Fall into good advice

'Tis the season for renovating and the best possible place to embark on an at home adventure is at your city's fall home show. I'm a BIG fan of home shows where you can find everything you need and stuff you didn't even know you needed under one roof, not to mention all the handy experts standing by waiting to give you free advice.

If you have even the tiniest inkling do some home improvements this fall, a home show is the perfect launch pad for your makeover project. You can select building, finishing and decorating materials, chat with product representatives about the latest and greatest and sexiest products, and of course, take a refreshing new look at the good old standbys. There are tradespeople to interview and an abundance of inspiration, free for the taking. You can find everything you need to create a fabulous home for you and your family.

Here are some of my home show survival tips:

• Arrive armed and ready to get the most out of the show. Bringing a reduced set of plans (elevation and floor plans) is always a good idea. A small-scale set of plans is easier for you to carry and for the exhibitor to take a quick peek at your project; the exhibitor will then be better informed and able to offer more specific advice or product suggestions.
• If you have photos of your existing home, bring a few, along with your plans. These will also come in handy when explaining the scope of your projects.
• If you are married to a sofa or your drapery, bring a swatch of fabric, the wall paper if it's staying and even a sample of your hardwood or a small piece of wood that matches the stain on existing cabinets (I carry mine in a medium-sized Ziplock bag).
• Bring a pen for making notes on the back of business cards as they are handed to you — you'll never remember when you go through your cards upon returning home who you need to follow up with or the price they quoted you.
• A small camera can also be a valuable resource for snapping photos of ideas and products you want to follow up with after the show.
• Before going to the show, visit the show's website and take note of the seminar times and then plan your trip so that you don't miss a session that is of interest to you and your better half. Show producers bring in the best designers, builders and architects to provide the latest tips and advice for free — yes, more great free stuff.

Showtimes

• If you are in the Toronto area, your show runs Sept. 13 to 16. Unfortunately I won't be attending, but if you drop by the eRenovate.com booth, founder Tom Cordeiro will be there to answer questions about fall renovation projects.
• In Vancouver the Home & Interior Design Show, runs Oct. 11 to 14. Tom will be able to answer your reno questions at this show, too.
• Edmonton's Home and Interior Design Show runs Sept. 28, 29 and 30.
• Calgary's Buildex show runs Nov. 8 and 9.
• Saskatoon's 21^st Century Building Show is Sept. 12 thru 14 at the Charlotte Convention Centre and the Home and Garden Show runs Oct. 5 to 7 at the Fairgrounds.
• In Halifax check out the Fall Ideal Home Show, Sept 28 to 30 at the Exhibition grounds.