Mike Holmes Jr. answers your home-renovation questions

Since most of us have been confined to our homes lately, there's a good chance you've noticed something that you'd like to change. With some extra time on our hands, it's the perfect time to do some home-improvement, says contractor Mike Holmes Jr. He answered all your questions about renovation during the pandemic, from whether or not you can hire a contractor, to some must-have tools for homeowners.Watch the video above for more, and find his answers below. Plus, tune in to Mike Jr.'s show, 'Holmes Next Generation', broadcasting in June on CTV Life.

CAN YOU HIRE A CONTRACTOR RIGHT NOW?

The best thing to do is listen to what your local municipality is telling you. A lot of it also depends on your comfort level, but if you do hire a contractor to come into your home, just remember to practice social distancing. Make sure to be brutally honest if you are not feeling well before inviting a contractor into your home, and don't be afraid to ask them how they are feeling. Practice good hygiene, wash your hands and don't touch your face.Right now is a perfect time to tackle some projects at home on your own. Now is a great time to build garden beds, clean up existing gardens and do general maintenance on your home and property. Just remember, when it comes to electrical, plumbing and gas to leave it to the licensed professionals.

WHAT TOOLS SHOULD EVERYONE HAVE?

If you're going to try your hand at some DIY projects, these are the basic tools Mike Holmes Jr. says every home owner should have:

• Drill
• Drill bit set
• Screwdrivers
• Putty knife (ideally a 6")
• Paint brush
• Paint roller
• Roller tray
• Utility knife
• Socket set

SHOULD YOU CHANGE A FAUCET OR SHOWER HEAD YOURSELF?

You can definitely change your kitchen faucet and your bathroom shower head yourself. For the shower head, Mike recommends using teflon tape around the threading, and then gently tighten it on. If you're going to use Channellocks, it needs to be tight so water doesn't squeeze out - just make sure you use a cloth so you don't scratch up your fixture.For the faucet, that's a bit more complex. Mike recommends watching a video on YouTube to learn how to install a new one, and to read the instructions carefully when you buy the faucet to ensure you don't make a mistake.

SHOULD YOU INSTALL AN EXHAUST FAN?

If your bathroom ceiling is starting to show signs of mold, you absolutely should install an exhaust fan. Every bathroom should have an exhaust fan to get rid of the moisture that can get trapped in the room after a warm shower.If you don't have one already, it's going to be a bit complicated to install on your own. You'll need an electrician and a contractor to install it properly. Mike Jr. recommends talking to a local contractor to figure out the best plan for your home.[video_embed id='1732331']BEFORE YOU GO: Here are Mike Holmes' top tips for finding the perfect contractor[/video_embed]