Would you have someone fix your brakes without knowing if that person was qualified to do so? Would you be fine with driving off without knowing if the job was properly inspected? Well, if you’re thinking about doing a renovation without a building permit, hit the...
We deal with many first-time home buyers that need income from a basement apartment to help carry the costs of their new home. But a basement apartment isn’t just for the first-time homebuyer trying to enter an increasingly expensive home market. It can also be used...
As basement experts, the team at Penguin Basements sometimes gets an interesting question or two from our clients, and lately, we have heard a couple of our clients ask why do homes have basements? It seemed like a simple question and answer, but as we...
With cooler autumn weather already sneaking snow into parts of Canada, smart homeowners are preparing their homes for winter. In the Canadian climate, that includes getting basements ready for freezing temperatures. Not every home has a warm and cozy Penguin Basement to depend on, so if your basement is...
...And an educated client is ours. The basement renovation industry is becoming crowded, and here's why that should worry you. Just a few short years ago there were roughly three basement renovation specialist companies serving the GTA. They followed each other closely, improving products, processes and...
Are you contemplating the idea of renting out your home or basement? Before you jump into the role of being a landlord, it’s important to ask yourself if you really have what it takes to deal with all of the tasks and responsibilities that come along...
Millennials want to own a home, but high prices mean they have to be creative to do so, according to a report published June 26. The Millennial Report – authored by the Real Estate Investment Network (REIN) and aimed at developers and investors – says there are a...
Across the GTA, basement apartments are addressing a critical need, providing affordable housing in an otherwise unattainable market for many while making homeownership possible for others. Unfortunately for tenants, many landlords are choosing to build an illegal basement apartment, looking to cut corners and costs without...
1) What are Secondary Suites (Second Suites)? As one of the most popular income properties in and around North America, secondary suites can be defined merely as a self-contained apartment in a detached or occupied single-family dwelling. Naturally, this might seem like a bit of a...
You can’t prevent renovation-related stress, but you can prepare for it. Here’s how. A renovation of any size will bring about some level of stress, so the best bet is to prepare for i in order to minimize its impact on you. Some stress is a given. It...
