Steve’s Top 8 Ideal Renovation tips:

You’ve seen the shows on TV, you’ve heard stories from your friends about their renovation projects, and you may have even gone through a renovation or two yourself. That’s why you know that not all renovations are created equally. In fact, there are many factors that can determine the success of a renovation. In my 12 years experience as a carpenter and general contractor, I’ve come up with 8 Ideal Renovation Tips that can help point you in the right direction when you’re doing a renovation.

1 – Regular Maintenance always makes the renovation process easier

If you’re practicing regular home maintenance, you’re significantly reducing your chances of facing large repairs due to neglect and long term damage. This shifts how you manage your household budget from ‘what do we have to do’ (replace the furnace) to ‘what do we want to do’ (a new heated kitchen floor!!). A well-maintained home holds better value, is easier to renovate, and often consumes less energy.

A home maintenance schedule should always be in place, made specific to a home’s age, construction, material, and location but should always include the following:

• Plumbing, foundation and roof leaks (Repair all water leaks immediately!!)
• Outside flow of water (should flow away from the house)
• Caulking and Weather Sealing around windows and doors
• Exterior Painting and sealing
• Bathroom and kitchen caulking and sealing
• Kitchen and bathroom ventilation
• Dryer ventilation
• Furnace and duct maintenance
• Landscaping
• Structural issues
• Electrical issues

A Well-maintained home means less surprised. Less surprises means you can focus your budget on what you want to do.

2 – In an ideal world, almost all renovations would be done by professionals

With so many TV renovation programs showing ‘how it’s done’, nothing can compete with years of experience in a wide variety of home improvement contexts. If you value your home, know your own construction limits!! Even painting has professional levels of workmanship that will make ‘do it yourself’ paint jobs fall far below the bar. We can always tell if the guy before us knew what he was doing, or if our client hired their nephew to do the work. Even if you feel you can do the work yourself, if you haven’t done it before, it’s wise to contact a professional.

3 – Multi-trade renovations should always be overseen by an experienced General Contractor/Project Manager.

Any work that requires a variety of trades (Plumber/Carpenter/Electrician/Flooring/etc…) has sequential steps that need be taken in order to end up with the best results (often unseen by the individual tradesmen themselves). Hiring someone experienced in project management is essential. They will know the different options available and how to overcome any obstacles that arise. More importantly, they know the proper steps and procedures from the very start! Also, one project manager eliminates the confusion of having four or five different people in charge of different things. As a result of good project management, the renovation will not only run smoother and more efficiently, but will also make for a better end product.

4 - Have written Plans, Pictures, and relevant Printed Material.

This is a simple and essential tool for communication, vision, and delivery. A floor plan, pictures from magazines, pamphlets with installation specs, etc…will help bring your vision into reality. Some of my best work came from a single magazine clipping that the client held on to for years, she was ecstatic when we brought that image into her home.

5 – Ideally blend practicality and beauty, 60/40.

Unless you have extra space in your home to dedicate to beauty alone, an over-beautified space without practicality loses value and function and ends up seeming more like a statement of art detached from the function of living. On the other hand, a practical designed space made with decent materials is in itself quite beautiful. A skilled and experienced contractor works with you to strike this balance.

6 – Kitchens and bathrooms should always draw unique attention, but not too far out of balance with the rest of the home.

The quality in kitchens and bathrooms should exceed 15% above ‘home grade’ of the rest of the home, but should not exceed 30%. Any single space that appears too elaborate seems confusing and selfishly delivered.

7- Adding 15% to your budget can often increase 30% value to your end product.

There is a ‘price point’ when it comes to buying anything, construction materials are no different. Better materials cut better, fasten stronger, last longer, and are often tested against more vigorous conditions. Internet research and word of mouth advice are your best research tools here.

8 - Ideally, each space should have (at least) one simple accent or feature that makes the statement “I’ve been cared for and crafted to demonstrate my importance!!”

A room that is just a room ends up being a box we live in. There should be one thing in every space which draws our attention, gets us talking, and makes us proud to be where we are. Once you are proud of the space you’re living in, you are more likely to maintain, beautify, and bring what you want in your life. You are also more likely to take pride in finding the right people to work on your home – attracting those who are both professional and care about the end result just as much as you do.