Contractor

The Best General Contractor in Ottawa

If you live in the Ottawa area and need a general contractor, you’ve probably searched for these words.

Well, the good news is that you’ve landed on the best here at RenosGroup.

We’re general contractors in Ottawa that provide extensive remodeling services. We specialize in kitchens, basements, bathrooms, and more.

Our team is trustworthy, educated, and highly skilled. Whether you want to revamp the layout of your kitchen or have mobility limitations, we do it all here.

So if you’ve been searching for ‘the best general contractor Ottawa’ in Ottawa, you’re in the right place. Read on to learn all the reasons why RenosGroup is your #1 choice for remodels and beyond.

Why Hiring RenosGroup is Better Than DIY

Lots of homeowners try to save money by tackling the renovations themselves. While this may work for experienced craftsmen, it’s not a good idea for the majority.

That’s because renovating your home correctly takes a lot of expertise.

Not only that, but if you screw things up, you could wind up costing yourself thousands.

Say, for example, that you want to add extra space to your basement by knocking down a wall. That’s a risky job if you don’t have any experience.

If you mess things up, you could do damage to the foundation of your home. That will end up costing far more than simply hiring us from the start.

There’s also the real risk of injury. Renovating involves a lot of hard work with tools, ladders, heavy lifting, and more. If you wind up injuring yourself, you’ll lose even more money through medical bills. Not only that, but you’ll end up losing income by missing work too.

A lot goes into renovating a home, and it takes a team of dedicated professionals with diverse skills. At RenosGroup, we have a fantastic team with lots of varying specialties. We have professionals that are master carpenters, drywall workers, and more.

So if you want to renovate your home in Ottawa, you need to save yourself some stress by calling us. That way, you won’t have to worry about damaging your home or injuring yourself. Our team knows how to stay safe on the job, and we’re licensed and insured for our work.

Here are a few other reasons why you should choose us instead of DIY:

  • The craftsmanship. Even if you fancy yourself as a jack-of-all-trades, you can’t be a master at everything. As a consequence, your renovations will wind up looking amateurish. If you’re not highly experienced with carpentry, drywall, and other trades, you won’t get stellar results. Hiring us, on the other hand, is the best way to ensure impeccable craftsmanship.
  • The required tools. Many budding DIY’ers get stopped in their tracks when they realize they don’t have the tools they need. After all, it’s not very common to have a wood lathe in your garage for casual use. The fact is that you probably lack the equipment necessary to complete the renovations that you want.
  • Time-consuming. Another reason lots of DIY’ers give up is the amount of time involved. Proper renovations take a considerable amount of time. If you work a full-time job, you probably won’t have enough time to complete the project. Sure, you can work strictly on the weekends, but achieving your goals will take twice as long. You won’t have to worry about any of that by hiring us instead.
  • Responsible for your mistakes. If you blast a claw hammer through your wall by mistake, then it’s on you. If you want to fix it, then you’ll have to dish out the money for repairs. With our team at RenosGroup, we’re insured for our work, protecting you from any damages. We’re also staunch professionals that rarely ever make mistakes.
  • The 80% curse. A lot of DIY’ers will get cocky once they reach the 80% completion point. Once they start to see the end in sight, they can’t resist the urge to ‘take a break.’ The bad news is that this break is usually indefinite. It’s rare for a homeowner to complete a renovation job on their own.

Your Reliable Source for Ottawa Renovations

You’re on the lookout for the ‘best general contractor Ottawa,’ so let’s list some reasons why it’s us. We have very high standards for excellence at RenosGroup. That’s why we boast a flawless track record with our clients in Ottawa.

We’re committed to providing you with the renovations of your dreams.

That’s why we provide free in-home consultations for every client.

Unlike other contractors in the area, we never charge for our consultations. Beyond that, we perform them in your home. That way, we can lay eyes on your space and gauge the feasibility of your project.

We’ll work with you to determine the best action plan to make your renovations a reality.

Of course, you’ll always have the final say on what we end up doing with your home.

Communication is one of our most essential values. Every step of the way, we’ll keep you updated on the progress of your renovations. You’re also free to request any changes or updates as well. It’s our goal to win your total satisfaction with our work. That way, we’ll become your go-to for all your future renovations.

Free In-Home Consultations

We feel that general contractors have lost their personal touch in Ottawa. That’s why we’re here to pose a return to form. You see, it’s all too common for general contractors to charge you before ever visiting your home.

Sure, you can view their showroom for free, but that’s to upsell you on their most expensive products.

They’ll show you impressive backsplashes, cabinetry, and floor coatings. Yet, this is all in a showroom backdrop and not your actual home.

If you request an in-home consultation, they’ll want to charge you. At RenosGroup, we do not agree with this model at all. In fact, we think that it’s pretty insane.

How can you expect a contractor to know the needs of your home if they don’t even see it first?

These are contractors that already know what they want to do to your interiors. They will renovate based on THEIR vision instead of YOURS. We do the opposite at RenosGroup.

That’s why we offer in-home consultations at no cost to you. It’s our first step for every client, in fact. We’ll sit down in your home to discuss what you want for your renovations. We’ll work entirely based on your needs, not our desire to sell you expensive products.

That’s why we keep a online product showrooms. Anyone can view them, but you can’t buy anything through them. Instead, our online showcases serve to give you a feel for the type of products that we offer. That way, you can request certain products during our in-home consultation with you. We’re also renowned for our highly accurate quotes. We do our very best to stick to the price that we quote you for your convenience.

An Elite Team of Experts

When searching for ‘general contractors Ottawa,’ ignore any service using subcontractors.

Why’s that?

It’s because subcontractors are unreliable and do shoddy work.

Any general contractor that uses subcontractors has less quality control. That’s because they have no way of controlling their effectiveness. They’re putting their reputation in the hands of another service, which is never a good idea.

We see a situation all the time when a contractor has to answer for a subcontractor’s mistakes. That’s a nightmare scenario that nobody wants. You don’t want any damage to your home, and contractors don’t want their reputations ruined.

Yet, that’s the risk that they run every time that they choose to use subcontractors. We’re well aware of this risk at RenosGroup, which is why we don’t use subcontractors.

As a result, we enjoy total quality control over every project that we complete.

Our team of experts gets held accountable for every renovation they perform for us. Not only that, but we have rigorous standards for our training. We’re able to ensure the quality of every member of our crew due to these measures.

We have experts from all areas on our team. For each trade, we have someone that specializes in it entirely. That guarantees that we do a fantastic job every single time.

We never have our plumbers scratching their heads at how to build a custom cabinet. That’s because we delegate accordingly, ensuring an expert handles every task.

We can come up with a fun and unique look for your kitchen, basement, and other rooms. You won’t find a team this diverse and talented anywhere else in Ottawa.

Fair and Transparent Contracts

Best General Contractor in Ottawa

Basement Renovation – Quarry Ridge Drive in Orleans

Cheaper contractors love to advertise low rates on paper. Once they hook you in with these minuscule rates, they’ll jack up the price with hidden fees. Not only is this shady, but it’s not a very good way to encourage repeat business.

We’re incredibly open and transparent with our contracts. You’ll NEVER have to deal with any annoying hidden fees or expenses. What you see is what you get, and our contracts are always written in plain English.

That’s another common trick among shadier contractors, complicated language.

They will litter their contracts with complicated jargon to confuse you. If you can’t make heads or tails of the wording, then it’s far easier to trick you with hidden fees. So if you notice a contract that’s impossible to understand, don’t sign it! Tear it up and give us a call at RenosGroup instead. That way, you can enjoy fair and honest pricing from honest professionals.

Nothing makes our blood boil more than dishonest pricing. We’re in this for the long haul, so we would never betray your trust. All our contracts are simple to understand and feature honest pricing.

We’re also very accurate with our quotes. During our in-home consultation, we’ll do a lot of work to develop a detailed quote. In doing so, we’ll factor in all your requests into the quote. We find that we consistently knock it out of the park when it comes to accurate price quotes.

Also, one of our professionals will go over the entire contract with you before the signing. If you have any questions about it at all, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We’ll answer all your queries related to our pricing, process, and business standards.

When it comes to renovations, you get what you pay for in the end. If you choose to hire professionals like us, you’ll wind up with incredible kitchens, bathrooms, and more. If you cut costs or try to do it yourself, trust us, you won’t like how things come out.

We constantly have to cover for cheaper contractor mistakes. The same is true for DIY’ers.

The best way to save yourself some money is to hire us from the get-go!

 

Concluding Thoughts

Those are our top reasons why we qualify as the ‘best general contractor Ottawa’. If you want to renovate your bathrooms, kitchens, or basements, now you know who to call. No other contractor can match our expertise, free consultations, or pricing.

We will go above and beyond to meet all your renovation needs. We can handle any type of renovation as well as home additions. Let us know if you want to add a deck, extra room, or a small building in your backyard.

We’re by far your best bet for renovations in Ottawa, so don’t wait to give us a call to get started. To request a free in-home consultation, don’t wait to fill out an online form or give us a call at (613) 727-9427

Choosing The Right General Contractor in Ottawa

For most homeowners, the most challenging part of beginning a new renovation project is finding a professional, competent and reliable contractor. Choosing the right general contractor can make a significant difference between a successful home renovation project and a complete disaster.

We understand that this is a critical first step in your planning process and would like to help. The more you know about working with a general contractor, the better prepared you’ll be to navigate the road ahead.

What You Need to Know Before Hiring a General Contractor 


Know What You Want

Even before speaking or meeting with a potential contractor, it’s important to think about your goals and vision for the project. What would you want your kitchen remodel to look like? What amenities do you want? And so on. Decide on the scope of work to be done and how much you’re willing to spend on that project.

Consider factoring major future life changes into your plan to cater to your potentially expanding family. Whether it’s an accessible walk-in shower or an open-plan family room big enough to accommodate your family and guests.

Don’t settle for a Couple of Bids. Get More

Call a few companies and get multiple estimates. Make sure you’re comparing the same set of plans and specifications for each bid as you can’t effectively compare the estimates if you’re using different brands of building materials, work methods, etc.

Find Someone You Can Trust

Trust is a critical component when it comes to finding the right contractor. Your home is your personal place of safety and relaxation so it helps to find someone who understands and respects your space, privacy, and security. After all, the people you entrust the service to will be in your home for weeks or even months.

Don’t Make a Decision Based on Price Alone

Choosing The Right General Contractor in Ottawa

The lowest prices may not ultimately provide the best value for your home renovation project in Ottawa. A lot of homeowners are lured by the lowest prices, thinking that they have landed a great deal. Be skeptical of very cheap prices as these tend to be more costly in the end, especially if a contractor is trying to cut corners, excluding certain costs, using cheap materials, not pulling permits, or is inexperienced.

You don’t want to end up in a situation where you’re forced to fix remodels from unscrupulous contractors who delivered shoddy or unsafe work.

Choosing Your Home Renovations Partner in Ottawa

Once you begin your search for a general contractor in Ottawa, you’ll likely come across all levels of experience and ability. Fortunately, there are ways to sift through the numbers to find a fit that guarantees quality work and peace of mind. The National Association of the Remodelling Industry offers some suggestions on some of the qualities you should look out for in a qualified general contractor.

At Renosgrop.ca, exceeding industry standards is how we have put ourselves ahead of the competition.

Free In-Home Consultation with a difference

One of the benefits that we offer is a free in-home consultation. While some companies only rely on virtual consultations, we prefer to meet you at your home to assess the project. This enables us to evaluate and discuss your needs as well as come up with reliable cost estimates.

We recognize that every home renovation is different, and a proper assessment is necessary to implement the designer’s plan efficiently while being able to anticipate possible problems.

Everything Under One Roof

When it comes to major renovations like additions or complete kitchen overhauls, it’s important to work with a licensed and insured general contractor who is in charge of all aspects of the project, from beginning to completion. Homeowners can find it challenging to deal with independent contractors who come and go, only specializing in certain areas of the construction process, e.g. electricity work, carpentry, etc.

At Renosgroup.ca, we are responsible for design work and construction management of all your home renovations in Ottawa. This means that you only need to hire one company, not several. We supervise all of the contractors and constantly check the quality of their work to guarantee high-quality workmanship and timely delivery of your projects.

Mobility Renovations

As a full-service general contractor, we not only provide bathroom/kitchen renovations, home additions, basement transformations, etc but also offer home accessibility modifications to make the home you love safer and more accessible for your loved ones.

While some companies claim to offer this service, unfortunately, they may lack experience in all the nuances of adapting a home to better suit the abilities living there. The highly-skilled team at Renosgroup.ca has successfully overcome many building challenges for residential projects involving a range of different scopes. We take the time to know you and understand your needs before recommending an accessibility or mobility solution.

Your Professional Local Contractor

Hiring an experienced general contractor saves you money, time, and hassle at the very least. As your local general contractor in Ottawa, it’s easier to contact us whenever you have a home renovation need. We show up on time and finish jobs when we say we will. This core mission has enabled us to build successful relationships with homeowners all across Ottawa and solidified our reputation as a professional contractor focused on offering exceptional customer service.

Communication

From the first point of contact with your contractor, you want to make sure they are providing good communication. Many times, some contractors fail to get back to a client in a timely manner to confirm the appointment or answer all of their client’s questions. This usually can be an indicator that things could only intensify as the home renovation project heats up.

Most contractors today don’t care enough to educate and support their customers and help them make smart and confident decisions. All they do is simply provide a quote and get going. This is where we are different. We are committed to transforming your living spaces and elevating the comfort of your home with superior services you can count on.

To learn more about what the professional home renovators at Renosgroup.ca can do for you, please contact us today, or give us a call at (613) 727-9427. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are available Monday through Friday to answer any questions you may have for your upcoming

*This used to be the main General Contractor page

Profiling 5 Popular Kitchen Styles

Knowing that your kitchen needs an upgrade can often be a lot easier to determine than knowing exactly how to upgrade and design it. And sifting through endless kitchen design magazines can easily become overwhelming. So to help make it easier and clearer for you to decide, we’ve profiled 5 popular kitchen styles to give you some great inspiration without overwhelming you during the process.

Farmhouse Kitchen Style

Homeowners can’t get enough of the quaint, cozy home-grown vibes of the farmhouse kitchen style – and neither can we! Warm, rich, distressed wood, big basin-style sinks, exposed brick, vintage appliances, open shelving and a big kitchen table for family dinners make this a classic design that will always remain timeless.

Chic, Clean & Modern Kitchen Style

If clean lines, minimalistic décor and chic appliances speak to you, then the modern kitchen style is the way to go. This is an increasingly popular design preference as more efficient appliances, and cabinetry enter the marketplace. Think of frameless cabinets, simple and sleek hardware, a blend of natural materials and strong lines framing the layout.

Profiling 5 Popular Kitchen Styles

Contemporary Kitchen Style

Similar to the modern style, contemporary designs offer more room for playful elements and finishes. This style can blend the sleek, sharp modern form with dashes of warmth from more traditional designs such as a mixture of materials like wood or stone, and colour in the cabinetry or countertops.

Industrial Kitchen Style

Another popular kitchen style is the industrial look. Unfinished concrete flooring, sharp lines, mixed with rustic elements like dark wooden cabinetry, metallic shelving, and exposed lighting features, make this a style a unique yet warm design.

Spanish Kitchen Style

Colourful tiling along the countertop or walls, arched windows, and warm-wooden cabinets make the Spanish revival kitchen style inviting and extremely popular.  If you’re looking to add more colour and character to your kitchen, this is for you!

It can be challenging to take on a kitchen upgrade when you’re unsure of what you really want. And with all of the options available today, it can be more stress-inducing than helpful. But it’s important to nail down your preference of kitchen style before you begin with the reno. Whether it’s modern, contemporary, farmhouse, industrial or something more Mediterranean – figure out which of these popular kitchen styles speaks to you and then contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427.  We have handymen that can take care of it all for you.

4 Decor Ideas for Your Backyard Coach House

Need some ideas for your backyard coach house? Modern coach house designs have come a long way since housing horse and carriages back in the day. Today, they’re often converted into quaint and characterful domestic dwellings that can be tailored to whatever style or need you prefer. Whether you have aging parents to care for, an older child looking for some independence, or if you simply need some extra quiet space to get work done, here are some décor ideas for you to consider for your backyard coach house.

Home for Aging Parents

When your parents reach a certain age, it’s nice to be able to have them close to home so that you can look after them and help take care of them when needed. A backyard coach house offers the perfect space for them to live, being close to home without invading your space while allowing them to maintain their independence as well.

When designing for this purpose, consider features such as wide doorways or easy, accessible ramps. Also, enhanced safety features like a walk-in shower with handrails and lots of great lighting along the exterior and interior are important.

Backyard Coach House

Apartment for Your Eldest Child

If you have a college-age child that’s eager for some independence, why not convert your backyard coach house into a loft where they can test out their wings before they really spread them? Make it modern and fresh with a great entertainment system, surround sound, and of course, a workspace where they can get all their assignments done.

Home Office Space

If you have a work-from-home career, you can create the perfect work zone that’s away from the distractions so you can get down to business. For this, you’ll need lots of built-in storage, large expansive windows to give you plenty of natural light, and product-inspiring colours for the walls like blue, yellow, or orange.

Rental Unit

If you’re eager to make some additional income, you can create a cozy rental property with rustic wooden floors, fresh, bright kitchen cabinetry, and even a few sunroofs to brighten it up if you find that you coach house is overshadowed and dark during the daytime.

Having a backyard coach house is a great additional space that can come in handy when you need it the most. So if you’ve been neglecting yours, let these ideas get you inspired to create an additional space the serves your needs well.

At RenosGroup.ca, we can help make your vision a reality. With our knowledge and expertise, you can trust us to take care of any home reno projectContact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

Choosing the Right Hardwood Flooring

There’s something about hardwood flooring that really gives a home that timeless character. And best of all, it can provide that cohesive element that can go with any type of design. But of course, with the variety of selections available, it can be confusing to figure out which style is best suited for your home. Rustic Maple? Oak? Walnut, Birch?  So before you begin shopping for your flooring, here are some factors to consider that can help you in choosing the right hardwood flooring that will keep up with your lifestyle and home.

Lifestyle


Before you get your heart set on any particular style of flooring, it’s important to consider a style and colour that will keep up with your lifestyle first. If you have kids or pets, you must take that into consideration so that you won’t end up with a style or stain that will mark up as easily. When it comes to hectic lifestyles, with many footprints that may be coming and going, hardwoods such as hickory and walnut are most resilient to wear and tear.

Budget


The next important factor to take note of before heading out to shop is your budget. Different types of hardwood can vary with price range. Solid hardwoods such as oak, or exotic hardwoods such as bamboo can consume your budget way beyond your expectations. Always be realistic with what you can afford. There are a variety of budget-friendly options that can deliver that timeless hardwood look, that have been engineered with blends to provide you with both affordability and aesthetics.

Maintenance


No one wants to have to vacuum or mop the floor several times a day just to maintain it. Consider the shade of flooring that will be most convenient. If you do have a hectic household, lighter flooring can be much easier for hiding dust and dirt so that you don’t have to bring out the mop so often. Darker shades tend to place any dust on display.

But maintenance is important in getting the most longevity out of your flooring, so always ensure you know what the most recommended method is for cleaning it. Each type can differ depending on the variations.

When it comes to selecting hardwood flooring that’s the right choice for your home, these are the most important factors to consider first. Once you determine how and what will fit in with your lifestyle the most, you can easily narrow down your options and make that selection process a whole lot easier when you head out to shop.

When planning a home renovation, flooring is just one of the many design choices you need to think about. Want a little expert help? Contact us or give RenosGroup.ca a call at (613)727-9427 – we do it all to bring timeless designs to life.

Remodelling for the Long Term

If you’ve endured home renovations in the past, chances are that you know very well just how gruelling and expensive they can be. What starts as a fun weekend DIY projects turns into months of living in a dusty construction zone. When you start to consider doing some renos on your new home, you want to make sure that you hire a professional general contractor and ensure whatever you’re investing in will give you the most amount of ROI in the future. Before you starting remodelling your home, here are some key factors to consider to get the best return on your investment that will serve you well for the long term.

Neutral or Calming Walls


When you’re in the midst of deciding what colour to throw on your walls, a good idea is to avoid anything harsh or bold. If you want to get the best long-term benefit out of that paint, your best bet is to go for neutral or calming colours. That way, if you decide that you no longer like the designs and accenting features in your home, you won’t be limited by the colour on your walls, or have to repaint them.

Adding Windows


If you’re feeling unsure about knocking down a few walls in order to enhance the natural light in your home, take comfort in knowing that this renovation will serve you and the value of your home well in the future. Adding more natural light to a home is always a smart idea. If you were on the fence about this one – let there be light!

Be Bold Through Accessories


Of course, we still need to incorporate some fun, flair, and colour into the interior design and one of the best ways for doing this through accessories. Accessories such as your cushions, artwork, or even curtains, are all great ways to help add in some vibrant colour without requiring any significant expense or alteration down the road. So if you happen to grow tired of a particular colour that’s dotted throughout your home, you can easily switch it up.

Make Functionality a Priority


No matter what you do, always have functionality as a priority in your design. For example, when it comes to your kitchen, make sure that the location of your appliances, countertops and cupboards all make sense to the flow of the space. That way, even if you have to change any aesthetics in the future, the main bulk layout (and expense) won’t have to be altered.

It’s always important to consider what makes the most sense for the long-term when remodelling your home. So before you begin those blueprints, consider these tips to help you make the right decisions that will benefit you and your home the most in the future.

Looking for home design ideas that will look just as good in a year or ten? RenosGroup.ca is Ottawa’s choice for expert kitchen, bathroom, and whole-home renovation projects with a focus on timeless finishes and design choices.  Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

What Renovation Projects Add Home Value?

Performing renovations to your home not only improves the aesthetic appeal, but when done correctly, can also add value to your home. However, if your sole purpose for renovating is to increase that value with a high return on investment (ROI), there are certain projects that – despite all your efforts – won’t make the dollar sign increase to make it worth your while. If you’re trying to plan your next home reno, here are the best areas of focus if you want additional value that is worth your while.

The Kitchen

If you were questioning whether it’s worth it to rip out those dated cabinets and cupboards – it is! Just like we’ve always been told, the kitchen is one of the most important features of a home, especially when it comes to selling it. It’s the most utilized room, and therefore the most significant. For any areas that look decrepit, outdated, or just ugly, renovating and upgrading them will benefit your ROI in the future. If budget is tight, affordable but effective changes like replacing cabinet hardware and adding a modern backsplash are well worth it. If the budget is higher, a new countertop, new floors, and new sink will pay off. To save money, try to keep your existing cabinets if they’re in good shape, and avoid moving the plumbing (sink, dishwasher) if you can help it.

What Renovation Projects Add Home Value

The Flooring

These days, flooring is a big deal, and new buyers aren’t exactly keen on purchasing a home when they know they’ll have to spend more time and money ripping up that floor. It’s worth your time and money to bite the bullet and install that beautiful hardwood flooring that buyers are looking for. Then, you can just tack on a little extra when it comes to your selling price – you can bet that people are willing to pay more for work that’s already been done. If your carpeting is in rough shape, consider peeling a corner discreetly to see if hardwood lays underneath.

The Exterior

If your exterior has little to no curb appeal, you can bet that it will impact any prospects for selling. Since your exterior is the first thing potential buyers will see, it’s one of the most important for giving them a great impression of the home. Whether it’s the dead lawn, cracked patio stones, or crumbling façade of the home – add it to your renovation list!

The Basement

Gone are the days when the state of the basement wasn’t really a significant factor in the success for selling purposes. But today, more and more homeowners take great value in having that extra space remodelled and finished, not only for the potential purpose of having an extra den or TV room, but for renting purposes as well. So if your basement is unfinished and could use some extra TLC, take the time to finish it. This goes doubly so if your basement is damp or mouldy.

When it comes time to place your home up for sale, you want to make sure that the effort you put into your renovations will benefit your return on investment. So focus on these main areas and you’ll be set to bump up that value to your home, guaranteed. What renovations will pay off for you? Schedule a free in-home consultation with RenosGroup.ca. Our Ottawa general contractor will evaluate your home and recommend the best areas for improvement.  Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

The Pros and Cons of Exposed Brick

For many designers and homeowners, one of the most popular trends in design right now is exposed brick walls. It brings just enough mixture of warmth, rustic, and industrial edge, all-in-one. But sometimes, what’s good for the design isn’t always good for the homeowners. So before you start ripping down those walls, consider these pros and cons first.

Pros of Exposed Brick


Desirable Design
– Like we said, there’s simply no denying how much people are loving the exposed brick style. It adds versatility to a space, contemporary edge, all the while adding that touch of warmth to just about any room.

A Feature Wall – A wall with exposed brick is also a great way to break up a room by having it as a feature wall. Maybe it’s above your fireplace, or maybe it’s a partition between two rooms – wherever it is, exposed brick is a great way to break up a room and create that perfect feature space.

Uncovering Historical Roots – Despite the popularity of trendy, modern interiors, many homeowners prefer to add in that touch of historic, vintage character throughout their home. And there’s no better way than by exposing that original brick, flaws and all.

Cons of Exposed Brick


Modern Interiors
– When it comes to interior brick walls, it doesn’t always match well with every style. That especially goes for extremely modern interiors. So consider your style and what’s present throughout your home, and assess whether it will add or subtract to your space.

Crumbling Brick – Once you’ve ripped into the plaster and exposed the brick beneath, you could be left with crumbling bricks and mortar that may need some serious TLC before showing them off to the family. So having a test area for you to get a peek before going all in is always a good idea.

Allergies, Noise, and Drafts – Keep in mind that when you remove that insulation and plaster atop the brick wall, you’re also removing that extra buffer for noise, drafts and even allergies. The porous nature of bricks means they are more prone to collecting dust. They also allow drafts to permeate more easily without that extra layer of insulation, especially in an older home.

So what may be great for your design, may not be so great for your allergies and even your heating bill.  Before you start knocking down that drywall, it’s important to consider each of these factors first so that you aren’t left with a beautifully exposed brick wall and a whole lot of regret.

The design and renovation experts at RenosGroup.ca can help you weigh the pros and cons of exposed bricks and other design considerations, so you get the space that looks and feels right for you.  Get your free estimate today!  Or give us a call at (613)727-9427

Designing a Cool Bedroom for Your Teen

As a parent you likely spent a lot of time designing your child’s bedroom, making it the perfect spot for them to play and enjoy themselves in their own space. But the years fly by and suddenly your adorable little toddler is now a full-blown teenager! There is no way to properly prepare yourself for this, but you can try to prepare their room to accommodate their new stages of life.  The pastel-coloured walls and owl decor is not likely to excite a teenager. Talk to your teen and discover what they want to do with their room. If you give your teenager some creative design over their room reno, they may be more inclined to keep it neat and tidy! Here are some tips on designing a cool bedroom for your teen.

Lighting


Instead of the overhead lighting with a baby animal lamp, perhaps your teen would appreciate some track lighting with a dimmer switch. Teenagers have different requirements for their bedrooms than young children do. They will be reading, playing video games, staying up late with friends and maybe even doing some homework in their rooms. Having different lighting options that can adapt to their current needs is a great place to start a bedroom reno.

Colour


The colour scheme for any room is a personal choice. As the parents you likely chose the colours for your son’s or daughter’s room when they were young, but now they should have some creative input even if it doesn’t match up with the style you have in your mind. If painting your kids walls bright blue and bright orange will make them happy, then by all means go for it. It’s only paint after all, it’s not permanent.

Soundproofing


Teenagers are loud. Perhaps you have other kids in the house that aren’t in their teenage years yet, or perhaps you are just tired of hearing their music and conversations at 3am. Whatever the reason, there are different methods of soundproofing that can solve some serious parent/teenager arguments before they begin, if done right by a contractor.

Storage


Suddenly the stuffed animal holder hanging from the ceiling is not a sufficient means for storage. Teenagers require space for their school work, clothes, makeup, sports equipment, and general “stuff” that comes with the job description. Putting in some custom storage, and having them help with the designs, is a great way to personalize a room while encouraging cleanliness. If they have somewhere to put something then it is less likely to end up on the floor!

Get in touch with RenosGroup.ca book a free in-home consultation for all your home renovation needs!  Or give us a call at (613)727-9427

Surviving Your Home Remodel Project

The thought of renovating your home can bring out a mixture of emotions. One emotion sure to make an appearance is frustration! How the heck are you supposed to live a somewhat normal life when your kitchen is scraped back to the bones, there’s a poorly hung curtain acting as your bathroom door and you can’t tell your bedroom from your living room? It sounds like a disaster zone, but really it’s just a temporary setback in your comfort for the luxury of having an amazing post-reno home. Here are some tips for surviving your home remodel project.

 

Determine What Will Be Your Living Space

 

If you are remodeling bedrooms or the living room area, it’s especially important to designate another part of the house as your “no reno zone” where you will do most of your living. Yes this may mean that you sleep on a mattress in the kids play room, or that you are watching your television in the dining room next to some construction equipment. However you are able to do it, be sure to designate a construction escape zone where you can rest in peace.

 

Don’t Stress About Eating Too Much Takeout

 

There is enough to stress about when living through a home reno, so the level of takeout should not be one of them. If you are renovating your kitchen it only makes sense that your meals are going to have to be supplied elsewhere. Try to be easy on your wallets, but don’t feel bad if you have pizza three times a week. It’s not forever, soon you will be cooking in style.

 

Be as Easygoing as Possible

 

This may be the hardest thing to remember for some people. Home renovations are extremely stressful and things can pop up along the way to add to that stress. It’s important to remain as calm, cool, and collected as possible throughout the process and to not stress about things that are out of your control. There will be dust everywhere, there will be equipment and materials all over the place and there will be a constant level of disorganization in your life. If you can manage to be easy breezy through the process it will make things a lot easier on you, mentally speaking.

 

Budget Accordingly

 

It’s important to have extra money available for emergencies that come up throughout the home renovation process. There might be reason for additional repairs as walls get taken down or plumbing is closely examined and this can be very stressful if you have already maxed out your budget on the initial plan. Having a contingency set up will save you heartache and stress along the way.

Enjoy a smooth, stress-free renovation process – and a jaw-dropping final result – with RenosGroup.ca, your #1 choice for bathroom, kitchen, and basement renovations, mobility renovations, and home additionsContact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

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