Get cracking for credit

It’s time to get cracking if you want to take advantage of the $1,350 Home Renovation Tax Credit. You have until February 1, 2010, and the credit applies to a variety of home improvement tasks. They include the unsexy stuff like replacing windows and doors (or roof window – see pic above — which is actually kinda sexy, IMHO!), installing a permanent home ventilation or central air conditioning system, digging a well or changing electrical service. Then there are the tasks that are more fun: interior or exterior painting, landscaping with perennial shrubs and flowers, adding permanent garden lighting or a water fountain, or adding new flooring. For a full list go to www.cra-arc.gc.ca.  

If flooring is on your mind and you live in the GTA, check out Home Depot’s three-day guaranteed basic installation package. It’s available on 12 special order carpets that retail for between $1.11 and $2.44 per square foot. They also have a basic package in all stores; for $199, you can get basic installation any number of rooms of in-stock or special order carpet when installed by their own service people. The prices includes labour, but not underpad, moving furniture, removing existing carpet or flooring, or installing carpet on steps.

This is also a great time to tackle those painting jobs you’ve been putting off. If you do, consider one of the great greens that are popping up these days. I like the new shades from CIL (see pic above) and Behr (see pic below).