HomeStars is the go-to destination for Canadian homeowners who need help with everything from small repairs to major renovations. But what about Canadians who rent their homes, condos or apartments? Depending on the restrictions in your lease, you may not be able to make major or even minor changes. That being said, there are still plenty of ways that HomeStars can help renters with their home improvement projects from coast to coast.
1. Cleaning Services
When you move into a new rental property, it’s not always cleaned to your expectations. You can hire a professional cleaning service in your area to clean the house before or after you move in. Many landlords also require tenants to clean the property before moving out. You can hire the same cleaning company to help you out with the move-out cleaning. You can also hire a cleaning company on a weekly or monthly basis to make sure that your rental home stays clean throughout your stay.
How Much Does House Cleaning Cost in Canada?
| City | Average | Minimum | Maximum |
| Calgary | $649 | $275 | $3,700 |
| Edmonton | $254 | $250 | $271 |
| Halifax | $250 | $250 | $250 |
| Hamilton | $250 | $250 | $250 |
| Oshawa | $242 | $240 | $249 |
| Ottawa | $229 | $220 | $240 |
| Toronto | $152 | $100 | $220 |
| Vancouver | $100 | $100 | $100 |
| Winnipeg | $100 | $100 | $100 |
*costs based on 810 real homeowner reviews as of Nov 2020
2. Furniture Assembly
Moving into a new place often means new furniture. Many people purchase easy to assemble furniture from big box stores such as Ikea. However, many furniture items aren’t really that easy to assemble and require professional tools and skills. You can hire a local furniture assembly company to assist you with the seemingly easy yet large task. Based on the number of furniture pieces you want to get assembled, the cost to hire a team of professionals will differ. Be sure to reach out for a quote to add this service to your furniture budget.
3. Handyman Services
When living in a rental property, you can’t drill into the walls or make any major changes without the permission of your landlord. Even if there are any damages, you are required to inform your landlord and it becomes their responsibility to get it fixed. If your landlord is unable to get the damage repaired on their own, you can always hire a local handyman for the job on their behalf. Make sure you save the receipts from the job and get the amount reimbursed from your property owner. By taking care of researching the company yourself, you’ll feel more comfortable allowing them into your home to do the work.
How Much Do Handyman Services Cost in Canada?
| City | Average | Minimum | Maximum |
| Calgary | $1,499 | $120 | $6,000 |
| Edmonton | $315 | $165 | $600 |
| Hamilton | $250 | $200 | $350 |
| Oshawa | $1,100 | $400 | $1,800 |
| Ottawa | $4,991 | $468 | $35,000 |
| Toronto | $1,962 | $100 | $28,000 |
| Vancouver | $973 | $150 | $3,700 |
*costs based on 133 real homeowner reviews as of Oct 2020
4. Packing and Moving
Finding a reliable, punctual and responsible moving company is a huge task for any tenant. There are numerous companies that offer packing and moving services in Canada but finding the one that suits your needs can be like finding a needle in a haystack. On HomeStars, you can check the company’s Verified badge, Star Score and community reviews before hiring. Whether you’re moving out or moving in, it’s within a single city or from one province to another, you can find a moving company on HomeStars within your budget.
5. Smart Home Installations
Being a tenant, you can’t make major updates to your rental property but you can surely enhance it by adding in more technology. You can hire a home automation specialist to install a home theatre, smart security system, smart blinds or wi-fi & mesh system. Safely and securely installing these systems should be your priority to avoid any damage to the rental house. Read more about how much it can cost you to get your rental property automated.
Before making any major changes, make sure you check your rental contract and inform your landlord to avoid any miscommunication or penalty charges. You can also hire local pros to install appliances, repair your computer, take down holiday decorations and even to clean your rugs! Whatever your rented home needs, there’s a pro on HomeStars who can help you out!
