Calgary Home Renovations and Basement Development

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Planning Your Renovation

Renovations are notorious for being stressful and expensive, but steps can be taken to reduce potential problems and keep both the budget and the timeline on track. It is in your best interest when planning a renovation to take the time to plan, budget, and choose materials.

First, of course, you need to think about finances. When setting down a realistic budget, one that allows the contractor to help you make good decisions before work ever gets started, always keep in mind that extra costs can spring up. A safe bet is to set down a number that is 80% of what you ultimately want to spend. Then you will be prepared if a product you wanted is no longer available and the next choice is more expensive, or the demolition uncovers problems that must be repaired before work can continue.

When it comes to materials, the more decisions you can make ahead of time, the better things will go and the less pressured you will feel to make snap decisions. This will prevent regret and ensure you get the look you want. Allow yourself time to view all your options and do some shopping, both in stores and in magazines and books to help you get an idea of the desired end result. Once the materials are ordered, stick to your choices as best you can. If you change your mind midway, you will add time and money to your project.

Depending on the scale of work, you might want to consider an alternate place to stay--especially if you are doing a remodel of your kitchen or the only bathroom with a tub. This is especially good advice for families with young children, as construction sites are fascinating but dangerous. Trying to live as though nothing at all is happening in your house is a good way to create problems for both your family and the contractor.

It is also considerate to let your neighbours know of your renovation plans. If you supply a thoughtful warning, chances are they will be supportive and excited for you, even if there is an increase in traffic on your street and a large dumpster on the driveway for awhile.

The planning stage is the most valuable time you can put into your renovation. In fact, even once you have a plan you may want to sit on it for a while and make sure you are going to be happy with your choices long term. Some things to consider include determining what the space will be used for, traffic patterns, and how the final floor plan will look with furniture in place. Be realistic about the amount of space you will need to enjoy the activities you expect to use the room for. Conklin Developments uses 3-D rendering to allow you to 'see' your new space before any work begins, which can quickly change your perception of how the furniture will function in the room.

It's also important to look at the effect your renovations will have on your resale value. Be sure you are renovating not only for your own enjoyment, but for future buyers interest as well. If you make changes such as combining two bedrooms into one, you may drastically affect a potential homebuyer’s interest in a negative way.

In the end, the best things you can do to be prepared is to complete your research, create a good mental image of what you want in the end, set a realistic budget, and be aware of what to expect during the renovation project.

What to Expect During a Renovation

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