A renovation can range from small to large, depending on which room you are looking to tackle and what you are looking to do. Make sure you are prepared for what will come next before you break out that sledgehammer to begin demolition and look at the following tips to help you stay sane through the process.

To begin, make sure that you and your spouse are on the same page – is the purpose of the renovation to prolong the enjoyment of your home or is it the purpose to increase the value of the home for an upcoming sale? The answer that suits your situation best should impact whether or not you choose timeless décor options or ones more geared toward your families’ personality. If you’re thinking about possibly selling in the near future and aren’t sure what impact your choices will have on the sale price, you can try gaining some insight from your contractor for their opinion or you can contact a Real Estate Sales Representative that seems knowledgeable to see if you can pick their brain on the subject.

Also important in the realm of designing – make sure that the designs you are looking to add will be usable and realistic for your needs and expectations of the room. For example, if you are looking to hop on the trend of open shelving but have numerous pots and pans or other kitchen items that generally need storing, make sure it will all still come together to work for your needs.

Discuss the budget for the renovation so that you know how much you have to work with and what the maximum is that you can spend in case the unexpected pops up. This information is helpful before you start so that you’re not stuck in the middle of a Reno with no funds left to complete it. If you are looking to get a loan, make sure you speak with a lender before starting the work.

Weigh all options when choosing a contractor. Sometimes it’s tempting to choose a professional based on the lowest quote provided but keep in mind that you may not getting the best quality if that is the case. If the majority of quotes being submitted are within a certain range and you have a quote that is considerably less than others, make sure to discuss and compare the quality of materials that the contractors use so that you can be assured you’ll be happy with your decision when the work is done. It’s not fair to expect a higher quality than what you are willing to pay for. Asking for photos or samples of past work could also help to ensure that the work you are looking for is on par with what the contractor offers or is able to do. Last, but not least – evaluate the credibility of your chosen contractor by asking them to show that they are licensed and have insurance within the area that they will be working. Do your homework and look into the contractor that you plan to use before you decide.

Get things in writing. A written contract is the best way to avoid misunderstandings, disappointments and unrealistic expectations. It’s also helpful to have something to refer back to later.

Renovations that require digging around your home. If it comes up that the renovation will require digging around the home’s foundation or the yard, it’s best to visit www.on1call.com/ to get more information about what could be underground in the area first. A little bit of research could go a long way to make sure that you aren’t held liable to pay for any damages after the fact.

Visit www.ottawa.ca/en/residents/building-and-renovating to find out more information if you will need a permit or not.

We hope this helps with any upcoming or future renovations you may have! If you have questions, learn more by contacting us at 613-288-2455.