Home renovations Edmonton

For home renovations in the Edmonton Alberta area please call  (780) 935-3866

Whether you are making modest changes in one or two rooms, or you are transforming the entire house into a dream of a lifetime, the renovation process can be pleasant and smooth – if you take the time to plan your project carefully. I believe that homeowners can ensure a successful renovation if they follow these nine critical steps.

1. Do your homework Advance research is the key to getting what you want. Review magazines, books and websites to get an idea of the look you want. Visit friends, family members and colleagues who have renovated recently. Consider your lifestyle and the needs of your family, both in the short and long term. A professional renovator can help assess the feasibility.

2. Find out how much you can afford If you are thinking about using outside funds, discuss your borrowing needs and options with your lending institution. You will likely find there are many financing possibilities to consider, from personal loans and lines of credit to home equity loans and homeowner’s mortgages.

3. Look for a professional renovator For appropriate service and high-quality results, hire a professional renovator. Click on “Find a Member” on the GVHBA website ( http://www.gvhba.org ) for a list of member renovators in the Greater Vancouver area. Ask family, friends and neighbours for recommendations.

4. Choose your contractor Once you have acquired names of several professional renovators, interview them. Be sure you have listed all the items that are important to you. Choose a couple of the renovators with whom you feel most comfortable. If you have plans and specifications, have the chosen renovators provide you with a proposal. If you do not have plans already, ask the renovators to provide you with a proposal and a budget for a design/build project. Most professional renovators will provide a complete
service, including their own in-house or private designers or architects.

5. Check references Don’t omit this step just because you are too busy or “they seem like the right person for the job.” Call the GVHBA, the renovator’s previous clients, the bank and the building supply store to ensure that you are making the right choices.

6. Work out a contract Don’t automatically take the lowest bid, unless you are certain the renovator has properly understood what you want. Sometimes low bids turn out to be the most expensive in the end. If you accept the renovator’s offer, it’s time to write up the contract. Even the simplest of jobs should be outlined in writing, because the contract is the basis of understanding between you and your renovator. Before signing a contract, read it carefully. Are you satisfied with the description of the work to be done? Does the payment schedule include holdbacks? Are the responsibilities of the renovator clearly spelled out? If something is not expressed in the contract, then it’s your responsibility. Have a lawyer examine the contract before you sign it.

7. Plan how you will live during the renovation Careful planning can greatly minimize the inconvenience of living in the midst of a renovation. Talk to your renovator about the
schedule of work to be done and how your daily routine might be affected. Discuss your expectations of the work crew and determine the work environment. Does the crew need access to washroom facilities, telephones, water or electricity? Decide which areas of your home are off limits. It is a good idea to let your neighbours know you are going to be renovating.

8. Establish a good relationship with contractors A good working relationship is a vital ingredient in successful renovation projects. Mutual trust is essential. Keep lines of communication open at all times. Expect a brief report on the progress of your job at regular intervals, perhaps every evening. Be available to make decisions when they are needed so work is not held up, perhaps costing you more money. Don’t hesitate to bring your concerns to the attention of the renovator.

9. Try to stick with your first choices Once work is underway, changes should be kept to a minimum. The details of your project, described in the contract, down to the finishing touches, form the basis of both the price and the schedule of your job. Changes could affect both significantly. Your GVHBA member renovator will attempt to accommodate any alteration in plans, as long as you accept a possible delay in completion and/or a change in price.

The author is associated with the website Bathroom Ideas [http://bathroomideas.biz/] – one of the leading website with lots of renovating bathroom ideas tips & tricks and lots of beautiful bathroom renovation pictures.