# Most commonly asked Questions **URL:** \ **Category:** System\ **Tags:** onboarding, faq, new-members, questions, sign-up, get-started\ **Created:** [November 20, 2024, 4:43pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/most-commonly-asked-questions/4235 "2024-11-20T16:43:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BuildersLTD](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/buildersltd/32/14872_2.png) [@BuildersLTD](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/BuildersLTD)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 4:43pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/most-commonly-asked-questions/4235/1 "2024-11-20T16:43:40Z")
**Home.Renovation.Reviews** is a free forum for Canadian homeowners, DIYers and the trades who work on their houses. Real contractor reviews, real prices people actually paid, and questions answered by people who do the work. > ### Got a question about your own place? > > You don’t need an account to start writing it. **[Ask your question](https://home.renovation.reviews/ask)** — write it now, a free account takes about 20 seconds, and it posts. > > Or start with the threads readers find most useful: [Why permits are quietly delaying projects in 2026](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/why-renovation-permits-are-quietly-delaying-projects-in-2026/45481) · [Southern Ontario eavestrough cost guide (2026)](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/southern-ontario-eavestrough-cost-guide-2026-quick-read/21850) · [How homeowners are avoiding budget shocks in 2026](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/how-homeowners-are-avoiding-renovation-budget-shocks-in-2026/45406) · [Toronto basement flood subsidy jumps to $6,650](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/toronto-basement-flood-subsidy-jumps-to-6-650-on-may-1/46303) > **2026 notes for GTA homeowners** (written April 28, 2026) > Material costs are climbing this year - framing lumber was up 5% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2026 (ninth straight quarter of increases) and as much as 17% year-over-year; concrete up 3-6%. Tariff volatility on steel and aluminum is adding pressure to exterior and structural quotes. If you are mid-planning, read: [Should you phase your 2026 reno?](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/phasing-your-renovation-in-2026-is-it-the-smarter-move/46209) and [Why spring interlock quotes move fast](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/the-12-inch-rule-why-most-toronto-interlock-patios-fail-by-spring/45841). > **Newest answers from the crew** (one researched question a day) > > - [Does home insurance cover a flooded basement in Ontario?](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/does-home-insurance-cover-a-flooded-basement-in-ontario/48342) > - [My basement flooded in the Toronto storm, what do I do first?](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/my-basement-flooded-in-the-toronto-storm-what-do-i-do-first/48341) > - [When should I clean my eavestroughs in Toronto before winter?](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/when-should-i-clean-my-eavestroughs-in-toronto-before-winter/48340) ### What is This? **Home.Renovation.Reviews** is a community-driven **home renovation forum and contractor review site** serving homeowners, DIYers, and trades across Toronto, the GTA, Ontario, and North America. We connect homeowners with **verified contractor reviews** , renovation advice, and real project stories, covering everything from [interlock patios](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/the-12-inch-rule-why-most-toronto-interlock-patios-fail-by-spring/45841) and basement waterproofing to [kitchen and bathroom remodels](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/5-common-bathroom-renovation-mistakes-that-end-up-costing-thousands/45837). Whether you’re a homeowner vetting a contractor or a tradesperson growing your local presence, this is where real renovation conversations happen. For businesses, it is also a huge opportunity for free exposure. **List your business for free and get discovered by homeowners, DIYers, and trade pros who come here looking for real renovation expertise.** If you are not signed up and posting your business, you are missing a massive chance to get discovered by homeowners actively searching for renovation services. * * * ## **New here? Jump straight into the feeds** You don’t need an account to start reading. The fastest way to get value out of Home.Renovation.Reviews is to dive into the live feeds: - 🔥 **[Hot](https://home.renovation.reviews/hot)** — what the community is talking about right now. - 🆕 **[Latest](https://home.renovation.reviews/latest)** — the newest questions, projects, and reviews as they land. - ⭐ **[Top](https://home.renovation.reviews/top)** — the most useful threads of all time. - 🎬 **Shorts** — quick, real-jobsite reno clips. Tap **Shorts** in the menu and swipe through. On your phone, your feed is tuned to your area — so the patios, permits, and pros near you surface first. * * * ## **Make your first post — it takes 2 minutes** You don’t need a renovation underway to join in. Pick whichever fits you: - ❓ **[Ask a question.](https://home.renovation.reviews/ask)** Stuck on a quote, a permit, or whether a contractor is legit? **[Start a topic](https://home.renovation.reviews/new-topic)** and homeowners and trades will weigh in — usually within hours. - 🛠 **Share a project.** Mid-reno or just finished? Post a **before-and-after**. These get the most replies and likes on the whole forum. - ⭐ **Leave a review.** Worked with a contractor — great or terrible? Your honest review helps the next homeowner and keeps the trades accountable. - 🏷 **List your business** (trades & pros). Claim your free listing and get found by homeowners actively searching — full step-by-step is further down this page. Every topic you post, helpful reply you leave, and like you give earns **$RENO** , our community rewards — they unlock badges, profile perks, and a spot on the leaderboard. The more you join in, the more you earn. 👉 **[Create your free account](https://home.renovation.reviews/invites/BJHGdY1kcQ)** and post your first topic today. It takes two minutes and it’s completely free. * * * ## **How do I get started?** Getting started is easy. Simply click on the **“Sign Up”** button below to create your account. The fastest way in is **Sign in with Google** - one tap, no password to remember. Email sign-up works too. [You can view our privacy policy here.](https://renovation.reviews/privacy) [![Join Home.Renovation.Reviews, a free renovation forum for Toronto and GTA homeowners and contractors](https://home.renovation.reviews/images/transparent.png) ](https://home.renovation.reviews/invites/BJHGdY1kcQ) * * * ## **Get Seen. Build Trust. Grow Faster.** Whether you are a homeowner looking for real advice or a contractor ready to grow, Renovation.Reviews gives you a place to stand out. For businesses, the opportunity is simple: **Sign up, post your business, and start building visibility with homeowners, DIYers, and trade pros actively searching for renovation help.** This is free advertising. Free visibility. Free brand awareness. Every day your business is not listed is another day potential customers are finding someone else instead. ### **How do I Claim My Business Listing?** Claiming your listing is quick and easy. Start by **creating an account** and verifying your information. Once verified, you can update your profile, add photos, respond to reviews, and create posts on our forum. **Steps to Get Started** 1. **Create a New Topic** Click on **“Create New Topic”** and fill in the required details: - **Subcategory:** Choose the appropriate subcategory (e.g., Ontario). - **Primary Category:** Select the main category (e.g., Canada). - **Relevant Tags:** Add tags that help users find your post, such as your local town or city. 1. **Craft a Descriptive Title** Write a clear and professional title that showcases your business. If the name you want is already in use, add your hometown or city for distinction (e.g., “ABC Renovations - Toronto”). 2. **What to Include in Your Post** Your post is your chance to make a strong first impression. Consider including: - **Before-and-after photos** to instantly grab attention. - **Details about your services** so people know exactly what you offer. - **Contact information** so customers can reach you directly. - **Backlinks to your website** to help drive traffic and leads. The sooner you post, the sooner your business starts getting seen. [![](https://home.renovation.reviews/images/transparent.png) ](https://home.renovation.reviews/invites/BJHGdY1kcQ) * * * ## **Why Join Our Community?** ### **1. Free Exposure to a Growing Renovation Community** This is one of the biggest reasons to join. Your business can be showcased to a growing audience of homeowners, DIYers, and tradespeople actively searching for renovation help — without paying for ads. That means more visibility, more trust, and more chances for real customers to discover your work. The community is backed by LF Builders, a Toronto-based renovation company with over 50 years in the trades and 30,000+ completed projects — so the audience here is already primed to take renovation conversations seriously. If you are serious about growing your business, you should be posting here as soon as possible. ### **2. Real Reviews Build Real Trust** We leverage AI and cross-checking tools to keep spam out and support authenticity. That means homeowners can make more informed decisions, and businesses that do great work have a better chance to stand out. ### **3. Show Off Your Expertise** Contractors and trades can claim their business listing, post before-and-after photos, respond to customer reviews, and build a stronger reputation in a community that values quality workmanship. Your profile becomes a place where future customers can see your work, your professionalism, and your credibility. ### **4. Start Free and Start Now** Signing up is free for both homeowners and businesses. There is no reason to wait. Create your account, post your business, and start taking advantage of the exposure available to you right now. 👉 **[Learn more here](https://home.renovation.reviews/invites/BJHGdY1kcQ)** * * * ### **Where Are You Guys Located?** 🌎 **We are currently based out of Toronto, Ontario.** 🚛 **But we serve all of North America.** 🌎 _Slowly we are scaling into larger demographics._ * * * ### **What Services Do You Review?** We review a wide range of home renovation services, including kitchen and bathroom renovations, basement finishing, roofing, landscaping, interlock pathways, flagstone patios, aluminum work, exterior cladding, waterproofing, and general contracting. If it involves improving your home, we’ve got it covered. * * * ### **How Do You Choose Which Businesses to Feature?** Our platform prioritises businesses with active customer feedback, verified Google, Yelp, Yahoo, Yandex Business profiles, and consistent service quality. We aim to showcase companies that demonstrate customer satisfaction, professionalism, and strong workmanship. * * * ### **Can I Submit My Own Review? (Homeowners)** Absolutely. We encourage homeowners to share their experiences. Simply create an account on our platform and post your review under the appropriate category. Your feedback helps other homeowners make better decisions and helps quality businesses get recognised. Click [here](https://home.renovation.reviews/invites/ETSrA3Q4tb) to get started. * * * ### **Do You Vet the Businesses You List?** Yes. While we focus on customer reviews, we also conduct background checks using public data to ensure businesses meet basic credibility and compliance standards. * * * ### **How Can I Find Reviews for My Area?** Our website is organized by location. Navigate to your country (e.g., Canada or the United States), then select your province or state to find reviews specific to your region. You can also use the search bar to type in your town or city directly. * * * ### **Do You Recommend Renovation Companies?** Our goal is to provide unbiased reviews. While we do not explicitly recommend companies, we highlight businesses with consistently high ratings, strong customer feedback, and credible public-facing profiles. * * * ### **Can Businesses Respond to Reviews?** Yes. We encourage businesses to engage with their customers by responding to reviews. This helps build trust, improve transparency, and show potential customers how you handle feedback professionally. * * * ### **How Can I Trust the Reviews on Your Site?** If a user’s post shows no history associated with their email address or username, we may remove their review or reply completely. Another method is comparing a reply with existing patterns and feedback. If a post shows many signs of being misleading or inconsistent, it may be removed. This helps maintain the credibility and trustworthiness of our platform. * * * ### **Is This Platform Free to Use?** Yes. Our platform is completely free for homeowners to browse, post reviews, ask questions, and share renovation advice. Businesses can also create profiles, post their services, showcase their work, and build visibility for free. * * * ### **Who’s behind this community?** Home.Renovation.Reviews is backed by **[LF Builders](https://lfbuilders.ca)** — a Toronto-based renovation company with 50+ years in the trades and 30,000+ completed projects. The same team publishes longer-form renovation write-ups on the **[LF Builders blog](https://blog.lfbuilders.ca)**. Our founder, Samm Simon, is currently running **251 KM across Ontario** to raise money for cancer research. Donations support the London Health Sciences Cancer Program, the Stratford General ER, and Wellspring Stratford. Follow the run and read his story at **[sammsimon.ca](https://sammsimon.ca)** — or donate directly on **[GoFundMe](https://www.gofundme.com/f/2mspu-charity-run)**. * * * ### **Jump In — What’s Being Discussed Right Now** New here? These threads are active and a great place to start: - **[The 12-inch rule: why most Toronto interlock patios fail by spring](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/the-12-inch-rule-why-most-toronto-interlock-patios-fail-by-spring/45841)** — Why base depth is everything, and how to vet a quote before you sign. - **[5 Common Bathroom Renovation Mistakes That End Up Costing Thousands](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/5-common-bathroom-renovation-mistakes-that-end-up-costing-thousands/45837)** — Waterproofing, venting, subfloor — the errors that don’t show up until year two. - **[Phasing Your Renovation in 2026: Is It the Smarter Move?](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/phasing-your-renovation-in-2026-is-it-the-smarter-move/46209)** — Spread your project across phases to control costs, protect budget, and sequence work for maximum ROI in a high-cost season. - **[Bathroom Renos in 2026: What GTA Homeowners Should Know](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/bathroom-renos-in-2026-what-gta-homeowners-should-know/46208)** — Costs ($15K–$35K GTA range), layout priorities, ventilation codes, and how tariffs are affecting material budgets right now. - **[Why Renovation Permits Are Quietly Delaying Projects in 2026](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/why-renovation-permits-are-quietly-delaying-projects-in-2026/46089)** — Permit timelines are stretching into weeks. What to do before you book your contractor. - **[Southern Ontario Eavestrough Cost Guide (2026)](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/southern-ontario-eavestrough-cost-guide-2026-quick-read/21850)** — Gutters, soffits, and spring drainage: what GTA homeowners actually pay in 2026, and what to watch for on any quote. - **[Supporting Local Cancer Care — One Run, One Community](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/supporting-local-cancer-care-one-run-one-community/44822)** — Our founder Samm Simon is running 251 KM across Ontario for cancer research. Follow along and support if you can. - **[How Homeowners Are Avoiding Renovation Budget Shocks in 2026](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/how-homeowners-are-avoiding-renovation-budget-shocks-in-2026/45838)** — Real strategies for keeping your project on budget when quotes keep climbing. - **[Are Your Spring 2026 Renovation Quotes Already Out of Date?](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/are-your-spring-renovation-quotes-already-out-of-date/46111)** — Tariffs on steel, aluminum, and cabinets are moving fast. Here is what to ask before you sign anything. - **[Wellness Bathrooms in 2026: What GTA Homeowners Are Actually Building](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/wellness-bathrooms-in-2026-what-gta-homeowners-are-actually-building/46257)** — Heated floors, curbless showers, natural stone: the spring 2026 bathroom upgrade guide with real GTA cost ranges. - **[Toronto Basement Flood Subsidy Jumps to $6,650 on May 1](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/toronto-basement-flood-subsidy-jumps-to-6-650-on-may-1/46303)** — The city subsidy cap increases May 1. If your basement flooded this spring, here is what you are now eligible for and how to apply. - **[Adding a Legal Second Suite to Your GTA Home in 2026](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/adding-a-legal-second-suite-to-your-gta-home-in-2026/46260)** — Permits, costs, rental income math, and zoning changes — what GTA homeowners need to know before building a basement apartment or garden suite. - **[What it actually costs to pull a permit in the GTA in 2026](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/what-it-actually-costs-to-pull-a-permit-in-the-gta-in-2026/46980)** — Fees went up 4.82% in January 2026, timelines are stretching to 6-12 weeks, and the application forms changed. Here is what to budget before you book a contractor. - **[Pre-1960 GTA homes: why 2026 renos need a 20-25% buffer](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/pre-1960-gta-homes-why-2026-renos-need-a-20-25-buffer/47013)** — If your home is in Riverdale, the Beaches, Leaside, Cabbagetown, or any pre-war neighbourhood, the typical 10-15% contingency will not cut it in 2026. Here is what hidden-condition costs actually look like. # **Ready to Get Your Business Seen?** If your business is not on Home.Renovation.Reviews yet, you are missing out on **free exposure to homeowners, DIYers, and tradespeople actively searching for renovation help**. Homeowners are looking. Businesses are posting. Opportunities are being taken every day. **Sign up now, post your business, and start getting the visibility your company deserves.** [Let’s get started today!](https://home.renovation.reviews/invites/BJHGdY1kcQ) [![Sign up, Home.Renovation.Reviews](https://home.renovation.reviews/images/transparent.png) ](https://home.renovation.reviews/invites/BJHGdY1kcQ) * * * ---
**Author:** ![BuildersLTD](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/buildersltd/32/14872_2.png) [@BuildersLTD](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/BuildersLTD)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2026, 11:24am UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/most-commonly-asked-questions/4235/20 "2026-04-18T11:24:28Z")
## How do I find a trusted contractor through this forum? Three things we’ve learned over 50 years at LF Builders that apply to using this community: **1. Read the full thread, not just the accepted answer.** Every renovation question has edge cases. A great-fitting answer in a Toronto thread might not hold up in a cold-climate Alberta basement or a historic Hamilton semi. Scroll, compare, ask follow-ups. **2. Ask for the contractor’s WSIB clearance certificate and general liability insurance.** A legitimate Ontario trade will send both within the hour. If someone stalls on this, that’s your signal to keep looking. **3. Post your project with photos and a budget range.** The more context you give, the more useful the replies get. Vague questions get vague answers. Specific questions — “I’m in Mississauga, 1960s bungalow, finishing a 700 sqft basement with one bathroom, budget $45-60k” — get real, actionable feedback from people who have done the exact job. Stuck on where to start? Post in [Hire a Trade](https://home.renovation.reviews/c/hire-a-trade/) for contractor recommendations, or [Trade Talk](https://home.renovation.reviews/c/trade-talk/) if you want the contractor/DIY perspective first. ---
**Author:** ![BuildersLTD](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/buildersltd/32/14872_2.png) [@BuildersLTD](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/BuildersLTD)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2026, 11:24am UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/most-commonly-asked-questions/4235/21 "2026-04-18T11:24:39Z")
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**Author:** ![system](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/system/32/77_2.png) [@system](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/system)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2026, 2:10am UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/most-commonly-asked-questions/4235/22 "2026-08-15T02:10:35Z")