Ensuite Bathroom Renovation Ottawa – Bryant Street

Home Improvements That Pay Off When You Sell

October 13, 2022 No Comments

If you’re thinking about selling your home, there are a few things you can do to increase its value and make it more appealing to buyers. By making some strategic home improvements, you can recoup your investment and even turn a profit. Here are seven home improvements that will help you sell your home for top dollar. 1. Kitchen Remodel A kitchen remodel is one of the most effective ways to increase your home’s value. A well-designed kitchen with high-end appliances and finishes will appeal to buyers and help you fetch a higher price. Even if you don’t have the budget for a complete gut renovation, making smaller changes like painting the cabinets, installing new countertops, or upgrading the lighting can make a big difference. Beyond the visual appeal, kitchens with convenient layouts will catch the eye of buyers, especially if they enjoy preparing their own meals. Add-ons like islands, cabinets, and open shelves provide more options for storage space, which is great for buyers with lots of cooking utensils and appliances. The positioning also matters here, as you’ll want to ensure you have everything you need to cook a meal right in front of you. If you have to make six 180s just to put together a grilled cheese sandwich, opting for a more practical layout will generate more interest from home buyers – not to mention it will make your life easier before you sell. It is possible to go a bit overboard with upgrading your kitchen, which may end up having the opposite effect than you intended. If you go with a mega-sized refrigerator and top-tier garbage disposal, the cost may rise higher than most buyers are willing to pay (of course, this is entirely up to you, as if you do find a buyer, you’ll end up selling your home for more). Your best bet to get the most bang for your buck is to renovate your kitchen with high-end appliances, cheery lighting, and an optimized design to make preparing meals a breeze. 2. Bathroom Remodel Like the kitchen, bathrooms are another important selling point for potential buyers. A bathroom remodel can be relatively simple and inexpensive, but it will make a big impact on buyers. If your bathroom is outdated or in need of repairs, consider renovating it before putting your home on the market. Above all else, bathrooms should feel clean and pleasant. Sometimes, a refresh is all a bathroom needs. What’s that? A bathroom refresh is where you make several essential touch-ups to reinvigorate your bathroom. This includes things like a fresh coat of paint, a new vanity or mirror, and replacing busted towel racks. Other times, a more extensive renovation is necessary to make your bathrooms attractive to the market. The lighting in your bathroom can make a huge difference to some buyers, especially those that enjoy unwinding by soaking in a dimly lit tub. Adding a light dimmer is always a good idea, as is experimenting with different lighting combinations. If your bathrooms are tinier than a broom closet, adding more space with an addition or by moving around your sink and tub will help boost their appeal. While a tiny bathroom in connecting areas is fine, it’s better to have larger bathrooms in major areas, especially the master bedroom. Home buyers won’t like to see older-style toilets, so you should update them if they’re ancient. That’s because older toilets waste much more water, leading to a larger bill. Modern toilets are more efficient and save water, so it’s always wise to retrofit your bathrooms. 3. Finished basement A finished basement is a great way to add extra living space to your home without having to build an addition. If your basement is currently unfinished, consider finishing it with drywall, flooring, and lighting fixtures. You could also add a bathroom or wet bar to make it even more appealing to buyers. An unfinished basement is wasted potential, as it’s part of your home’s square footage that you aren’t using. After all, you have to pay 100% of your mortgage, so why not use 100% of the space you have available? The best part is you can essentially add a brand-new room to your home without having to construct an addition. Would-be homeowners want to see your basement put to good use, and you have so many options. You could transform your basement into a kid’s playroom, a guest suite, a movie theater, or even a second living room. New homeowners love guest rooms, and having one will instantly make your home more valuable. There’s another benefit to transforming your basement into an extra bedroom besides increasing your property value – as it can generate passive income for you. By renting out your basement bedroom on platforms like Airbnb, your spare bedroom can make money for you before it’s time to pack up and sell your house. That’s not to mention that basements also make excellent wine cellars, man caves, and libraries. Not only will finishing your basement make your property value skyrocket, but it will also provide you with a great new space to enjoy in the time before you sell. If your basement is really exciting and attention-grabbing, you may start an all-out bidding war – which is 100x better than home buyers deciding without taking a second thought to skip on your property due to an unfinished basement. 4. Deck or Patio More home improvements…If your home doesn’t have an outdoor living space, now is the time to create one. Adding a deck or patio is a great way to add extra square footage to your home and make it more enjoyable for entertaining guests. And since many buyers place a premium on homes with outdoor living spaces, you’re likely to see a return on your investment when you sell. There are many ways to create an exciting outdoor space with your new patio or deck – and they don’t all involve going

Water Damage in Ottawa? Your Essential Guide to Repair

September 21, 2022 No Comments

Did your home incur significant water damage in Ottawa? If so, it’s crucial to act fast – as wet surfaces and materials start to form mold and other severe issues after only 24 hours. As such, you’ll want to assess your damages and begin repairs as soon as possible. If the damage is severe and beyond your scope, don’t hesitate to call our highly trained and experienced team at 613-727-9427, and we’ll hop on your repairs immediately. If the damage is minimal, you may want to know if you can handle the repairs yourself. In that case, you’ve come to the right place – as we’ve prepared an extensive guide to repair water damage in Ottawa. Even if you haven’t experienced water damage in your home, it’s still beneficial to know how to deal with it properly should it occur. There’s quite a bit to know about water damage, and making the wrong move could spell disaster. Conversely, making the right decisions early on will go a long way toward restoring your home to its original state at a reasonable cost. Read on to learn the best practices involved with proper water damage repair. Along the way, we’ll cover: The three different types of water damage Mold inspection tips How to dry everything out What to throw away and what’s safe to keep Restoring and replacing drywall and siding Painting and caulking Knowing when to hire professionals Without further ado, here’s everything you need to know about repairing water damage in Ottawa. Is it Clean, Gray, or Black Water? The Three Types of Water Damage First things first, you need to determine which type of water has contaminated your home. If that sentence makes you scratch your head, you should know that not all water damage is the same. In particular, there are three types of water damage, each with varying degrees of severity. We didn’t just make this up, either. These are official rankings from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC). They are: Clean water Gray water Black water Each has unique requirements for how you approach repairs, so let’s take a closer look at them. Dealing with Clean Water Damage The first and most accessible type of water damage to repair is from clean water – which is the least severe of the three, according to the IICRC. While it may seem nonsensical to refer to water flooding your home as ‘clean,’ it’s more about it being free of raw sewage and toxins, which will wreak even more havoc on your home and belongings. Clean water comes from: Busted pipes Sinks Bathtubs Water supply lines Rain As you can see, these are all ‘clean’ sources of water that don’t contain excessive toxins or raw sewage. As such, this type of water is the easiest to dry up and repair without causing too much lasting damage. If you have clean water damage in Ottawa, you should be able to repair it by yourself relatively quickly. Of course, it will also depend on how much clean water damage your home has incurred. Repairs should be straightforward and pain-free if there’s only an inch or two of water on the ground. Dealing with Gray Water Damage Next on the IICRC severity scale is gray water – which is water that is slightly dirty or soiled – but not excessively. Gray water has more contaminants than clean water but still lacks raw sewage and severe contaminants. Gray water comes from: Toilets Washing machines Sump pump backups Dishwashers The waste and chemicals in gray water may or may not be directly harmful to humans, but it’s crucial to thoroughly disinfect your home to ensure the contaminants don’t cause problems down the line. You may also need to wear safety gear while repairing gray water damage to protect yourself from hazardous toxins (especially if the gray water came from a sump pump backup). At this point, you can still opt to handle the repairs yourself, but we recommend that you leave it to professionals like our team at RenosGroup. That’s because we’re well versed in cleaning/removing contaminated materials from bathrooms, kitchens, and basements to ensure that we restore your home to its original glory. Dealing with Black Water Damage Black water is the most severe on the IICRC scale, and for a good reason. Black water contains raw sewage and hazardous toxins that are extremely dangerous. You should by NO MEANS attempt to repair black water damage in Ottawa by yourself. That’s because black water can cause severe health complications if you aren’t wearing the proper safety gear/taking the necessary precautions. The last thing you want is to have to contend with a life-threatening illness while your home is flooded, which is why you should ALWAYS call us at RenosGroup to repair black water damage. How do you know if your home is contaminated with black water? Here’s where black water comes from: Sewers Rising flood waters Seawater River water If your home gets flooded by a sewer overflow or rising river waters, you need to contact professionals for cleanup as soon as possible. Black water contains bacteria, human waste, and other serious contaminants – so your home will need to undergo extensive disinfecting before returning to normal. Your Repair Guide for Water Damage in Ottawa Now that you know about the three types of water damage, it’s time to learn how to repair damage from clean water and gray water. If you suspect the gray water has bacteria or contaminants in it, you should contact professionals for repairs. Yet, if it’s simply some water from a busted toilet, you should be able to handle it by yourself. Like anything else, there’s a right and wrong way to go about repairing water damage, which is why we’ve prepared this guide containing a step-by-step process for getting rid of water damage in Ottawa. Step #1: Inspect for Serious Issues Your first step should be to assess the damage as

To Renovate or To Move: Which Solution is Best for You?

April 24, 2020 No Comments

Whether you’re adding a new member to the family or just need more space to stretch out in, it can be a serious challenge when you’re weighing the options of renovating versus moving. It’s not always a straightforward answer. The best way to determine the right step for you is to consider a few key factors while weighing the pros and cons of both. To help you decide which solution is the best for you, here are some things to consider when you’re wondering whether to renovate or to move. Renovate If you enjoy your current neighbourhood and have developed good friendships with your neighbours and other members of your community, renovating could be a good option to really explore. By reinvesting in your current home, you can create the property you’ve been dreaming of in a location that you already love. But, of course, there can be limitations and challenges to every project. What might be possible for one person might not be possible for your home or circumstance, like being able to vacate your home while construction is underway. Before weighing the benefits, it’s a good idea to first ask yourself the following questions and answer them honestly to get a clearer idea of which direction to take: Do you want to stay within the area long-term? Does your neighbourhood offer the services and amenities that you need to make life more convenient and enjoyable? Is your neighbourhood desirable to potential buyers? Are homes increasing in value or decreasing? Do you have the budget and the time to take on a major renovation? Benefits of Renovating Increases the Value of Your Home It doesn’t matter if you’re contemplating a major renovation like adding an extension, or a cosmetic facelift like redoing the kitchen and bathroom, most home reno projects will add more value to your home. In fact, in some cases, it can add 10-15% more, especially if it involves any major areas like the kitchen, master bedroom, bathrooms or basement. You Can Get More Money If You Sell Of course, if you do eventually change your mind and decide that moving is the best choice, even after you’ve completed a reno, you won’t lose out. You’ll be able to get more money by boosting the sale price of your home. Homebuyers today are more interested in buying a move-in ready home that’s already been renovated, so any home improvements will be an added bonus, no matter what you decide. Avoid the Headache of Moving Let’s face it, moving your entire home and relocating to a new neighbourhood is not a fun process. It’s tedious, time-consuming, costly, and downright aggravating with so much to deal with. So we say, if you can avoid it, then it’s worth it. Even though a renovation can be costly, it can save you so much time and effort in the long run. Plus, you’ll be able to avoid the long list of fees, in addition to the sale and purchase costs of buying a new home. When comparing, it’s worth the effort to stay put and take advantage of the space you have by reinvesting in it instead. Upgrade to What You Want Since it’s your home, you can do what you like with it. Whether you’re growing a business and need a home-based office, growing your family and need a den for the kids, or want to create a separate space to move your aging parents in to keep an eye on them, you get to reconfigure your home as you need to. When working with contractors, you can discuss your needs and get the expert advice to maximize the space you have, improve the functionality of your layout, and upgrade your property to serve as you need it to. Moving Taking on a renovation isn’t a viable option for everyone. If the space that you need requires too much work or a budget that you just don’t have, then relocating might be your best bet. Here are a few questions to ask yourself to help determine the right move: Does the market show that it’s a good time to sell? Can I afford to move right now? Is it worth the effort and hassle? Benefits of Moving Improve Your lifestyle If your current location just isn’t suitable for your lifestyle, moving is likely the most practical option. Whether it’s the crime rate, lack of good school options, poor access to basic amenities or a lack of green space, it’s important to determine what you need and whether your current home and neighbourhood are serving that purpose adequately. If not, start looking. Find What You Need in a Property Is your current property in need of a major renovation? If you’re living in an older home that requires an extensive amount of repairs, it may stretch way beyond your budget. When the cost just isn’t a practical alternative, or if the home is too run down to perform basic upgrades, or if you just don’t have the desire to live in a construction zone, moving is the right step for you. If you’ve decided to stay put and make the most of your current home, allow us to help! At Renosgroup.ca, we offer the expertise and quality workmanship to transform any area of your home to improve the layout, design, and functionality. Contact us today, or give us a call at (613)727-9427 to get started!

7 Ways to Optimize that Unused Space in Your Home

December 20, 2019 No Comments

Whether you need to accommodate your growing family or want to maximize storage in your unit, there are many ways to optimize that unused space in your home. Even if you have smaller square footage, there are still plenty of ways to be strategic with bare walls and other neglected nooks. To make the most of your home, here are our top tips to optimize space. Bedrooms tend to have less space than we often need to house all of our clothing. With so many seasonal clothes to store away during different months, those bulky sweaters, coats, and shoes can become a serious pain when you don’t have another inch in your closet to stuff them in. That’s where under bed storage can help. You can find beds these days that have actual storage units built within them. But if that’s not practical, you can also utilize plastic containers that are designed to fit under the bed. Store away your seasonal wear and roll out the containers whenever it’s time to swap them out for the items in your closet or dresser. This is an ideal example of using handy space that often gets overlooked. Multi-Functional Furniture From the coffee table to that vintage trunk at the end of your bed, to the footstools in your living room – there are plenty of ways to create more space for storage with multi-functional furniture throughout your home. These days, with units and homes being more limited on square footage, furniture that doubles as storage is incredibly popular and easy to find. Consider what you need for your home and how you can double down by using them to tuck away books, winter wear or other items that you don’t often need on display. Mudroom Bench A mudroom bench is elegant, eye-catching and incredibly helpful for keeping outdoor wear out of sight. When the messy wet weather is coming down outside, it’s a welcomed addition for placing your gear away. Complete with a top shelf, hooks and a hallowed-out bench, you can place hats and scarves in baskets up top, hang your jackets as needed, and place infrequently used gear within the bench. It’s a convenient feature to have and it’s also a great way to help protect your home from the mess and puddles. Shelving Units Shelving units come in all sizes and styles to suit any room in your home. To store any finicky items that often don’t have a particular spot to tuck away, add baskets to your unit to keep things together and organized while making your home look tidy and clutter-free. These are always an attractive addition to the living room, den or even the basement. Floating Shelves Floating shelves can be placed pretty much anywhere, which is why they are so handy for homes that are limited on storage space. If you have a blank wall, utilize it by adding some floating shelves. Don’t forget to consider using the space towards the ceiling too. Those high points on the wall are often neglected, but they can become a convenient place to store away stuff that doesn’t get used on a daily basis. If you have a studio, home office or even a den for the kids, consider how you could take advantage of the space that’s a bit higher than your point of vision. Neutral coloured baskets on top of your higher shelves can be a good way to make it look more discreet. Under the Stairs Basements have a lot of potential room – it’s just a matter of finding it. One of the best spots to optimize is right under the stairs. A built-in storage unit can offer a good amount of space for just about anything – toys, books, old files or photos and everything in between. Units can be customized to fit your exact space so you can make use out of every square inch. Hanging Units Inside Cupboards Bathrooms can be particularly tight on space. But you can find extra room on the interior of your vanity cupboards. Inserts can be installed on the inside of each door to neatly store your flatiron, hairdryer and other bathroom staples in. Whether it’s creating extra storage space, updating the kitchen or modernizing your bathroom to maximize on floor space, give the RenosGroup.ca a call when you need home projects done. Our team of experts can tackle just about anything you need with quality craftsmanship that you can count on. As a family-owned business that’s been serving Ottawa residents for years, we’re the home reno team you can depend on for quality work offered at the most affordable rates. Contact us today, or give us a call at (613)727-9427 to learn more or to get a quote.

Should You Renovate Before Listing Your Home for Sale?

April 14, 2016 No Comments

You have had your house for some time now and made a great life for yourselves in it. But now that it’s time to move, how much will you get back on your investment? It should come as no surprise that the better the condition of your home, the more modern the design, and the more energy-efficient, the better your chances of getting the full value of the property. So – Should You Renovate Before Listing Your Home for Sale? The simple answer is yes, you should choose renovation projects that make sense for your budget, that will be noticed by potential buyers, and that will improve the resale value of your home. Save the big ambitious projects for your next home, and try to stick to renovation ideas and décor choices that have universal appeal. Red Flag for Buyers When potential buyers walk into the house, they are looking for red flags. A red flag may be a huge substantive issue, like a massive visible foundation crack or water spots upstairs that may hint to a roof leak. In this case, potential buyers are right to turn away. However red flags can also be small things that drop the desirability of your home when compared with competing properties. These red flags will vary from buyer to buyer, but yes, it could be things like your structurally sound but aesthetically hideous 80s kitchen, or your ratty old living room carpet keeping you from getting an offer. Every time a potential buyer spots a red flag, they are mentally reducing how much they would be willing to pay for your home – if they’re even interested in making an offer at all. Renovation for Resale If you are planning to sell your home, there are many valid reasons to do a renovation project beforehand. Whether it’s small DIY fixes like upgrading cabinet hardware or a massive overhaul project, remodelling will make your house more attractive to buyers and improve the resale value of your home. Inspiration from the House Hunt Since you are likely looking for a new home at the same time, why not take inspiration from other homes that you see online or during showings? What features make your jaw drop, and what do you not even notice? Let’s say you always appreciate a clean, well-organized entryway. Well, this would be an easy improvement project that you can do in a weekend. On the other hand, what if homeowners spent thousands installing new cabinetry when a simple reface would have made you happy? Potential buyers will always look at floors, countertops, paint colour, appliances (even if appliances aren’t included in the home). Other features are tricky. Potential buyers will point out hideous light fixtures, and beautiful light fixtures – but they won’t even notice regular, run of the mill light fixtures. So there’s an area you can save money. Likewise, they will notice grotesque stained carpet, and admire beautiful glossy hardwood floors, but if you have regular clean carpet you’re fine. BONUS TIP: While a DIY approach is appropriate for some small projects like upgrading to LED light bulbs, be careful about any project where sloppy work will show. For example it is easy and affordable to install new shower tiles, but if the tiles are crooked and grout is uneven, potential buyers will not be impressed and all your efforts will go to waste. Work with a qualified contractor in Ottawa and get professional results. To learn more about whether you should renovate before listing your home, don’t hesitate to contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

Real Estate Blog

Home Improvements That Pay Off When You Sell

Water Damage in Ottawa? Your Essential Guide to Repair

To Renovate or To Move: Which Solution is Best for You?

7 Ways to Optimize that Unused Space in Your Home

Should You Renovate Before Listing Your Home for Sale?

READY TO INCREASE THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME?

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