Mark Van Dyke - Home Improvements

04/12/2026

Working with Tami Grace VanD**e Inc is always a rewarding experience. Tami and I compliment one another with our skills and temperament and desire to always provide the very best of everything we can.

This project in Guelph was for a lovely family. New kitchen with cabinetry by Sutcliffe Kitchens who provided high quality, uniquely designed and constructed cabinets that really improved the entire client expeirence.

Also a new 2 piece bathroom, mudroom and a beautiful new ensuite.

03/18/2026

Stairs. Fairly easy to construct a set of straight run, 2 stringer style.

When you need something truly remarkable, stairs become an art form.

I’m sharing this clip because I want to celebrate this man’s mastery of his craft. Math. Physics. Art. Charisma. Talent. Confidence.

Wow.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16ynU9yiQt/?mibextid=wwXIfr

01/26/2026

01/26/2026

Helping the kind folks at the St John Paul Student Centre, connected to St. Michaels Church in Waterloo, was a real treat. Everyone there is always so kind. And it gives me great joy to be able to participate in their many projects and to give a bit back to our community through their efforts.

This project turned a little used washroom into a cozy, functional space for the Priests as they prepare for Mass.

Next project is some repairs in the chapel family room and painting of the recreation room in the student centre.

12/14/2025

12/14/2025

Hand tools were all people had to construct these timeless buildings. If you look at the carpentry and joinery here, I find it really impressive how they were able to replicate the rafter tail shapes so evenly.

Westfield Heritage Village. Rockton, ON.

11/27/2025

Where has decency gone?

To the bottom of the YouTube hit list?

I think not. It lives well in most.

But most must then raise it to the Fore.

A Prize Nobly won. Indeed.

11/27/2025

Morning everyone!

We have been busy helping people and businesses and local churches with their renovation dreams. It’s been very rewarding!

Today it’s trimming cabinet valance after installing a beautiful new waterfall backsplash. My sister Tami is super talented in designing kitchens.

Sometimes the old school tools offer the best solutions when cutting odd, oversized, fragile pieces.

I’ve found that quality is the result of truly caring about the final product of all the trades and talented people involved. Knowing that your work is part of a larger group is key.

Always go the extra distance.

08/08/2025

Volunteering at Camp Mini-Yo-We warms my heart.

Another successful week of service with wonderful People and a new set of stairs.

06/14/2025

Summer is a time for being outside.

Decks are one of my favourite projects as you can get quite creative.

I truly enjoyed building this deck for a neighbour close to our home. I was a bit spoiled as their back yard is a real oasis. Quiet, shady, lots of flowers in bloom and both neighbours have equally peaceful settings.

I enjoy listening to the Three Tenors and classical music, along with the Peter Mansbridge podcast, so it was quite idyllic.

A large deck with two wide flights of stairs, an angled section to compliment the yard and a "Rabbit Fence" ( a first for me) made this project interesting.

Certainly, it was a solid replacement after the previous deck had outlived its life.

05/18/2025

Time capsule.

Installing new stairs in our home.

Something fun I try to do with families that have kids is to sign the work before it’s finished. Somewhere secret that “only the kids nknow about.”

We decided to sign under the stairs.

Life’s too short to not have some fun.