Wednesday
Friday
Before You Renovate… construction questions to ask yourself, con't:
Before You Renovate… construction questions to ask yourself, con't:
Your Money's Worth?
Over time, the money you save on heat, light and water by making your home more energy efficient may actually pay for the upgrades. Safety also pays. Insurance companies often decrease premiums when you improve wiring or fire prevention and improve or add a security system.
On the other hand, you can overdo a good thing. If you plan to move within a few years, is the renovation worth it? Will it pay to put on an expensive new addition when your house is in an area of more modest homes?
CONSTRUCTION WITH CHRIS SAYS : **** kitchen and bathrooms !! and through experience , I can tell you , the KITCHEN and MASTER BED ROOM CLOSET, believe it or not , can be two huge factors in selling your home , ...........
....... " who did you say wore, the pants in the family " :) Check out these stats below :
Payback Range of Typical Renovations
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Renovating a Home ...... continued.
Renovating a Home ........ continued:
Why Renovate?
Everyone has a different reason for wanting to renovate. Sometimes it's the simple need for a change. Other times, the motivation is more practical. If you wake up one day with a puddle in the basement and a water-stained ceiling, you know you have to act fast.
Construction with Chris says: take a minute and review these comments,
From the planning stage to the final touches, this guide shares our experience and knowledge with you. And it tells you about some of the first-rate resources we've developed to deal with all kinds of renovation issues. In general, there are three types of renovation: lifestyle, retrofit, and maintenance and repair.
- Lifestyle renovations improve your home and your way of life. They might involve building a sun room for pleasure, or converting unused attic space into living quarters to meet your changing needs.
- Retrofit projects usually focus on your home's shell or mechanical systems. Examples are upgrading your insulation, replacing your furnace, or putting on new siding.
- Maintenance and repair renovations protect the investment you have made in your house through activities such as caulking windows, reshingling your roof, or replacing your eavestroughs.
Key Questions Before You StartA successful renovation can be a dream come true, but without careful planning and management, it can be a nightmare. Be informed. Before you pick up a hammer, pick up a book or a video on home renovation. Talk to friends and neighbours who've renovated. Explore all the options, and remember the carpenter's creed: measure twice, cut once. Mistakes on paper are easy to fix and inexpensive. Mistakes on the job are not. The following questions will help make sure you're heading in the right direction. TODAY, LETS START WITH ... #1 |
Is Your Renovation Practical?
While maintenance renovations aren't really a choice — they're part of owning a home and protecting your investment — lifestyle renovations and even some retrofit plans may not be practical or do-able.
Be clear about your expectations. Learn when to draw the line between what's desirable and what's essential.
Almost any renovation will add to, or at least protect, the equity in your home, but kitchen andbathroom renovations and painting normally provide the greatest payback when you sell. If your property taxes and insurance premiums go up, the increase is usually small.
........ give this some thought and remember we're here to answer your construction questions !
Wednesday
Home Renovations
Renovating a Home
Planning is the key to a successful renovation.
To help you plan your renovation project, Lets have a look at some information and easy-to-understand tips that can help you assess your requirements and learn the key questions before you get started.
Before You Renovate…
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Sunday
Slow Times = Inexperienced Renovation Companies
Since the slow down in New Home Sales we have witnessed the "Contractor / Renovator" section of our local paper swell to 3-4 pages ...... unreal.
The problem is that these new "renovation" companies consist of framers, drywallers , labourers and painters that have been laid off and assembled their own crew.
Well let me tell you, there is such a vast difference "framing" for a general contractor / renovator and running your own renovation company !
With RENOVATIONS ......... its "experience" that makes a job run smoothly, not doing things twice, not wasting the clients money . That only comes with experience, I can't stress that enough.
I give the guys a salute for being creative and making work,
........ but ........ I'll give it month, till I hear, ....... "why did I hire that jerk" !
**Tips from Chris ;
Do your homework before hiring a renovator, ask about the company's history ( be careful, if there isn't any ), ask how long they have actually been in business, the size of the company, do they belong to the local builders assoc. Does the company have a particular focus or area of expertise, ie; kitchens or bathrooms.
........ and the big question that separates "the craft from the crap"......ASK TO GO SEE THEIR PAST PROJECTS . Should be no problem at all for them to supply a list of previous clients, NONE.
.... use your common sense while looking to hire someone for your project. The lowest price is NOT always the best price. ( do they have licenses , insurance ) Compare "apples to apples", you have to give both contractors the EXACT SAME list, with exactly the same "scope" of work, you have to compare the same work being offered by each company.
Be careful out there ! ................... need me , ask me ...........................Chris.
The problem is that these new "renovation" companies consist of framers, drywallers , labourers and painters that have been laid off and assembled their own crew.
Well let me tell you, there is such a vast difference "framing" for a general contractor / renovator and running your own renovation company !
With RENOVATIONS ......... its "experience" that makes a job run smoothly, not doing things twice, not wasting the clients money . That only comes with experience, I can't stress that enough.
I give the guys a salute for being creative and making work,
........ but ........ I'll give it month, till I hear, ....... "why did I hire that jerk" !
**Tips from Chris ;
Do your homework before hiring a renovator, ask about the company's history ( be careful, if there isn't any ), ask how long they have actually been in business, the size of the company, do they belong to the local builders assoc. Does the company have a particular focus or area of expertise, ie; kitchens or bathrooms.
........ and the big question that separates "the craft from the crap"......ASK TO GO SEE THEIR PAST PROJECTS . Should be no problem at all for them to supply a list of previous clients, NONE.
.... use your common sense while looking to hire someone for your project. The lowest price is NOT always the best price. ( do they have licenses , insurance ) Compare "apples to apples", you have to give both contractors the EXACT SAME list, with exactly the same "scope" of work, you have to compare the same work being offered by each company.
Be careful out there ! ................... need me , ask me ...........................Chris.
BASICS....."Get it in writing"
....... lets talk about a problem you could have ...... "misunderstandings".
A major reason for disputes and headaches over renovation work is the "lack of a contract". Which in turn creates a lot of gray areas. The contract helps put things in black and white.
So, head problems off before they start by drawing up an agreement that describes the work to be done and its cost. This contract then becomes a legal document, binding both parties once they have singed it.
But what should that contract include ?
In Canada, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation checklist, it should include :
* The correct and complete address of the property where the work will be done;
* The home owner's name and address;
* The renovator's name, address and telephone number;
* A detailed description of the project, plus sketches and a list of materials to be used
( once again, all we are trying to do is eliminate the gray areas, ...... ie: "baseboard to be used is profile # 123 , 4", pine"....... now its in black and white, and there to refer to , if needed.)
* The right to retain a construction lien holdback as specified under provincial law ( Canada) ;
* The type of work that will be subcontracted;
* A clause stating that work will conform to the requirements of all applicable codes;
* The start and completion dates;
* State "who" is responsible for obtaining all necessary permits, licences and certificates;
* The requirement that the renovator be responsible for removing all debris as soon as construction is completed;
* A statement of all warranties, explaining exactly what is covered and for how long;
* A statement of the renovator's public liability and property damage insurance;
* Price and terms of payment.
Unfortunately, no matter how well-planned a renovation is , changes will be necessary, and they'll often result in increased costs and delays. In the interest of protecting "both" the homeowner and the renovator, however, changes should be made only through a written change order detailing what's involved and the associated cost differences.
Do not accept verbal assurances - .......... GET IT IN WRITING.
Play fair,......Chris.
A major reason for disputes and headaches over renovation work is the "lack of a contract". Which in turn creates a lot of gray areas. The contract helps put things in black and white.
So, head problems off before they start by drawing up an agreement that describes the work to be done and its cost. This contract then becomes a legal document, binding both parties once they have singed it.
But what should that contract include ?
In Canada, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation checklist, it should include :
* The correct and complete address of the property where the work will be done;
* The home owner's name and address;
* The renovator's name, address and telephone number;
* A detailed description of the project, plus sketches and a list of materials to be used
( once again, all we are trying to do is eliminate the gray areas, ...... ie: "baseboard to be used is profile # 123 , 4", pine"....... now its in black and white, and there to refer to , if needed.)
* The right to retain a construction lien holdback as specified under provincial law ( Canada) ;
* The type of work that will be subcontracted;
* A clause stating that work will conform to the requirements of all applicable codes;
* The start and completion dates;
* State "who" is responsible for obtaining all necessary permits, licences and certificates;
* The requirement that the renovator be responsible for removing all debris as soon as construction is completed;
* A statement of all warranties, explaining exactly what is covered and for how long;
* A statement of the renovator's public liability and property damage insurance;
* Price and terms of payment.
Unfortunately, no matter how well-planned a renovation is , changes will be necessary, and they'll often result in increased costs and delays. In the interest of protecting "both" the homeowner and the renovator, however, changes should be made only through a written change order detailing what's involved and the associated cost differences.
Do not accept verbal assurances - .......... GET IT IN WRITING.
Play fair,......Chris.
Friday
Renovation Questions
Good Morning,
.......... just wanted to keep in touch and comment on the questions I have been asked.
First off, there are no stupid questions. You are not professional contractors or renovators, how could you possibly be versed in this arena.
Secondly, I respect you for attempting to put the "puzzle" together. There are a lot of pieces.
As you can see in the article on this blog page, we have strong feelings regarding .............
"Do-It- Yourselfers" and SAFETY. Please be very cautious while working in your new environment......... " the job site ".
Keep the questions coming, and stay safe,
Best regards , Chris.
.......... just wanted to keep in touch and comment on the questions I have been asked.
First off, there are no stupid questions. You are not professional contractors or renovators, how could you possibly be versed in this arena.
Secondly, I respect you for attempting to put the "puzzle" together. There are a lot of pieces.
As you can see in the article on this blog page, we have strong feelings regarding .............
"Do-It- Yourselfers" and SAFETY. Please be very cautious while working in your new environment......... " the job site ".
Keep the questions coming, and stay safe,
Best regards , Chris.
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