Your home should be your sanctuary — a place you feel relaxed, comfortable, and above all else, safe. This is even more true if you have kids, pets, or an aging family member who lives with you. Let’s keep your sweet home as safe and secure as possible — you’ll be glad you took the time to protect your loved ones and your biggest asset. If you’re interested in adding security features to your abode, here are a few key areas to address. 

Light it up

Start by ensuring you have great exterior lighting. Motion-activated lights are an excellent option, but anything that lights up your yard is effective. Consider wall-mounted lights at your front door and on either side of your garage, ground-level lighting along any walking paths, and motion-activated lights at your back and/or side entry. If you have a large yard, you may also want to add floodlights with a motion sensor, and if you travel often, consider exterior lights with a timer setting to help give the illusion that someone is home in the evening. Groves Electric in Hamilton has a wide selection of outdoor light fixtures and installation services, and your local hardware store will have DIY options. 

Lock it up

Your home should have a modern, high-quality lock system at each access point, including the garage. Additionally, be sure to have functioning locks on all main-floor windows. If you keep valuable items in a shed or other outbuilding, install proper lock systems on those doors as well. You may also want to have a lock on your back gate!

Your front door is essential to your home’s security, so talk to an expert about keyed and coded lock systems. Each option has pros and cons — ease of use, reliability, safety, and durability, for example — and a home security professional can advise on which is best for your home and family. Consider reaching out to Oaktown Lock and Hardware on Speers Road in Oakville — they’ve been serving Halton residents since 1964.

Stay tuned in

Consider a doorbell camera or other digital security solution if you travel frequently or spend extended periods away from your home — even to the cottage at weekends. The Ring system is a popular and affordable option. You can also get large-scale video surveillance systems that allow you to view live footage of your home’s interior and exterior via an app on your phone. Not only will this give you peace of mind if you’re worried about home intruders or porch pirates, but it can also alert you to other issues, such as flooding. A double win!

Digital21 in Burlington has a wide variety of tech solutions, including surveillance cameras, innovative home features, and gate access/control. A1 Security Systems in Burlington offers home alarm systems and innovative home features, and Sounds Good in Oakville has a similar offering. 

Get Smart

From a simple alarm system to a fully integrated security system, there are a number of ways to incorporate additional safety measures into your home (or cottage). PMWYRE in Burlington offers design, installation, and maintenance of full-service alarm systems for every need and budget. All systems (camera, video, doorbell, alarm, lights, shades) can be managed through a single app. And even better, you can access the feed from anywhere in the world. 

And there’s even more!  PMWYRE also offer leak and flood detection and CCTV.  This means your systems can detect leaks (such as a hot water tank, sump pump, or split dishwasher hose) and will send a notification right to your smartphone. In some cases, you can even close the water valve from the app on your smartphone to prevent further damage. With CCTV, you can constantly be in the know about what’s happening at home. PMWYRE helps by strategically placing cameras around your home, and then provides you with access to the stream from virtually anywhere in the world. Some systems also come with built-in mics so you can hear the audio in addition to viewing colour images.

How’s that for safety?  

By Erin Pepler

If you’ve ever been house-hunting or considered a home renovation, you’ve probably heard the term ‘good bones’ used to describe certain properties. The implication is usually clear—the house is in decent shape and would be considered a good investment rather than a money pit—but when it comes down to it, do you know exactly what having ‘good bones’ means?

The Size—And Layout—Is Right

If a home lacks cosmetic updates but is spacious and has a great layout, you could say it has good bones, says Duncan Harvey, a licensed real estate broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in Oakville. Essentially, you’re describing a home that can be modernized or changed to reflect your aesthetic without knocking down load-bearing walls or making other major structural changes. This factor is particularly important if you’re looking at a condo or other apartment-style home that cannot be expanded with an addition. “It’s when you can go in and change cabinetry, change the flooring and update some fixtu es, but you’ve already got a large kitchen and a great layout,” he offers as an example. In short: it’s not pretty (yet), but it’s functional.

The Basement Is In Good Shape

Harvey suggests taking a good look at the basement to ensure it’s dry and has no foundational issues. “You’re going to look for water issues; check out the mechanical systems,” Harvey says, noting that this is particularly critical when looking at older homes or heritage properties. Check out the walls, too. “If you’ve got old windows that have damage, that’s a big cost to take on.” He also suggests taking a good look at the home’s flooring—it may look fine at first glance, but if it’s in rough shape and needs replacing, that will be a major cost.

You Know What’s Behind The Walls (And On Them)

A house with good bones will have updated plumbing and electrical systems—no knob and tube or aluminum wiring, for example. Ideally, it will also have a newer roof and driveway. “Not everyone wants to go behind the walls,” Harvey notes, suggesting that you assess the home’s wiring, plumbing, heating and cooling systems before committing to a purchase or renovation. “A lot of people don’t sign up for that.”

Scott Murray from Murray’s Pro Painting says you should consider what’s on the walls, too – especially regarding wallpaper. Wallpaper removal can be time-consuming, but most importantly, “It can ruin your walls and require major patching once it comes down,” says Murray. Adding, “Some older homes have multiple layers of wallpaper. If the walls weren’t prepped properly before hanging, you can be left with some damage.” He also suggests you take a good look at the ceilings. “It’s becoming more popular to remove popcorn ceilings but it’s a very messy job.” If your goal is to remove the popcorn, Murray recommends stripping the ceiling before moving in. In either case, if you’re not familiar with the process and have the budget, working with a professional for messy jobs is a great way to go.

It’s A Manageable Project

The definition of “manageable” is different for every homeowner, but your renovation experience, skills, budget and willingness to tackle a big project are all important factors that should be considered before buying a new home or renovating your current residence. Katie Campbell from Campbell & Co. Home in Waterdown warns, “There is only so much you know before demolition begins. We make educated guesses and assumptions based on years of experience, but the bottom line is no one can see through those walls.” Her best advice to anyone looking to renovate is to “have a budget for the unexpected.” So, before grabbing your sledgehammer, do your due diligence and decide if you’re mentally and financially prepared. “It’s those little costs that add up and ruin the experience,” Harvey adds, and inexperienced renovators may find themselves in over their heads. “If you run out of money [repairing things behind the walls], you can’t even get to the cosmetic stuff.”

But if the bones are good? You may end up with that HGTV-worthy interior after all.

Local Links

Murray’s Pro Painting
Murrayspropainting@gmail.com
905-299-4277

Campbell & Co.
Campbellcohome.com
416-988-3428

Duncan Harvey
harveymccreery.com
905-510-5995

by Erin Pepler