Recently Asked Questions
Browse the latest questions from New Brunswick homeowners.
What are the ventilation and HVAC requirements for a legal secondary suite in New Brunswick — does it need its own furnace?
A legal secondary suite in New Brunswick doesn't necessarily need its own dedicated furnace, but it does need a code-com...
What's the best way to insulate a balloon-frame Loyalist-era home in uptown Saint John without destroying the plaster walls?
Balloon-frame homes in Uptown Saint John are one of the trickiest insulation challenges in Atlantic Canada — but it's ab...
What does ceiling painting typically cost in New Brunswick?
Ceiling painting in New Brunswick typically runs $1.50–$4.00 per square foot for professional labour, or $300–$800 for a...
How much do contractors charge for outdoor faucet install in New Brunswick?
Outdoor faucet installation in New Brunswick typically runs $150–$400 installed, depending on where you're connecting an...
What does accessible bathroom renovation typically cost in New Brunswick?
Accessible bathroom renovations in New Brunswick typically run $8,000–$35,000+, depending heavily on scope — whether you...
Why does my heat pump ice up and stop working when it gets below minus 15 in Fredericton — is this normal or a problem?
If your heat pump is icing up and shutting down below -15°C in Fredericton, it depends heavily on how old the unit is an...
Does the coastal protection zone in Shediac affect my ability to build a deck or addition on my waterfront cottage?
Yes, the Coastal Protection Zone absolutely affects what you can build near the water in Shediac — and getting this wron...
How do i ventilate my cathedral ceiling in a Shediac cottage to prevent ice dam damage every winter?
Cathedral ceilings and ice dams are a serious combination in New Brunswick's climate, and Shediac's coastal freeze-thaw...
I am looking to build a 16m x 12m concrete pad in Blue Cove, that would need to handle a few tonnes of weight. The land it would be on isn't super stable, so structural pylons are a must. How much would this cost?
A structural concrete slab with pylon foundations in that size range is a significant civil engineering project — budget...
What's the best approach to waterproofing a stone foundation basement in an old Fredericton home before finishing it?
Stone foundations in older Fredericton homes are notoriously tricky to waterproof, and the honest answer is that interio...
How do i seal and insulate the rim joist area in my Dieppe basement where cold air is blowing through?
Sealing and insulating your rim joist is one of the highest-impact energy upgrades you can do in a New Brunswick home —...
How much do contractors charge for dormer addition in New Brunswick?
Dormer additions in New Brunswick typically run $15,000–$60,000+, depending heavily on the dormer type, size, and whethe...
How much does suite kitchen install cost in New Brunswick?
A secondary suite kitchen installation in New Brunswick typically runs between $8,000 and $35,000+, depending heavily on...
What type of sump pump setup do i need for a finished basement in the Saint John River valley where spring flooding is common?
In a flood-prone Saint John River valley location, you need a redundant sump pump system — not just a single unit — beca...
How much does secondary suite permit cost in New Brunswick?
Secondary suite permit costs in New Brunswick vary significantly by municipality — expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $...
What does fence staining typically cost in New Brunswick?
Fence staining in New Brunswick typically runs $1.50–$4.50 per square foot for labour, or $300–$1,800+ for an average re...
My Quispamsis basement has a big crack along the floor-wall joint — is that from hydrostatic pressure and how do i fix it permanently?
A crack running along the floor-wall joint (called a cove joint crack) is one of the most common basement problems in th...
What does garbage disposal install typically cost in New Brunswick?
Garbage disposals are relatively affordable to install in New Brunswick, typically running $300–$700 all-in for a standa...
What does garage build attached typically cost in New Brunswick?
Building an attached garage in New Brunswick typically runs $35,000–$90,000+, depending on size, finishes, and whether y...
What does furnace replacement electric typically cost in New Brunswick?
Replacing an oil or gas furnace with electric heating in New Brunswick typically runs $3,000–$12,000+ depending on the s...
What's the best approach to re-pointing old sandstone foundation walls on a century home in Saint John's south end?
Re-pointing sandstone foundation walls is one of the most misunderstood masonry jobs on older Saint John homes — use the...
Is solar panel installation worth it in New Brunswick given our cloudy winters and current NB Power net metering rates?
Solar in New Brunswick can absolutely make financial sense, but the math is more nuanced than in sunnier provinces — and...
How much does it cost to add a mudroom entry addition to a Moncton home to deal with our slushy winters?
A mudroom addition in Moncton typically runs $25,000–$75,000+, depending on size, finish level, and whether you're addin...
Is it worth upgrading from vinyl to hardwood or tile in a Dieppe kitchen if we're selling in two years?
For a Dieppe home selling in two years, the honest answer is: it depends on your current floors and your price point — b...
Should i use pressure-treated or cedar posts for my deck build in Fredericton — which lasts longer in our climate?
For Fredericton's climate, pressure-treated lumber is the practical winner for longevity — but cedar has real advantages...
Is it realistic to DIY a paver patio in my Dieppe backyard with the clay soil we have here?
Yes, a DIY paver patio is absolutely realistic in Dieppe — but the clay soil here changes how you approach the base prep...
Do i need to provide off-street parking for a secondary suite tenant in Riverview or is street parking enough?
Parking requirements for secondary suites in Riverview are set by the Town's zoning bylaw, and in most cases at least on...
Do i need an environmental assessment before demolishing a commercial building in downtown Fredericton?
For most commercial demolitions in downtown Fredericton, a full formal environmental assessment isn't automatically requ...
What is the average cost of chimney cap install in New Brunswick in 2026?
Chimney cap installation in New Brunswick typically runs $150–$600 installed, depending on the cap style, chimney size,...
How much do contractors charge for basement insulation spray foam in New Brunswick?
Spray foam basement insulation in New Brunswick typically runs $3,000–$8,000+ for an average home, depending heavily on...
How much does concrete floor polishing cost in New Brunswick?
Concrete floor polishing in New Brunswick typically runs $3–$12 per square foot, depending on the condition of the slab...
Can i build a 10x10 shed in my Fredericton backyard without a permit if it has no electrical or plumbing?
In Fredericton, a 10x10 shed (100 sq ft) sits right at the edge of the permit exemption threshold — and the answer depen...
What's a realistic budget for building a three-season sunroom addition on a home in Rothesay?
A three-season sunroom addition in Rothesay typically runs $25,000–$75,000+, depending heavily on size, materials, and h...
How do i find a contractor experienced with old stone foundations in uptown Saint John?
Uptown Saint John stone foundations are genuinely specialized work — and finding the right contractor matters enormously...
How do i deal with radon in my Fredericton basement if levels came back at 400 Bq/m3 after testing?
At 400 Bq/m³, you're at twice Health Canada's action guideline of 200 Bq/m³ — this needs to be addressed, and the good n...
Are there any provincial or federal grants for making my Moncton home more accessible for a family member in a wheelchair?
Yes, there are several programs worth exploring — and Moncton homeowners have access to both federal and provincial opti...
How much does it cost to remove vermiculite insulation from an attic in New Brunswick if it tests positive for asbestos?
Vermiculite removal in New Brunswick typically runs $3,000–$12,000+ depending on the size of your attic and depth of mat...
How do i run new electrical to a detached garage 80 feet from my house in Rothesay — underground or overhead?
Running power to a detached garage in Rothesay is absolutely doable, and you have two legitimate options — underground c...
What's the average wait time to get a structural engineer assessment in the Moncton-Dieppe area right now?
Structural engineer availability in the Moncton-Dieppe area is currently running 2–6 weeks for a standard assessment, th...
How much should I budget for pool demolition in New Brunswick?
Pool demolition in New Brunswick typically runs $5,000–$20,000+, depending heavily on pool type, size, and the method us...
How do i prep my Bathurst home's exterior for painting when the old lead paint is flaking off everywhere?
Stop before you pick up a scraper — lead paint removal is one of the most hazardous DIY tasks a homeowner can take on, a...
How much does triple pane window upgrade cost in New Brunswick?
Triple-pane windows in New Brunswick typically run $800–$2,500+ per window fully installed, with most homeowners spendin...
We finished our basement in Riverview and it doubled our usable living space — was it worth the investment for resale?
Finishing a basement in Riverview is one of the strongest return-on-investment renovations you can make in the Greater M...
Do i need a development permit from the city or just a building permit for a deck addition in Dieppe?
In Dieppe, you'll likely need both a development permit and a building permit for a new deck — they're separate approval...
How much do contractors charge for crawlspace encapsulation in New Brunswick?
Crawlspace encapsulation in New Brunswick typically runs $3,000–$12,000+, with most homeowners spending $4,500–$7,500 fo...
How much do contractors charge for bathroom plumbing rough in in New Brunswick?
Bathroom plumbing rough-in in New Brunswick typically runs $1,500–$4,500+, depending on the complexity of the job and wh...
How much do contractors charge for engineered hardwood install in New Brunswick?
Engineered hardwood installation in New Brunswick typically runs $4–$8 per square foot for labour only, with most mid-ra...
How much does laneway house build cost in New Brunswick?
Laneway houses are relatively uncommon in New Brunswick compared to western Canada, but they're absolutely buildable — b...
What does water damage bathroom repair typically cost in New Brunswick?
Water damage bathroom repair in New Brunswick typically runs $1,500–$15,000+, depending heavily on how far the damage ha...
What cabinet materials hold up best in a humid New Brunswick kitchen that doesn't have great ventilation?
In a poorly ventilated NB kitchen, your best bet is either thermofoil (MDF core with PVC wrap), high-pressure laminate,...
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