Toronto Home Renovations – Kitchen and Bath

Toronto Home Renovations

Should you find your home in need of some upgrades, you might consider some level of home renovation. There are many areas where homeowners can make changes with various degrees of difficulty and cost, so if you are ready, you should not be afraid to tackle a few projects. The most common home renovations include:

Paint
Flooring
Windows
Ceilings
Lighting
Furnishings
Landscaping

Some of the more burning questions with regard to home renovations:

How long does it take to renovate my home?

This is a job-specific questions and the general answer is from an afternoon to several weeks. For instance, you can change your door hardware throughout your home in a few hours or replace a lighting fixture in an hour as well. Painting your home could take a few days to a week depending on how many coats you apply and the number of rooms. Carpet can be installed in a day and so can tile. Longer jobs include additions and roughing-in plumbing or electrical work.

Should I make an action plan for my renovation?

For the most part if you are completing the renovation yourself and there are several steps over many days, it is very important to make an action plan. You can discuss your plan with a contractor or your local hardware store if you are a novice, but for small projects you don’t need anything more than a checklist of the equipment you will need.

Is it possible to add gas appliances to my home?

Yes it can be done, but it is much easier if your home is already setup with a gas system, because if it is, the job is not nearly as detailed. Tapping into existing gas lines can be done in a day or two by a plumbing professional. Many times having your home split between electric and gas utilities is nice because you have the option of using either one when it comes to choosing the most efficient appliances.

Should I add electrical outlets?

If you are adding components or appliances, more than likely it is a good idea to consider GFCI outlets to protect against power surges and additional outlets will usually be required for any permit-based work. It is also a good idea to upgrade your outlets with USB ports wherever possible, especially in bedrooms as your family and guests will appreciate the extra power resource.

What is the best type of paint to use for my home renovation?

Colour-wise, you would do well to use neutral tones in your common rooms with an accent wall here and there, then try cooler colours in the bathrooms and warmer hues in the bedrooms. When it comes to the finish, glossy coats should be used with discretion as they tend to show imperfections very easily, but they can be cleaned without much effort. Flat and eggshell finishes tend to hide bubbles, cracks and problem areas, but typically do not wash clean as easy.

Are heating and cooling upgrades worth it?

Upgrading your system to central air and heat or improving the air quality in the home with additional ventilation, filters and frequent maintenance is a good idea for the overall health of your family and it will increase the value and marketability of your house in the event of a sale. It is best to leave this home renovation to a licensed and certified HVAC professional and depending on the extent of the addition, it could take a few days to a week.

These are some of the more general questions about home renovations and they will serve as a value point of reference should you decide to make some changes on your own. Never hesitate to consult your local professional contractor like Kitchen and Bath should you encounter any snags or issues that have caused your project to stall.