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  1. James Benson

    Utilities advice for Duplex!!!!

    Just a thought but why not take over all utilities and charge a flat rate to both tenants at say 60% up and 40% down. Take a look at the utility bills of your current tenant if you can and just average that out and add say 10% to cover the added cost of them no longer being responsible for the...
  2. James Benson

    Basement Foundation Vertical Cracks - Help, Feedback and Advice

    When you seal up one crack there’s a chance another could form in a new location down the road. Ask the inspector to check the weeping tile and make sure it’s not clogged. Proper drainage, gutters, gutter discharge location and grading will help prevent future cracks from forming. Vertical...
  3. James Benson

    Home Staging Tips

    Must just be my computer.
  4. James Benson

    Home Staging Tips

    Hey Tina, thanks for posting this! unfortunately the link does not seem to be working for me, it takes you to the page but you cannot listen to the interview as it says page not found, and if i try to download it it just fails.
  5. James Benson

    Experience with mold?

    Hiring a mould remediator is not required unless there is 100 square feet of mould. Anything less can be done bye anyone, however certain precautions should be taken to prevent the spores from getting into the air, especially air ducts. Also, not that thus applies in this case, but never caulk...
  6. James Benson

    Drywall tariff

    Wow, that is crazy.
  7. James Benson

    Drywall tariff

    Good point. I don't think there's a cheaper alternative that works as well anyways.
  8. James Benson

    Drywall tariff

    Yes it's imported, the US has been dumping product into Canada at lower rates than it can be produced locally. REIN posted an article about it on Facebook today if your interested.
  9. James Benson

    Drywall tariff

    It's already in place where I live. Being a carpenter, it has a huge impact on the jobs we do. Jobs we had already started are now going to be over budget. It's not at the full increase yet but it's gone up to $14.50 a sheet.
  10. James Benson

    Drywall tariff

    Just curious if anyone has switched to a cheaper product than drywall since the new tariff was introduced, or if we need to just accept it and move forward.
  11. James Benson

    City Just Found out that I have a rental suite... What do I do?

    Legal basement suits can significantly increase the value of the property. It could turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
  12. James Benson

    Basement leaking, need help ASAP in Kitchener!

    An exterior weeping tile system will work better than an interior weeping tile system and you do not need both. If you do not have exterior weeping tiles and the building is surrounded with concrete then you will need an interior system. Water will always find the path of least resistance, so...
  13. James Benson

    Basement leaking, need help ASAP in Kitchener!

    Minimum code says you can discharge 8" from the house, but this can cause the water to simply go right back in the house. Ensure it is discharging at least 6' away.
  14. James Benson

    Basement leaking, need help ASAP in Kitchener!

    If it's coming up from under the slab you may need a sump pump. In that case it would be the water table rising and insufficient drainage under the slab, which is typical of old houses. This usually happens in the spring when the snow melts though, odd to be happening at the end of summer.
  15. James Benson

    Basement leaking, need help ASAP in Kitchener!

    Get your pipes and weeping tiles inspected. Even if $600 is steep it's still cheaper than one month vacant. Get a few quotes as the prices can vary greatly. As mentioned above, gutters are very important. Also, check the window wells and make sure they are not clogged. Make sure the ground...
  16. James Benson

    The BEST way to INSULATE your basement apartment!

    Thanks for sharing this. many people, including contractors do not understand this concept. The building code says you can build out the wall 1" away from the concrete and insulate with batt insulation and vapour barrier, but as you said, this will cause condensation. The reason is because as...
  17. James Benson

    I'm gonna be on HGTV!!! We Partnered with Scott McGillivray

    That is awesome! I'm setting my PVR to record the show right now. Would you mind sharing some of the things you learned from this experience?
  18. James Benson

    Tenant threatens to destroy house if they get evicted

    Thanks Thomas! I will let them know what the options are.
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