The largest home show in Ottawa returned to the EY Centre Thursday to kick off the year, connecting people and local contractors.
More than 200 home experts are attending The Ottawa Home and Remodelling Show, giving inspiration and advice for every project and budget.
From small DIY projects to large-scale renovations or builds, there is something for everyone.
“We find these types of shows very productive,” said Michael Branchaud from Manotick Kitchen and Bath. “We do get serious clientele or potentially serious clientele coming through and that’s really what we’re after.”
The event features interactive showcases, experts, and professionals in décor, building and renovation throughout the venue, including Bryan Baeumler from Bryan’s All In.
Home renovations saw a boom during peak COVID-19 pandemic, but with inflation on the rise, the industry has seen a dip.
“Last year was more quiet than the pandemic years and it really sort of tailed off into the fall. I think people were sort of frozen with uncertainty with respect to economics, interest rates, politics, a whole host of things that created uncertainty, and that uncertainty really kept people from making decisions,” said Branchaud. “I’m feeling a little bit more optimistic that this year might be a little bit of a bounce back.”
Dale Lockhart, a real estate broker with Engel & Volkers Ottawa, says a lot of factors are at play when it comes to the housing market, which could mean people are hesitant to renovate.
“Interest rates are dropping, but they are still higher than what they have been, so that might mean that people are refinancing or are taking out a new mortgage this year. They might be looking at a higher rate than what they are used to, so it just depends on what that is and if they have room left over to pay for renovations,” she said.
New this year, the Ottawa Home and Remodelling Show is celebrating the opening of Lines 2 and 4 of the O-Train, offering all transit riders free access to the show.
The event runs until Sunday at 5:00 p.m.
