Repair and renovation

As we continue to apply science and experience to construction technologies, our newer structures are more frequently crafted with materials that not only endure but are also low-maintenance.

Over 11.5 million private homes populate Canada's neighbourhoods: 1.7 million of these were built before 1946, another 3.6 million went up between 1946 and 1970, and a further 2.5 million were constructed between 1971 and 1980. Many of the more recent structures were built using low-maintenance materials. However, no matter how durable they may be, artificial materials eventually break down from use and exposure to the sun and other elements. According to the 2001 Census, about 65% of Canadian homes needed only regular maintenance. However, over 8% (about 950,000 houses) required major attention, with problems ranging from defective plumbing or electrical wiring to structural damage. With small repairs and aesthetic changes to medium- and large-sized items, the average Canadian homeowner spent $2,585 on repairs and renovations in 2001, totalling $20.4 billion.

This was not all paid to contractors specializing in repair and renovation, however. Canadians are often zealous in tackling these jobs themselves. A portion of this total represents materials bought by do-it-yourselfers. As in previous years, homeowners in Newfoundland and Labrador were more likely to take on their own repairs compared with homeowners in other provinces. On average, they spent over half of their repair and renovation budget on materials. In contrast, Ontario homeowners were more likely to hire others to carry out their repairs and renovations. They spent about 71% of their repair and renovation budget on contract work.