Renovating in Westboro, Hintonburg and the Glebe

Inner-city houses vary widely in age and past work. Check the actual wiring, plumbing, wall assemblies, insulation and foundation before allowing for hidden repairs.

Older finishes can conceal wiring, plumbing and foundation issues. Ask the contractor to state what is excluded from the quote and how discoveries will be priced and approved.

For an addition, confirm the lot dimensions, setbacks, tree constraints and zoning on the specific property. A variance may be needed if the proposal does not meet the applicable by-law.

One more local specific: many of these streets have mature City-owned trees whose critical root zone reaches well into the front yard, and the City protects them. Excavation for a new foundation, a walkway or even a window well near one of those trees can require tree protection measures, so the tree question belongs in the design phase rather than on the first day of excavation.