Things to know before you call us:

How much will my renovation cost? 

This is impossible to answer without discussing in detail what your project is.  If you don’t know already you should work up an idea of how much you want to spend on your renovation. Setting a budget will help guide you as you make decisions about what to include in the remodel. Once you’ve figured out what you can spend and subtracted the amount allocated to remodelling, you’ll have a clearer sense of what you can spend on appliances, lights, decor, etc.  Start early and make your budget planning as detailed as possible and try to think of everything you want to have.   Put it all on paper.  People almost always have an erroneous idea of what a renovation will cost.  By putting it down in a well itemized list, you can easily see what you have allocated to what part of the job.  Then when you come see us, if what we tell you is more or less expensive then what you thought it would cost, it’s easy to see how you have to add or subtract from any part of the budget to make it work. 

How long will my renovation take?

One again, every reno is different.  Many people assume that if they are remodeling it will only take a few days. This is almost never the case. Depending on how many items you are changing in the renovation, we will have to go through multiple steps to achieve the desired end result. planning needs to be done to not only define the duration of the renovation works but also certain intermediate steps such as ordering and purchasing tiles, fixtures, custom-built vanity or cabinets to make sure they can be delivered when we needs them.  Planning time is also crucial for you as you may need to make arrangements as to where to sleep, prepare meals or simply take a shower and use the toilet while the bathroom is taken apart.

 

How far should I go when I remodel?

If you are doing a major upgrade to your home consider doing a “full gut”. This is a renovation where we remove all interior or exterior finishes to give us complete access to the wall interior.  When done this way, you end up with a zero residual problems renovation that will function flawlessly and add tremendous value to your home for many years to come. Depending on the age of your home and how well it was built the biggest hidden problem you may encounter is water damage, structural deficiencies in the floor framing, improperly vented plumbing, old corroded pipes, inefficient insulation, etc.  These can all be repaired or substantially upgraded by doing a full gut renovation

 

Where do I start?

When first starting out start by thinking about the look you want for your new space. There are many factors to consider like paint color, tile choices, vanities, showers, tubs, faucets, cabinets, countertops, etc. It can get overwhelming very quickly so start with some research. You can start to piece together elements that you like into what will become the final design of the space.  You may choose a design item you want to feature in the space and then work the rest of the area design around it.  Design should work hand in hand with functionality so consider who will use the new area and how, consider an eventual resale of the house and also take a moment to think how the overall design will fit in with the rest of the house

 

Can I do anything I want?

There are many limitations on what can be done and how it can be done that are imposed by local bylaws, zoning, provincial and federal regulations, not to mention just plain physics, common sense and the thickness of your wallet.  That being considered, each job is different.

There are major limitations which really have to be considered in any renovation: the overall size of the area being worked on, the location of existing plumbing, ventilation pipes, windows and electrical wiring and the typical standard dimensions of passageways, halls, doors, etc.  What seem like small changes or tiny dimensional differences can be the difference between a thousand dollar and a hundred thousand dollar renovation.  Therefore make sure you have the realistic measurements, expectations and specifications when you try to design your space. Nobody wants to do a reno and find out the hall is too narrow, or the toilet really needs more space for your knees.

 

 

What things should I put into my new space?

No renovation is complete without remodeling or repairing fixtures and features that are entirely independent of the changes to the physical space.  Many renovations are made awkward by poor choices, or amazing by excellent choices of these kind of element.  They could very well make a separate checklist themselves: lights, hinges, doorstops, shower doors, bathtub, toilet, bidet, sink, faucets and shower heads. You can also change the look of a room very easily by changing out door handles, drawer pulls and the hardware for your doors. If you have the budget for new doors, they can also make a huge difference in how a renovation can be pulled together so that the whole house looks new.

Can I put more storage in my new space?

Planning cabinets, shelving and storing solutions is a tricky problem in most cases. In small, irregular shaped rooms like the bathroom, it is even more so. They need to be functional and accommodate all your stuff while keeping everything easily reachable, they must fit into the available space and make the most of it and on top of it all, they need to look stylish.  Everyone always underestimates how much storage they actually need.  Be realistic about what space you need.

What material is best?

Virtually any material can be used to surface walls and floors in any room as long as it’s durable, either naturally or by means of an impervious finish. Depending on your budget and style, hardwood, ceramic, marble, and granite tiles make handsome and highly durable flooring and wall surfaces for multiple spaces.  Additional options may include cement (painted or stained), laminate, carpet or sheet vinyl or vinyl tiles.  Many of these are much more inexpensive and look better than they used to. Whatever your choice, always consider the key criteria for choosing your surfaces: durability, ease-of-cleaning, cost and slip-resistance.  Remember the adage that you get what you pay for.  Two materials may look the same, but be completely different.

How many lights should I put in the space?
Any area can be rendered impractical or downright dangerous without adequate lighting so plan for design lighting that is functional and also creates atmosphere. Plan for maximizing natural light first (adding or enlarging windows).  When replacing surface mounted lights with potlights, it is adviseable to have 150 watts of potlighting for every 100 sq ft of area.  If just replacing surface fixtures, it is advisable you should have least 60 watts of incandescent lighting per 100 sq ft of area.

How much will accessories add to the price?
Although apparently insignificant in the bigger picture of the overall project, no remodel is complete without new accessories. And surprisingly enough, the small stuff like new towel racks, soap dishes, mirrors, towel racks, bath mats, pot racks,  etc do add up to the final bill. If you are on a budget, be realistic about how  much accessories will end up costing you in your project.

 

What can I do that’s environmentally friendly?

Even if you personally don’t care about going green one way or the other, the market is trending toward this so it’s something to consider. And there are many budget friendly options for adding a green touch to your bathroom: a low flow toilet that uses less water and saves you money in water bills; low-VOC or no-VOC paints; vanities made from sustainably harvested wood; recycled glass tile surface countertops, etc

 

Should I add ventilation?

Ventilation is crucial in a wet room like the bathroom or a potentially smelly room like the kitchen. It is also a tricky task which needs good planning: choosing the right fan, the right position for its installation and dealing with the electrical wiring. Poor ventilation can leave your bathroom damp, mouldy and can even harm your health, an can leave a kitchen smelling like last weeks fish dinner. Continual airflow can also prevent both the decay of any wooden trim or fixtures and the saturation of building insulation.  If you have any winter time ice damming or buildup of icicles on your eaves, its probably a sign of inadequate ventilation, and the best time to address it is during a renovation.

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