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As a homeowner or real estate investor, you may not think too much about old houses you own since they don’t carry much value in the current market. At times, they may even be considered liabilities since they slowly deteriorate and do not generate any revenue. Luckily, the right major home renovations can fix that and help you get into more profitable ventures, like renting and selling in in-demand neighbourhoods. Consider the following tips for your guidance:

1. Start with the worn-out exterior features

Most homeowners are often discouraged from buying or renting a house that looks old and damaged from the outside. This aspect is known as curb appeal, pertaining to the attractiveness of your property from the sidewalk. Focusing on the exterior first can also help you reset your focus on less complex details for renovation, allowing you to put your mind at ease until you have hired your chosen house remodelling contractors.

To begin with the exterior, all you have to do is inspect the door, windows, and paint first before moving into the other features, like the landscaping, decking, and roofing. Just ensure you are in the planning stages for these considerations until your renovation contractors are on-site to do them. This way, you can avoid any mishaps as they decide what projects to do first for maximum efficiency and resourcefulness.

2. Never simply go for modern house trends

Since you are refreshing your run-down property’s design and functional capabilities, you may be tempted to go for whatever is considered modern, like industrial and minimalism. However, doing this may waste the opportunity you have right before your eyes. Worse, it may lead to you losing more money and stalling your house’s vacancy period.

Remember, aspiring homeowners may want just the conventional type of home, but some are willing to even pay more and adamant about moving in right away if you offer something unique, like refurbished traditional features given a few updates to merge with the modern interior design trends. If you are unsure of what is worth keeping in your old house’s interior and exterior features, consider your renovation specialist’s expertise and cost-effective recommendations.

3. Always work on renovation estimates for old homes and expect changes

Older houses often reveal major complications upon further inspection, meaning you may not have the chance to move forward with your intended remodel if it’s high-risk or not feasible. You may end up spending too much money and endanger your tenants or buyers, depending on the terms and conditions of your arrangements. Even inspections during the remodelling phase can expose damage in need of grave repairs. Thus, you have to be prepared to make estimates and change them when necessary.

Luckily, if you have experienced house renovators to assist you, they can provide you with the right workarounds and solutions to address your old house’s issues. Due to their extensive knowledge and relevant experiences with various buildings, they know how to access your property comprehensively and make informed decisions. As a result, you can expect success when you invest in any residential property.

Conclusion

Working on forgotten, old houses can be challenging, but the rewards are worth it. You just need to remember all the tips mentioned above, work closely with the experts, and be strategic about your real estate investments. Work on major renovations today!

Are you in need of the best major home renovations in Ontario to brighten up your old house? We at RTC Renovations can provide you with that. We are your dedicated team of home addition contractors and remodelling specialists, enabling you to take better care of your real estate assets. Take advantage of our services by bringing up your plans to execute your next construction project well.

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Phone: (732) 540-7900
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Everybody wants to live in a home that gives comfort and offers protection. A home is your own safe space—it is where you are free from inhibitions and dangers from the outside. But, what if your home doesn’t make you happy anymore? 

As stated by Sarkinen Plumbing`s, your house is a big part of your life—literally and figuratively. You spend most of your time inside your home, so it’s essential that you feel comfortable and content. However, with time comes change. 

It may be you, or it may be the house; perhaps your preferences and needs are different from when you first bought the house, or maybe some parts of your house are starting to fall apart! Either way, it all points to one conclusion: it’s time for a home renovation.

Not as Seen on TV

There are multiple channels on television dedicated to house-related content, and there are even more shows that are all about home remodelling. You’ve probably watched some episodes yourself—a team assesses the house, breaks down some walls, applies a fresh coat of paint, and voila, the house looks better than when the homeowners first bought it! How easy and convenient that looks, doesn’t it? 

Television shows make home renovations look so simple—but in actuality, they’re not. There are a lot of complications and problems that happen behind the scenes and beyond the camera. Renovating your home isn’t going to be as smooth-sailing as those shows make it seem; it’s weeks, even months, of pouring concrete, loud drilling, and one or two mistakes!

Managing Your Expectations

So, you think you’re ready to upgrade your home—you have the budget, the concept, and the people for the job. However, even though you feel you have everything in place, some things may happen that you would not expect. 

It’s essential to have realistic expectations so you wouldn’t feel disheartened during the renovation process. Here are a few things to expect when it comes to renovating your home:

For Room Additions

Major home additions are more than replacing the floor tiles or upgrading the light fixtures—room additions are about extending your home’s square footage. With room additions, you build something from the ground up, creating something that didn’t exist before.

This is just like building a whole house, except on a smaller scale. Home additions are one of the most expensive house upgrades and could take six to twelve weeks to complete. 

Of course, there’s a possibility of things not going to plan, as there may be delays due to poor weather or insufficient supplies. Make sure to hire a competent home addition contractor that knows what course of action to take whenever a troubling situation arises.

For Major Home Renovations

The duration of your home renovation depends on how big the change will be. Major home renovations, like a complete kitchen renovation, could take around three to twelve weeks. If it involves upgrading every corner of your kitchen, such as replacing the countertop, appliances, and flooring, or changing the room’s layout altogether, then expect that it will take time.

If you have more than one room that will undergo major renovations, don’t get excited yet! Great work takes time—be patient and understand that to have a successful home renovation, you must trust the process.

For Minor Home Renovations

Minor renovations are simpler and are on a much smaller scale. If you plan to update your appliances ,get better accessories like knives listed here, or replace your roofing, it could take just a few days to two weeks to complete. Since they don’t require much work, they also take the shortest amount of time.

Conclusion

Renovating your home is a big project—you must have a sufficient budget, know your end goal, identify your limitations, and do some research. However, no matter how ready you might be, there are bound to be errors, miscalculations, and misunderstandings along the way.

Working with the right company is vital to the success of your home renovation. As long as you have someone with the skills and experience, you can rest assured that your home renovation will end in total success.

Are you having a difficult time looking for the right people for your home renovation project? Well, look no more—work with us at Robert Thompson Contracting! With over 15 years of professional home renovation experience, we’ve been a dedicated household name in the Kitchener-Waterloo and Tri-Cities area for home remodelling projects. Visit our website to learn more about our services!

So, you’ve decided to do some renovations in your home. Visualizing the changes you want to make to turn your home into your dream home is the easy part. Now comes the hard part – choosing the right contractor. We’ve all heard horror stories about nightmare contractors, so how do you avoid finding yourself in this sticky situation? Follow these tips below to make sure you do your due diligence in your search.

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Do Your Research

First and foremost, you will want to look into the companies you are considering hiring for your home project(s). What is their background? How many years of experience do they have? How do they operate and what is their process? Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions so that you can get familiar with the company and how they work. It’s also important to build a connection with the company and that they have good interpersonal skills. After all, you are inviting these people into your home, so you want to be sure you are hiring a qualified, experienced professional who you feel comfortable with. 

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Ask About the Details 

Make sure you ask questions about what you can expect during the renovation process. Who will be responsible for cleaning the site? How will you be communicating with the contractor during the renovation? Will they be hiring subcontractors? Do they provide a warranty and/or support after the work is completed if something goes wrong? Knowing these details ahead of time will help to manage your expectations and minimize any surprises with regard to how the company operates. 

Home Renovations Waterloo Kitchener

Ask for Estimates

For any company that you are considering hiring, ask for a quote regarding the estimated costs. It’s typically a good idea to get multiple estimates as this way you can compare between companies. Keep in mind that if a price sounds too good to be true, it often is, so be weary of a cost estimate that is much lower than others. Inquire about the company’s payment schedule so you know what to expect. You should never be expected to pay the entire balance upfront. Make sure you have proof of payments you make to the company. You will also want to ask for an estimate of a realistic timeframe for the work you’d like completed. Figure out what the implications are if they go over this estimated timeframe when completing the work. 

Look at Past Work 

Look for examples of work the company has completed in the past. Are you happy with their past outcomes? Have they completed previous projects that are similar to what you would like for your home? Check reviews online about the company and don’t be afraid to ask the company for references or a list of previous clients who can be contacted. You can also check whether they are in good standing with the Better Business Bureau. 

Inquire About Insurance and Licensing 

Importantly, you will want to make sure the company is fully insured and properly licensed. You don’t want to find yourself in a position where you are liable if there is an accident. Make sure the company is insured to cover any potential accidents, and that they have workers’ compensation insurance. Request a copy of their insurance certificate and ensure that it is valid. 

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Get Everything in Writing 

You should be provided with a detailed contract upon deciding to go ahead with a particular company. The contract protects both of you and will lay out the details to which you have both agreed. Carefully review the contract before signing and make sure to clarify if anything is unclear. 

The renovation process can seem daunting, but at the end of the day, if you do your research, ask lots of questions, ensure that all parties have clear expectations, and obtain the agreement in writing, you can feel comfortable that you did your due diligence. Happy renovating! 

You loved your home when you first moved in, but now it’s not quite cutting it anymore. This could be for many reasons; maybe your family has grown and you’ve run out of space. Maybe your tastes have changed and the configuration no longer suits your style. No matter what the reason, the decision whether to sell your home and move or try to make your current space work with some renovations is a big one. Here are some factors to think about if you’re trying to make this decision. 

What’s Your Budget?  

How much money do you have set aside to address your living situation? Think about what projects would need to be done in order to stay in your current home and whether you have a budget that can feasibly tackle the work. Compare this with the costs of purchasing a new home; not only the cost of the mortgage but also legal fees, closing costs, realtor commissions, etc. This can all add up and may make it more realistic for you to complete some renovations in your current house rather than moving, depending on the work that needs to be done. 

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Are The Changes You’d Like To See Fixable With A Renovation? 

Think about what alterations you’d ideally want to make to your living space and whether these changes can be addressed with a renovation. For example, if you have a small yard but want a much larger one, or if you want more rooms but you live in a condo, these would be tricky to tackle with a renovation and you may be better off moving into a larger space. On the other hand, if you want more space in your home and can reconfigure the floor plan to make the most of your square footage, or if you can add an addition to the home, then a renovation may be the answer. 

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How Long Will The Renovations Take? 

If the changes you’d like to see in your home are doable with a renovation, think about the length of time it will take to complete the projects. Will you be able to live in the home with construction taking place? If so, are you willing to live with the noise, mess, not being able to use certain spaces of your home like a kitchen or bathroom, etc.? If not, do you have a place to stay while renovations are taking place? If you’ll have to rent an alternate living space or stay in a hotel, the cost of this will have to be accounted for in your budget. 

Home Renovations Waterloo Kitchener

How Attached Are You To Your Current Home? 

As much as we try to think with our heads, big decisions can often come down to what we feel in our hearts. How emotionally attached are you to your home? If you can’t bear the thought of leaving because of too many fond memories then perhaps the best decision is to make some changes to the home to make it work for you and your family. 

Home Renovations Waterloo Kitchener

Do You Love Your Neighborhood? 

Location, location, location! Do you currently live in a neighborhood that you love? Remodelling can be a great option if you love your current location and nothing else is for sale in the area. 

At the end of the day, you’ll have to sit down and weigh all the pros and cons of moving versus renovating for your specific situation. What’s right for one person may not be the best choice for another. It’s not always an easy or clear decision, but taking all the factors above into account and thinking about your current and future goals is a great place to start.

To DIY or not to DIY… that is the question! One of the first things most homeowners probably ask themselves when they come across a project in their home is whether it can be tackled themselves, or do they need to hire a professional. Sure, there are countless projects in your home like air energy heat pumps that could be done yourself, but there are some important factors to keep in mind when deciding whether you should go the DIY route. If you are looking for a good plumber, then you can check it out from here!

Consider the Safety Issues

Safety is always going to be the number one priority, so first things first, evaluate the potential consequences of the project and whether safety would be compromised if something goes wrong. Many improvements around your home require the skills of a licensed professional who has the proper credentials and insurance, such as anything to do with a gas line, making major structural changes, and any major plumbing and electrical work. Also, consider whether you’d have a bigger problem on your hands if you make a mistake; messing up while painting a wall has way less disastrous consequences than a burst pipe in your home. You can also consult georgia painting companies to paint your houses as they can make your house free from consequences.

Home Additions in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph

Will You Need a Permit?

For some home improvements, a permit is required before work can begin. The type of job that requires a permit will vary based on your location, but typically a permit is required for any additions to the home, major structural changes, changing HVAC, plumbing, or electrical systems, adding a fireplace, etc. If your job requires a permit, it may be a sign that it’s time to hire a professional; they will often take care of this aspect for you and ensure that it is done properly and safely.

Be Honest with Yourself

This point speaks for itself. Think about your capabilities and be honest about whether this is a project that you can take on. Most cosmetic jobs can be handled independently, such as painting walls or re-doing trim, but be realistic about a project that is more complex. If you’ve never laid tile before, will you be able to DIY that intricate backsplash in the kitchen that you love? If you take on a job that realistically you can’t DIY well, it can cost you more money (and not to mention time!) to fix any mistakes that you may make along the way.

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Time Versus Money

In the end, a lot of decisions come down to the trade-off of time versus money. Before beginning any project, it’s important to set your budget. If you don’t have a lot of money to play with, it may be worth it for you to spend some time watching those DIY YouTube videos and taking the time to tackle the project yourself. If you decide to DIY, be mindful of not only the cost of the materials for your project but also the equipment that will be required as this can add up quickly – you may have found some great tile on sale but are you also going to need a tile saw?

Getting some quotes for the job to be done professionally and also pricing out the cost of any materials/equipment that would be needed to DIY is often a good place to start. Also, consider the time investment if you want to DIY. In some cases, a project may be something that you could do yourself, but you just don’t have the time to do it. Or maybe it’s something that you just couldn’t be bothered to do yourself, and that’s totally okay too!

In the end, if you decide it’s a project that’s best left to the pros, our home renovation experts at Robert Thompson Contracting will ensure that your home is left in the best hands.

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