Founder of Zone Réno
Alex
I founded Zone Réno to bring Quebec's renovation contractors together in one place.
The articles published here aim to give homeowners clear information, practical tips, and the tools to choose the right contractor for their project.
Articles by Alex
Which Renovations Actually Increase Resale Value
Not every renovation pays back. Kitchen, bathroom, curb appeal: the real winners on the Quebec market, and the classic traps to avoid.
Renovation Permits in Quebec: When, How, and How Much
Plenty of homeowners skip the permit step and find out at resale. When you actually need one, how to get it, and what it costs.
Spring Inspection: What to Check After a Quebec Winter
Winter pounds every square centimetre of a house. A serious April or May inspection catches small damage before it becomes a $20,000 project.
Exterior paint: the first maintenance step for a heritage home
Paint protects more than it decorates. When you stop repainting a heritage home, the wood rots, the masonry cracks, and the bill climbs fast.
How to Read and Compare Contractor Quotes
Three quotes, three prices, three different projects. How to decode the gaps between bids and pick the right offer, not just the cheapest.
Living in Your Home During Renovations, or Not: How to Decide
Staying through the work looks cheaper but hides real costs. How to choose between staying, leaving, or phasing the project.
Architect, Interior Designer, or Contractor: Who to Hire and When
Hiring the wrong professional first is the most expensive renovation mistake. How to sort architect, designer, and contractor by project type.
Montreal balcony brackets: reading and restoring a heritage detail
On Plateau duplexes, these carved wooden details actually carry the balcony. How to recognize them, why they rot, and how to save them.
Inspecting a heritage home: 12 critical points to check
A standard inspection misses what really matters in a heritage home. Here are the 12 points that separate a good purchase from three years of costly surprises.
Choosing Exterior Siding: Fibre Cement, Vinyl, Wood, or Stone
Exterior siding is a 25-to-50-year decision. How to weigh the four main families against Quebec winters and your real budget.
Financial Aid for Renovating in Quebec: What You Need to Know
Most Quebec homeowners renovating leave money on the table. A quick tour of the programs still on offer and how to stack them properly.
The Roof: The Architectural Personality of an Old House
The roof is the first thing nobody notices, yet it defines a building's deepest identity. Gable, hip, mansard, false mansard, flat, pavilion: a complete guide to understanding and preserving the roof of a heritage home.
Heritage Windows and Doors: Repair or Replace?
Before replacing a heritage door or window, it pays to understand what you actually lose. Why repair is almost always the right answer in Quebec.
Basement Renovation in Quebec: Complete Cost Guide for 2026
Finishing or renovating a basement in Quebec costs between $15,000 and $120,000+ depending on scope. This complete guide covers costs by trade, materials, RBQ permits, and the best ideas to maximize your investment in 2026.
How to Choose a Renovation Contractor: 7 Criteria to Get It Right
Licence, insurance, references, contract, 7 essential criteria to choose a trustworthy renovation contractor and avoid costly mistakes.
Expanding a Heritage Home Without Losing Its Character
Adding space to a century-old house without betraying its soul, one of the most nuanced renovation challenges in Quebec.
Home Insulation: Where to Start and What It Costs
Attic, walls, basement, floor… Good insulation cuts energy bills by 20-40%. Here are the priority zones, the materials to know, and realistic costs.
Mortar in a Heritage Home: Why It Matters More Than You Think
Repointing an old house with Portland cement can irreversibly destroy the masonry. Learn why mortar is the most critical element in historic masonry, and the 6 mistakes you must never make.
Hardwood Floors in an Old Home: Restore, Maintain, Preserve
Under the carpets and vinyl flooring often lie treasures: original hardwood floors that have survived a century or more. Here's how to identify them, restore them, and keep them beautiful for the next 100 years.
Spring Home Renovation: 9 Projects to Plan Before Summer
Gutters, roof, deck, AC tune-up… Spring is the ideal window to get ahead. Here are 9 projects to plan now so you can enjoy a hassle-free summer.
Window Replacement: Which Type to Choose and What It Costs
Fogged panes, drafts, rotting frames… How to choose between double and triple glazing, PVC or fiberglass, and what it actually costs.
Interior Design Trends 2026: 10 Ideas Transforming Our Spaces
Natural materials, two-tone kitchens, spa bathrooms, arches, sculptural lighting… Here are the 10 design trends defining interior renovations in 2026.
DIY or Contractor: What to Tackle Yourself and What to Leave to the Pros
Painting, laminate flooring, caulking: some jobs are genuinely accessible to anyone. Plumbing, electrical, structure: others are not. Here's the honest guide to knowing where to draw the line.
Bathroom Renovation Cost in Quebec (2026 Guide)
How much does a bathroom renovation really cost in Quebec in 2026? Between $3,000 and $50,000 depending on scope. Complete guide with prices by task and tips to save money.
Heat Pump in Quebec: Complete 2026 Guide, Types, Costs & Rebates
Save 40-60% on heating costs, get air conditioning included, and access rebates exceeding $5,000: a heat pump is the most cost-effective home investment in 2026. This complete guide covers all types, real costs, and every rebate program available.
Wood Lacework: The Ornamental Art That Defines Victorian Facades
Bargeboards, turned balusters, pierced brackets and decorative friezes are the signature of Quebec's Victorian heritage homes. But this ornamental art is disappearing. Here's how to recognize it, assess it, and restore it.
The 8 Most Costly Home Renovation Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Budget overruns, work that needs to be redone, contractor conflicts… These mistakes happen more often than people think. Here are the 8 most common renovation traps and how to sidestep them.
Flooring Renovation: Hardwood, Laminate or Vinyl, Which One Is Right for You?
Hardwood, engineered wood, laminate, luxury vinyl… Each flooring type has its strengths and limits. Here's how to choose based on your room, budget, and lifestyle.
Residential Roofing: 7 Signs It's Time for a Replacement (and What It Costs)
Curling shingles, moss, water stains… Here are the 7 warning signs that experienced roofers watch for, and what a replacement actually costs.
Heritage Home Value on the Real Estate Market
In Quebec's heritage neighbourhoods, old houses aren't just beautiful, they often command a market premium. Discover what truly drives their value and how to get the best price when selling.
10 Myths About Old Buildings That Cost You Dearly
Old buildings get a bad reputation they don't deserve. From inefficient windows to "paint the brick" advice, ten stubborn heritage myths lead owners to costly, irreversible mistakes, debunked with facts and real numbers.