Home's Mechanical Systems
The heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are a vital part of your home. Ensure that your mechanical systems are operating safely and efficiently.
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l) Before you Start a New Addition
Before building an addition, clearly identify the features you need and inspect the current structure and mechanical systems to be sure they can support the new addition.
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