Blog
Kingston hardware, building, and home project notes.
Honest answers about pricing, timelines, and how to get a project done right. From the people behind the counter at Malcolm’s since 1931.
- Decision Guide
Fixing a Leaking Roof in Kingston: Patch, Reseal, or Replace
How to diagnose a Kingston roof leak, what patching, resealing, and full replacement actually cost in 2026, and the three clear signals that tell you when a replace pays off.
July 15, 202610 min read - Pricing Guide
Kitchen Renovation Cost in Kingston 2026: Cabinets, Counters, and Labour
What a kitchen renovation actually costs in Kingston in 2026: cabinet, countertop, plumbing, and labour ranges, plus where to save without cutting corners.
July 13, 202610 min read - Decision Guide
Choosing Exterior Paint for a Kingston Home: Salt Air, Sun, and Rainy Season
What exterior paint actually holds up in Kingston's climate. How salt air, hard UV, and the wet season attack a coating, plus how to pick primer, sheen, and product tier without wasting money.
July 11, 202610 min read - Pricing Guide
What a Concrete Slab Costs in Kingston in 2026: Materials and Labour
A per-square-foot breakdown of what a concrete slab costs in Kingston in 2026: cement, steel, formwork, aggregate, and the mason day-rate that quietly moves the whole bill.
July 8, 202610 min read - Decision Guide
Prepping a Kingston Home for Hurricane Season: The Hardware Checklist
A practical hardware checklist for prepping a Kingston home before hurricane season. Roof straps, shutters, sealants, and a supply list to buy early before the shelves empty.
July 6, 202610 min read - Decision Guide
Generator vs Inverter vs Solar Backup for Kingston Power Cuts
A straight comparison of generators, inverter-battery systems, and solar backup for JPS outages in Kingston. Runtime, fuel, battery life, and upfront cost, so you can pick the right one for your home.
July 4, 202610 min read - DIY vs Hire
DIY Plumbing in Kingston: When to Try It and When to Call a Pro
Which plumbing jobs a Kingston homeowner can confidently handle, which ones go wrong fast, and the three failure patterns we see walk back through the door at the hardware counter every week.
May 12, 20269 min read - Comparison
Kingston Hardware Stores Compared: Where to Buy for What Job
Four types of Kingston hardware retail compared on inventory, expertise, pricing and service, and which one to walk into for which job.
May 12, 20268 min read - Day 1 Expectations
Walking Into Malcolm's: What to Bring, What to Ask, What to Expect
A first-time visitor's guide to the store on Slipe Road. What to bring, where each department lives, the services we never put on a sign, and the best times to walk in.
May 12, 20266 min read - Timelines
How Long Should a Small Kingston Construction Project Actually Take?
Real working-day ranges for paint jobs, fixture swaps, bathroom and kitchen renos, and room additions in Kingston, plus what makes timelines stretch and how to read a contractor's schedule.
May 12, 20267 min read - Pricing
How Much Does a Bathroom Renovation Cost in Kingston?
A clear-eyed breakdown of what drives a Kingston bathroom renovation bill in 2026, what to buy yourself versus what to let the contractor source, and where most homeowners overspend.
May 12, 20268 min read