Solar panels, smart-home technology, quartz countertops, luxury vinyl flooring, lots of storage, and secondary suites above the garage or in the basement are all valuable upgrades that provide a lot of bang for your buck when building a new home.

If your go-to excuse for postponing all the do-it-yourself projects you've been meaning to tackle is "I'm never home," you might be changing your tune these days. Have some extra time on your hands and feel like putting it to good use? Then some minor renovating, rearranging or reorganizing could be just the ticket.

A custom home can tick every box on a prospective buyer's wish list. Without the right builder, however, both the experience of building the home and the finished product might come up short.

Before signing a contract with a builder, there are several important questions people in the market for a custom home should have answered.

One of Canada's most well-known and down-to-earth construction and renovation gurus, HGTV Canada's Bryan Baeumler has some savvy advice for anyone tackling a home renovation project this spring.

Most homes are not designed to accommodate the needs of someone who uses a wheelchair. This creates challenges when it comes to entering, turning and even using the features within a room.

However, there are several additions or renovations that can reduce or eliminate the barriers people who use a wheelchair face within the home.

Taking the DIY route with a home renovation is always tempting when trying to update a space while spending less. However, while TV and magazine experts make it look easy, successful and safe execution of these projects requires a lot of legwork before putting hammer to nail.

"Not understanding exactly what's involved in a renovation project is where the DIY can really come into peril," said Barry Johnson, co-owner of Dependable Renovations.

For the determined and prepared, Johnson broke down some of the most important safety considerations for DIY renovations:

Cecily Woolrich, designer and managing partner at Cochrane-based Woolrich Group Design and Construction, has a wealth of tips and advice for those pondering their next home renovation. Drawing from more than 21 years in the renovation and design industry, she wants to help reduce the stress homeowners experience when embarking on their own renovation adventures.

As winter sets in, why not enjoy the cozy warmth of cooking with gas?

Whether it's creating a gorgeous new kitchen, rejigging a floor plan or creating a home from scratch, Vancouver-based interior designer Jamie Banfield is all about getting to know what makes his clients tick and translating that into a tangible design.

Bathrooms have obvious practical uses, but for many people, they are also a place for relaxation and rejuvenation.

This need for both style and function is why a complete bathroom remodel is a popular renovation, especially for ensuite baths.