Planning is the key to a successful renovation. To help you plan your renovation project, we provide you with information and easy-to-understand tips that can help you assess your requirements and learn the key questions before you get started.
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.
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.
Before You Start Renovating Your Kitchen
Your kitchen is probably the most used room in your house. Poor layout, inadequate lighting, cramped spaces, outdated fixtures and old cabinetry are common complaints of homeowners. Before you decide to go ahead with a kitchen renovation, it is important to clearly identify the features you want in your new kitchen. Just as important is a thorough pre-renovation inspection to identify any existing problems.
Common Situations
Kitchen renovations are high on the list of the most common home renovations. A renovation can be as simple as installing new flooring or be a major undertaking that includes enlarging the space and replacing all fixtures and finishes. Homeowners consider kitchen renovations for many reasons including:
•Size and design — the existing kitchen may be too small or poorly laid out.
•Fixtures and appliances — the fixtures and appliances may be worn out, inefficient or outdated.
•Cabinets and countertops — cabinet finishes, hardware or countertops may be outdated, need repair or replacement.
•Structural problems — there may be problems that require structural changes or repairs.
•Moisture — the floor, walls or finishes may be unsightly or damaged due to moisture problems.
•Plumbing and electrical — many older kitchens don’t have enough electrical outlets and circuits. Older plumbing and plumbing fixtures may include lead or galvanized steel piping.
•Heating and ventilation — older kitchens often have inadequate ventilation or heating systems. The area may be poorly insulated and have a high degree of air leakage, two factors that lead to high energy consumption.
•Finishes — older finishes may be unattractive or not durable enough to withstand the daily wear and tear.
