Q: What are the “R” values for Hardiplank siding?
A: The “R” value range is .05 – .19. However, once the existing siding is removed, we might install Tuff-R 1/2″ sheathing insulation which adds an additional 3.3 R value. Dow states, “the homeowner can realize an energy savings of 25% on the heating and cooling portion of their utility bill.” This is a fairly large energy savings and this is supported by the manufacturer. Having said that, our philosophy is even a 10-15% utility savings when you are required to update or replace your siding anyways is a tremendous benefit.

In addition, ask about a Tyvek Home Wrap as a moisture and air infiltration barrier which gives additional R value. Be sure to ask about installation options and the benefits of sheathing when you are considering doing a renovation.

Common Situations

Some problems are common to all exterior finishes while others are specific to a particular material.

* Problems common to all finishes — water is the source of many problems. Moisture can penetrate the wall due to flawed roof elements, faulty flashing over windows or doors and at the base of the wall, flashing and caulking problems at penetrations or failure of the exterior finish to act as a rainscreen. Exterior finishes may also suffer from improper fastening or support, or problems with the wall sheathing and sheathing membranes behind the finish. The finish may be stained, damaged or soiled.

*Wood siding — wood siding may suffer paint failure, splitting wood and rot.

***HardiPlank – First, what is HardiPlank made of? HardiPlank falls in the fiber-cement siding class, which means that it is a combination of cellulose fibers, along with cement-like materials. In other words, it’s partly wood, partly cement. Break a piece of HardiPlank and inside you will see a brittle core interlaced with wood fibers.

*Metal or vinyl siding — these types of siding may suffer from aging, fading, cracks or dents and buckling.

*Masonry — masonry problems include efflorescence (white, chalky stains), crumbling mortar, cracked or loose bricks and spalling (breaking off of exterior layer) or flaking.

*Stucco — cracks and loose or damaged areas are common stucco problems.

In Kamloops, if you are renovating, let TnG Construction Ltd. help you with your siding installation needs. If you are looking for a free estimate, please visit our contact us page.

Common Situations
Some important areas of consideration include:
• Style and design — you may wish to change the style of your home through new doors and windows. Adding new windows in areas that may not already have windows or changing a solid door for a more modern style with side windows could improve natural lighting.
• Components and hardware — moving parts for windows and doors wear out over time as well as the seals may have gone faulty due to the harsh elements and age. Security may not be as efficient as it was when the doors and windows were first installed.
• Structural problems — settling of your home or other structural troubles may affect the overall operation of your doors or windows. Changing locations or the size of these items may also involve modifications structurally which add to the cost.
• Moisture — this can cause things like mold growth which has health risks as well and will not necessarily disappear with replacement. There are other factors to be looked at and changed when this type of problem has become known.
• Heating and ventilation — glass areas facing the sun may allow too much heat through as well as the cold in the winter months. Low E and Argon filled windows would help with this type of problem.

To see more on how to have “Healthy Housing” go the CMHC website if you are interested in a quote to renovate your windows and doors give TnGc your Kamloops Home Renovation Contractor a call.

If you have been putting off getting your roof fixed, this may be the best time to get it done.

Canadians are flocking to home renovation contractors and supply stores these days to take advantage of the federal government’s Home Renovation Tax Credit.

The $3-billion program was introduced by the federal government in January as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, an incentive to help stimulate the economy during the current recession and allow home owners to get a 15-per-cent tax credit for home improvement projects.

Local businesses have noticed an increase in business as a result.

“We’re definitely going through our busiest months we’ve ever been through,” said Abraham Gagnon, co-owner of Whonnock Roofing in Maple Ridge. “It feels almost like there wasn’t a recession.”

At national building supply companies the influence on sales may not be quite as dramatic, but the tax credit is thought to be part of the reason many people are deciding on “do-it-yourself” projects.

“I think it helps. I don’t know if it’s direct, but I think if people are waffling it’s maybe put them over the edge,” said Scott O’Dell, owner of Home Hardware in Maple Ridge.

To qualify for the HRTC, home renovations must be more than $1,000 but less than $10,000, and must be done between Jan. 27, 2009 and Feb. 1, 2010.

Homeowners can receive a tax credit of up to $1,350 for a $10,000 project.

Renovations could include finishing a basement, renovating a kitchen or building a deck, fence, or retaining wall.

Other approved projects range from installing new carpets, upgrading furnaces or water heaters, resurfacing driveways, to repainting the interior or exterior of a house.

Ineligible expenses are those that do not provide lasting value to the home, which would include purchases of new tools, furniture or appliances, snow clearing, carpet cleaning or lawn care.

What is the most popular home renovation project?

“It seems like window and door installations,” said Gord McBeath, general manager of Haney Builders’ Supplies.

“Windows, primarily, have been right over the top. I would say almost every facet of the renovation business has been affected by [the HRTC].

“The new construction is down, but in the renovation and energy sectors it’s way, way, way up. There’s lots of people doing decks, and you hear the home tax credit being brought up [in the store] all the time.”

The building and outdoor home supplies stores sector saw a sales increase of one per cent in May, which was double the rate of the previous month, according to a Statistics Canada report.

A recent survey by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, posted on the federal government’s news website, found that 46 per cent of Canadians in 10 major centres across the country have plans to carry out home renovation projects this year. That is a six-per-cent increase from last year.

This is a good proactive process, to go through especially if you have an idea where you want your furniture and electronics to be placed and if you want to hide the outlets and jacks behind the furniture.

Other areas to focus on, is having a good trim carpenter install fine crown molding, current trim styles and good quality, low maintenance siding can really help spruce up your home and add value.

TnGc specializes in the application of siding and look forward to providing you a quote to help you with any of your renovation requirements.

If you are found to be responsible for causing damage to an underground facility you may be liable for all costs resulting from flooding, fire, loss of business and environmental damage. You could even be held criminally liable for any injury or loss of life. BC ONE CALL program is a free service that allows contractors to receive detailed information about the location of any underground facility within two working days. So plan ahead and be safe.

In Kamloops, we have a toll free service called BC One Call 1-800-474-6886. Telus Mobility and Rogers offer free airtime to cellular users (dial *6886).

For further details download this .PDF from the Workers Compensation Board (WCB)….>>>dial before you dig

• Create individual folders for each trade you hire. For example, “Siding”, “Plumbing”, “Electrical”, “Flooring”, etc. Inside the folder, staple their business cards and write down appropriate contact co-ordinates. Consider their affiliations, are they members of  the local home-builders association and any other organizations which add credibility? Stay tuned for more helpful tips…

If you live in the Kamloops area, TnGC would appreciate an opportunity to provide you a quote on any of your home or business renovation needs.

Contact TnGc

The Home Renovation Tax Credit plan is part of the federal government’s aim to inject $3-billion to stimulate the economy. It has met with a lot of enthusiasm — but also with a lot of questions.

The plan seems simple enough at first glance: Spend up to $10,000 on renovations and construction on the family home, and you get a tax credit of 15 per cent back, up to a maximum of $1,350. It’s a credit, so it reduces the amount of federal tax you have to pay; it doesn’t mean you get a cheque for $1,350.
The plan will be administered by the Canada Revenue Agency.

The plan encourages homeowners to open their wallets with the promise of a reduction on personal income taxes paid next year.

“It’s money in the pocket,” says Ian B. Lawson, a certified general accountant who operates a practice that bears his name. “It’s a win-win situation for homeowners and legitimate, tax-paying businesses.”

He notes that the incentive is also a boon to the Canada Revenue Agency, as homeowners will be keen to use legitimate contractors who can supply invoices for work performed. Operators of unlicensed, non-tax-paying companies or people who ask for payment under the table will likely see their business suffer.

“It will definitely affect the underground economy,” Lawson says. “It’s not good news for those in the building trades who don’t declare income.”

For more information, visit www.cra.gc.ca or call 1-800-959-8281.

- How do I apply?

There are no application forms. There will be a line in the 2009 personal tax return.

- Do I need to be pre-approved before work can start?

No.

- What is the eligibility period?

The credit is based on work done and materials acquired after Jan. 27, 2009, and up to Feb. 1, 2010.

- When will I get the tax credit?

The tax credit will be applied when homeowners file their 2009 tax return next year.

- I don’t pay very much tax. If the tax credit is more than my personal income tax paid for 2009, will I get a tax refund?

No, it is a non-refundable tax credit.

- Can the credit be carried forward?

No, it can only be applied for the 2009 tax year.

- Who is eligible?

The plan is family-based. In the eyes of the CRA that means an individual or an individual and his/her spouse or common-law partner, including children under 18 at the end of 2009.

- What if two or more members of a family co-own a property?

Each family member will be eligible to file for their own separate credit.

- What is the definition of a family for the purposes of this credit?

A family is generally considered to consist of an individual and spouse or common-law partner if applicable.

- Is it just houses that are eligible?

No, the credit also includes work on condominiums and cottages owned for personal use.

- Does it include rental units, such as basements or apartments?

No, just property owned for personal use.

- Do I have to spend $10,000 to qualify?

No, homeowners can spend a lesser amount and receive a proportionate amount in tax credit.

- What if the work is over $10,000?

Homeowners are free to spend more than $10,000 on their renovations but they will not get a credit on any work over the limit.

- How is it calculated?

The 15-per-cent credit is based on expenditures of more than $1,000 of work, but not more than $10,000. The maximum credit of $1,350 is based on 15 per cent of $9,000.

- Can I do the work myself?

Yes. In such cases, the tax credit will apply to the materials, fixtures, rentals and permits purchased. Keep those receipts as well as delivery receipts to show the goods came to your principal residence.

- Can I hire somebody in my family to do the work?

It depends. Usually the work should be done by an individual dealing at arm’s-length. But if the person doing the work is registered for the GST/HST under the Excise Tax Act, the expenditure will be eligible.

- What are eligible expenses?

The cost of labour and professional services, building materials, fixtures, rentals and permits.

- Does the work have to be done by a business, not an individual?

No, an individual can perform the work. But that individual has to be able to produce receipts and invoices for homeowners to apply for the credit.

- Is it just on renovations?

No, the credit can be claimed for new construction, such as alterations and additions to a property.

- Are roofs covered?

Yes. According to the CRA, the credit applies to any renovation or alterations of an enduring nature and integral to the dwelling.

- I want to build a wheelchair ramp. Can I also claim the Medical Expense Tax Credit?

Yes, a homeowner can claim both credits.

- Can we piggyback on other grants currently being offered by other federal programs?

Yes. Homeowners are eligible for both.

- What documents do I need to submit?

Homeowners need to retain all agreements, invoices and receipts for the work performed available in case the CRA requests them. The documentation must identify the goods purchased and services provided, and must identify the contractor or vendor. The invoices must be dated. They must also provide proof of payment.

Let TnGc be your Kamloops home Renovation Contractor. Contact us