Expert Tips

Remodelling for the long term.

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?

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

Surviving Your Home Remodel Project

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 additions.  Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

What Should You Leave to the Pros

What Should You Leave to the Pros?

The do-it-yourself (DIY) spirit is alive and well in Canada as homeowners from coast to coast take on repair work by themselves. It’s easy to see why – we’ve all watched a YouTube video or sat through a reality TV marathon and thought, how hard could that be? Repainting walls, changing cabinet hardware – these are all great little tasks that can transform the look of your home without breaking the bank. However, there are a few things that you should probably not do on your own because they are dangerous or too hard to get right. With that in mind, we have compiled a list of what should you leave to pros instead of attempting yourself. Let’s begin.

Bathrooms


Whether you are building or renovating a bathroom, you will want expert help. What makes bathrooms particularly challenging is the plumbing. It is far too easy to make a mistake when it comes to plumbing. Whether it occurs at that moment or a few months later, improperly installed plumbing can lead to significant water damage that will cost an order of magnitude more to repair than hiring a professional in the first place. Whether you have the review your design for errors or have them design the bathroom from the ground up, plumbing is something you want to leave to the pros.

Expensive Materials


The materials we use in a room lend their charm to how we see the space. It is no wonder then that we prize expensive materials for home decoration. Some of the most expensive and most common materials to work with include marble and granite countertops.  You can benefit a great deal from having a professional do the measurements and install the materials. Along with covering the costs of things like mistakes, you will know for sure that the installation was done correctly and that there is no worry about premature wear and tear. Contractors can also leverage relationships with trade partners to get you the best possible prices on high-quality building materials.

Electrical


Along with plumbing, electrical is generally considered one of the two things that DIY people should steer clear of. Having your home wired correctly is critical to ensuring that power gets to where it needs to go. The power has to be able to handle a certain load without becoming overworked. If set up incorrectly, parts of the grid can become overloaded and you risk have electrical fires occur. The risk of electrocution is also very real if you do not know what you are doing. For the sake of insurance, you may need to prove that the source of the damage resulted from professional work and not a DIY job.

DIY home improvement is a great thing, but it’s important to know when to bring in the pros. If electrical, plumbing, structural, or mechanical work is involved, call in a contractor. Even better, work with a contractor from the beginning. You can lend a hand as needed with demolition and little jobs to help reduce the bill, or you can sit back and let the pros demonstrate their expertise and create a new oasis at home.  Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

5 Unique Ways To Add Character To Your Home

5 Unique Ways To Add Character To Your Home

Have you ever visited a friend’s home only to be “wowed” by the experience? What about it was memorable? Chances are that there was something in the home that helped add to its character. Simply put, the character of a home is the feeling you get when you are inside. It can be warm, inviting, cool, austere, grandiose, classic, and more. Simply put, there are innumerable ways you can add character to your home and make it that special place you love to live in. Below are five unique ways you can add character to your own home. A primer guide, hopefully some of the suggestions here will get you thinking!

Focus On Your Staircase

The staircase is an often-missed opportunity to add unique character to your home. Consider removing the carpet if any and repair any damage to the wood. Consider making changes to stain of the wood, adding a decorative railing, or simply consider wall hangings for the home. You will be amazed at how many ideas come to mind when you take a long hard look at your stairwell.

Unique Ways To Add Character To Your Home

Stress Architectural Aesthetics

Many homes, especially older homes, are filled with smaller architectural embellishments. Stress these embellishments in the style of the home and make it stand out both internally and externally. You can create a more unifying aesthetic inside and out by focusing on these minor features.

Consider Built-Ins For Unused Spaces

Many homes have unused space like a bay window or area around a fireplace. Consider hollowing out some of these spaces to create a seat with storage. Something like a chair and cabinet space either built into the space or added can create a picturesque scene within your home.

Put Time Into Your Entrance And Welcoming Foyer

The first thing people will see when entering your home (outside of your front door of course) will be your entrance and welcoming foyer. Use this as an opportunity to set the mood and theme of the house. Whatever is stressed aesthetically throughout the home can have a representation of that style or design clearly on display when people enter.

Pay Closer Attention To Lighting

People often forget lighting when they are considering their interior space. Don’t make this mistake and do some research. Different intensities and colours may work in different parts of the home to help give each section their own unique feel.

For design inspiration and professional renovation done right, RenosGroup.ca is the preferred choice. Get a free estimate today!  Or give us a call at (613)727-9427

How to Pay for Your Home Renovation

How to Pay for Your Home Renovation

Why do you want to plan a home renovation? To add more space to your home? Add resale value to your home? Make it more functional? More energy efficient? Or does the space simply need a style makeover? Whatever the reason, it is likely obvious and close to your heart. Financing your renovation project, on the hand, may be a fuzzier topic.

Before you get into the nitty gritty of designing a layout or choosing the right paint colour, you need to determine where the money will come from. If you’ve been saving specifically for this occasion and have a lump sum sitting in the bank, then you’re golden. If not, do you plan to take a loan? Secure a home equity line of credit? Let’s explore a few of the different financing options on how to pay for your home renovation:

Savings


If you are planning a small renovation project like turning a spare bedroom into the nursery or adding a powder room to the main floor, you can likely pay for it out of pocket if you have sufficient savings. However unless you have been a very diligent saver, larger renovation projects like overhauling the kitchen or planning a home addition will require alternate funding.

Credit Card


A credit card is fine for paying for materials, especially if you are doing a smaller renovation or DIY weekend project – just make sure you pay it off quickly. However due to the high interest rates on credit cards, you’re better off finding alternate funding options if the project is large.

Personal Loan


As with a mortgage, you can apply for a personal loan. In addition to the principal, you will have to pay interest. On the upside, personal loans have a lower interest rate than credit cards. Unlike a personal line of credit, you will have to reapply for a new loan once you pay it off.

Personal Line of Credit


The huge benefit of a personal line of credit is that you can access funds to the credit’s limit on an ongoing basis. This is ideal for ongoing renovations rather than one project with a determined end date. A personal line of credit has much lower interest rates than credit cards.

Home Equity Loans


Home equity loans borrow money against the value of your home. They have even better interest rates than personal lines of credit. Beware that home equity loans do require set-up costs, such as legal fees and appraisal fees. You can usually borrow up to 80% of your home’s value.

Mortgage Refinancing


Mortgage refinancing allows you to spread the cost of renovations over a period of years by bundling it with your mortgage repayment (at the same interest rate as your mortgage, far better than credit card/personal loan interest rates). You can borrow up to 80% of the equity in your home. As with home equity loans, legal and appraisal fees do apply.

Additional Funding


You can qualify for government funding to incentivize positive renovations, like making your home more energy-efficient or mobility-friendly. For example, the Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit encourages seniors and their families to make homes safer and more accessible. You can claim up to $10,000 in eligible expenses and receive up to 15% back as a tax credit. The HHRTC is proposed to end on January 1, 2017.

Once you’ve secured funding, get in touch with RenosGroup.ca to get your estimate for a bathroom renovation, kitchen renovation, mobility renovation, basement renovation, home addition, or coach house remodel/construction.  To learn more about how to pay for your home renovation, don’t hesitate to contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

Steel Door vs. Fibreglass Door Replacement

Steel Door vs. Fibreglass Door Replacement

Your front door is the focal point of the entranceway to your home. A door that is in poor condition or lets in cold air during the winter can really take away from all the hard work you put into making your front yard and entrance look clean and inviting. For homeowners in Ottawa, fiberglass entrance doors are becoming popular because of their durability and their aesthetics. In older homes, steel entry doors were commonly used because they are sturdy and affordable. If you are thinking about replacing your entry door, here are the pros and cons of steel doors vs fiberglass doors:

Pros of Fibreglass Doors


Fibreglass doors are lightweight compared to their steel counterparts, making them easier to install. These doors are highly resistant to dents and warping. They are also energy efficient and can help you save money on your energy bills. They offer a sleek wooden look that is very desirable.

Cons of Fibreglass Doors


If your fiberglass door is constantly exposed to direct sunlight, delamination can occur. Delamination is the failing of the bonding between the insulation and the door skin. If your door frame is not the standard door size, you will need to have a manufacturing professional mold the fiberglass to fit your door frame’s shape, which will cost you extra money.

Pros of Steel Doors


Steel doors are a less expensive option than fibreglass. They are, of course, made of steel so they are very solid and secure. Steel doors are also energy efficient and will help you save money on your energy bills. Experts routinely report that upgrading to a steel door often has the best ROI (return on investment) of any home improvement project.

Cons of Steel Doors


Unfortunately, steel doors can face frequent scratching that can lead to rust, and paint chipping which will require routine maintenance from the homeowner. About once a year, you can lubricate the hinges with a small spray of grease or silicone. Steel doors conduct the temperature of the outside air, so the door will be hot to the touch during the hot summer months, and cold in the winter. While this may seem concerning, steel doors actually provide excellent insulation for the home.

When trying to decide between picking a fiberglass door or a steel door as your replacement, the first thing you should consider is your personal preference. Both doors offer similar pros, but there are big difference in their cons and how they look. Give us a call and we’d be happy to discuss the steel door vs fiberglass door debate. We’re here to help with all of your home renovation and home addition needs in Ottawa!  Please don’t wait to get in touch for a free in-home consultation, you can call us at (613) 727-9427.

What is the Best Exterior Material for Your Home Addition

What Is The Best Exterior Material For Your Home Addition?

A home offers countless opportunities to customize, improve, and enhance your property. From small do-it-yourself projects to larger additions and renovations, choosing the right materials can help to keep the overall costs of your project down while improving the value of your home. This is especially true when working on the exterior of your home where nature and the elements are constantly acting against you. With that in mind, let’s take a moment to quickly review the best exterior material for your home addition.

Dependent On Needs

Simply put, there is no ideal exterior material for home additions. The material that will work the best will depend on the unique situation surrounding your home addition, your budget, and your personal taste. The following considerations will help you to narrow down your selection.

Consider Housing Requirements

What housing requirements exist for the property? Are there any ordinances or zoning laws in Ottawa that prohibit certain building materials? While a frequent problem with properties that are considered, a growing number of neighbourhood ordinances are limiting the materials that homeowners can use on their home. Along with these housing requirements, you may want to consider the climate. Every material has strengths and weaknesses associated with their use, and certain climates will wear down your exterior more quickly.

Consider The Current Aesthetic

Material use can add to or take away from the visual aesthetic of your home when examined alongside other parts of your home. For that reason, most people use whatever material was used for the walls of the home on the home addition. If the particular home addition exterior is not easily viewable, then you may find it easier to use more appropriate/less expensive materials that would ordinarily clash.

Factor In the Cost Of Material

Different materials will cost you depending on the local availability. For example, vinyl, wood, stucco, brick, stone, and metal all shift in prices depending on what your local availability is like. If cost is a factor, then vinyl will typically be one of the best options available as it is nearly ubiquitous and low in price.

Any Other Considerations?

Consider hiring a home renovation contractor to help you choose the right material. Utilizing experience born from countless previous jobs, a contractor like RenosGroup.ca will quickly point you in the right direction after considering your needs and wants. Together, you will be able to find the least expensive source for the material and even aid in the installation.  Feel free to contact us or give us a call at (613) 727-9427 to get started now.

The Right Interior Door for your Home Renovation

The Right Interior Door for your Home Renovation

The doors inside of our homes provide privacy between family members and separate spaces. But when considering interior door options during a home renovation, we often overlook an important fact: interior doors can be unique and stylish. Instead of opting for a simple interior door style, open the doors to new design opportunities. Consider an interior door that shows your personality and upgrades the style of your home, and you will see a very noticeable difference in your home’s interior. We have come up with a list of things for you to consider while choosing the right interior door.

Door Style

The style of interior door that you select can completely change the look of your home. If you’re feeling adventurous, try a door with personality to reflect your preferences. This will help to add a fun aspect to the room. Remember that most doors in your home should have some similar elements to help with the flow throughout the house.

An important thing to consider when choosing a style is the size of the room. For smaller rooms, avoid large, bulky doors as they will become the focal point of the room and make them feel smaller.

There are several door styles to choose from! If you need help deciding and are looking for a home renovation, contact us.

Pocket Doors: Slide into the wall, instead of swinging open. Pocket doors are most convenient for small rooms or rooms with an awkward layout where a swinging door would interfere with objects.

Folding Doors: Usually for smaller spaces such as closets, laundry rooms, or pantries.

Barn Doors: If you’re home renovation is looking for something with rustic charm, or wants a room that has a more industrial feel, these doors are the way to go.

French Doors: French doors are perfect for separating two spaces without fully closing either of the spaces off. These doors have a frame with several transparent panels and can be customized to suit your needs.

Door Swing

For your convenience, you can choose the direction that your interior door swings. In order to be the most efficient, a door shouldn’t open into a hallway as it will block yours’ and your guests’ direct paths. Consider if you want a right-hand or left-hand door swing for each room, depending on the shape of each space.

Door Framing

You wouldn’t put a beautiful photograph in a poorly built frame would you? The same goes for the doors that you select in your home. A poorly made frame will take away from the door itself, and can even cause damage to the door.

Door Material

Depending on the style of your home, you have several options for the material of your interior doors. Solid wood, metal, glass, hollow core (plywood), or a wood-fibre blend.

Still have questions or concerns about adding new interior doors to  your home renovation project? Contact RenosGroup.ca, or give us a call at (613)727-9427 and we’d be happy to help with these and all other home renovation needs.

Which Room Should You Remodel First?

Which Room Should You Remodel First?

Getting ready to remodel a portion of your home can be exciting, but it might also be somewhat stressful, too. Remodelling anxiety happens to those who do not adequately prepare before a renovation. Simply figuring out which room to remodel first can take a long time, especially when you have no idea what a complete remodeling project entails.

How to Figure Out Which Room to Remodel First

The first thing you need to do when remodelling your home in Ottawa is to decide which room you want to start with first. This can be somewhat difficult. In order to simplify things a bit, narrow down your choices by considering the following:

The Amount of Traffic in the Room

Think about how many people walk in or through a given space before you decide to remodel it. If it is a space in your home that is used quite a bit, then you might want to think about doing that room either first or last. A room that is needed in order to carry out your day-to-day routine might not be the best place to start. Because some renovation projects can be difficult, it might be a better idea for you to begin remodelling in a space that is somewhat secluded just in case it takes longer than anticipated.

Why Does Foot Traffic Matter?

  1. Prioritization: High-traffic zones like kitchens or entryways deserve strategic planning. Disrupting these daily essentials can throw your routine into disarray. Consider tackling less-used rooms first to minimize chaos.
  2. Material Selection: A busy hallway needs durable, easy-to-clean flooring, while a spa-like bathroom can handle more delicate options. Matching materials to traffic patterns ensures longevity and reduces frustration.
  3. Project Duration: Renovations rarely stick to the script. A heavily used space taking longer than expected can derail your whole household. Opting for a quieter room offers a buffer against delays.
  4. Noise and Dust: Remember the construction zone vibes? Imagine that in your bustling living room! Starting in a less-frequented space offers a haven from the din and mess.

Basement Renovation Ottawa - Walk-Out Basement

The Number of Issues that Need Fixed

Any room that needs a lot of work to get it where you want it will take extra time to complete. Keep this in mind when deciding which room to start with, and don’t forget to realistically consider how much time and energy the project is going to take. If your space is in need of a lot of work, you might want to get it out of the way first. On the other hand, starting on a room needing lots of remodelling may allow you to get it out of the way so you can concentrate on more important things.

1. The “Get it Out of the Way” Option:

    • Pros: Tackle the behemoth first and enjoy the satisfaction of crossing it off your list. This frees up your mental energy and allows you to focus on other projects without its shadow looming.
    • Cons: Extensive renovations can be emotionally draining. Be prepared for potential delays and unforeseen challenges. Ensure you have the stamina and support system to weather the storm.

2. The “Start Small, Gain Momentum” Option:

    • Pros: Begin with a less demanding room to gain confidence and experience. This empowers you to approach the fixer-upper with a honed skillset and newfound enthusiasm.
    • Cons: Living with an unfinished and potentially messy space can be inconvenient. Ensure you have alternative arrangements (like temporary kitchens or bathrooms) for crucial areas.

The Cost to Remodel Versus What Your Budget Allows

Remember that most remodelling projects cost a lot of money. Not only that, but unforeseen problems may arise causing you to spend even more. When deciding which room to begin remodeling first, think about how much capital you have to invest and ask yourself if you can feasibly complete the project while staying within budget. If you are not sure how things will add up, have a professional give you a cost estimate before you begin.

 

  • Budget Basics: Knowing Your Numbers

    Before diving in, get crystal clear on your financial limitations. Consider:

    • Available Capital: This is your war chest – the total amount you’re comfortable spending. Be realistic and factor in potential buffer funds for unforeseen expenses.
    • Project Costs: Research average costs for your desired renovations. Consult professionals for accurate estimates specific to your room and needs. Remember, unforeseen problems can arise, so add a contingency buffer to your estimations.
    • Financing Options: Explore financing options like loans or credit cards (use responsibly!

Remember, choosing the right room for your initial remodel is a blend of practicality and passion. By understanding your budget, exploring cost-saving options, and prioritizing what truly matters to you, you can set the stage for a financially feasible and emotionally rewarding home transformation!

Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427 for a free no-obligation estimate on your home renovation project.

 

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251 Laurier Ave W, #900
Ottawa, ON K1P 5J6
Phone: (613) 727-9427
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