Ottawa

Mold and Mildew in Your Home

How to Avoid Mold & Mildew in Your Home

Once your bathroom renovation is complete and your home looks stunning, you want to keep it looking in mint condition for as long as possible. These care and maintenance tips will extend the longevity of your bathroom renovation and help you avoid mold and mildew growth:

What are Mold & Mildew?


Mold and mildew are collections of small organisms (called spores) which thrive in wet and moist environments – like your bathroom. 

If you don’t clean your bathroom properly, mold spores start to grow and are eventually released into the air. 

You then inhale these spores into your lungs, which can be problematic for people with compromised immune systems or breathing conditions like asthma. Common health effects include difficulty breathing, coughing, sore throat, and headaches.

Mold causes the most problems during the summertime – as it thrives in humidity. Yet, if the conditions are right, mold can wreak havoc in the winter as well.

Mold and mildew will contaminate your indoor air quality. If you’ve been having trouble breathing inside – mold may be the culprit. Beyond coughing and wheezing, extreme cases can cause neurological issues and even death. That’s why every homeowner needs to take mold seriously.

It’s crucial to know how mold forms and where it can pop up. That will help you prevent mold from forming in the first place, which is always the best solution. Once mold shows up, it can be challenging to get rid of entirely.

What’s the Difference Between Mold and Mildew?


While mold and mildew are both forms of fungi – there are subtle differences. For one, mold is a prevalent component in household dust.

Mildew, on the other hand, tends to grow on flat surfaces. It appears on organic materials, such as paper, leather, wood, walls, and ceilings.

The two also differ in appearance and odor.

Mold tends to be black, blue, red, or green. It also has a notoriously slimy texture and can at times contain fuzz.

Mildew starts off as white – distinguishing it from mold. In its later stages, it starts to turn shades of yellow and brown. Instead of slime or fuzz, it’s very powdery in texture.

Both require organic material in order to form. It’s what serves as a food source for fungal growth. That’s why mold and mildew always form on materials such as wood, leather, paper, and textiles.

You can tell the two apart by their smell. Mildew’s odor is pretty mild and smells musty. It’s often compared to damp laundry that hasn’t dried.

Mold’s odor is a lot more pungent and powerful. That’s because as the mold continues to grow, it forms microbial volatile organic compounds or MVOCs.

The final distinction is mildew forms on surfaces while mold burrows underneath. So if you see fungal growth on the surface of your cabinets, that’s a dead giveaway that it’s mildew.

Mold always forms beneath the surface – inside walls and in crevices and holes. That makes mold harder to locate – which can lead to it growing out of control.  

The Conditions Where Mold and Mildew Thrive


Any time there’s high heat, a food source (organic material), and a fair amount of humidity – mold, and mildew can form. For this reason, June through August are the most problematic months. It would be best if you kept a close eye on your walls, ceilings, and underneath sinks during these months.

Yet, if you’re running your heat in the winter and there’s humidity – mold and mildew can form then, too.

If temperatures are between 77° and 87°, and humidity is between 62 and 93 percent, you’re in the danger zone. Bear that in mind whenever you’re inspecting your home for mold and mildew.

Here’s a list of the most common molds that show up in homes:

  • Alternaria
  • Aspergillus
  • Chaetomium
  • Cladosporium
  • Fusarium

No matter what type of mold forms in your home, they all have one thing in common – they need to go. All kinds of mold can be dangerous, which is why you need to eliminate them. The good news is there are ways to prevent mold and mildew from forming in the first place.

Areas to Check for Mold & Mildew in Your Home


You’ll need to know where to look for mold and mildew in your Ottawa home. Otherwise, you won’t even know that you have a mold problem. That’s the last thing you want, as out-of-control mold can do some severe damage to your home. Not only that but eliminating it will be a costly endeavor. The best thing you can do is regularly inspect your home to prevent its formation.

Here are the most problematic areas you should check during hot/humid months:

  • Your ventilation ductwork
  • The area surrounding your HVAC system
  • Underneath sinks
  • Areas around sinks and faucets in bathrooms and kitchens
  • Tubs, showers, shower curtains
  • Any area that sees a lot of moisture (i.e., cabinets next to the shower)
  • Dishwashers and laundry machines
  • The areas surrounding your dishwasher
  • In and around your refrigerator

As long as you keep a close eye on these areas – you’ll prevent most mold and mildew from forming. Yet, mold can form inside of your walls and other areas that you can’t see. That’s why it’s a good idea to learn how to do mold testing for your home.

Mold Prevention Tips


All right, now it’s time to learn how to mold-proof your home. After all, that’s the best way to avoid all the headaches that go along with mold and mildew infestations. 

If you do your due diligence – you won’t have to worry about contending against mold or mildew. Here are our top tips for preventing mold and mildew from forming in your Ottawa home.

Keep Your Humidity Levels Down


As stated before, mold and mildew thrive in humidity. If your home or apartment is especially humid – you can bet that mold and mildew are forming somewhere.

Since we know that mold and mildew love humidity – an excellent prevention technique is to keep your humidity levels low.

Specific activities will elevate the humidity in your home. In particular, anything that brings excessive moisture will add to the humidity. To prevent this from happening, you should ventilate during the following activities:

  • Cooking hot food (the steam generates humidity)
  • Running a hot shower (steam)
  • Using the bathroom

During these activities, turn on your ventilation fans. If you don’t have fans in these rooms, consider buying dehumidifiers. They’re an affordable option for lowering the humidity in rooms without fans.

If your home has an attic, installing fans up there can significantly reduce the humidity. If you already have attic fans, use them during the hottest times of the day.

Most modern HVAC systems contain humidification systems built into them. You can use them to moderate the humidity levels in your home. Some models even let you know the humidity percentage – which comes in handy for monitoring humidity levels. Running your air conditioner during humid days will also circulate the air and dry it out.  

Let Fresh Air Help You


Unfortunately, our indoor environments are far more polluted than the outdoors. After all, there’s a reason why it’s called ‘fresh’ air. The good news is you can open your windows for some much-needed natural ventilation.

Fresh air is also an excellent way to lower the carbon dioxide levels in your home. If your home has high carbon dioxide levels – you’ll start to notice adverse side effects. In particular, it will decrease the flow of oxygen to your brain.

How long has it been since you’ve opened a window?

If your home has been on lockdown for months – the chances are your carbon dioxide levels are high. You can remedy that by opening a window every day for at least 15 minutes.

Beyond lowering carbon dioxide, fresh air is a great way to prevent mold, too.

Fresh air will dehumidify and dry out damp areas in your home. It will also reduce odors and get rid of stuffiness. If you’re tired of feeling stuffed up – try opening your windows. It may surprise you how good it makes the air feel in your house. 

Remove All Excess Moisture


A great way to stop mold from forming is to regularly dry areas that get wet. It’s common for homeowners to clean surfaces but neglect drying them. Yet, that’s the most crucial step if you want to prevent mold.

That’s why you need to get into the habit of drying certain areas in your home – especially the bathroom.

After you take a shower, a large portion of your bathroom will contain moisture. That includes not only the inside of the shower and tub – but also the sink and cabinets. As soon as you get out of the shower, dry everything with a clean towel. That’s one of the most reliable ways to ensure that mold never gets a chance to form.

Beyond the bathroom, there are other areas that you should dry off, too. It’s common for A/C units to form moisture on the surface.

Whenever you have wet clothes or bath towels out – don’t let them stay out for too long. Either stick them in the dryer or hang them up to dry. If you keep them on surfaces or bundled together – mold and mildew can form relatively quickly.

Leaks are another cause for concern. If you have a leaky sink or pipe – it could spell disaster for your home. All it takes is one moist spot for mold to start forming. If you notice a leak or damp spot on your carpet, you need to clean and dry it within 24 hours. Otherwise, mold/mildew may have already started to form.

Here are a few more tips for removing excess moisture around your home:

  • Clean, dry, and repair all gutters and spout systems. If you have wet gutters, mildew can form quite quickly. Also, check your sprinkler heads and downspout systems.
  • Seal all window and foundation leaks. All it takes is one leaky window for rainwater to get in your home and start forming mold.
  • Install a basement sump pump. A reliable way to keep your basement high and dry is to use a sump pump. It’s a pit that will remove all water that forms in your basement.

As long as you keep your home dry and not too humid – you shouldn’t have trouble with mold and mildew. 

Our Suggested Daily Routine

 

  • If possible, always leave a window open when showering or bathing. This will allow hot damp air to exit your home instead of building up as condensation on the walls of your bathroom.
  • Turn on an exhaust fan prior to showering, and leave it on for at least 15 minutes following your shower. This will suck up some moisture instead of allowing it to fall on the floors or settle on the walls of the bathroom.
  • After showering or bathing, rinse the walls, floors, and other wet surfaces with clean water. Pat all surfaces try with a towel after showering.
  • Use a squeegee to wipe down the shower glass door after showering.
  • Always leave shower doors and bath curtains open after a bath or shower to allow moisture to dissipate.
  • Hang up towels and allow them to air dry. If they are just stuffed into a laundry hamper or left in a heap on the floor, they may not dry properly.

Weekly Routine

 

  • Wash and dry your bath mats on a regular basis.
  • Use special cleaning products specifically designed to remove mold and mildew.

Regular Inspections

 

  • Inspect the caulking around your shower and tub and make sure there are no leaks. If so, it’s important to get them repaired right away before the water has a chance to seep behind the walls.
  • Make sure exhaust fans are vented toward the outside, not just rerouting moist air into your attic.

Your bathroom renovation is a big investment, so you need to treat it right. These preventative measures can help stop mold and mildew in your home, threatening the health of your family.  To get in touch to schedule renovations, you can fill out an online form or give us a call at (613) 727-9427.

Home Renovation Costs in Ottawa Infographic

Home Renovation Costs in Ottawa

If you’ve decided to renovate your home, you have a huge decision to make. It would be best to find skilled contractors that you can trust with your most precious asset, your home. This can certainly affect your home renovation costs

If you select poorly, you risk incurring severe damages to your house. These include:

  • Major leaks
  • Unsafe electrical work
  • Damage to your foundation
  • Poor craftsmanship

These are just a few of the things that can go wrong with an inexperienced crew. That’s why you must seek out the best of the best, like us here at RenosGroup. We’re contractors that you can always rely on in Ottawa, and we’ve got the track record to prove it.

So if you want to know what you can expect to pay for a professional renovation, you’re in the right spot.

For quick reference, here’s a table breaking down home renovation costs in Ottawa:

That will give you the gist of what we charge on average. Read on for more detail on what we charge, why, and a complete list of our services.

 

Contractors in Ottawa: You Get What You Pay For


Sure, there are a lot of cheap contractors in the city. Yet, they end up not being worth it for many reasons. For example, here’s a common scenario we encounter all the time.

A client calls us in a panic because their newly renovated kitchen is a total mess.

The countertops look awful, the tile is wrong, and the kitchen sink sprung a massive leak.

Why is it in such disarray? It’s because they went with a cheap contracting service that promised them the world. They claimed they could beautifully renovate their kitchen for next to nothing.

Here’s a quick rule of thumb for contractors and pricing; if it sounds too good to be true, it always is.

The next thing our client knew, their kitchen became the site of a disaster. Not only that but they got hit with hidden fees and clauses. That’s another common trick of untrustworthy contractors.

At the end of the day, they wound up spending thousands more than they would if they had gone with us in the first place. They still had to pay the cheap contractors, plus the hidden fees, plus paying us to fix their mistakes.

Trust us; save yourself the hassle and call us at RenosGroup. We charge our prices for a reason because they allow us to ensure premium quality work every time.

 

What to Consider When Researching Contractors


We like to educate our clients at RenosGroup. Here are our top factors to consider when looking for a contractor in Ottawa or elsewhere:

  • You get what you pay for in the end. Remember, any contracting service can claim meager prices. The proof is always in the pudding, so be sure to check out reviews before hiring them. Pay close attention to what reviewers have to say about the price quoted versus the price charged. Nine times out of 10, they’re in completely different ballparks.

     

  • Price isn’t everything. Let’s say that you can hire contractors for dirt cheap rates. Well, dirt cheap rates equal dirt cheap quality. You’ll long forget about how much money you saved when you have to come home to face your dreadful renovations each day. Save yourself the heartache and hire professionals from the get-go!

     

  • Quality above all else. What matters more than anything is that you receive quality work. When researching contractors, check out user reviews. Please pay close attention to what reviewers say about their craftsmanship. Also, were they professional with the client? Was there a supervisor present at all times to ensure quality?

     

  • Licensing, insurance, and a legitimate firm that pays taxes. This factor is a huge one. If you choose to do your renovations yourself or hire a crew with no insurance, you could end up on the hook for expensive repairs. If they should make a mistake or do damage to your foundation, it’s up to you to fix it. You also need to hire a legitimate tax-paying company to avoid legal issues. At RenosGroup, we’re licensed, insured, and we always pay our taxes. You’ll be in great hands when you choose us for renovations in Ottawa.

     

  • Contracts that feature plain English. Shady contractors love to pull tricks with the wording in their contracts, so beware. If the contract seems a little too vague or ambiguous, it’s likely on purpose. That’s so they can sneak in hidden fees and clauses to get more of your money. As a rule of thumb, never sign a contract that you can’t understand. At RenosGroup, all our contracts feature plain English. We spell everything out in as precise terminology as possible.

     

  • Their level of experience/whether they use subcontractors. When looking for a contracting service, try to find one that doesn’t sub out anything. Of course, we never feature any subcontractors at RenosGroup. That’s because we have a diverse team of experts with varying specialties. If a contractor has to use subcontractors, it’s a tell-tale sign they lack experience. They also give up their quality control whenever they sub out specific jobs. So if you want a fantastic job done no matter what, use us at RenosGroup. Every job that we perform gets done by one of our internal professionals.

As you can see, there’s a lot to consider when selecting general contractors in Ottawa.

To save yourself some time and hassle, you can use us at RenosGroup. We have all the factors that you see listed above, plus many more. When it comes to getting the most bang for your buck, we provide the most robust craftsmanship and quality work. 

We’ll never cut corners or use subpar materials to save a buck. Instead, all our time, energy, and effort go toward making your dream home a reality.

We’re committed to providing you with superb renovations and home additions at reasonable prices. So if you need the best general contractors Ottawa has available, we won’t let you down at RenosGroup.

Home Renovation Costs in Ottawa Infographic

Our Price Ranges / Home Renovation Costs


Here are our price ranges for the most common renovation services we offer. Bear in mind; these are by no means final prices. Lots of aspects vary from job to job, and they each affect the price.

For the most accurate pricing information, reach out to us for a detailed quote.

We’ll provide one for you during your free in-home consultation with us.

The following estimates are average basic costs only. For the calculations, we used mid-level products. These include supplies, labor, debris disposal, and project management. Also, all per square foot pricing can’t apply to smaller projects as minimums apply.

 

Home Renovation Costs

Bathroom Renovation Costs


Soaker Tub, Tile Shower Walls, Faucet, and Shower Curtain Rod: $8,500+ HST and up

Here, we’ll replace your existing bathtub with an acrylic soaker tub. From there, we’ll replace your shower walls with new tiling. We’ll replace the tub and shower faucet and install a new shower curtain rod. Of course, we’ll diligently clean up our job site each day with a disposal trip at the end. We’ll transport any garbage to the waste facilities on the outskirts of town. The price includes all parts, products, labor, debris disposal, and project management.

 

Shower Conversion: $10,000+ HST and up


Do you no longer bathe in your bathtub? Has it become increasingly difficult to get over the edge of your tub? Then a shower conversion would be perfect for you. We’ll replace your bathtub with a shower in the same footprint. You’ll get an acrylic shower base, shower faucet, and custom shower walls and doors. Price includes all parts, labor, and more. We’ll perform daily cleanups and disposal trips.

 

Bathroom Upgrade: $18,000 – $22,000+ HST and up


If it’s time for a complete overhaul, you should upgrade your bathroom. We’ll remove and replace the contents of an average-sized, four-piece bathroom. That includes the tub, shower, faucet, tile, toilet, and more. We’ll install brand-new flooring, medicine cabinets, and lighting fixtures. A bathroom upgrade includes a fresh coat of paint and new tile. We’ll ensure that everything new connects to your existing plumbing hookups to avoid any hassle.

 

Minor Bathroom Renovation: $22,000 – $25,000+ HST and up


Here, we’ll gut out your entire four-piece bathroom. We’ll replace absolutely everything, including the shower, walls, toilet, sink, cabinets, and more. You’ll get the chance to select from premium new products for your redesigned bathroom.

 

Major Bathroom Renovation (Higher end or En-suite) $25,000 – $35,000+ HST and up


You get everything that you see in the bathroom renovation listed above. Yet, everything comes with more excellent finishes and higher-end tile, appliances, and fixtures. We also provide a custom-built shower area, custom-glass shower enclosure, and tile flooring. Not only that, but we’ll provide you with brand-new plumbing and electrical. So if you’re looking to pull out all the stops for your bathroom renovation in Ottawa, this is the way to do it.

 

Kitchen Renovation Costs


Kitchen Upgrade: $25,000 – $30,000+ HST and up

 

If your kitchen is essentially the way you want it, save for a few enhancements, an upgrade is ideal. That way, you can only replace your cabinets, countertops, sink, backsplash, and flooring. You can also add a fresh coat of paint to your walls and ceiling. For a kitchen upgrade, we tend to keep everything in the same location for your convenience.

 

Minor Kitchen Renovation: $30,000 – $35,000+ HST and up


If you need a bit more than simple upgrades, minor renovations are wise. We can give you a new layout design, updated electrical wiring, new lighting fixtures, and more. Also, we’ll provide semi-custom cabinets for you. Need a new backsplash? That’s no problem for us. We’ll re-tile it for you as part of the package. If you’re sick of your kitchen floor, why not replace it? We have a myriad of fantastic kitchen flooring options, so don’t be shy. You can do a lot to transform the look and feel of your kitchen with some minor renovations from RenosGroup.

 

Major Kitchen Renovations: $35,000 – $65,000+ HST and up


If your kitchen is in dire need of change, then it’s time to gut it out. We’ll tear everything down so that we can start from scratch. During your free in-home consultation, you can speak with our in-house interior designer. They’ll help you come up with a brand-new layout for your kitchen. By the time that we’re done, it’ll look like a brand-new kitchen. We’ll provide electrical, plumbing, new fixtures, appliances, countertops, cabinets, and more. The sky is the limit for what you can do with your kitchen when our team is by your side.

 

Laminate Countertop – Supply and Install: $1,800+ HST and up

Labor/installation: $600 + $1,200 product


Average size kitchen countertops are 40 square feet. We tend to charge $30 per square foot and up. With our laminate countertops, you can give your kitchen an inexpensive fresh new look. There are lots of options for color and texture.

 

Quartz Countertops – Supplied and Installed by Stone Company: $3,200+ HST and up

Granite Countertops – Supplied and Installed by Stone Company: $2,400+ HST and up


For quartz, approximate charge $80 – $100 per square foot. For granite, approximate charge $60 – $80 per square foot.

Solid stone countertops are a great way to boost your resell value. They also look fantastic and add elegance and sophistication to your kitchen. They’re beautiful, durable, and practical.

Home Renovation Costs

Adding Finished Spaces Costs


Finished Basements: $30,000 – $80,000+ HST and up


We based this figure on a basement that’s around 700 – 1,000 square feet. We charge approximately $45 – $85 per square foot to finish a basement. The lower square foot pricing includes basic finishings. In turn, the higher square foot pricing includes higher-end finishes and a full bathroom. Finishing your basement is a great way to save money on your utility bill. With our team at RenosGroup, we can repurpose your basement into just about anything.

 

Garage Addition: $45,000 – $114,000+ HST

Ex: 12′ x 20′ 240 SF garage, up to a 24′ x 25′ 600 SF two-car garage


We charge $190 – $200 per square foot on average for garage additions. Let us help you add more space so that you can park another vehicle or add more storage.

 

Basic Room Addition: $57,000 – $125,000+ HST

Ex: 15′ x 15′ 225 SF bedroom, up to a 20′ x 25′ 500 SF room addition.


We charge $270 – $275 per square foot on average. The price is for a single room addition with minimal structural and electrical work. No plumbing is included with this price.

 

Kitchen/Bathroom or Multi-Room Addition: $62,000 – $207,000+ HST

Ex: 15′ x 15′ 225 SF kitchen, up to 25′ x 30′ 750 SF


We charge $275 – $300 per square foot on average for these additions. We can do multiple rooms, techno posts with moderate to very nice finishes. We do bathrooms, closets, tile, hardwood, and more.

 

Crawl Space/Stem Wall Foundation: $10,000 – $25,000 HST

Full-Height Basement Foundation: $25,000 – $60,000 HST

Average cost: $25 – $40 per square foot of wall space

 

Closing Thoughts


There you have a full price breakdown of our services at RenosGroup. We charge fair and reasonable rates, especially considering the quality of work that we do. If you have any further questions about home renovation costs, please don’t wait to get in touch for a free in-home consultation, you can call us at (613) 727-9427.

Poorly Planned Bathroom Renovations

Poorly Planned Bathroom Renovations

Every Year Thousands of Home Owners are Financially Devastated by Poorly Planned Bathroom Renovations.


If you’re planning on renovating your entire bathroom you may be tempted to hire an independent contractor or a jack-of-all-trades to keep your costs down. Unfortunately, these individuals are often mediocre at many things and experts at nothing. Remember…just because it’s cheap, doesn’t mean it’s a deal!

Hiring a professional bathroom contractor is your best bet at keeping your costs down and protecting your home. A professional bathroom renovation company can provide every service you need and will always be prepared for potential obstacles that may arise, like discovering a rotten floor or mold hidden behind a wall when replacing your tub.

RenosGroup.ca specializes in all aspects of complete bathroom renovations with a team of professionals for every job from designers to carpenters to plumbers.

Many companies who do offer complete renovation services don’t offer low-cost options due to the high overhead tied up in their expensive showrooms. The massive cost difference between the expensive showroom companies and the jack-of-all-tradesmen creates confusion and frustration for homeowners. Poorly Planned Bathroom Renovations

RenosGroup.ca has stepped into the gap as one of the only mid-priced full-service bathroom renovators in Ottawa. Our free in-home consultations will give you a more reliable cost estimate because it helps us to correctly prepare for your specific project. Once we’ve measured and poked around in the renovation space we’ll be able to better implement the designer’s plan and anticipate where problems may arise. Our advance preparation strategy is what allows us to work cleaner, faster, smarter and more efficiently than other renovation specialists.

Making us even more tempting is our online showroom.  Though we don’t sell any products these pages can help with your product selections while your in your own home. We even have our own interior designer to help you match colours and fixtures bringing out the warmth and comfort you want your home to exude.  Design work does come with extra fees, but well worth it when it comes to the final look of the finished product

If you or a member of your household has mobility limitations you may need to have specific renovations done to your bathroom and home. It is imperative you have a professional make these renovations for you to ensure the proper weight specifications are accounted for and future mobility issues are taken into consideration. An independent bathroom contractor will not plan for further mobility limiting problems you or your loved ones may encounter.

Our team of bathroom renovators are experts in installing mobility limitation products for any age group, and almost every conceivable disability. Your free in-home consultation is designed to give us the information we need to install the correct products, in the appropriate location within your home. We’ll also take into consideration future limitation problems you may encounter so you won’t have to go through another expensive renovation down the road.  To get in touch to schedule renovations, you can fill out an online form or give us a call at (613) 727-9427.

* This was our original main page page for bathroom renovations

Basement Renovations Are Often Overlooked

Basement Renovations Are Often Overlooked

Many homeowners often leave their basements unfinished, or use them for storage rather than functionality. Even though basement renovations are often overlooked, the potential to make an incredible basement living space is always there. Whether you’re looking for a fun kid friendly space, a place to entertain friends, a man cave or organized storage, RenosGroup.ca can help make all of your basement renovation ideas become a reality.

Anyone Can Offer a Free Quote Over the Phone


Each basement renovation presents unique challenges; after all, each of us has a personal vision for our home. Embracing your vision is the key to giving you a successful basement renovation. This cannot be captured in a phone call or email. What you need is a free consultation.

Upon your request our designers will meet with you to determine your needs and specifications. Working with you, we’ll create a design plan to ensure the proper use of space in the area to be renovated. Our contracts are written out in layman’s terms, free of industry jargon. This way you’ll be able to understand your renovation contract and be protected against hidden escape clauses.

Basement Renovation


Trust the Professionals


Although you may think to try a basement renovation as a weekend DIY project, we do not recommend it. Some jobs are certainly meant to be done by professionals and basement renovations are one of them. If you attempt a basement renovation by yourself, unknown problems, expenses and safety hazards could occur. It is our job to design, plan and execute the entire renovation ensuring all aspects are covered and
taken care of in a professional manner.

Creating the Perfect Basement


You may have a type of basement living space in mind; however there is a lot more to a renovation than a simple idea. The concept is the first step, and consulting a basement renovation professional is always a good idea as they can help you envision and utilize the space to the fullest.

Cheaper Isn’t Always Better


Many independent contractors simply can’t perform the quality work they continually boast about. Instead they offer cheaper services, which is not usually the best option. Hiring a professional team of renovators will protect you and your home from unexpected complications. The RenosGroup.ca team of experts has the knowledge and experience to handle any situation onsite as they may arise. You won’t have to wait
three days for the plumber to show up, or worry about carpenter fixing your electrical wiring

Please don’t wait to give us a call at (613) 727-9427 to get the ball rolling. You can also use this form to request a free in-home consultation and estimate.

Choosing the Best Lighting Fixtures for Your Kitchen

Best Lighting Fixtures for Your Kitchen Renovation

Whether you’re gearing up for a major kitchen renovation or are just looking for ways to enhance and improve the design, lighting is a key piece in any design puzzle. It plays an important role in the overall look, feel and functionality of a room. But choosing the best lighting fixtures for your kitchen can feel a bit tricky with so many options out there today. From blingy statement fixtures to cozy ambient lighting to subtle modern pendant lights – it can feel daunting when you don’t know what you want or need. To help you narrow it down and find the right one, here are some tips to guide you in selecting the best lights for your kitchen.

 

Fixtures for Ambient Lighting


The kitchen typically requires more light than other areas of the home. And the primary source usually comes from overhead ambient light fixtures. It’s important to be able to see what you’re doing when you’re cooking up a storm, which is why we recommend spending a little time calculating the amount of wattage you’ll need for your kitchen renovation. This way, when you’re shopping around for a light fixture, you can narrow down your scope and make sure you end up with the proper amount of light. Generally, for a larger kitchen, a light fixture with at least 5 light bulbs is ideal for your ambient lighting. Having a light that fills the space really makes a big difference, so make sure to pay attention to the number of bulbs.

 

Fixtures for Task or Direct Lighting


Beyond the main source of lighting, there are many other types of light fixtures that can add more character and make it easier to see during dim evenings. For example, task lighting can be helpful when you want to place direct light in certain areas. This could include light sconces to see better at night, lamps, or under-the-counter lighting to make it easier to read your cookbook or see which spices you’re adding to your new recipe. Consider these smaller fixtures for any areas where you think you’ll need more direct light.

Decorative Lighting to Accent Features


Similar to task lighting, accent lighting also adds more illumination, but its primary purpose is to enhance the design, highlight certain features in your kitchen, and make it feel cozy. Light installed under the counter plays into this too since it helps to highlight the backsplash. You could also add a light fixture behind one of your glass cabinet doors to show off your fancy wine glass collection, and place a few built-in ones throughout the counter area. If you want your kitchen to have a decorative look and feel, don’t skip out on accent lighting.

Here are some of the most common light fixtures for your kitchen renovation:

Chandeliers


If you love a little decorative bling and need a light fixture overtop of your kitchen table, a chandelier is a popular choice. There are lots of different sizes and styles to consider. If you’re adding other fixtures, we suggest sticking to one particular style and theme.

Pendants


Pendants are smaller and won’t produce as might light. These generally have only one bulb in them, so they’re not suitable as a main overhead source of light. But they could work well to supplement another fixture.

Flush Mounts


For smaller kitchens that have a lower ceiling, flush mounts might work well. These are the standard light fixtures that you can find in many homes. They provide strong, diffused light. If you prefer something subtle that can blend in with the surroundings, this could be better suited to your kitchen.

Determining Your Lighting Style


Keep in mind that your lighting fixtures will always be on display which is why they should play into the overall theme and design of your kitchen and home. If you have a modern kitchen, it won’t make much sense to add in a light fixture that’s super busy, blingy or traditional. To make sure it will look good and cohesive, focus on other elements of your kitchen – are they predominantly metallic, simple black matte, chic and copper? Whatever the common look is, stick with that as much as possible. If most items are finished in black matte, then look for a fixture that’s similar to that style too. It doesn’t have to be the exact same, but it should complement the other features in the kitchen. 

Lighting seems like a simple afterthought during home renovations and remodels, but when you stop to think about it, it plays a significant role in the overall aesthetics, comfort and function of each space in your home. If you’re planning to redo your kitchen this year, get in touch with our team, or give us a call at (613) 727-9427 at the Renosgroup.ca. We can help transform your space and offer our professional recommendations to enhance your design. 

Building A Home Studio In Your Basement

Building a Home Studio in Your Basement

Looking to create your own home studio in your basement? Whether it’s for work or play, if you have some free space in your basement you can easily build the type of space you’ve been dreaming of. But knowing how to plan properly and prepare is essential to getting it done right. Soundproofing and utilizing the amount of room that you can play with efficiently to house your equipment, are just a few factors to consider. Before you jump into your renovation, check out our 3 key steps for setting up a home studio in your basement.

Space Requirements


Most home studios require two spaces – one for the sound booth where you capture the music and one area for the audio mixing room where the music mixing and producing resides. The size of the sound booth will depend on how many instruments you want to record from, and it will be different if you plan to house a small band versus just you on the guitar and mic. The mixing room will also need to fit your equipment, which can change depending on whether you want a small or large-scale studio operation. Creating a thorough floor plan before you start the renovation will save you time and money in the long run.

Soundproofing and Acoustic Treatment


Building the home studio in your basement will already ensure some soundproofing from the surrounding foundation and ground outside. However, you want to create additional soundproofing between the downstairs and upstairs. Plus, you want to keep outside noises away that could distort the sound. You can easily install some acoustic foam, sound diffusers, bass traps and reflection filters to keep the noise in and to ensure you can keep distracting ambient noises out.

Purchasing the Equipment


Once you have the sound booth and mixing studio built, you’ll want to add the necessary equipment. To get you started you need a computer, digital audio workstation to mix and edit the music, audio interface to provide all the connections to your music, a quality set of microphones, headphones, studio monitors, a cable to connect the mic and audio interface, along with cables to connect the interface to the monitors. And of course, any of the instruments you would like to use in your studio should also be purchased if not already done so.

Building your own home studio in your basement can provide hours of fun and can help you take your sound to the next level. But if you don’t plan and build it out right you might end up ignoring it more than using it. So let us help! At the RenosGroup, we can help you plan and create your build so that you can easily transform your basement into a studio that gets you pumped to use it every time.  Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

Decor Ideas For Your Backyard Coach House

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.

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

Things to Consider When Doing a Bathroom Reno

4 Things to Consider When Doing a Bathroom Reno

Taking on a bathroom renovation can be a grueling project, but one that’s worthy of the effort – especially if you ever consider placing your home up for sale. It can bump up the resale value, and of course, boost the luxury of your interior. But before you begin knocking down walls and removing the toilet, there are some important things to consider when doing a bathroom reno. Here’s what they include:

Do you have an alternative bathroom to use?

Remember, once you begin that renovation to your bathroom, it will become inaccessible for a while. So using the toilet, sink, and shower won’t exactly be an option. That’s why before getting started you should figure out a plan for these important necessities. Whether you have a second bathroom to use, or the neighbour is kind enough to let you use their shower, make a plan for bathroom usage so that you won’t end up stuck when it really matters.

What sort of functionality will you need?

Is this going to be a primary guest bathroom or one more so for your own personal use? This is important to determine so that you can think about the layout and functionality of the bathroom. Are you looking to create a luxurious, spa-like getaway in the comfort of this bathroom, or is it merely an additionally one to free up your primary one during those hectic mornings? This will help you determine whether a bathtub is necessary or not, whether two sinks are necessary or not, along with other design features that will create your desired space.

Will you need storage incorporated into the design?

If you live in a condo or are simply limited on space, you know that any potential for storage is important. Think about how and where areas for storage can be incorporated and how you can optimize space for those essential toiletries.

What is your budget?

Determining your budget is the safest way to keep your expenditures at a range that won’t shock you once everything is completed. A bathroom reno project can quickly turn into one that ends up costing much more than anticipated, especially with all of the high-end décor items and fancy faucets that look so tempting at the home décor store. In order to avoid serious temptation and stick to what you can afford, create a budget before you begin shopping for your remodelling items.

Bathroom renos can be a big undertaking, but they can also be fun! Consider each of these factors first before jumping ahead with your Ottawa bathroom renovation.  To learn more things to consider when doing a bathroom reno, don’t hesitate to contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

4 Advantages of Mobility Renovations

4 Advantages of Mobility Renovations

Your home is a place where you should feel comfortable and at ease. But when your mobility is limited, it can make your home feel restrictive and uninviting. Don’t let your home determine your limitations. With a few simple renovations, you can make it more accessible and provide yourself with a space that is easy and comfortable to get around in so you can retire at home.  If you have mobility issues that are limiting you in your own home, here are four advantages of mobility renovations that can drastically improve your quality of life at home.

Minimize the Risk of Slipping in the Bathroom

The bathroom is one of those areas that can easily become the ultimate nemesis when you are struggling with mobility. But with a few simple tweaks, they can enhance the ease, safety, and allow you to embrace your independence.

You can have handrails installed along the tub to reduce any slips, or a walk-in tub so you don’t have to lift, or even a lower vanity set installed so you can easily reach the sink and mirror. Simple additions can really make all the difference.

Ease of Entering and Exiting with a Ramp

Having to hike up a flight of stairs just to make it to the front door can make you dread coming home before you’ve even entered it. And when the harsh winter arrives and there’s snow and ice to endure, it can create a very treacherous surface to travel on. But you can easily eliminate that effort and risk of falling with a ramp that can provide accessibility when entering or exiting your home.

Safe Kitchen to Cook in

Take back control of your own kitchen with lower countertops and space that can maximize ease of movement. You can create the perfect layout that you can easily manoeuvre in and reach items. With the holiday baking season around the corner, there’s no better time to take advantage of a mobility renovation!

Expand Doorways for Mobility Chairs

Different models of mobility chairs can sometimes end up being too wide to easily fit through narrow doorways. But it’s a problem that can be fixed. With a few adjustments to the doorways you can move around at home through any room without feeling the need to squeeze on through.

Don’t let mobility limitations hold you back from feeling comfortable in your own home. Making the effort to have your home renovated in order to optimize mobility can give you back control of your independence and help you embrace the comfort of being home.  Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

What is universal kitchen design?

What is Universal Kitchen Design?

Home is where the heart is, and we all know that the heart is where the kitchen is. The kitchen is, without a doubt, the focal point of a home. It’s where you and your family spend time together, eating, collaborating on new recipes, discussing homework, and so much more. That’s why the design of your kitchen is so important – it should permit and encourage those interactions.

It’s all about providing a cohesive, open and inviting atmosphere, and that’s what the universal kitchen design aims to create.  It combines aesthetics with functionality, along with the added benefits of safety and comfort. Here’s a breakdown of how this universal design can be benefit your kitchen. Universal design principles ensure that your kitchen is truly accessible to everyone regardless of age, size, or ability.

 

Safety First


When it comes to the kitchen, safety always comes first – especially if you have young children. Always consider this when developing your kitchen design. For example, when laying out the stove, sink and countertops, try to always ensure that there is sufficient room to manoeuvre without congestion in the kitchen. That means having enough counter space to easily place objects from the stove.

 

Design that Makes Sense


Universal layouts are all about creating a design that makes sense. So when you need to move from the sink to the dishwasher, or have bake-offs with your kids, your design provides room and space so that you and your family can easily place things down, fill things up and interact with each other. Whatever needs to be done, think ahead of how it can flow cohesively and make sense for your family and lifestyle.

 

Minimal Effort


No one likes to expend unnecessary amounts of energy. And starting your kitchen design off with the right layout and design can help to alleviate any unnecessary effort and aggravation. For example, storing appliances and bakeware in locations within the kitchen that make sense to how and where you use them; or even installing appliances that are easy to clean and don’t provide your arms with a serious workout can make all the difference for keeping your life that much easier.

 

Monitoring Ability


These days, with the high-tech appliances that are available, you can sit back and relax in the living room as dinner cooks away. Instead of worrying about the hot stove, the kids, or the pets, your appliances can monitor them for you with visual or auditory alarms. Talk about convenience!

Creating a space that optimizes functionality, cohesiveness, and a layout that just makes life a bit easier for you, is what universal kitchen designs are all about. And it’s no wonder more homeowners are jumping on board with these layouts. When it comes to your home, who doesn’t want to make life easier?

RenosGroup.ca specializes in mobility renovations. Our renovations strive to provide more space to manoeuver, better access to cabinets and counters without benching or reaching, and safety to cook in comfort. The RenosGroup.ca team of renovators insists on a free in-home consultation to ensure we get your renovation done right.  Or give us a call at (613)727-9427

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251 Laurier Ave W, #900
Ottawa, ON K1P 5J6

Phone: (613) 727-9427

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