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Couple renovating home
Couple renovating home

Home insurance basics

Getting reno-ready

What you need to know for your home renovation.

Thinking about escaping to a new spa-like bathroom? Cooking up tasty delights in a chef’s kitchen? Going all in at the poker table in a new man cave?

Your home can become the dream place you knew it could be with the right, well-executed reno. But before you tackle the big job, here are seven steps that can help guide you through your renovation journey.

  1. Plan what you want

    • Identify the purpose of your renovation: Build a clear idea of what you want to achieve in your space(s) to keep things focused.

    • Gather inspiration and ideas: Crack open the home design magazines, surf online sites, and watch the home reno shows to figure out the look and function of your dream space.

    • Prioritize areas for renovation: Establish your must-haves, nice-to-haves, and maybe-can’t-haves to keep your project in scope.

  2. Go to the drawing board

    • Consult with professionals (architects, contractors, designers): Reach out to the experts to help guide your inspiration and explore possibilities.

    • Set realistic goals and a budget: Get advice to ensure your plans are practical and affordable and include contingency funds for the unexpected.

  3. Ensure your insurance

    • Know the difference between a minor and major renovation: Understand if your project is merely cosmetic or is considered a major reno that involves structural changes, requires permits, or makes your home temporarily unlivable.

    • Explore what major renovation insurance covers: Discover the ways major renovation insurance can allow homeowners to make alterations and repairs to their dwelling, while also providing coverage for theft, attempted theft, vandalism, or malicious acts involving construction materials stored on the insured property. This coverage applies to substantial renovation projects such as first-floor additions, new garages, and other types of work that require permits.

    • Talk to a PC® Insurance advisor about getting major renovation insurance: Before beginning any renovation, talk to a licensed insurance advisor to ensure that your current home coverage is sufficient or to understand why you may need additional coverage to protect your investment.

  4. Assemble your dream team for your dream home

    • Find and hire reputable and reliable contractors: Get multiple quotes and ensure that costs are realistic for reliable and quality completion.

    • Check credentials and references: Make sure the professionals you hire are licensed where appliable, have liability insurance, are knowledgeable about the permit process, have a proven track-record, and are well-reviewed with solid references.

    • Ask your contractors to create detailed renovation plans and timelines: Keep things moving with the proper sequence of projects with your contractors, all with a plan for unforeseen delays.

    • Get all contracts and agreements in writing: Clearly understand the commitments that contractors are making to you and vice versa to help prevent possible disagreements. Quick tip – Avoid paying a significant amount upfront before the reno starts and get a receipt for any money you pay in advance.

  5. Get your home reno-ready

    • Clean up and organize the space: For smooth and safe work, make sure that you move anything that blocks the space and the work.

    • Protect furniture and belongings: Ensure your valuables are out of the way, covered, or safely stored to prevent damage or theft.

    • Make temporary living arrangements if necessary: If your home is unlivable during the reno, plan to stay with friends or family, or arrange a temporary rental, all with an eye on flexibility to extend your stay in case of delays.

  6. When your reno is on the go

    • Communicate regularly and effectively with your contractors: Establish regular meetings as the work progresses, while making yourself easily available to your contractors.

    • Monitor progress and budget and address issues quickly: Stay on top of the work to help avoid surprises and delays.

    • Stay flexible and adaptable to changes: You never know what hurdles or challenges your reno might uncover, so be prepared to modify your plan, timelines, or budget.

  7. Welcome home

    • Move back in: Congrats on the reno. Make sure you give your space a deep clean with a professional cleaning crew or do it yourself with the correct cleaning supplies. Consider protecting new finishes and flooring with tarp or plastic as you move your furniture back in.

    • Notify your insurance company of the changes: Your reno may have an impact on your existing home policy, so make sure that you’ve crossed the Ts and dotted the I’s with your home insurer to ensure you have coverage for the improvements that you have made.

Reach out to a PC® Insurance advisor for any questions you might have about home insurance or home renovation coverage.

General information is provided for your reference and interest only. The above content is intended only to provide a summary and general overview on matters of interest and is not a substitute for and should not be construed as the advice of an experienced professional. PC® Insurance does not guarantee the currency, accuracy, applicability, or completeness of this content.

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Important Information on Products, Discounts, and Services by PC Financial Insurance Agency Inc.

Not everyone who uses online platforms or calls in will be able to get a quote or buy an insurance policy. This page provides, for information purposes only, a summary of our different insurance products and discounts that may be available to you. If you purchase a product, the terms and conditions of your insurance coverage will be outlined in your insurance policy, which will prevail. Certain conditions, limitations, and exclusions apply. Savings are not guaranteed and vary based on your profile, place of residence, and, where applicable, year, make and model of your vehicles. Rates, discounts, and eligibility rules are subject to change without notice. Please speak to a PC® Insurance advisor to learn more.

*All purchases with the PC Financial® Mastercard® earn a minimum of 10 PC Optimum™ points per dollar and all purchases with the PC Money™ Account earn a minimum of 5 PC Optimum™ points per dollar. When you pay your PC® Insurance home or auto insurance premium with your PC Financial® card, earn double the regular PC Optimum™ points per dollar (20 points per dollar for PC Financial® Mastercard® and 10 points per dollar for PC Money™ Account). PC Optimum™ points are awarded exclusively by President’s Choice Services Inc. This is not an offer provided by any other entity. PC Money™ Account points offer is available only with Aviva General Insurance Company policies entered into after January 20, 2025. Minimum redemption is 10,000 PC Optimum™ points (worth $10 in free rewards) and in increments of 10,000 PC Optimum™ points thereafter, at participating stores. You can redeem the PC Optimum™ points you earn for eligible purchases, or for any other purposes of which we may advise you from time to time. Some redemption restrictions apply; visit pcoptimum.ca for details and full store list.

†Details on Potential Savings

Save up to $890 on PC® Home and Auto Insurance

PC Optimum™ members could have a combined savings of up to $890 on their homeowner’s and car insurance policies if they are eligible for the following discounts: Combined Policy Discounts by purchasing home and auto insurance together, Claims Free Discount for homeowners, Conviction Free Discount, and Affinity Discount for PC Optimum™ members. Customers may be eligible for other discounts on their car or home insurance such as the Electric Vehicle Discount, Hybrid Vehicle Discount, Winter Tire Discount, Mortgage Free Discount and Multi Product Discount. Savings are based on rates in force as of July 2025. Savings are calculated by determining the average base premium PC® Insurance customers with one car insurance policy and one homeowner insurance policy would have paid if they were not eligible for the discounts. Discounts may not apply to all coverages and endorsements. PC Optimum™ members must be in good standing to be eligible for the Affinity Discount. Certain conditions, limitations, and exclusions apply. Condominium and tenant insurance policies are excluded from this savings calculation. For detailed information about how savings could apply to you, including saving opportunities for condominium owners and tenants, speak with a PC® Insurance advisor.

Save up to $150 on PC® Homeowner’s Insurance in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba

PC Optimum™ members could save up to $150 on their primary homeowner’s insurance policy if they are eligible for the following discounts: Claims Free Discount for homeowners and Affinity Discount for PC Optimum™ members. In British Columbia, savings for being claims-free have already been factored into the premium rating calculations for homeowner’s policies. Customers may be eligible for other discounts on their homeowner’s insurance such as the Mortgage Free Discount and Multi Product Discount. Savings are based on rates in force as of July 2025. Savings are calculated by determining the average base premium PC® Insurance customers with a homeowner insurance policy would have paid if they were not eligible for the discounts. Discounts may not apply to all coverages and endorsements. PC Optimum™ members must be in good standing to be eligible for the Affinity Discount. Certain conditions, limitations, and exclusions apply. Condominium and tenant insurance policies are excluded from this savings calculation. For detailed information about how savings could apply to you, including saving opportunities for condominium owners and tenants, speak with a PC® Insurance advisor.

Save up to 35% on PC® Home and Auto Insurance

PC Optimum™ members could save up to 35% on their homeowner’s, condominium, or tenant insurance policy if they are eligible for the following discounts: Claims Free Discount, Combined Policy Discount by purchasing home and auto insurance together, and Affinity Discount for PC Optimum™ members. PC Optimum™ members may also save up to 35% on their car insurance policies if they are eligible for the following discounts: Conviction Free Discount, Combined Policy Discount by purchasing auto and home insurance together, and Affinity Discount for PC Optimum™ members. Customers may be eligible for other discounts on their car or home insurance such as the Electric Vehicle Discount, Hybrid Vehicle Discount, Winter Tire Discount, Mortgage Free Discount and Multi Product Discount. Total available discounts are in comparison to the base premium PC® Insurance customers would have paid if they were not eligible for the discounts. Discounts may not apply to all coverages and endorsements. PC Optimum™ members must be in good standing to be eligible for the Affinity Discount. Certain conditions, limitations, and exclusions apply. For further information, see More Information Section below.

Affinity Discount for PC Optimum™ Members

PC Optimum™ members in good standing could benefit from an Affinity Discount on their homeowner’s, condominium, and tenant insurance in all provinces and territories, except Quebec where PC® Insurance is not available. Additionally, an Affinity Discount could apply on car insurance for PC Optimum™ members in the following provinces and territories: Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.

Save up to 25% on PC® Motorcycle Insurance

You could save up to 25% on your motorcycle insurance when combining the following discounts: Loyalty, Conviction Free, Motorcycle and Car, Motorcycle and Property, and Multi-Motorcycle. Discounts may not apply to all coverages and endorsements. Due to provincial legislation, PC® Insurance motorcycle products are not offered in British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Savings are not guaranteed and vary based on your profile and place of residence. Rates, discounts, and eligibility rules are subject to change without notice. If you purchase a product, the terms and conditions of your insurance coverage will be outlined in your insurance policy, which will prevail. Certain conditions, limitations, and exclusions apply.

More Information Section

British Columbia

You can save up to 5% on your homeowner’s, condominium, or tenant insurance policy if you are eligible for the Affinity Discount for PC Optimum™ members. In British Columbia, savings for being claims-free have already been factored into the premium rating calculations for homeowner’s, condominium, and tenant insurance policies.

Alberta

You can save up to 30% on car insurance if you are eligible for the following discounts: Conviction Free Discount, Combined Policy Discount, and Affinity Discount for PC Optimum™ members. You could also save up to 20% on your homeowner’s, condominium, or tenant insurance policy if you are eligible for the following discounts: Claims Free Discount, Combined Policy Discount, and Affinity Discount for PC Optimum™ members.

Saskatchewan

You can save up to 20% on your homeowner’s, condominium, or tenant insurance policy if you are eligible for the Claims Free Discount and Affinity Discount for PC Optimum™ members.

Manitoba

You can save up to 20% on your homeowner’s, condominium, or tenant insurance policy if you are eligible for the Claims Free Discount and Affinity Discount for PC Optimum™ members.

Ontario

You can save up to 30% on car insurance if you are eligible for the following discounts: Conviction Free Discount, Combined Policy Discount, and Affinity Discount for PC Optimum™ members. You could also save up to 25% on your homeowner’s, condominium, or tenant insurance policy if you are eligible for the following discounts: Claims Free Discount, Combined Policy Discount, and Affinity Discount for PC Optimum™ members.

New Brunswick

You can save up to 35% on car insurance if you are eligible for the following discounts: Conviction Free Discount and Combined Policy Discount. You could also save up to 40% on your homeowner’s, condominium, or tenant insurance policy if you are eligible for the following discounts: Claims Free Discount, Combined Policy Discount, and Affinity Discount for PC Optimum™ members.

Nova Scotia

You can save up to 40% on car insurance if you are eligible for the following discounts: Conviction Free Discount, Combined Policy Discount, and Affinity Discount for PC Optimum™ members. You could also save up to 40% on your homeowner’s, condominium, or tenant insurance policy if you are eligible for the following discounts: Claims Free Discount, Combined Policy Discount, and Affinity Discount for PC Optimum™ members.

Prince Edward Island

You can save up to 35% on car insurance if you are eligible for the following discounts: Conviction Free Discount, Combined Policy Discount, and Affinity Discount for PC Optimum™ members. You could also save up to 40% on your homeowner’s, condominium, or tenant insurance policy if you are eligible for the following discounts: Claims Free Discount, Combined Policy Discount, and Affinity Discount for PC Optimum™ members.

Newfoundland and Labrador

You can save up to 30% on car insurance if you are eligible for the following discounts: Conviction Free Discount and Combined Policy Discount. You could also save up to 35% on your homeowner’s, condominium, or tenant insurance policy if you are eligible for the following discounts: Claims Free Discount, Combined Policy Discount, and Affinity Discount for PC Optimum™ members.

Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut

You can save up to 15% on car insurance if you are eligible for the Combined Policy Discount and Affinity Discount for PC Optimum™ members. You could also save up to 35% on your homeowner’s, condominium, or tenant insurance policy if you are eligible for the following discounts: Claims Free Discount, Combined Policy Discount, and Affinity Discount for PC Optimum™ members.

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PC® Insurance refers to PC Financial Insurance Agency Inc. and PC Financial Insurance Broker Inc. Due to provincial legislation, auto insurance products are not offered by PC® Insurance in British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.

PC Financial Insurance Agency Inc.
Home and Auto Insurance products distributed by PC Financial Insurance Agency Inc. are underwritten by Aviva General Insurance Company. PC® auto and home insurance products are not available in Québec.

PC Financial Insurance Broker Inc.
Home and Auto Insurance products arranged for by PC Financial Insurance Broker Inc. are underwritten by a number of selected Canadian insurers. PC® auto and home insurance products are available only in Alberta, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island.

PC®, PC Financial®, President’s Choice Financial® and PC Optimum™ are trademarks of Loblaws Inc., used under licence.

President's Choice Financial® Mastercard® is provided by President's Choice Bank.

The PC Optimum™ program is provided by President’s Choice Services Inc.