Dale had a project on his hands a few weeks ago.. here are the pictures of how he fixed up this fish tank.. a behind the scenes look !

A Behind the Scene's Look

Dale's project

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.

So here we are.. Papa Plumbing on CTV News… it was so exciting when it actually aired !

All our technicians are loyal fans of the Canucks.. Once the season begins, Mike will be posting his comments and highlights about the games. Here he is on the front cover of “24″ last year…He made Papa truly proud !

Gas Fitter Mike (on the right) cheers for the Canucks

Meet Dale, technician by day & artist at night !

How talented !

Yogi Dale, his state of zen on job site is reflected in this picture.

much like his attitude on job site, very calm and very efficient.

I was on Twitter today and a fellow follower mentioned the show Perfect Strangers . 

http://bubble-cast.com

I remember watching all the episodes and the re-runs for it when I was growing up. Fond memories of Balki’s “Dance of Joy” come to mind.

http://bubble-cast.com

I havent watched T.V. in a really long time. I miss those days of  family sitcoms, like “Family Matters” – Steve Urkel, “Full House”, “Who’s the Boss”, “Family Ties”, “The Facts of Life” and the list goes on and on…I guess  TV now is more reality show oriented. Seeing that post today was a total blast from the past ! My experience entering the foreign world of plumbing  is like Balki Bartakamous coming to America. Its funny that now after so many years, I feel a kinship with Balki.. what parallel lives we lead !! I wonder who my Cousin Larry is? haha !

Perfect Strangers

ahhh got a new URL for our blog ! This is my first post using this.

So Papa Plumbing actually ventured out last night and had a great time at this restaurant Bombay Se. The food was excellent and the service.. unbeatable (totally Papa Style.. hehe).. I have been to many many restaurants… and the service was just amazing here.. The staff was very attentive to our needs, the chefs kept asking if we were okay. It was great.. and the Naan was soo buttery and hot..

so yuumy.. well everything was really. !! You will have to come and check out Bombay Se !!