Legal Basement Rental Suite Design Ideas: Key Features, How to Attract Quality Tenants, and Expert Reno Tips

Thinking of turning your basement into an income suite? Building a legal basement suite is a great way to generate extra income. However, it’s important to understand the difference between legal and illegal basement suites, especially when it comes to compliance with local building codes and safety requirements.On this episode of the Holmes on Homes Podcast, Mike Holmes sits down with Ben Wiley, Founder & Construction Manager at Basement Builder Group, to discuss the ins and outs of building legal basement suites. They discuss the features required for a basement to be considered legal, the importance of obtaining the right permits, and how to avoid common mistakes in the process.Mike and Ben also talk about how to design a space that attracts quality tenants and maintains its value, plus tips on making the most of a small basement space, meeting egress window requirements, and selecting the best flooring materials. They also cover the challenges of building basement suites in Calgary and what to keep in mind when buying a home that already has a basement you want to convert into a suite.Ben also shares more about the Basement Builder Group Dealership Program—a unique opportunity for contractors and homebuilders to partner with Basement Builder Group and leverage their proven expertise, strong focus on quality, and commitment to client satisfaction in legal basement suite construction. Are you ready to turn your basement into a profitable income suite? Tune in to learn how to make your basement work for you and why Basement Builder Group is the team to help you get there!------🎙️ Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and start making it right! ⭐️ If you enjoy the show, make sure to rate it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.------🔗 Want more resources on skilled trades and encouraging the next generation of trades professionals? Check out ⁠MakeItRight.ca⁠------Follow Mike Holmes on social media for exclusive content, expert tips, and behind-the-scenes insights.Instagram and Threads: ⁠@make_It_Right⁠Facebook: ⁠@Make.It.Right.Mike⁠YouTube: ⁠@MikeHolmesMakesItRight⁠

As we age, our homes need to evolve with us, and making the right modifications can help ensure your forever home is functional, accessible, and safe for the long term. So what are the best modifications for aging in place? The best modifications include grab bars, curbless showers, and a main-floor laundry, which make your home more accessible and comfortable as you age.On this episode of the Holmes on Homes Podcast, Mike Holmes is joined by his daughter Sherry Holmes as they sit down with Ronny Wiskin, an Accessibility Specialist at MED+ Health, to explore the top modifications and home designs to make your home truly aging-in-place ready. How do you modify your bathroom for aging in place? How do you improve accessibility between floors in a multi-story home? Mike and his guests also dive into chair lifts for multi-story homes, ramps, and other solutions to ensure that mobility is never an issue. They discuss space-saving ideas for older homes, like adding a main-floor laundry, which is crucial for making your home more practical and convenient as you age. Whether you’re a homeowner planning ahead, a caregiver helping a loved one, or someone simply looking to make aging in place work, this episode offers expert advice on how to transform your home into a space that will continue to meet your needs as you grow older.------🎙️ Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and start making it right! ⭐️ If you enjoy the show, make sure to rate it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.------🔗 Want more resources on skilled trades and encouraging the next generation of trades professionals? Check out ⁠MakeItRight.ca⁠------Follow Mike Holmes on social media for exclusive content, expert tips, and behind-the-scenes insights.Instagram and Threads: ⁠@make_It_Right⁠Facebook: ⁠@Make.It.Right.Mike⁠YouTube: ⁠@MikeHolmesMakesItRight⁠

What are the best wheelchair accessible home modifications? How do you make a home wheelchair accessible on a budget? The best wheelchair-accessible home modifications include ramps or vertical lifts for entry, wider door frames, and durable flooring for both comfort and safety.On this episode of the Holmes on Homes Podcast, Mike Holmes is joined by his daughter Sherry Holmes as they sit down with Ronny Wiskin, Accessibility Specialist at MED+ Health, to break down the best options for creating a wheelchair-friendly home. They’ll explore the key features that every accessible home should have, what to look for when buying an accessible home, and common mistakes homeowners make when it comes to DIY projects and hiring the wrong contractors. But that’s not all—code considerations for things like ramps, how to handle insurance payouts, and working with the right professionals are just as critical. We’ll discuss these challenges and provide expert tips on how to tackle them head-on.What if you could transform your home to make it wheelchair accessible without costly mistakes or lengthy delays? Tune in to find out how the right approach can make all the difference.------🎙️ Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and start making it right! ⭐️ If you enjoy the show, make sure to rate it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.------🔗 Want more resources on skilled trades and encouraging the next generation of trades professionals? Check out ⁠MakeItRight.ca⁠------Follow Mike Holmes on social media for exclusive content, expert tips, and behind-the-scenes insights.Instagram and Threads: ⁠@make_It_Right⁠Facebook: ⁠@Make.It.Right.Mike⁠YouTube: ⁠@MikeHolmesMakesItRight⁠

The skilled trades industry is facing a critical shortage, but it’s not because of a saturated market. In fact, according to Stats Canada, between 2016 and 2021, the number of tradespeople over 65 grew by nearly 12%, while the number of youth (ages 15-24) in the trades dropped by over 12%. So, what’s really going on?On this episode of the Holmes on Homes Podcast, Mike Holmes is joined by his daughter Sherry Holmes, contractor & TV host, Frank Melecca, home renovation teacher at Judith Nyman Secondary School, and Shawn Smith from Logicaldox, a company revolutionizing skilled trades training with Virtual Reality. Together, they explore why the skilled trades shortage is happening and how it’s impacting the future of the industry. They’ll dive into how VR (Virtual Reality) training can help solve the skilled trades shortage by transforming how we teach the next generation of tradespeople. They also address the need to introduce trades education earlier—as early as elementary school—to inspire young people to join the field. This episode also covers what are the most in-demand skilled trades, which are the least popular but present big opportunities, and how we can overcome the stigma.From barriers to apprenticeship to technological advancements in training, the conversation offers practical advice on how to build a stronger, more skilled workforce for the future. ------🎙️ Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and start making it right! ⭐️ If you enjoy the show, make sure to rate it.------🔗 Want more resources on skilled trades and encouraging the next generation of trades professionals? Check out MakeItRight.ca------Follow Mike Holmes on social media for exclusive content, expert tips, and behind-the-scenes insights.Instagram and Threads: @make_It_RightFacebook: @Make.It.Right.MikeYouTube: @MikeHolmesMakesItRight

The Holmes on Homes Podcast, hosted by Mike Holmes, seasoned professional contractor and TV host, is your go-to source for expert insights on home improvement, safety, maintenance, skilled trades, and industry innovation. Each episode features expert guests and valuable takeaways, covering everything from choosing the right materials, aging in place, and electrical safety to the future of construction with 3D printing, pondscaping, and even raising healthy pets in a healthy home.Whether it’s renovating for accessibility, improving indoor air quality, or tackling the skilled trades stigma, Mike and his guests break it all down with real talk, hard truths, and the no-nonsense advice that’s made him a trusted name in home improvement. Because when it comes to building better, it pays to Make It Right.With over 40 years of experience, Mike provides practical advice and industry best practices, empowering homeowners to make informed decisions. Whether you're a first-time homeowner, a professional contractor, or planning a major renovation, this podcast is your go-to source for everything home-related.--------👉 Want more? Follow Mike Holmes on social media @Make_It_Right (Instagram) and @make.it.right.mike (Facebook) or visit MakeItRight.ca for exclusive content, expert tips, and behind-the-scenes insights.--------🎙️ Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and start making it right!--------👍 If you enjoy the show, make sure to rate it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.

The holidays are almost here —don’t let electrical hazards ruin your season. Uncertified products, overloaded circuits, and DIY mistakes can lead to deadly fires and shocks.In the latest Holmes on Homes podcast, Mike Holmes joined by Emily Larose and Diana Madill, experts from the ⁠⁠Electrical Safety Authority⁠⁠, expose the hidden dangers of electrical products and share life-saving tips you need to know before you plug anything in this holiday season.Here’s a sneak peek:👉 What to look for when buying electrical products (yes, even online)👉 Never use indoor products outdoors —here’s why👉 The shocking story of how of how a kids’ lamp almost started an electrical fire👉 DIY or hire a pro?This episode is packed with expert advice on how to ensure the products you use are safe, protecting your home from potential electrical hazards all year round.For more behind-the-scenes content head to Makeitright.ca/holmes-on-homes-podcast-season4-episode4-electrical-product-safety/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to more episodes of the Holmes On Homes Podcast on all major streaming platforms including Spotify ⁠⁠⁠https://spoti.fi/442nUjX⁠⁠⁠ and Apple Podcasts ⁠⁠⁠https://apple.co/44kMi0E⁠⁠⁠

How do you fix ventilation in airtight homes? In this quick episode, I break down the basics of keeping air flowing in today’s energy-efficient homes. Sure, airtight construction helps save on energy, but your home needs to breathe. That’s why mechanical ventilation systems are a must to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) and keep your home healthy. Remember: build it tight, ventilate it right! Want to get more tips on improving indoor air quality? Listen to the full Holmes On Homes Podcast, Season 2, Episode 6 on all major streaming platforms including Spotify ⁠⁠⁠https://spoti.fi/442nUjX⁠⁠⁠ and Apple Podcasts ⁠⁠⁠https://apple.co/44kMi0E⁠⁠⁠

Did you know your home’s air might be hiding some serious contaminants like mould, VOCs, dust and it could be affecting your healthy? In this bonus episode, I’ll break down why poor indoor air quality can be dangerous and what you can do about it. From air purifiers to HRVs and ERVs, these systems are key to keeping your air clean and your family healthy. Want to get more tips on improving indoor air quality? Listen to the full Holmes On Homes Podcast, Season 2, Episode 6 on all major streaming platforms including Spotify ⁠⁠⁠https://spoti.fi/442nUjX⁠⁠⁠ and Apple Podcasts ⁠⁠⁠https://apple.co/44kMi0E⁠⁠⁠

Who’s really handling the electrical work in your home? In this fifth and final episode of the Holmes On Homes Behind The Scenes series, Trevor Tremblay from the Electrical Safety Authority and I tackle one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make—letting their general contractor handle electrical work. It may seem convenient, but it’s a risk you don’t want to take. We’ll explain why only a Licensed Electrical Contractor should be doing the electrical work in your home, and what can go wrong if they’re not. From faulty installations to dangerous shortcuts, we’re covering the real dangers and the importance of making sure your electrical work is done safely and up to code. To find a Licensed Electrical Contractor in Ontario, visit ⁠ESAsafe.com/hire-licensed⁠.

Older homes come with a lot of charm—but also some serious electrical risks. In this fourth episode of the Holmes On Homes Behind The Scenes series, Trevor Tremblay from the Electrical Safety Authority and I take a deep dive into the common electrical issues found in older homes. From outdated knob and tube wiring to dangerous combinations of old and new systems, these hidden hazards can lead to electrical fires if not addressed properly. If your home is older, or you’re considering buying one, this episode has some important tips on how to protect your home and your family from these risks. To find a Licensed Electrical Contractor in Ontario, visit ⁠ESAsafe.com/hire-licensed⁠.