Remodel

Living through Renovations

Living through Renovations

Even the simplest renovations can cause extreme chaos in your home, but if you plan ahead and mentally prepare you should be well equipped for the transition. Here are several tips to help you survive living through renovations:

 

Where to Live

 

It is important to look at the renovation plans and consider if it is realistic to remain in your home during the work. For example if you have a basement renovation it might not be quite as disruptive as a kitchen or main floor overhaul. Speak to your contractor to find out what is involved and for major renovations decide if it makes better sense to make other living arrangements. Keep in mind other arrangements could prove just as stressful. Weigh all of your options and maybe decide to take a well-planned vacation when the majority of the dirty work is underway.

 

Reorganize your Living Space

 

Look at where the renovations will take place and consider how it will affect your day to day life. Remember to plan where you will prepare food and do the dishes if your kitchen is being renovated. If you only have one bathroom and are determined to stay home during the renovations you will hopefully have a very close neighbour to share their shower or a nearby gym where you can take care of your daily showering needs.

 

Avoid Dust

 

This is one of the biggest challenges. Your best friends during renovations are tape and sheets of plastic. Use these to seal off the area that is undergoing the renovation to keep dust contained.

 

Hire Smart

 

The more experience your contractor has the less troublesome your renovations will be. A good contractor will keep things as comfortable and livable as possible as well as complete the job on schedule to make life easier.

 

Shop Early

 

You will need a number of fixtures and finishes during the renovations. Anticipate what you will need by speaking to your contractor. He can list the amount of light fixtures, faucets, switch plates and other finishes you will need so you can shop ahead to avoid delays.

 

Plan for Trouble

 

They say a pessimist is never disappointed. Renovations are complicated so be prepared for challenges in order to avoid stress when trouble arises.

Being better prepared for your renovations will make it easier on everyone and help the overall project run more smoothly.  To get in touch to schedule renovations, you can fill out an online form or give us a call at (613) 727-9427.

5-upgrades-that-can-sell-your-home

5 Upgrades that Can Sell Your Home

If you want to avoid having your home sit on the market for months, here are five upgrades that can sell your home:

Fresh Paint

You have probably been living with the same paint colours in your home for years. Nothing brings a home back to life more quickly than a fresh coat of paint. You can take years off your home with this simple change. Use neutral colours to help potential buyers picture the home with their belongings so they can see themselves living there comfortably. Don’t forget about doors and trim. A fresh coat of paint on the walls can quickly make your old trim look yellowed and worn. Although paint is affordable it will bring the value of your home up substantially. Use professional painters to avoid unsightly drips for a clean and finished look to each room.

Install Hardwood

When it comes to the home renovations Ottawa buyers are seeking, hardwood floors top the list. Many homes feature hardwood throughout with the exception of the basement and stairs. If your home is older chances are it still has quite a bit of carpet and old linoleum. To compete with others homes in your area replace those outdated materials with beautiful, natural hardwood.

Reface Your Kitchen

Kitchens sell houses. An outdated kitchen with old cabinets and countertops shouts 80’s to potential buyers. When kitchen renovations seem too expensive you can reface your kitchen by adding new cabinet doors, handle hardware and inexpensive countertops. You can even do the work yourself with a fresh coat of paint or a new darker, modern stain on your cabinets. These are the affordable home renovations Ottawa buyers will love. They offer an instant update even though they are simply cosmetic.

Finished Basement

A finished basement offers much needed living space and privacy. Homeowners love finding unexpected treasures such as a guest bedroom and ensuite in a private basement area. This offers a place for guests to stay without interfering with the home owner’s privacy.

Upgraded Bath

A mobile friendly bathroom upgrade is very appealing to the growing sandwich generation. These buyers are seeking a new home to accommodate their own families and elderly parents. This type of upgrade makes it possible to care for elderly parents easily.

Selling a home can be very competitive. These five home renovation ideas will make your home top the list of potential buyers.  To get in touch to schedule renovations, you can fill out an online form or give us a call at (613) 727-9427.

Getting Your Home Ready for the Holidays

Getting Your Home Ready for the Holidays

It might seem a bit early to be speaking of holidays, but if you have big entertaining plans it is always better to be prepared before your guests come for a visit. Here are some renovation ideas on getting your home ready for the holidays:

Guest Bedroom

A guest bedroom could be better utilized as an actual bedroom rather than storage for unused clothes, unwanted electronics and unread books. You can easily turn the space into a welcoming sanctuary providing your guests with a quiet private space where they can go to relax, unwind, and sleep. Although guest bedrooms are often smaller spaces there are many ways you can make the space feel more comfortable such as painting it a warm colour, add soft lighting, and furnishing it with bedside tables, a desk, a small dresser and a comfortable bed for sleeping.

Finished Basement

Large family gatherings often include gaggles of children. Having a finished basement is a must when hosting guests and children, as they will have somewhere to play, and give their parents a bit of a break. You can look at additions such as comfy carpeting where kids can get down and play, a built in entertainment unit with a nice television and gaming equipment and if you do not have a guest room, consider adding built in banquettes that can be used as comfy beds to accommodate overnight guests. For the adults you can consider adding a wet bar and even a home theater where everyone can gather to hold a marathon of holiday movies and specials.

Mobility Friendly Bathroom

Family gatherings often include elderly people who may have difficulty using the bathroom. Additions to your main bathroom to make it mobility friendly can include bars near the toilet to make it easier to sit and stand, bars in the shower for overnight guests and if you have family members in a wheel chair you can even consider widening the doorway and including a sink that they will be able to reach easily.

Updated Kitchen

They say that every good party winds up in the kitchen and updating your kitchen will not only look better, but allow you to add some details conducive to entertaining such as an island with seating and a bar,

Having your home renovations and upgrades completed before the holidays will make your home the ultimate place for family gatherings.  To get in touch to schedule renovations, you can fill out an online form or give us a call at (613) 727-9427.

Designing the Ultimate Bathroom

Designing the Ultimate Bathroom

Bathroom designs vary from person to person whether the focus is mobility, design, or luxury. No matter what aspect you try to focus on, designing the ultimate bathroom includes the following considerations:

Space

Not all homeowners are lucky enough to have a large bathroom, however it isn’t always about size, but the way you utilize it. Even the smallest bathroom can be improve immensely with the right design. The floor plan will dictate how space is used and contribute to the overall functionality of the bathroom. When looking at your space consider all of the things you want to incorporate from your wish list and work with your contractor to make it happen.

Budget

Everyone will be working with a different budget for the bathroom renovations Ottawa contractors will provide. You have to look at the maximum amount you can afford and then make sure part of that money is set aside for your contingency plan. Bathroom renovations can often lead to unexpected costs and by including a contingency budget you will be certain to have more than enough to handle whatever happens. You can then use any leftover money for higher end finishes such as lighting and faucets.

Dream Idea

Even for the most functional bathroom reno you will have a dream idea in mind. Whether you collect photos from magazines, print off some ideas you have found online or have a design style such as boutique hotel or sleek and modern, incorporating your dream ideas into the design will make sure your bathroom renovation is a success.
Design details to consider include flooring, tub and tiles, but it is also very important to consider the dream aspects of function as well such as storage, lighting for applying makeup and shaving, heated floors, double sinks and solutions to improve aspects of your current bathroom that you hate.

Finding a Contractor

Your bathroom renovation requires knowledge in many areas from plumbing to electrical and tile laying to understanding how to prevent leaks. That means you do not want to trust your bathroom renovations to just anyone. Do your research and ask around for a referral. If you do not find a referral look for a contractor who has knowledge in bathroom renovations with a website that explains their services. You also want to find a contractor with plenty of testimonials and photos of the work they have done in the past.

These elements work together to create the ultimate bathroom renovations Ottawa loves.  To get in touch to schedule renovations, you can fill out an online form or give us a call at (613) 727-9427.

Top Do’s and Don’ts of Home Renovations

The Top 5 Do’s and Don’ts of Home Renovations

If you are about to embark on the home renovations Ottawa residents dream of, then you’ll want to be certain you understand the do’s and don’ts to avoid disappointment. Take a look at these suggestions for the top do’s and don’ts of home renovations:

Do:


Create a Decorating Idea: Going into even the simplest renovations Ottawa home owners undergo requires a good decorating plan to ensure the changes made reflect your sense of style.

Measure: It all boils down to the old adage, measure twice cut once. You don’t want to ruin your entire plans by being off by an inch on your kitchen counter measurements. This is frustrating and worse, costly.

Interview Contractors: You want to be certain you hire someone with the right skill set for your specific job therefore interviewing contractors is important in order to hire someone who can handle the renovations required.

Have Contingency Funds: Even the best contractor in the world cannot foresee every potential problem that might arise during a renovation. Therefore it is important to not only have a budget but a contingency fund to handle any surprises that might arise.

Organize: Make plans to work around the renovations so your family is still able to live as comfortable as possible until the work is complete.

Don’t:


Have Exposed Floors: When renovating it is imperative that you don’t leave your finished floors exposed, as many things throughout the process can damage them. Workers boots, heavy products and materials, and dust are just a few of the things that can cause a problem. Consider laying down old blankets or tarps to ensure your floors are thoroughly protected.

Throw Out Receipts: Keep each and every receipt for everything you buy and every service you hire in case of conflicts or a change of heart.

Buy Your Own Materials: Your contractor will get far better deals than you on materials. If you see something you like let them know and they will get it for you.

Skip the Prep Work: Great renovations Ottawa home owners love start with great beginnings. Skipping the prep works just means you are starting with a poorly planned execution which can only lead to trouble down the road.

Ignore the Accents: Factor in everything from light switch plates to lighting, back splashes to door knobs and everything in between. You don’t want to run out of money because you forgot about all of the finishing touches you will need from crown moulding to paint.

Using these top do’s and don’ts of home renovations will help keep your renovations under control.  To get in touch to schedule renovations, you can fill out an online form or give us a call at (613) 727-9427.

creating-an-industrial-style-basement

Creating an Industrial Design Basement

If you are going for a different look for the basement remodeling in your home you should consider doing an edgier industrial look. The basement remodeling Ottawa home owners undergo doesn’t always have to follow the same design scheme. Instead look to the lofts of New York City for inspiration and go industrial. Here are some tips to help you create an industrial design basement.

Open Ceiling

One of the first things a basement remodel focuses on is covering up those “unsightly” beams and ducts in the ceiling. However, in a space that is already frightfully low leaving the floor beams and ducts exposed can really open up the room. Consider painting out all of those unfinished features in white or grey and leaving the metal ducts raw to create an airier, industrial feel.

Jack Posts

Jack posts are usually painted an unattractive brownish red and stick out like a sore thumb. However in an industrial space you can avoid the cost of covering these posts and opt to paint them out instead in white or black. Depending on their location you can even consider building a “table” or “bar” around the post for people to lean on or place a drink during a game of pool or darts.

Cement

A very popular feature in an industrial style loft is the cement floor. If you’re looking to completely remodel the basement ask your Ottawa contractors whether a cement floor is right for you. You may also consider lying down some floor heating and covering it with a warm polished cement for the industrial look. You can also cover walls in cement to intensify the effect.

Corrugated Metal

Corrugated metal can be used in a number of ways for your basement remodeling including a textured and interesting ceiling, as a wall covering and ideally as the front for your basement bar. Corrugated metal has a modern edge that looks fantastic.

Exposed Brick

Many older homes have brick that can be exposed for a more historical industrial feel. Again you will have to discuss the effects of using the actual brick of the foundation or other areas and how it will work in a basement that can tend to be damp and cold.

These are just a few affordable ways to give your basement remodel an industrial edge.  To get in touch to schedule renovations, you can fill out an online form or give us a call at (613) 727-9427.

Bathtub vs a Tub Liner

New Bathtub vs Tub Liner

We highly recommend that when homeowners are going through a bathroom renovation that they replace their bath with a new bathtub vs a bath liner. This is for several reasons:

Access to the Tub Drain, Overflow & P-trap

Many bathtubs and drains are made from cast iron or other metals that can rust, rot and overtime the metal drains can become very brittle. This can cause the bathtub drain to break from trying to loosen it before installing a new tub liner. This same issue may occur when trying to tighten the new drain. The tub drain can snap without the installer having any idea of what has happened, and may cause either major or sometimes minor leaks that will not start showing up for at least a week or more.

Access to the Tile Backer Board

Many times we find the drywall where the tub walls meet the bathtub to be mouldy. When installing a new bathtub we completely remove this area giving us a good view of any mold or any other issues that may be a problem. When installing a new liner this does not happen, so there is always a chance there may be mold growing.

Full Access to the Subfloor

Over time the subfloor can weaken from moisture and regular use. It’s also the possible that the floor beneath your tub is not up to today’s standard building code if you live in an older home. By removing the existing tub we can check this for you and reinforce the floor if required.

Tub Liners will Soon be Obsolete

The majority of new homes or recently renovated homes feature some form of plastic (usually acrylic) bathtubs. Tub liners can only be installed over steel or cast iron bathtubs, this makes installing a liner on top of a plastic bathtub impossible.

Resale Value

Real estate and homeowners agree that a tub liner is not as appealing as a bathtub, and it does not add value to the home. In part, this is because potential homeowners are worried about water getting in between the bathtub and the tub liner, this is known in the industry as “soakers”. However, a new modern bathtub with custom acrylic walls will add the wow factor many homeowners are looking for.  To get in touch to schedule renovations, you can fill out an online form or give us a call at (613) 727-9427.

3-tips-for-your-basement-renovation

3 Tips for Your Basement Remodel

An unfinished basement isn’t fun for anyone as it is usually left as a disorganized mess providing nothing but a dumping ground for old toys and holiday decorations. Instead of letting it go to waste here are three tips to follow when undergoing a basement remodel Ottawa homeowners love:

Keep it Warm


Basements tend to feel cold and unwelcoming when they are not properly finished. When going through a basement remodel stick to warm colours on the wall and select welcoming carpet or engineered hardwood to create a cozy space your family and friends will want to use. You have to consider your basement as additional living space and design it to create an inviting area perfect for a home theatre, office, guest room or a play zone for the kids. Choose plush comfortable seating with plenty of throw pillows to make the room perfect for snuggling up and watching movies.

Make It Fun


Whether you’re interested in creating a kid friendly zone or a man cave, it is important that your basement is fun, entertaining and functional. The basement remodeling Ottawa homeowners undergo usually takes some thought, as they choose what is best for them. Play areas, offices, man caves, and sports zones are just a few ideas of how you can turn your basement into a fun, functional living space. Other ideas you can incorporate into your basement include an arts and crafts table, a wet bar, pool table, air hockey or even ping pong depending on the size of your basement, budget and the design theme.

Stay Modern


Basements tend to date themselves quite easily, so try to stay modern by keeping up with the current basement design trends. Look at the latest lighting, flooring and design details available such as fireplaces in order to create intimate, cozy spaces that you will all love. You can also consider adding some high end features such as a full bathroom complete with heated floors, a built in sound system for your home theatre and a full bar complete with sink and wine fridge. As well look at modern storage systems that will allow you to make the most of your space.

These three tips will make your Ottawa basement remodel quick and easy. Once your basement is finished you will have storage space that is organized and presentable as well as a living space you can use for the whole family to enjoy.  To get in touch to schedule renovations, you can fill out an online form or give us a call at (613) 727-9427.

10-ways-to-make-your-renovations-mobility-friendly

10 Ways to Make your Renovations Mobility Friendly

Living in a small home with little space can be difficult, especially if someone you live with someone who has mobility issues. If you have been considering moving to a new home to better accommodate a family member you should reconsider, as it is far easier to work with a renovations expert to customize your current home to meet your mobility needs. Here are 10 ways to make home and bathroom renovations  mobility friendly:

1. Widen your doorways: This is a must to make moving from room to room easier for those in a wheelchair. It also works well for walkers and even crutches.

2. Adjust counter levels: By adjusting the counter levels individuals who are wheelchair bound are able to care for themselves and maintain their privacy when tending to their personal hygiene needs. One of the most affordable bathroom renovations.

3. Provide more light: This will increase visibility and help family members with mobility issues move throughout the home without fear of injury.

4. Install comfortable handles: When added to drawers and cabinets comfortable handles are a simple renovation you can add to any room especially kitchens and bathrooms.

5. Provide Handrails: Handrails are required on both sides of stairs to make it safer and easier for those who are still able to walk on their own to move up and down stairs with confidence.

6. Add reflective non-slip tape: Make it easier to spot the edge of each step or groove allowing people to move without fear of falling. Reflective non-slip can be used to indicate a change in flooring material such as going from carpet to tile; this can help prevent slipping.

7. Make flooring safer: The proper non slip flooring as well as floor covers will allow people to avoid slips and falls which are one of the most common accidents to occur in homes.

8. Use a chair for bathing: By installing a bath chair bathing will become easier and safer for people to shower independently, ultimately maintaining their privacy.

9. Bathroom handrails: Handrails are simple bathroom renovations in Ottawa homes that will make it easy to get in and out of the tub independently as well as to sit and stand when using the toilet.

10. Hand held shower devices: Will increase independence so people can shower privately without the need for assistance.

These affordable home and bathroom renovations help Ottawa home owners have mobility friendly homes with little fuss or muss.  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

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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