General Questions

01. What is included with a free estimate?
Our free estimates include a detailed written scope of work, which includes material specs, timeline information, and budget cost.
02. Are you insured? Can you show me your proof of insurance?

Yes, EHR is insured and covered under WSIB.

We would be happy to show our credentials and documentation during the free consultation.

Additionally, our entire team is WSIB certified to work at heights in Ontario.

03. Will you take care of all the necessary permits and inspections?

Most larger scale remodelling projects require permits. Seeking out these permits at the beginning of the process can save you time and may prevent your project from stalling.

We can help guide you through this process and you can find out more information by talking to a zoning or building official in your area.

04. Can I trust your employees?

Yes!

Our of our employees are hired by Eastern Hills Renovations and are not subcontractors, which means each one is reference-checked, and a criminal background-check is performed.

Each employee is also Certified to Work at Heights and has completed our thorough training program.

05. What is the benefit of working with you?

We are a locally-owned company who prides ourselves in our Quick Response Times, Great Customer Service, Experienced Team and our “All Smiles Promise†Guarantee.

It is these attributes, and our focus on community, that separates us from the competition.

Over-The-Top Results are what we strive for, and we will work with you to make sure you are happy with the experience and the finished product.

06. What focus do you have on safety?

Safety is our number one priority at Eastern Hills Renovations.

We focus on continuous education of the latest safety measures and techniques, safe use of materials and equipment, and WHMIS training.

Each employee is also certified to work at heights as per WSIB legislation.

07. How do you communicate with your customers?

Every project will have a dedicated site manager to ensure daily updates with our customers and to keep the project on track.

The site manager will communicate with the customer by whatever method suits both parties. This could be by phone, text or email.

08. How soon can someone come to give me a quote?

We aim to respond to all emails or phone requests within 24 hours.

The wait time for a virtual or onsite estimate is generally within 2-3 business days, if that works with your schedule.

09. How do I schedule a free consultation with EHR?

Simply email us or call to schedule a consultation.

10. How long will my project take?

Every project is different. During our free consultation you can explain exactly what you would like us to do. After many years in the business we will be able to give you a reasonably accurate time frame.

The key to completing your project in a timely manner is strong communication and our policy is to make sure the site manager stays in touch with you daily.

Should any delays start to surface you will be kept up to date for continued peace of mind.

We will also need full access to your property during the project during regular work hours (Monday through Friday 8am – 5pm).

The project will not be started until all the necessary materials have arrived.  This will prevent delays in the middle of a job.

As part of our “All Smiles Guaranteeâ€, we promise to stay on your job once we start, until it is completed.

11. How much will my project cost?

The cost of a project will depend on many factors, including your needs or wishes, and of course, budget. Our representative will visit with you to better understand exactly what it is that you would like to accomplish.

At EHR we do more than give you a quote. We discuss options and choices, and review materials and budgets, that will allow you to make informed decisions about every aspect of the job.

We will answer all of your questions and explain our estimates for your home improvement project.

There is no obligation. However, we are confident that after reading our five-star reviews and speaking with us, you will find our pricing to be fair and our service to be excellent, and will choose Eastern Hills Renovations for your unique project.

12. How to you charge?

Renovations, Landscaping, Outdoor builds and painting will all be done based on agreed to quote.

For Handyman Jobs and Repairs, we charge by the half hour plus travel time if need be.

Please call us or email us for a free estimate.

Renovations

01. How much will a renovation project disrupt my home?

Our goal is to minimize the disruption to your family’s lives.

At the end of each day our crews will clean the areas we are working in & dispose of any refuse.

We will also update you via email, phone, text and provide pictures or video of how the day went and answer any questions you may have at that time.

02. What service can I expect before, during and after my renovation?

Before we start the renovation we will make sure that everything is moved out of the way or is covered completely.

While working in your house our team will wear foot coverings at all times, and lay drop cloths over any exposed surfaces.  We will be mindful not to scratch walls, doorframes or ceilings.  In other words, we will treat your home with the respect it deserves.

After completion we will make sure that everything is cleaned up, and we will remove any debris left over from the job.

From start to finish, we will have daily communication by phone, email or text.

Painting

01. What type of paint do you use?

We primarily use quality products from Sherwin Williams.

If there is another brand that you are interested in using, please let us know, as not all paints are made the same.

02. Are your products environmentally-friendly?

Protecting our clients and the environment is always of utmost importance, so we use low and non-VOC paints.

VOCs are solvents that get released into the air as the paint dries. They can cause headaches and dizziness. The long-term effects are unknown.

03. How many coats of paint are included in the quote?

At Eastern Hills Painting we always apply two coats of paint, guaranteed.

04. What are the different kinds of paint finishes?

Paint finish comes in four general categories:

Flat Finish – or matte finish has the least amount of shine. It provides great coverage, but is the least durable type of paint, and is best used in low traffic areas.

Eggshell – is a popular paint finish that provides a low sheen. It is more durable than a flat finish, and is great for places like living rooms, hallways, and entryways.

Satin Finish – is the most common interior paint finish.  It has a velvety sheen and is easier to clean than flat or eggshell paints. It is a great choice for high traffic areas like kitchens, playrooms, family rooms, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.

Gloss Finish – or semi-gloss finish is shiny and reflective.  It is the most durable and washable of any paint.  It is best used for doors, trim, and cabinetry.

We will work with you to help you select a finish that best suits your needs.

05. Can you offer advice on how to choose a colour?

Consider the room you are painting.  A living room might lend itself to warm, bright colours, whereas a bedroom might be better with cooler colours like light blue or lavender.  A kitchen often looks great in yellow or green.

You will want to take into consideration your furniture and flooring.  For example, if you have a brown carpet, you may like a beige or white.

Notice your lighting.  If a room receives less sunlight, perhaps a warmer colour might brighten it up.

We can arrange for a colour consultation to help you navigate the many options that match your home’s aesthetics to create that perfect environment.

We also have an app that we use to help show you how a colour would look in the area that you are painting.

06. If I do not like the colour selected can I change it?

Yes, but there would be an additional cost.

It is ultimately the homeowner’s responsibility for any colour choices, and there is an additional cost for a colour change.

The additional cost is determined by how much of the job is completed, along with the cost of the additional paint.

The amount of this additional cost is based on how much of the job is already done, plus the cost of the additional paint.

07. What preparation is done prior to painting?

To achieve a beautiful long lasting result, proper prep work is a key focus.

We will fill old holes, cracks, dents in the walls, repair corners, seal stains and scuffs, and sand surfaces as part of our preparation.

The time it takes to repair is in proportion to the amount of damage, and will be discussed during the quote phase.

We also offer Handy Man Services where we can do so much more for you.

08. How do I prepare for interior painting?

For larger projects it is always recommended that all personal belongings and furniture be removed from the work area.

For smaller projects items can be moved towards the centre of the room and properly covered to protect furniture/items.

It is recommended if there is a piece of furniture of special value or meaning that you remove it before the team arrives.

Pictures, paintings, mirrors, clocks etc. should be removed.

This will all be discussed during the quote phase and written on the scope of work form.

If you cannot move the items yourself our team can move these items for you.  We’re here to help.

09. How long will my painting project take?

Each painting job is different.  We will be able to give you a better idea of a time frame during our free consultation.  The key to completing your project in a timely manner is strong communication, and our policy is to make sure the site manager stays in touch with you daily.

Should any delays start to surface you will be kept up to date for continued peace of mind.

We will need full access to your home during the project, during regular work hours – Monday through Friday 8am – 5pm.

To avoid interruptions, we will not not start the job until we have everything necessary to complete it.

Our company policy is to stay on your project until completion once we have started the job.

10. How much will this painting job disrupt my home?

Our goal is to minimize the disruption to your family’s lives.  At the end of each day our crews will clean the areas we are working in and will dispose of any refuse.

We will also update you via email, phone, text, and provide pictures or video of how the day went, and answer any questions you may have at that time.

11. My room is wallpapered now. How will you handle that?

We will remove wallpaper prior to painting.

Before starting the process we will test a small area to find out how the paper was applied.  Its application method will determine our removal method.

If the wallpaper was not applied properly it may lead to damage to the walls when the paper is removed.

Your crew leader will discuss with you other options if this is the case.

Once wallpaper is removed, we will prep the wall for painting or to apply new wallpaper.

12. What other services do you provide besides painting?

We aim to make you life easier and simpler for you by providing services above and beyond just painting.

The team at Eastern Hills has the skills and knowledge to provide services such as installing new baseboards, wainscotting, doors & trim, lighting, bathroom & kitchen accessories and even drywall installation & removal.

We also provide exterior house painting and refinishing of decks, fences, pergolas, sheds and workshops.

13. What type of Painting projects do you do?

EHR is a full-service painting business. Our skilled team can handle all your interior, exterior or commercial painting needs.

We only use the best products to ensure you get beautiful long-lasting results.

Typical EHR projects include painting whole home or commercial properties, which includes walls, ceilings, baseboards, trim, wainscotting, staircases, decks, fences, pergolas, gazebos, etc.

See our INTERIOR, EXTERIOR and COMMERCIAL Painting Pages for more information.

14. Can you paint the exterior of my house in winter?

Unfortunately, we cannot paint the outside of your home in winter.

The winter season in the Durham Region lasts from the beginning of December to mid-April.

Cold temperatures (or very hot temperatures) prevent the paint from properly drying and curing.

15. What kind of service should I expect before, during and after my painting project?

Before your painting project begins, we will ensure that your personal belongings are safely out of the way, and/or covered to keep them protected.

The larger items will be moved toward the centre of the room and covered.

It is recommended if there is a piece of furniture of special value or meaning, that you remove it before the painting team arrives.

We always cover the floors with drop sheets in the areas where painting, to protect your home.

We will take the utmost care of your property during the completion of your project, and maintain daily communication with you throughout.

When everything is complete, we will make sure that the work area is clean and all debris is removed.

Repairs

01. What type of repairs do you do?

We can handle most of your repairs jobs including

Drywall patching & repair

Dripping taps or leaky pipes

Running toilet

Doors that don’t close properly

Holes in the floor

Cracked concrete

Water damage

Broken cabinet doors

Broken light fixture

Tile replacement

Spackle repairs

Change a broken shower head

Decks

01. What type of materials are used for decks?

Traditionally decks have been made of wood, either cedar, redwood or pressure-treated wood. but recently the trend has been to use composite decking. This is a premium material that costs more than wood, but lowers your cost over time with reduced maintenance and longer life.

Fences

01. What types of fences are there?

The most common types of fences are wood, chain link, steel or aluminum, vinyl or wrought iron.

02. What styles of fences are there?

There are three basic styles of fences – privacy, functional, and decorative.

03. What is the cheapest way to fence my yard?

This will depend on the purpose of the fence. A privacy fence is going to require more material than a decorative fence.

The cheapest materials to build a fence would include barbed wire, picket, chain link, split rail and vinyl.

You could also consider using recycled wood or old pallets, if you can find a source.

Flooring

01. What are my choices of materials for flooring?

There are many choices available for flooring including carpet, hardwood, vinyl, ceramic tiles, laminate and engineered wood. We would be happy to explain the advantages and disadvantages of each during our free consultation.

Handyman Jobs

01. What type of handy man jobs do you do?

Eastern Hills Renovations has many skills to accomplish most jobs you might need done. Some examples would be:

~ Hang shelves, window flower boxes, etc.

~ Mount a TV on a wall, with or without hiding the wires

~ Grout cleaning or replacement

~ Furniture Assembly

~ Pressure washing of deck, fence, patio, driveway or house siding

~ Lock and door knob replacement

~ Dryer vent cleaning

~ Interior or exterior caulking jobs

~ Window cleaning

~ Eavestrough cleaning

~ Weatherproofing

~ Mould removal

~ BBQ assembly

~ Garbage removal

~ Soundproofing

~ Demolition

~ Light bulb replacements

~ Ceiling tile replacements

~ Washer or Dryer Installation or vent replacement

~ Dump runs

~ Carpet removal

02. How much do you charge for handyman services?

At EHR we understand that some jobs will be small in scale and that is why we charge by the half hour plus travel time if need be.    Please call us or email us for a free estimate.