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Home Renovation Costs in Ottawa
If you’ve decided to renovate your home, you have a huge decision to make. It would be best to find skilled contractors that you can trust with your most precious asset, your home. This can certainly affect your home renovation costs. If you select poorly, you risk incurring severe damages to your house. These include: Major leaks Unsafe electrical work Damage to your foundation Poor craftsmanship These are just a few of the things that can go wrong with an inexperienced crew. That’s why you must seek out the best of the best, like us here at RenosGroup. We’re contractors that you can always rely on in Ottawa, and we’ve got the track record to prove it. So if you want to know what you can expect to pay for a professional renovation, you’re in the right spot. For quick reference, here’s a table breaking down home renovation costs in Ottawa: That will give you the gist of what we charge on average. Read on for more detail on what we charge, why, and a complete list of our services. Contractors in Ottawa: You Get What You Pay For Sure, there are a lot of cheap contractors in the city. Yet, they end up not being worth it for many reasons. For example, here’s a common scenario we encounter all the time. A client calls us in a panic because their newly renovated kitchen is a total mess. The countertops look awful, the tile is wrong, and the kitchen sink sprung a massive leak. Why is it in such disarray? It’s because they went with a cheap contracting service that promised them the world. They claimed they could beautifully renovate their kitchen for next to nothing. Here’s a quick rule of thumb for contractors and pricing; if it sounds too good to be true, it always is. The next thing our client knew, their kitchen became the site of a disaster. Not only that but they got hit with hidden fees and clauses. That’s another common trick of untrustworthy contractors. At the end of the day, they wound up spending thousands more than they would if they had gone with us in the first place. They still had to pay the cheap contractors, plus the hidden fees, plus paying us to fix their mistakes. Trust us; save yourself the hassle and call us at RenosGroup. We charge our prices for a reason because they allow us to ensure premium quality work every time. What to Consider When Researching Contractors We like to educate our clients at RenosGroup. Here are our top factors to consider when looking for a contractor in Ottawa or elsewhere: You get what you pay for in the end. Remember, any contracting service can claim meager prices. The proof is always in the pudding, so be sure to check out reviews before hiring them. Pay close attention to what reviewers have to say about the price quoted versus the price charged. Nine times out of 10, they’re in completely different ballparks. Price isn’t everything. Let’s say that you can hire contractors for dirt cheap rates. Well, dirt cheap rates equal dirt cheap quality. You’ll long forget about how much money you saved when you have to come home to face your dreadful renovations each day. Save yourself the heartache and hire professionals from the get-go! Quality above all else. What matters more than anything is that you receive quality work. When researching contractors, check out user reviews. Please pay close attention to what reviewers say about their craftsmanship. Also, were they professional with the client? Was there a supervisor present at all times to ensure quality? Licensing, insurance, and a legitimate firm that pays taxes. This factor is a huge one. If you choose to do your renovations yourself or hire a crew with no insurance, you could end up on the hook for expensive repairs. If they should make a mistake or do damage to your foundation, it’s up to you to fix it. You also need to hire a legitimate tax-paying company to avoid legal issues. At RenosGroup, we’re licensed, insured, and we always pay our taxes. You’ll be in great hands when you choose us for renovations in Ottawa. Contracts that feature plain English. Shady contractors love to pull tricks with the wording in their contracts, so beware. If the contract seems a little too vague or ambiguous, it’s likely on purpose. That’s so they can sneak in hidden fees and clauses to get more of your money. As a rule of thumb, never sign a contract that you can’t understand. At RenosGroup, all our contracts feature plain English. We spell everything out in as precise terminology as possible. Their level of experience/whether they use subcontractors. When looking for a contracting service, try to find one that doesn’t sub out anything. Of course, we never feature any subcontractors at RenosGroup. That’s because we have a diverse team of experts with varying specialties. If a contractor has to use subcontractors, it’s a tell-tale sign they lack experience. They also give up their quality control whenever they sub out specific jobs. So if you want a fantastic job done no matter what, use us at RenosGroup. Every job that we perform gets done by one of our internal professionals. As you can see, there’s a lot to consider when selecting general contractors in Ottawa. To save yourself some time and hassle, you can use us at RenosGroup. We have all the factors that you see listed above, plus many more. When it comes to getting the most bang for your buck, we provide the most robust craftsmanship and quality work. We’ll never cut corners or use subpar materials to save a buck. Instead, all our time, energy, and effort go toward making your dream home a reality. We’re committed to providing you with superb renovations and home additions at reasonable prices. So if you need the best general contractors Ottawa has available, we won’t let
Where to Stay During a Home Renovation in Ottawa
Are you about to undergo a major home renovation in Ottawa with us at RenosGroup? If so, you may want to find somewhere to stay during the construction temporarily. Why’s that? Because significant renovations involve lots of noise and distractions. For example, if we’re adding on to your home, you will hear lots of sawing, hammering, and drilling during the day. Of course, you can choose to stay at home during the renovation process. We’ll do our very best to keep the noise to a minimum, but sometimes that’s unavoidable. That’s why we’re here to provide you with some suggestions for temporary lodgings. It’s our goal to provide you with a seamless experience that doesn’t disrupt your routine. These lodging options will help you maintain peace and quiet while we’re hard at work on your dream home. So if you’re getting ready to hire us for a home renovation in Ottawa, stay tuned to learn where to stay while we work. Options for Temporary Housing During Renovations If you don’t feel like living in a noisy construction zone, then you need to find temporary housing. Finding comfy yet affordable lodging can help you stay sane during the day while we work. At RenosGroup, we offer the best services for home renovation Ottawa has available. Yet, it’s inevitable that renovations take time, especially ones involving construction. Let’s say that you want to add a bathroom to your basement to turn it into a guest suite. It’s a fantastic idea that will add lots of value to your basement. In order to get the job done, we’ll need to break down walls, saw, drill, hammer, and more. So if you don’t feel like turning the TV up to max to compete with the noise, here are some housing options. Short-Term Rental Apartments Is your home renovation in Ottawa going to take longer than a month? If so, then a short-term rental apartment can be your best bet. You can secure a lease for a few weeks or a few months, depending on your needs. Also, lots of short-term rental apartments come fully furnished. That can be a big time saver if you don’t feel like decorating a new place during renovations. After all, it’s only temporary housing, so having existing furniture is a huge plus. Another perk is that the apartment community will have lots of amenities. You’ll be able to get all your laundry done, as well as work out at the gym, walk your dog at the park, and more. An excellent short-term rental apartment can be a nice change of scenery and even feel like a vacation. You’ll be able to enjoy yourself while we knock out your home renovation in Ottawa. We recommend using Rental.ca to find short-term lease apartments in Ottawa. Staying with Friends and Family If you can’t afford to spend any more money on temporary housing, it’s time to call up your folks. As long as you know someone that has a spare room or couch, you should be golden. You can ask your family, friends, neighbors, and more. Friends and family come in handy when renovations present unexpected turns. Let’s say that you didn’t plan on staying outside of your home during renovations. That was until you realized that you and your family couldn’t handle the noise. Another scenario could be that we discover a gas leak or termite infestation, making your home unsafe to stay. That’s when you give your friends and family a call for an emergency place to stay during the renovations. If you don’t feel like putting anyone out or prefer to have your own space, you can use one of our other options. Try an RV or Mobile Home Is your home renovation in Ottawa going to render your home uninhabitable? Then why not make a fun camping trip out of it? You can rent a small RV to park in your backyard or across your streets. If you have water and electricity hookups from your house, then that’s even better. That way, you can hook up your plumbing and electricity in the RV. Your kids will love being able to play outside and then sleep inside of the RV. What would have been a terrible inconvenience turns into a fun adventure for the whole family. Bear in mind; you’ll need to make sure that your property allows for RVs. If not, then you can still use an RV, but you’ll need to park it elsewhere. The same is true for mobile homes. If you’re going to be out of your house for an extended period, renting a mobile home can be wise. Not only are they affordable to rent, but they grant you the freedom of mobility. During your home renovation in Ottawa, you can cruise around the city or even take an extended road trip with your friends and family. Once the upgrades are done, you can drive it back to enjoy your dream home. Find a Vacation Rental Here’s another fun option you can use to entertain your family during renovations. If you want to create a fun vacation-like atmosphere, you can turn to sites like Airbnb and www.vrbo.com/en-ca/ . These sites make it effortless to find temporary housing, even with very short notice. So if you find yourself without a place to stay, you can rely on Airbnb in a pinch. Most of these rentals will come fully furnished, which is very convenient. After all, you don’t want to pack up your entire home and take it with you on the road. Instead, the vacation rental will have everything that you need for your trip. You’ll have: Kitchenware Linens Sofas Chairs TVs Beds Nightstands Dressers More Staying in a vacation rental can be an exciting experience. If you’re going to undergo a home renovation in Ottawa, take a look at some Airbnb’s first. That way, you can determine a fun place to take your family during the renovation work. Another plus is that a lot
What Home Renovations Require a Permit in Ottawa?
Home renovations, home improvements, or home remodeling are processes of improving the design and functionality of a home. It normally involves various projects which help to upgrade the existing condition of a property. Home renovations may involve the interior, exterior, or other sections of the house. Renovating a home is important as it helps to restore its appeal and functionality. If you live in Ontario, Canada, you definitely understand how important the remodeling process is and how you need a permit before you can begin the renovations. But do you know what renovations require a permit? Well, let’s find out. What Home Renovations Require a Permit in Ontario, Canada? A building permit usually includes all aspects that relate to construction, renovation, demolition, and home addition. As per the Ontario Building Code, the validity of building permits is usually within the period of construction. But in case you have finished or started the construction process, then the validity of the permit can go up to 6 months. It should be noted that you can always seek to extend your permit, in case you are not able to complete everything within the stipulated timeframe. Home Renovations that Require a Permit in Ontario You need to apply for a permit if you need to: Change or alter a property structure Construct a detached or attached garage Construct a fireplace or chimney Underpin, repair, or excavate a property foundation Create a home addition to an existing building Construct other accessory buildings that have areas covering more than 10 meters squared. Close or change the size of windows and entrances Add new windows and entrances Home repair or renovation work involving electrical wiring, air conditioning, heating, plumbing, and ventilation. Relocate or remove parts of a building Finish sections of buildings that had been previously left unfinished Construct additional rooms within a building Build a deck that’s attached to a property Construct a new detached deck that is above 60.96 cm from the ground Construct a new swimming pool enclosure Not all types of home renovations need a permit. Some of the home improvements that don’t need the application of a permit in Ontario include: Installation of shelves and cabinets Construction of fences Altering an opening Replacing windows and doors Using the same material to replace shingles, siding, or stucco Painting, patching and decorating How to Apply for the Permit If you live in Ottawa and you’re keen on doing home improvements, then you need to first get a permit. You need to personally submit your application to the customer service counter found at your local district office. This should be within the area where your home is located. Once you have paid the application fee, the building staff will do a comprehensive overview of your home improvement plan. This is a vital procedure that’s put in place by the district to ensure that your plans comply with local zoning by-laws of the Ontario Building Code. In addition to that, the plans have to comply with other stipulated regulations put in place. The best thing about the application is that you can conveniently monitor its status online. Generally, the application process is usually fast, especially for small projects such as home renovations. This is important in ensuring that you start and finish the projects as soon as possible. It takes a few days to review smaller projects while complex projects take longer because they need a comprehensive overview. The municipality offers permits to specific projects and in case you want to carry out other renovations, then you must apply for another permit. Why Are Home Improvements Important? Our needs change with time and this may be in terms of size and design. Besides that, the esthetic appeal of buildings normally declines with time. So, some of the benefits of doing home renovations include: Enhanced Comfortability A home needs to be comfortable for you to enjoy living with it. Because our needs change with time, we need to do home renovations to ensure that we can still enjoy our homes. Better Security As stated above, the aesthetic appeal of a property usually declines as time goes by. After years of use, you will find that a home has started developing cracks on the walls, contains tainted shelves and cabinets, has leaking roofs, and worn-out floors among others. This can pose a serious security threat if you are not careful. However, an effective home renovation project can help to fix such issues and minimize the risk of injuries or theft. Improved Efficiency As technology advances, you find that also equipment previously installed in our homes end up becoming updated. For instance, you will find that there are new lighting systems, window designs, flooring material, and others. To ensure that your home is efficient, you can have a renovation project. This helps to ensure that everything runs efficiently as per your preferences. Understand that some of these renovations can be cost-friendly in the long run. For instance, the installation of new heat pumps can help to significantly reduce your energy costs. Enhanced Home Function As time goes by, you might find that your family is growing or reducing in number. If you start to have kids, you might be forced to create an extra room or story. Alternatively, you might be forced to demolish some room units in case they are not in use or you need a larger space. This is important for functionality to ensure that your home meets your changing needs. Increased Home Value Home renovations can significantly increase the value of your home. If your home has an outdated design, then it will less appealing. However, improving its original design in order to meet the latest market trends in the real estate sector can easily attract a good buyer. It’s worth noting that additions such as basements, garages, and the number of bathrooms can also increase the value of your home. Changing the style of the cabinets, installing new doors and windows are all
Home Renovation During Covid 19
Due to Covid-19, the world has come to a standstill. Plans which people had been waiting to execute for months had fallen apart. This crisis has undoubtedly effected home renovation projects and have abruptly paused the progress in the past. Although some countries have given the green signal for construction work, it is of utmost importance that you only get the job done by a team who understands the severity of the situation. This is why RenosGroup is here to provide you with a home renovation during Covid-19 in Ottawa. We have been in the home renovations and remodeling industry for years. Considering how finding a reliable general contractor has become harder than ever, we are here to satisfy all your home renovation requirements and execute your plans to perfection. It is easy to go wrong with home renovations by picking the wrong contractors. Your months or even years of planning can go down the drain with a single bad decision. Moreover, you would have to bear the financial loss as well. This is why let’s see how you can make your renovation project a success. Things to Consider When Searching for a Home Renovation Contractor 1) Finding Someone Trustable This should go without saying that if you are looking to get home renovation during Covid-19, then it should be done by someone trustable. Far too many people make the mistake of choosing the wrong contractor, and in return, their investment is wasted. Before you trust a contractor, always make sure that you evaluate their previous track record. The kind of services they offer and how open they are to communication. Renovation work can go on for days, weeks, or even months. So, rather than trusting someone who does not even come close to meeting your expectations, it is better to be more careful with your decision from the start. 2) Implementation of SOPs There is nothing more important than your health. This is why SOPs are one thing you should never compromise upon. If you are getting a home renovation during Covid-19, your top priority should be to hire contractors who strictly follow and work according to the SOPs. Professional contractors realize the importance of implementing SOPs. RenosGroup is dedicated to not only transform your house but also prioritize the safety of you and your loved ones. 3) Know your Needs This is a problem that people often face during renovations. Regardless of how professional your contractor is, if you are not sure about what you are looking for, you will ultimately be disappointed by the end-results. You must at least have a vague picture in your mind of what you expect to decide on the scope of work. We are not saying that you should come up with a full blueprint. However, giving the contractors a direction to work towards alone can significantly affect the outcome and make it turn out the way you want it to. 4) Prioritize Quality over Price One common mistake that people make when they are planning to get their house renovated is that they get too caught up in price. While it is true that everyone would want their home remodeling project to be done in the lowest budget possible, it still should not be your only priority. It often happens that when you prioritize price too much, you end up losing sight of what truly matters the most. Sure, you will be able to save a couple hundred or thousand dollars, but in the long run, it is certainly not going to be worth it. Normally, contractors who offer their services at an incredibly low price, often either lack the experience or they cut costs somewhere else. When you are getting your house remodeled or renovated, you want to at least go for a 5-year solution if not more. Therefore, if the price seems too good to be true, then you might have to pause for a moment and re-evaluate your decision. 5) Expand your Search The general rule before you get started with any renovation work is to know the market. If you directly proceed with the decision to get your house renovated, the chances are that you may miss out on much better options. Every contractor will use different building materials and have their own unique approach while working on a project. Expand your search to first understand which approach suits you the most and also get an estimate of the renovation costs. Why Choose RenosGroup? You can find numerous home renovators in Ottawa. However, what makes us truly stand-out is our attention to detail. Our main aim is to exceed industry standards, and that is what helps us stay ahead of the competition. Here’s the process we follow for all of our home improvements/remodeling jobs: Design: Our aim at RenosGroup is to help homeowners achieve their dreams. Most of the time homeowners have a vague picture in their mind on what they are expecting in terms of design. Our goal is to turn that abstract idea into a reality and provide you with satisfactory end-results. Plan: The most important aspect of any renovation project is planning. What truly makes us excel in what we do is that we lay out all the groundwork for the project. Having a direction is essential before you begin with any construction or remodeling job. And this is exactly what we always prioritize. Execute: Once the groundwork is laid out, executing it to perfection is also an equally important step. However, you do not have to worry. We are going to make sure you are involved throughout the process while we complete the job professionally and efficiently. End Result: There is no bigger dream of our team at RenosGroup than to transform the house of homeowners according to their expectations. Our main priority is to provide you with complete satisfaction, and until we have not achieved that, our job remains incomplete. Our Approach towards Home Renovation during Covid-19 Given the circumstances, it
Home Renovation Guide
Basics You Need to Know About Home Renovation in Ottawa, Canada Are you planning to renovate your home for the first time – or the first time in a long time? If yes, this quick, handy Home Renovation Guide will give you the steps to follow so that your renovation is low-stress, on-budget, and improves both the quality of your life and the value of your home. Enjoy! How to Find an Excellent General Contractor in Ottawa Before beginning any home renovation project, your first step is to find an excellent general contractor to take care of everything for you. The general contractor you use will either make your home renovations a joy or, if you choose poorly, could make the entire project a colossal debacle. Below are the basics to follow when searching: Call several contractors and arrange an interview with all of them. (We recommend you call 3) Check online reviews on review websites like Google, HomeStars, Trusted Pros, Yelp, and others. The more positive the reviews, and the more of them you find, the better. Also check out the companies replies Surf the contractor’s Facebook page and see how they interact with customers. This can give you a great deal of insight into how they deal with the public. Look out for companies with websites or social media pages that only have 3 or 4 portfolios/pictures of their work. You don’t want to get stuck with a company that has only done 3 bathrooms….. Ask family, friends, and colleagues who have had home renovations or a home addition done in Ottawa, who they would recommend. If they can start right away, keep looking. The best general contractors are always busy and will need to schedule your renovations to fit their work schedule. Set Aside Extra Funds for Hidden Surprises During Your Home Renovation Here’s the thing; there can be a surprise or two when having a basement renovation done in your home. The same goes for kitchen, bathroom, and other renovations. No matter how much you plan, there can be unforeseen problems, changes, and repairs that need to be made, which will increase your final cost. For this reason, we recommend setting aside 10% over and above your home renovation budget. That way, when those surprises happen, you’ll be financially ready to handle them. Don’t Be Fooled by Suspiciously Low Bids One of the biggest causes of stress when renovating a home is being told that the cost will be higher than the contractor told you at the project’s onset. In some cases, the cost can be significantly higher, especially if the contractor gave you a much lower bid than the other bids you received. Two different things cause this scenario. The first, and the worst, is that the contractor purposely underbid to get the job. The second, which is still wrong, is when the person who put together the bid either was new at their job or missed something that the contractor should have included. Either of these two scenarios, a purposefully low bid or a mistakenly low bid, can cause massive headaches down the road once your renovation project is already underway. In most cases, you’ll need to pay the difference or else be left with renovations that are only partially completed. Don’t Put Down a Large Deposit on Your Renovation Project One of the warning signs to look for when hiring general contractor is one who asks for more than 10% down to get the project started. The reason some do is a bit nefarious; unfortunately, they may need the money to finish another person’s renovation project. One caveat; if you’ve asked for expensive fixtures in your home renovation project, your contractor may ask for a 50% deposit for those items. Make Sure the General Contractor you Choose Is Insured This may seem trivial but, at the end of the day, it could be huge. It’s vital you make sure your general contractor has insurance to cover any accidents that might occur during the project. If they don’t, the responsibility for any accidents and injuries could rest on your shoulders alone, which would be very bad, financially speaking. Our suggestion; ask to see their insurance policy and ask for a copy of it as well. Be Prepared for a Bit of Extra Stress One thing that many homeowners don’t plan on is the extra stress that home renovations cause. The truth is, when you have kitchen renovation done, your kitchen will be out of commission, at least for a few weeks, if not a month. The same can be said for a basement renovation or bathroom renovation (although the kitchen is usually the worst). Disruptions, dust, and strangers traipsing through your home can be a very stressful time for many folks, especially children. Planning for this extra stress can be helpful, such as a day out at the zoo or having meals sent to your home. Speaking of planning, negotiating the rules of your home with the renovation crew is vital and needs to be done on day one. For example, will the crew use your bathroom, or will they bring a porta-potty? Will they clean at the end of each day? What hours will they arrive and leave every day, and how they’ll communicate if they’re going to be early or late? Your home addition will be much less stressful if you work these things out at the start of the project. Last Words If you follow the basics above, ask questions (and get answers to those questions), it will usually go off without any significant problems or stress. We recommend staying in constant contact with the head contractor during the project and letting them know of any issues or concerns right away. Do these things, and all of your home renovation projects should come to a very satisfactory conclusion. Don’t wait to get started get in touch, give us a call today at (613) 727-9427 or use our online form.