Contractor

how-diy-projects-can-go-wrong

How DIY Projects Can Go Horribly Wrong

Many homeowners feel their budget cannot withstand professional renovations. However when you opt to take on DIY projects it can quickly go horribly wrong. Here are just a few of the issues you might encounter when you take on your next DIY project:

Cost


It might seem that the DIY route will save money, however there are some things people do not consider when it comes to cost. First, your contractor will get major discounts when purchasing materials. Contractors buy some basic materials in bulk to save money. They also get discounts on finishing materials such as flooring, tile and even crown moulding. These savings are passed on to you. As professionals they will also complete the job quickly. Your DIY project could go on for weeks or months.

Design Differences


When working on DIY projects you can run into some design differences with your partner. It is harder to resolve design differences between the two of you than it would be if you had an impartial third party to offer advice. Conflict is a common occurrence during renovations and these conflicts can be even worse for DIY projects. A contractor can be the voice of reason to help you make the right choices you will both love.

Minor and Major Mistakes


It just takes one episode of “DIY Disasters” to see how easy it is to make mistakes. Minor mistakes are not only inconvenient, they also end up costing money. As a DIYer it is easy to miscalculate measurements and use the wrong products and technique. All of these potential errors can end up costing you way more than having it done right the first time. Mistakes can be problematic when it comes time to sell your home. Crooked baseboards, uneven floors and poor paint jobs are the types of imperfections that can make many home buyers pass on putting in an offer. Major mistakes can prove disastrous to your home. You can have a slow leak from poorly installed tile or plumbing that can lead to thousands of dollars in damage. You can also ruin expensive materials such as hardwood floors if you install them incorrectly.

Your DIY project can go horribly wrong with each mistake costing you money in wasted materials and more of your valuable time. Working with a contractor will save you time, money and help keep the peace at home.  To get in touch to schedule renovations, you can fill out an online form or give us a call at (613) 727-9427

updating-the-basement

Updating Your Basement

Updating your basement is one of the easiest ways to increase the value of your home and add much needed living space. Whether you are starting from scratch or redoing a retro basement, there are a number of upgrades you can do to get a comfortable, affordable, high end look.

Discard the Vintage Carpet or Tile

Many basements were once finished with hideous flooring, including bad tile and shag carpet. If your basement still features this perhaps it is time to update. When you eventually decided to update it is important to keep in mind budget, purpose and style. If you want an affordable option that will keep your feet warm opt for a modern carpet in a plush Berber or new styles that feature interesting patterns or textures. When laying carpet in the basement it is a good idea to lay an under padding that has anti-microbial protection to discourage mould and mildew growth in the moist, damp environment. Another good option is a nice hardwood that will lighten up the darker space. You can then add an area rug in your main seating area for warmth as well as to anchor the decor of the room.

Update the Bar

Many older homes come equipped with full size wet bars, unfortunately many homeowners have chosen to leave them in their original state, making them severely outdated. Look at tearing out the current bar and adding modern finishes such as sleek new cabinetry, updated wine coolers and granite counter tops. Add stylish recessed lighting as well as mood lighting beneath the counter for an interesting look. You can then finish your bar update with contemporary seating.

Paint the Fireplace

You would be surprised how a fresh coat of paint can make an old fireplace look like new. Consider the current look of your fireplace and think of other ways you can make an update. Replace or add a new mantle and consider adding a nice marble hearth at the front. You can also add a tile surround in a modern mosaic such as stainless steel or something a little cozier like river stone.

Add a Bathroom

A new bathroom is a must. Depending on your space and budget you can either do a powder room or add a full bathroom complete with steam shower and soaker spa tub.

These updates will offer a modern, comfortable space your family will love while increasing the value of your home.  To get in touch to schedule renovations, you can fill out an online form or give us a call at (613) 727-9427

Bad Renovation

The After Effects of a Bad Renovation

From DIY disasters to hiring a contractor without the required experience a bad renovation can leave your home in unlivable conditions with dangers you might not even know exist until a tragedy occurs. An inexperienced or really inexpensive contractor can leave you with a bad renovation that could not just be unappealing to the eye, but also do serious damage to your home putting your family in danger. Some of the after effects of a bad renovation can include:

Unplanned Costs


Going over budget is actually one of the best of the worst things that can happen. However, this will affect you financially and put a real dent in your savings, hike up your credit cards, deplete your line of credit and worst of all could have a negative effect on your credit rating which can stay with you for years. Even worse is having your Ottawa renovations performed so poorly you have to hire a second company to come in to fix everything at your expense. This is one of the most popular techniques used by shady contractors, get in the door with low pricing, then hit them with every additional they can think of.

Inconvenience


Hiring a contractor without the right experience can turn your Ottawa renovations into a never ending nightmare with you living in turmoil as your contractor stumbles through the job for months, imagine living without a functioning kitchen or bathroom for months on end and the stress it will place on your family. When you hire an inexperienced contractor they might have every intention of completing your project and may even do a good job but disorganization, lack of funds to hire the right people for the job and overall inexperience in time management can mean months of inconvenience. In even worse scenarios the job might be completed on time but performed so poorly you have to have the job redone leading to more inconveniences not to mention the cost.

Disagreements


An inexperienced contractor is more likely to run into disagreements with the way things happened which can lead to the wrong work being done, the wrong quote being provided and often the wrong decisions being made. Any of these scenarios can lead to disaster leaving you in the lurch with a job you are not happy with and a bill you do not want to pay.

Taking the time to do your research and being careful to recognize that the cheapest contractor is not always the best choice will help you avoid a renovation nightmare.  To get in touch to schedule renovations, you can fill out an online form or give us a call at (613) 727-9427.

finding-a-trusted-contractor

Finding a Trusted Contractor

When you are preparing to make improvements to your home you are investing a lot of money to see your dream become a reality. This means you want to be 100 percent certain you hire a trusted contractor who will complete the project and avoid any disasters requiring a call to Mike Holmes. There are a number of ways to find contractors Ottawa trusts to lessen your worries including:

Read Reviews

If you want to find a contractor who has performed their services without any problems one of the easiest places to start is to read reviews. The internet is the perfect resource to provide you with all the information you require when it comes to outstanding service. You will find positive and negative comments on reviews from many different websites and a good place to start is often the contractor’s own website. They will offer before and after pictures as well as reviews and testimonials from their happy clients. You can then do further research by entering their company name and the word “reviews” and see what pops up.

Word of Mouth

Most stellar contractors build their reputation on their own hard work. This is where word of mouth comes into play. Ask around and find out if anyone has used any contractors Ottawa home owners had recommended to them or that they themselves would recommend you try. This will help you find a few names to contact as well as to do further research. Nothing is more convincing than hearing first hand from someone you know and trust that a contractor has performed a project well and you can even ask if you can stop by their home to see the work for yourself.

Trusted Resources

You can also look at the contractor’s website and see if they are recommended by the Better Business Bureau or are members of any associations. You can look for credentials for training and also research their name on search engines and see if there are any reviews. If you have the actual owner’s name you can check that out as well in case they have worked under different business names in the past that might reveal some shady practices. The more research you do the more information you’ll discover, whether it be raving reviews, or negative reviews explaining in detail the problem and situation.

If you are thorough enough you are certain to find contractors Ottawa homeowners can trust.  To get in touch to schedule renovations, you can fill out an online form or give us a call at (613) 727-9427.

What Should You Leave to the Pros

4 Reasons Why You Should Choose RenosGroup.ca

When Ottawa homeowners are in need of renovations, remodels or touch-ups to their homes they take time to find the Ottawa contractors they can trust. If you are looking for a professional, dependable contractor in Ottawa you need look no further than RenosGroup.ca. We are the Ottawa contractors that homeowners have been trusting for years to provide stunning upgrades and designs to create your dream home. Here are a few reasons you should choose RenosGroup.ca as your Ottawa home contractors:

We Do It All


Bathrooms, kitchen, basements, mobility, etc. That means you don’t have to hire one team to do your bathroom, another to finish your basement and yet another to install a ramp. You can speak to one contractor who will provide you with all of the services you need handling all of the best trades in the area to complete your job on time and on budget for complete peace of mind.

Polite


We’re extremely kind and courteous and pride ourselves on dealing with our customers in the same way we would expect to be treated. Each member of our team is trained to provide a specific service and understands the importance of customer satisfaction. You will see that we care about your project, your home, your safety and your family and we take the time to make sure you understand the process, have everything you need and feel comfortable having us working in your home.

We Create Your Dream Home


We make your design dreams a reality taking the time to listen to your needs and showing you what we can do to create the home you have always wanted. We understand design and will work with you to develop a plan that you will approve and then we will work diligently to complete each step perfectly down to the most finite details. We are not happy until you are happy.

Local


We’re a local business and take pride in our work having built our business on our reputation. We know that word of mouth is the best way to advertise our services and as locals we know that our work will speak volumes and therefore our work better be good!

If you are looking for Ottawa contractors you can trust call RenosGroup.ca or visit our website to learn how we can make your dreams become a reality.  To get in touch to schedule renovations, you can fill out an online form or give us a call at (613) 727-9427.

eco-friendly-renovations

6 Ways to Make your Renovations Eco-Friendly

Just because you are working with a professional renovations team in Ottawa doesn’t mean you can’t find eco-friendly ways to improve your home. Here are six ways you can make your renovations eco-friendly:

Reuse


You know the term “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle“; well it now includes “Rethink”. When adding professional renovations to your home consider ways you can reduce the amount of garbage you are sending to the landfill by rethinking what you have to tear out and what you can reuse.

A kitchen is a perfect example. If your cabinets are sound you can reface them for the same effect without the need to completely tear everything out. You can also do the same for bathroom vanities. Look at items such as old doors and consider if they can be made into something like a headboard or even a table. Rethinking the way you look at items in your home can really reduce garbage as well as allow you to reuse items that will save you money.

Sustainability


This is the new buzz word of the home decor world. Look for sustainable materials such as bamboo and cork floors, and recycled glass for countertops or back splash and bathroom tiles to cut down on the depletion of our natural resources.

Local


Working with a local professional renovations team from the Ottawa area, as well as local suppliers will not only help your local economy but also lessen transportation demands. This in turn reduces the amount of fossil fuels involved in the delivery of your goods as well as the staff traveling to and from your job site. This then reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Reduce


You can reduce your energy and water consumption by choosing eco-friendly fixtures and HVAC equipment as well as Energy Star Appliances, windows and doors. Look for low flow toilets and shower heads for the bathroom and energy efficient appliances for the kitchen and laundry room. Not only is this good for the environment, but it will also save you a lot of money on heating/air conditioning and energy.

Low VOC


Ask your professional renovations team to use low VOC paints and finishes to keep your home environment free of toxins. Use natural materials in carpeting such as wool.

Think Small


Consider the finite details and make sure your professional renovations team is using eco-friendly light bulbs, sealing up leaky doors and windows with caulking and saving materials wherever possible.

These six considerations will keep your renovations eco-friendly and help save the planet.  To reach out, schedule renovations, you can fill out an online form or give us a call at (613) 727-9427

7-Things-to-Look-for-in-a-Contractor

7 Things to Look for When Hiring a Contractor

When you’re ready to plan those long awaited renovations, you want everything to go as smoothly as possible. That means when hiring contractors you want to be certain you are looking for all the right qualifications and qualities. Here are a few things to look for when hiring a contractor in Ottawa:

Testimonials or References:


The internet can really help you narrow down your list. One of the things you can do is search “contractors Ottawa” to narrow down your options by looking for websites that feature positive reviews.

Testimonials speak volumes about how well a contractor works and the level of service they provide. You can also ask them for references.

Before and After:


You can also look for before and after shots on a contractors website. Seeing results is always an excellent incentive to go with someone who takes pride in their work and is happy to show it.

Experience:


Even with photos and testimonials it is nice to know your contractor has plenty of experience. Experience not only means knowledge, it also often means they have had years to forge strong relationships with vendors and they can get quality materials at excellent prices.

Estimates:


You want someone who will come out and assess your space to give you an estimate for your project. Never go into a project blind. You might find out the hard way just how expensive something can get without a budget and estimate in place.

Work Ethic:


If you are in contact with a contractor and you have difficulty getting them to return your calls, this does not bode well. You want someone with a strong work ethic who will make themselves available. This will speak to their dependability as well.

Customer Service:


Customer service is extremely important quality to look for when hiring a contractor. You want to work with someone who takes the time to explain everything to you and who will let you know what is happening. You want to be involved in the process and be consulted when key decisions have to be made. Ask them to explain their approach and the process they use on projects so you are comfortable with the way things will work.

Timeline:


Last but not least, make sure they can provide you with an estimated date of completion as well as a timeline.
Looking for these qualities will help you find a contractor who is trustworthy, knowledgeable and experienced.  Please don’t wait to get in touch for a free in-home consultation, you can call us at (613) 727-9427.

Contact us

Office Address:
251 Laurier Ave W, #900
Ottawa, ON K1P 5J6
Phone: (613) 727-9427
Office Hours: 
Mon – Fri: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

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