Every summer, Canadian homeowners draw up a list of all the projects they want to get done around the home in the months to come. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to squeeze multiple projects into just a few short months. Luckily, if you’re like thousands of other Canadians with a few items left on your to-do list, fall is also a great time to get things done around the home. Narrow down your home improvement wish list and focus on these 5 projects that will net you the highest return on your investment.
1. Painting Projects (80% – 140%)
Baseboards looking more grey than white? Powder room boring you to tears? Now is the perfect time to breath new life into your home with a fresh coat of paint. You’ll want to get around to this project while temperatures are still above 10 degrees. Fall’s mild temperatures mean it’s warm enough for paint to properly adhere and you’ll also be able to open your windows to air out your home without freezing. The best part is that depending on the size of your home, hiring a pro to paint a single room can cost as little as $250. A nice paint job can make all the difference to the feel of a room, and at that price point, there’s no reason to put up with chipped window sills and dull walls.
Below are the average costs of Paint & Wallpaper services across different cities in Canada:
| City | Average | Minimum | Maximum |
| Barrie | $3,801 | $300 | $30,000 |
| Calgary | $3,701 | $100 | $50,000 |
| Edmonton | $3,538 | $100 | $40,000 |
| Hamilton | $4,126 | $100 | $40,000 |
| Oshawa | $3,198 | $200 | $50,000 |
| Ottawa | $2,880 | $100 | $40,000 |
| Toronto | $3,901 | $100 | $50,000 |
| Vancouver | $4,997 | $120 | $50,000 |
*Costs based on 13,969 verified Canadian homeowner reviews as of March 2022
2. Deck & Fence Repairs (80% – 120%)
It’s no secret that your deck and fence have a huge impact on the look and feel of your backyard. It’s also worth noting that it’s not hard to tell when a deck or fence is looking worse for wear. Unless you’re dealing with substantial rot, often times your fence and deck don’t need to be replaced completely. Simple repairs like stripping and staining the wood or adjusting a few leaning posts can transform your yard. Whether you’re planning on selling your home or not, you will earn back the money you spend on a pro either in resale value or enjoyment of your outdoor space. Plus, if you act fast, you’ll get to spend time in your backyard before winter comes around.
Below are the average costs of Decks & Patio services across different cities in Canada:
| City | Average | Minimum | Maximum |
| Calgary | $11,533 | $100 | $50,000 |
| Edmonton | $12,474 | $1,000 | $50,000 |
| Hamilton | $13,836 | $2,500 | $45,000 |
| Oshawa | $11,450 | $500 | $50,000 |
| Ottawa | $7,965 | $350 | $28,000 |
| Toronto | $13,565 | $135 | $50,000 |
| Vancouver | $6,456 | $300 | $30,000 |
*Costs based on 1264 verified Canadian homeowner reviews as of March 2022
3. Exterior Updates (60% – 100%)
First impressions matter – regardless of the condition of the interior of your home, if people notice your siding is in disrepair or your paint is chipping, they will enter your home expecting to see the same issues on the interior. That’s why up-keeping the exterior of your home is so important. Oftentimes, these projects are quick and cheap – just adding a coat of paint to your siding and investing in some short-term landscaping services can make a huge difference.
4. Roof Repairs (50% to 110%)
Spending money repairing your roof is one of the soundest investments you can make. A damaged roof can end up costing you tens of thousands of dollars in damage to the rest of your home. Plus, whether you’re selling now or later, your roof will be one of the most important items on any home inspector’s list. If you have an issue with your roof, rest assured that potential buyers will be made aware of its existence. We recommend addressing these issues before trying to sell as buyers will be wary of these issues. In fact, it’s likely that your buyer will insist that you fix the issue before the sale is finalized. Instead, be proactive about these repairs and hire the pro you want at the price point of your choosing.
Below are the average costs of Roofing services across different cities in Canada:
| City | Average | Minimum | Maximum |
| Barrie | $2,995 | $100 | $27,200 |
| Calgary | $1,872 | $100 | $50,000 |
| Edmonton | $2,124 | $100 | $40,000 |
| Hamilton | $3,259 | $100 | $34,000 |
| Oshawa | $2,116 | $100 | $50,000 |
| Ottawa | $2,046 | $100 | $50,000 |
| Toronto | $2,968 | $100 | $50,000 |
| Vancouver | $2,742 | $100 | $50,000 |
*Costs based on 12850 verified Canadian homeowner reviews as of March 2022
5. Gutter Cleaning (well over 100%)
Cleaning your gutters is a small chore that has a huge impact on the welfare of your home. Trust us when we say you’d rather spend $350 having your gutters cleaned than deal with the disaster of a cracked foundation and a flooded basement. This task is particularly important during the fall and leading up to winter. Get this project done now and feel confident that you won’t have to deal with the dangers of neglecting your gutters.
Below are the average costs of Gutters & Eavestroughs services across different cities in Canada:
| City | Average | Minimum | Maximum |
| Barrie | $4,765 | $100 | $30,000 |
| Calgary | $2,981 | $100 | $40,000 |
| Edmonton | $7,713 | $100 | $46,500 |
| Hamilton | $6,236 | $100 | $35,000 |
| Oshawa | $2,708 | $150 | $14,000 |
| Ottawa | $3,517 | $100 | $50,000 |
| Toronto | $5,733 | $100 | $50,000 |
| Vancouver | $4,516 | $100 | $50,000 |
*Costs based on 9599 verified Canadian homeowner reviews as of March 2022
It’s getting colder every day, which means there are only a few months left to tick off these high-return projects. Get started today with the help of a HomeStars pro and feel great knowing you’ve made a smart investment in your home.
Article updated on June 14, 2022.
