Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/1067777
who's who RENOVATIONS 3 PUBLISHER Bob Cox MANAGER OF NICHE PRODUCTS Barb Borden Barb.Borden@freepress.mb.ca EDITOR Jason Halstead jjhphoto@gmail.com PHOTOGRAPHY Provided by the featured companies WRITERS Geoff Kirbyson Todd Lewys Jennifer McFee DESIGN Jane Chartrand View online at winnipegfreepress.com/publications who's who special edition RENOVATIONS D o it right the first time. That's one of the main lessons Mike Holmes Jr. gleaned from working alongside his namesake dad, home renovation guru Mike Holmes. "My dad taught me to make it right — and that's with everything I do," says Holmes Jr., a contractor and co-host of HGTV Canada's Holmes + Holmes. "You need to put in that effort, whether it's in your relationship or whether you're cooking dinner. You don't do it halfway." At the Winnipeg Renovation Show, Holmes Jr. will share advice based on his own home renovation journey. This year, the much- anticipated event runs Jan. 11-13 at the RBC Convention Centre. "I've learned so much through trial and error in home renovation. The biggest thing that I try to tell people is to prioritize your renovation," he says. "That means don't renovate your kitchen before you address the real problems with your home, such as your wall assembly, your insulation, your mechanical. Make sure that's all up to snuff before you go and upgrade your finishes. Otherwise, you're going to have to tear out those finishes in order to fix the real problems in your home." Holmes Jr. also recommends doing your research before embarking on a home renovation project. "Weigh out your costs versus the return on investment. I tell people to not be afraid of the price tag, so don't go for these cheap products that aren't going to last in your home — especially the ones that are going to be behind your walls," he says. "You want to make sure that you invest properly in those areas so that they're going to last and you're not spending thousands of dollars that you're going to end up tearing out anyway." For Holmes Jr., it's also important to hire a good contractor for your project. "You have to do your homework when hiring a contractor, which means getting references, making sure there's a proper contract in place and not doing cash jobs," he says. "Your contractors should be fully licensed and insured. They're working on probably the biggest investment of your life, so you want to make sure they're the right people for the right job." Holmes Jr. will expand on his advice at The Lifestyle Stage presented by EcoPoxy and the Winnipeg Free Press on Friday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 12 at 1 p.m. at the Winnipeg Renovation Show. Other highlights of the Winnipeg Renovation Show include free consultations at the Ask a Renovator and The Design Studio features. Projects will also be on display to showcase Temporary Treatments and the Bar Cartistry DIY Challenge. Another must-see will be the m(ART)ket area featuring an assortment of artistic vendors. And when you're ready for a break, you can kick back and relax in The Lounge. The Winnipeg Renovation Show runs Friday, Jan. 11 from noon to 9 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 12 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The regular price of admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and free for children 12 and under. Tickets purchased on the Winnipeg Renovation Show website qualify for a $3 discount courtesy of All Canadian Renovations Ltd. Active and retired military, police, firefighters, nurses and paramedics will receive free admission on Jan. 11 for Hero Day. Past and present teachers, teaching assistants and academic professionals will receive free admission on Jan. 13 for Teachers Appreciation Day. Free tickets can be claimed at the box office with valid ID, including Manitoba Teachers' Society cards for teachers. ❙ For more information about the Winnipeg Renovation Show, visit winnipegrenovationshow.com. Mike Holmes Jr. says to make sure your home's wall assembly, insulation and mechanical systems are up to snuff before upgrading your finishes or kitchen. THE HOLMES GROUP PHOTO Focus on basics to make it right By Jennifer McFee