Getting advice

Asking advice and ideas from your friends and family is one of the ways to improve your renovation knowledge. You can also ask advice, ideas and opinion from your neighbour, who did same or similar renovation in the past, but you may have still some doubt or question and you still need more advice. The best way is getting advice from your local expert renovators. Professional renovator’s and home inspector’s advice is the best way to undertake your renovation. They can advice you conduct a thorough inspection of your home and offer suggestions for the most effective sequencing of work over a period of time according to your need and budget.

A good first step is to conduct your local home inspector. If you want a thorough and formal assessment of your entire home, from top to bottom, you may want to consider hiring a professional home inspector. Make sure it's someone, who is qualified, properly trained and insured, and ask for a written report. Most commonly inspections are done by a professional renovator or a home inspector. Your choice will depend on your reasons for having an inspection done, and the type of information you need.

Make sure the price includes a detailed, written inspection report and share the results with your renovator. Together, you will be able to develop estimated costs, a list of priorities and a schedule of work for renovation, repair and replacement that is right for you and your budget

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Here is some extra information you can consider with your renovator.

1. Know why you want to renovate. What problems are you trying to solve? 2. Evaluate the house structure, systems and general condition of your house and make a list of what has to be done over the next two, five and 10 years.

3. Work with the strengths of your home. Check under existing carpeting and sheet flooring for old hardwood flooring.

4. Refinish old trim and moulding rather than replace it. Resurface cabinets rather than installing new ones. Turn a large landing into a child's play area, a quiet reading area or a small home office.

5. Keep it simple. A complex design can result in complicated and expensive construction. Consult with a professional renovator on the impact of design on construction and budget. Less complex designs will often let you achieve the same goals.

6. Don't just focus on the upfront cost. Renovation is a further investment in your home. Consider the time, energy and cost required on ongoing maintenance and possible replacement down the road. A well-planned renovation can reduce these future costs.

7. Don't cut corners to save a few dollars, or you may not get the results you want. Don’t compromise on quality. It is always better to do less and do it well.

8. Check local bylaws. Before you get too involved in a particular design for adding to or substantially altering your home

9. Look at your neighbourhood. Exterior changes or additions that blend with the existing streetscape will probably add the most value to your home.

10. Don't worry about trends. Design trends come and go. First and foremost, plan for comfort, ease of living and personal satisfaction.

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