Home Renovation Tax Credit

We are getting a lot of questions about what qualifies under the Home Renovation Tax Credit. Here is what I found out from the Government Website:

Examples of eligible expenses

• Renovating a kitchen, bathroom, or basement
• Windows and doors
• New flooring – carpet, linoleum, hardwood, floating laminate, etc.
• New furnace, woodstove, boiler, fireplace, water softener, water heater, or oil tank
• Permanent home ventilation systems
• Central air conditioner
• Permanent reverse osmosis systems
• Septic systems
• Wells
• Electrical wiring in the home (e.g., changing from 100 amp to 200 amp service)
• Home security system (monthly fees do not qualify)
• Solar panels and solar panel trackers
• Painting the interior or exterior of a house
• Building an addition, garage, deck, garden/storage shed, or fence
• Re-shingling a roof
• A new driveway or resurfacing a driveway
• Exterior shutters and awnings
• Permanent swimming pools (in ground and above ground)
• Permanent hot tub and installation costs
• Pool liners
• Solar heaters and heat pumps for pools (does not include solar blankets)
• Landscaping: new sod, perennial shrubs and flowers, trees, large rocks, permanent garden lighting, permanent water fountain, permanent ponds, large permanent garden ornaments
• Retaining wall
• Associated costs such as installation, building plans, permits, professional services, equipment rentals, and incidental expenses
• Fixtures – blinds, shades, shutters, lights, ceiling fans, etc.

Note
Window coverings, such as blinds, shutters and shades, that are directly attached to the window frame and whose removal would alter the nature of the dwelling are generally considered to be fixtures (i.e. have become part of the home) and therefore would qualify for the HRTC. In some circumstances, draperies and curtains may qualify for the HRTC, if they would not keep their value or usefulness if installed in another dwelling. If these qualifying criteria are not met, it is likely that draperies and curtains would not qualify for the HRTC.

Examples of ineligible expenses

• Furniture, household appliances, and electronic home-entertainment devices
• Purchasing of tools
• Carpet cleaning
• House cleaning
• Maintenance contracts (e.g., furnace cleaning, snow removal, lawn care, and pool cleaning)
• Financing costs
• Amount paid as part of the purchase of your new house, including “upgrades”
• Expenses to acquire goods that have been previously used or leased by you or an eligible family member (e.g., hot water tank)
• Expenses incurred to the rental and/or business part of an eligible dwelling

Do it yourself

If you do the work yourself, the eligible expenses include expenses for building materials, fixtures, equipment rentals, building plans and permits. However, eligible expenses would not include the value of your labour or tools.

Work performed by electricians, plumbers, carpenters, architects

Generally, work performed by electricians, plumbers, carpenters, architects, etc. in respect of an eligible expense qualifies for the HRTC.

Family member hired for renovations

Expenses are not eligible if the goods or services are provided by a person related to you, unless that person is registered for the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) under the Excise Tax Act. If your family member is registered for the GST/HST and if all other conditions are met, the expenses are eligible for the HRTC.

ENERGY STAR® heating system upgrade offer – Terasen Gas

Fire Place Inspection Check List

Here is a list of points that our technicians will check when inspecting your fireplace:

Gas Fireplace Inspection

• Clean glass and unit according to the manufactures guidelines.
• Check the entire vent system and termination for condition and operation.
• An inspection of the explosion relief flappers and glass door gaskets to ensure a proper seal
• An inspection of the burner, vents, and air openings.
• An inspection of the gas valve, gas components, and pilot systems.
• Verify correct operation of all optional equipment: fans, thermostats, remote control, safety switches.
• Keep the fireplace area clear and free of combustible materials, flammables or items that could be damaged from high heat.
• Test for carbon monoxide leaks.

Gas Boiler Inspection Check List

Here is a check list of a full boiler inspection that our technicians perform:

• Check operation of safety limit control controls.
• Check pressure relief valve.
• Check water pressure and temperature set points.
• Check expansion tank.
• Check operation of thermostat.
• Lubricate circulating pump as required.
• Check radiant floor temperature control device (mixing valve or equipment).
• Check pressure switches and vent blower (if applicable).
• Inspect burners and clean if required.
• Examine vent connector and inspect venting system.
• Check the vent damper operation (if applicable).
• Check and adjust pilot light (if applicable).
• Check flame rectification.
• Measure the stack (flute) temperature.
• Check gas piping to boiler.
• Check and adjust manifold gas pressure.
• Clock appliance to verify correct input.
• Combustion / ventilation air adequate.
• Check for elevated carbon monoxide levels.
• Inspect heat exchanger.
• Check temperature difference between supply and return piping.
• Check for Carbon Monoxide.

Hot Water Tank Inspection List

This is a check list of a hot water tank inspection that our techs would go through:

• Check operation of safety limit controls
• Check water pressure and temperature relief valve
• Check expansion tank (if applicable)
• Check operation of thermostat
• Check pressure switches and vent blower (if applicable)
• Inspect burners and clean if required
• Examine vent connector and inspect venting system
• Check vent damper operation (if applicable)
• Check and adjust pilot light (if applicable)
• Check flame rectification
• Measure stack (flute) temperature
• Check gas piping
• Check and adjust manifold gas pressure
• Clock appliance to verify correct input
• Combustion / ventilation air adequate
• Inspect heat exchanger
• Clean equipment interior/exterior
• Carbon Monoxide Testing

Vancouver/Lower Mainland Furnace Service

We attended a home last week, and turns out a building inspector shut down the customers furnace because of a crack in the heat exchanger. Since colder times are ahead, would be a good idea to get your heating system serviced to make sure its in tip top condition. Here is a check list of what the technicians go through when they service a furnace:

Furnace Service Check List

Furnace Install