15 Helpful Bathroom Remodeling Tips To Know Before Renovating

The following post 15 Helpful Bathroom Remodeling Tips To Know Before Renovating was originally published on:
Joey Monette

As a homeowner, you need to gather a lot of information about bathroom renovations if you are planning to undertake such a large project. This knowledge enables you to make the right decisions about materials to buy, their cost, the labour required and overall budget. This information can help you estimate the amount of time required for the remodelling process to be complete to avoid any inconveniences in your home.

Here are 15 bathroom remodelling tips you need to know:

1. Consider the bathroom remodelling cost

Before you commence the project; you need to have estimates of the total cost to avoid spending more than you planned or having to halt your project. The costs of bathroom renovation can be determined by the size of your bathroom, the quality of materials you need to remodel the bathroom and labor. If you require the hiring of labour, you can take into account the cost of hiring a handyman and vice versa. You can have basic, mid to upper range and deluxe bathroom remodels which will all have different costs.

2. Hide the toilet

It is advisable to avoid making your toilet the first thing to be seen when someone opens the door. This is because the bathroom door can be left open from time to time making your toilet the first thing you or your guest will see. If you don’t have any ideas, you can inquire opinions and options from an experienced bathroom designer. You will have several options to choose from your expert.

3. Consider leaving vintage finishes intact

The main aim of bathroom renovation is to make it look new and fresh. Hence, you are advised to avoid removing vintage finishes if they are going to cost you more in labour to avoid altering your planned budget. In some homes, wall tiles were installed with a wire lath or several coats of concrete and if you are to remove them, you may end up requiring more time and money. However, if you are planning to remove yours, consult a tile specialist.

4. Plan a lighting scheme

Involve a lighting designer to have your bathroom well-lit to maximize its space and make it beautiful. There are several bathroom lighting options and you can choose depending on functionality, cost, preferences and choice.

5. Understand standard bathroom dimensions

While researching about bathroom renovations, knowing about basic standard bathroom dimensions e.g. the size of a standard bathtub and space toilet can help you plan your renovation effectively. You will need an understanding of the amount of space needed and how much you will have left after the renovation.

6. Plan the right height for your sink

Although countertops range between 32 and 34 inches off the floor, you need to have the right height for your sink for easy brushing or washing your hands. You will therefore need to consider how the sink will vary from the counter’s top height to make the right decision. To make this decision, you will also need to consider your height for easy accessibility.

7. Consider having a corner sink

If you have a small bathroom, you can have your sink in one of the corners to free up some space. The decision of putting your sink in a corner can also be determined by how your entry or shower doors swing open. The sink may be hindering easy movement in your bathroom and since you cannot remove the doors, moving the sink to a corner is the ideal choice.

8. Consider having a tiny tub

You can have a shower and/or a bathtub in your bathroom. However, if you have a small bathroom, you can get a small bathtub to economize on the available space. Due to most bathrooms being small, most companies have started manufacturing tiny bathtubs to meet the needs.

9. Choose the right vanity

Vanity is just for looks and hence you should be very cautious when choosing one. The size, type of material and cost should be your prime factors. A big one may limit your bathroom space while a small one may not meet your requirements. On the other hand, if you pick the wrong material, you may end up having maintenance issues in future. You should therefore make a sound decision, and if you don’t know how to do it, you can inquire help from an expert.

10. Get a few high-end materials

Although you want to be economical, spending on a few high end materials and finishes can make your bathroom look luxurious. Therefore, in addition to basic and affordable materials, you can get high end floor and wall coverings to make your bathroom luxurious. You can also add some high end countertops and bathroom ceiling to improve your bathroom experience.

11. Counter check your tile size

Most tiles are sold using European sizes i.e. millimetres, and the quoted size might include tile and grout while as a homeowner you are unaware. This can affect your plumbing, tile layout and niches because the tiles would not fit because the measurements are wrong. Before buying tiles, make sure that you have the correct measurements to avoid further inconveniences. Alternatively, you can take an expert with you to help you when buying.

12. Consider turning your bathtub to a shower

If you have a bathtub and you rarely take baths, you need to convert it into a shower to maximize your space. In fact, it is very cost effective because you won’t have to reroute your plumbing system. A shower economizes on space and if you’ve a small bathroom, it is the better option.

13. Install a toilet yourself

Most homeowners have experienced toilet problems and are usually experienced in installing toilet fixtures. Since installing toilet can increase the cost of bathroom remodelling, you can opt to do it yourself to cut the costs. It takes just an hour and involves basic skills which most homeowners have acquired over the years.

14. Dry out your bathroom

Mold and mildew growth is facilitated by moisture. Hence, if you want to reduce mold and mildew growth in your bathroom, you need to dry your bathroom. You can facilitate moisture removal in your bathroom bay having an operable windows and a fan. A bathroom window which can be opened and closed facilitates circulation of air and consequently reduce moisture (humidity) in the bathroom. On the other hand, a fan that vents to the outside and not to the attic will facilitate moisture removal.

15. Plan on how the hardwood meets your tile floor

Most likely, your bathroom will have a tile floor while the adjacent room or the hallway will have a different material e.g. hardwood. You should therefore plan in advance how these two materials will meet because their transition requires a lot of skills. As a homeowner, effective planning before the project starts will make your bathroom remodelling a success.

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How Artificial Grass Will Save You Water & Money

How Artificial Grass Will Save You Water & Money was first published on: www.caliberwestrenovations.ca.com

When it comes to your lawn, it’s sometimes hard to decide on the best product to use. For instance, the news lately has been all about the drought which has been affecting Southwestern British Columbia, especially, Vancouver, Victoria and Surrey. This weather means you need to choose the best landscaping options that save water.

Throughout British Columbia, water agencies are posing more and more restrictions on watering your grass. If you're found watering your lawn illegally, the fines can be as much as $1000.

When searching for the best alternatives to natural grass, which consumes a lot of water, one of the best options is artificial grass that offers the classic green look. When compared to the everyday non-decorative rock or brown bark, synthetic grass is a better attraction when mixed with flowers or shrubs, which are naturally drought tolerant.

One of the critical elements of landscaping that’s sustainable in summer is a beautiful mix of plants that are drought tolerant and artificial grass. Artificial grass is becoming the best alternative to natural grass; the result is that most homeowners are replacing their lawn. You may have heard of the downsides of artificial turf as a replacement for natural grass.

Artificial Grass Benefits

Here in Caliber West, we want to downplay those dilemmas that artificial grass is associated with. First, we’ll talk about the advantages of wholesale synthetic grass:

• It’s ideal if you have pets; that’s because it won’t hold onto dog urine stains.
• You can clean it quickly after dog messes
• It’s best around planters, barbeques, backyards, front yards, walkways and swimming pools
• You can use it in different areas of your property-for instance as a base for narrow spots, base for patio and the drainage area, and for the dog run
• Easy when it comes to maintaining
• Can last for over ten years
• Lawn maintenance costs will go down since you won’t need to irrigate, fertilise, mow or use chemicals to prevent diseases and pests
• Your water bills cost will go down, while you conserve this natural resource. The rest of your natural drought tolerant landscaping can use drip irrigation that uses little water. It means the artificial grass won’t interfere with your natural landscaping.
• It blends well with non-native and native landscaping
• Feels and looks close to the natural grass, providing a cushioned and soft playing area, has a thickness that resembles a natural turf's healthy carpet and has lush green colour.
• Landscape trees can still be added to the synthetic grass lawn. They do well with artificial grass since the grass remains green under the canopy.
• If you want a professional PGA like putting green in your backyard, as a golf enthusiast, it perfect. It’s fun to play on and adds elegance

 

Artificial Grass Challenges

As with all products, none is perfect. There have been some concerns about artificial grass for lawns. Below we give the three cons and their solutions.

• Artificial grass isn’t 100% as natural grass: at Caliber West, we have the most premium and realistic artificial turf in the industry. You can order samples and get to see what variety of artificial grass will look best in your yard. We recommend that you mix the artificial grass with shrubs, trees, flowers, paving stones and decorative stones and natural drought tolerant plants. The result will be a modern and excellent landscaping design.
• Artificial grass may heat up: at Caliber West, we recommend the cool blades turf since it’s a synthetic blend that’s heat resistant. We advise that your contractor adds our natural sand fill which is antimicrobial and temperature reducing. This specialized sand will reduce your artificial turf temperature by up to 20%. That’s compared to the untreated artificial grass which doesn’t have the unique infill addition. Our advice is that you add 1.5-2lbs per sq. Ft of this infill to enable it to reach the 20% reduction in temperature.
• Artificial grass installation is on the higher side: grading, initial excavation for the outlay and the installation of synthetic grass may be expensive, which depends on the square feet involved and the project's size. However, if you compare these costs with the money you'll be saving on lawn maintenance, water bills and services over time, it a better option.

The best deal available now to homeowners are the local rebates for removing your natural grass that consumes lots of water and new financing options on energy saving that need no down payment or credit score. They can be approved in 10 minutes or less and come with payment plans of up to 20 years. The payments will be tax deductible. They are similar to those on offer to solar installations. They are popular as they make it easy for homeowners to get upgrades on their homes by installing the artificial grass, while at the same time enhancing the value of their property. At Caliber West, we can connect you with the right financing options to help in paying for your installation of artificial grass.

source http://caliberwestrenovations.ca/?p=1984

11 Quick & Affordable Kitchen Renovation Tips

11 Quick & Affordable Kitchen Renovation Tips was first published to: Caliber West Renovations Service Blog

Kitchen remodeling can prove to be a wallet emptier if you don’t know exactly what you are after, or how to do it. That is why if you would rather save your hard earned money when you remodel, it is important to choose the best projects that will create the biggest impact but cost the least amount of money. If you are capable of staying focused on your desired results and eager to get your hands a little dirty with the projects, then you will certainly be able to have your kitchen update on your budget.

Here are 11 ideas to help with your kitchen renovations:

1. Change the lighting.

Any new stylish lighting can change the whole atmosphere of the room and be the centre focus. Things such as blown glass pendants come cheap while bursting with style. This is a really cheap way to completely change the feel of your kitchen.

2. New Hardware.

Remodeling your kitchen could also include adding some new hardware to what you have. This will create a new look and add some variety. Just be careful with the price of this, especially if you have a lot of cabinets. To check the amount of new hardware you need, just count the number of knobs and pulls in your kitchen and see what hardware can fit in the budget that you have. There are lots of cheap options like brass pulls or knobs that you can find for around $10 per piece.

3. New Accessories.

It is difficult to decorate much in the kitchen, so you have to be sure to take every opportunity you have to decorate things. This could include using things like utensil holders that fit a theme or displaying things in rustic packaging.

4. Paint your cabinet.

Some kitchen cabinets seem to get old with their colour, or they are just too bland. Try repainting to spruce up the look of your kitchen.

5. Only paint half of the cabinets.

One new modern style is to paint only your cabinets on the bottom and keep the bottom of your kitchen island black, then leave all of the upper cabinets a solid white.

6. Put in some sconces.

These provide an excellent light that creates a nice atmosphere. On a budget, you can find some plug in versions and then find a way to conceal the cord. Or if you have a little more money, you can hire an electrician to get them professionally done.

7. Use Rustic style.

Using things such as a farmhouse look can create a warming look to your kitchen. For example, you can replace a door for a sliding barn looking door, or even use an antique stool for decorations.

8. Use easy to install shelves.

If you do not have a lot of cabinet space, use some easily installed wood shelves with metal brackets.

9. Get a nice look by using Roman shades.

These will make your kitchen seem more like home and give it a nice feel. Make sure to match your shades with your glass doors for a nice unified look.

10. Paint the floor.

Painting the floor a nice colour can create a new stylish feel for a small cost.

11. Look on Craigslist.

Some building materials or remodelling items can be found on Craigslist for very cheap. This is a great place to start if you are looking for some budget materials.

source http://caliberwestrenovations.ca/?p=1978

Simple Renovations To Make An Unfinished Basement Look Awesome

The post Simple Renovations To Make An Unfinished Basement Look Awesome is republished from: Caliber West Renovations

Unfinished basements usually have excessive moisture, concrete floors and ceiling pipes which make them an uncomfortable environment. However, you can make that cold and uncomfortable basement more comfortable with simple renovations that cost less than a full basement remodel.

Here are six ways to renovate your unfinished basement:

Stop the moisture

This is the most common problem in most basements. You should remedy the problem before you start anything else because this moisture could initiate the growth of molds, mildews and odours which could be a health hazard. You can reduce the humidity in your basement by using a dehumidifier. All you need to do is buy the equipment and let it dry the room for some time to remove all the moisture.

However, if you have more serious moisture problems e.g. leaks or puddles, you need to install a waterproofing strategy in your basement which could cost between $200 and $500 if your basement does not require any further changes. If the basement needs to be repaired, you could end up spending $2,000 or more to remedy the moisture problem.

Add some area rugs

After you have made your basement waterproof, you need some rugs to keep the concrete floor warm and dry. If you have unused rugs in your living room, you can use them in your basement. Alternatively, you can spend some money to buy a few rugs if you don’t have extras in your living room.

Get some pillows

Depending on the type of rugs you’ve bought, you can get a bunch of throw pillows to make your basement look great. You can even get a second string sofa and cover it with cushions to make it cozier. In fact, since you’ve got a lot of space on your basement, you can get a bigger sofa to get cozy.

Add tasteful lighting

There is a broad range of lamps, string lights or even floor lamps which you can install in your basement to make it awesome. You don’t need to have just naked bulbs hanging from the ceiling to light up the place. If you do a little research, there are many options of tasteful lighting you can have in your basement e.g. an IKEA lamp which costs about $20.

Hide unsightly spots

You can use a room divider to separate different areas of your basement. This makes it easy to hide incomplete sections of your basement. Alternatively, you can use bookshelves, wine crates or even window frames as a cheap and widely available alternative to divide the room. You need to make the basement beautiful; hence, you have to hide all the ugly portions of your basement.

Paint the ceiling

You can use a dark colour to paint your ceiling to avoid seeing the joints, pipes and air ducts which may be on your ceiling. In fact, painting is less expensive than covering your basement ceiling with drywall, which could cost around $4,000 or more.

However, it is highly recommended you hire a professional to do the painting. This is because it is very labour intensive, as most of the painting is done by hands. Also, you need to consider electrical lines or heating pipes while painting and if you are not experienced or skilled, it is advisable to hire a professional.

source http://caliberwestrenovations.ca/?p=1975

Canadian Renovation Boom: Why People Are Renovating Their Homes.

The following article Canadian Renovation Boom: Why People Are Renovating Their Homes. was originally seen on: Caliber West Bathroom Renovations LLC

Many homeowners affected by the housing bubble in Canada have decided to renovate their homes instead of buying a new one. This has led to enormous growth in the home reno industry. However, CIBC has conducted a new survey which suggests that most Canadians are improving their homes through landscaping and other outdoor renovations which do not add much value to their homes. The study shows that most Canadians do not move because they cannot afford to upgrade to a larger home.

The shift of renovations from indoors to outdoors is also an indication that many people in Canada have spent a lot of money renovating their living spaces and have not turned their attention outside. Most homeowners focus on renovating the interior of their houses because they need to increase the value of the house and improve their living conditions. When they renovate exterior structures e.g. the roof and the walls, they start renovating their landscape to make their homes attractive. According to the Altus Group, Canadians spent about $70.1 billion on renovations, and the cost could rise over the years.

According to a survey conducted by Angus Reid between May 19 and 25, 2016, about 2,129 people (54% of the respondents) online were asking about renovations plans. Most of these people were looking for basic maintenance projects. When the same survey was conducted back in 2015, the total respondents were about 55% which was a higher figure. Landscaping had about 42% respondents in 2016 unlike 25% in 2015. It is therefore evident that most people are jumping into landscaping after they are done renovating their house's interior. Landscaping, patio and deck renovations are very common, and it is an indication that most homeowners have turned their attention outside.

A CIBC survey backs the Angus Reid survey. CIBC reported that an average renovation project in 2016 costs about $13,017 while in 2015 it costed about $12,293. This is an indication that demand has increased, making the renovation cost to rise. The survey further reported that only 33% of the respondents were renovating their bathrooms in 2016 unlike in 2015 where 40% of the interviewees were renovating their bathrooms. This further shows that most people have already renovated their bathrooms, kitchens, ceiling, floor and walls in their homes. Since most of the people renovating their homes today are not doing it as an investment, their renovations are therefore focused on making their lives better rather than overall return. The current renovation market is mainly driven by housing prices.

Ideally, there are very few detached homes for sale in Toronto, and this has increased the demand and the price of buying a home in Canada. If you cannot afford these homes, the only option is to renovate the one you live in. For instance, in Alberta, the renovation cost of an average project has risen from $13,520 in 2015 to $22,951 in 2016 making it have the highest cost of renovating a home.

However, in British Columbia, an average renovation project had dropped to $15,522 in 2016 right from $16,639. This shows that location may determine how much you pay for a renovation. This could be due to the availability of materials, homes and living standards. In Alberta, there are very few detached homes for sale, and hence, most people will have to renovate the ones they own. This translates to a rise in renovation costs in such areas.

Real estate boards in both Toronto and Vancouver have cited that there are very few homes on the market. In fact, in May 2016, the prices of detached homes in Metro Vancouver rose with about 36.9% costing $1,523,800 when compared to 2015. On the other hand, in Greater Toronto area, home prices rose by about 18.9% to cost $986,691 during the same period. When demand increases and there is a limited supply, the prices of commodities increases.

With the current house market, most people are not selling their homes because of the risk and uncertainty involved in buying a new one. Hence, most homeowners are worried about selling their homes, pay land transfer tax, pay commission and incur the cost of moving to another home which may not be better than the one they own. A renovation is the better option to most people, and hence market prices of houses continue to rise.

source http://caliberwestrenovations.ca/?p=1972

Make Your Home More Appealing to Young Buyers

By preparing now, you may sell your home faster and at your asking price

By Daniel Bortz from Consumer Reports

Millennials are powering the housing market. For the third year in a row, Generation Y (age 18 to 35) comprised the largest group of homebuyers, making up 35 percent of all buyers, according to a March report by the National Association of Realtors.

Partly for this reason, homebuilders are increasingly including the attributes that the millennial generation covets when designing new homes, according to a joint survey by the National Association of Home Builders and Better Homes and Gardens.

But what if you’re trying to sell your home—one that may have been around for decades? You may find that figuring out what millennials want can be pretty difficult. “They’re picky,” says Peggy Yee, a supervising broker at Frankly Realtors in Vienna, Va. “Millennials have specific needs, and if your home doesn’t meet them, they’re going to move on to the next house.” 

If you’re considering putting your home on the market, you may want to think about doing some renovation work so that your home has greater appeal to younger homebuyers. That way, you may be able to sell your home more quickly and at the price that you want.

Create a Separate Laundry Room

According to the survey from the National Association of Homebuilders, a separate laundry room topped millennials’ wish lists. In fact, 55 percent of respondents said they wouldn’t buy a new home if the laundry wasn’t separate. Since this can be a deal breaker for younger homebuyers, consider converting a small existing room into a laundry room or even building one. Consumer Reports, found that manufacturers are making washer/dryer sets with a matching fit and finish that can integrate into living space—so you could consider having the laundry machines on the second floor. We like the Maytag Bravos ­MVWB855DWHE top-loader and Maytag Bravos ­MEDB855DW electric dryer, $1,050 each.

Buy New Kitchen Appliances

You don’t have to do a major kitchen remodel to sell your home for more—but if your refrigerator, oven, stove, and dishwasher are old, replace them. What should you buy? Consumer Reports rates the best appliances for your kitchen, but one novel idea is to look for new versions of black stainless steel that come from KitchenAid, LG, and Samsung.

Make Your Home Energy Efficient

If your home is energy efficient, you’ll likely sell your home for more. Millennials say they’re willing to pay up to 3 percent more if they think a home’s energy efficiency upgrades will help cut utility costs, according to the NAHB’s survey. But you don’t have to shell out thousands for solar paneling. You can do this inexpensively by adding or improving attic insulation, insulating ductwork, and plugging air leaks around doors and windows with weatherstripping and caulk.

Make Your Home Smart

More than two-thirds of millennials think “smart home” technology is a good investment, the NAHB survey found. But keep in mind that high-tech features can quickly become poor investments because technologies evolve quickly.

While the Nest Thermostat ($250), a heating and cooling control system is popular, Consumer Reports found that the Honeywell RTH9590WF, $300, proved easier to use. Both models can be controlled from a smartphone or computer. You could also consider buying an Amazon Echo ($180), a hands-free speaker system (with a Siri-like virtual assistant) that you can use to play music, make restaurant reservations, and get weather reports—all without having to get up from the couch. These two items, alone, will make your home seem “smart.”

Keyless entry is another attractive home feature for tech savvy millennials, says Yee; August Smart Lock ($200), for example, lets homeowners control door locks via a smartphone app.

Turn a Room Into a Home Office

More employers are allowing workers to telecommute—a shift that’s largely driven by millennials. According to a recent survey from Flexjobs, a job search site, about 85 percent of younger buyers say they want to work remotely full time. Create a home office that appeals to that desire and offers homeowners a nice tax break. It’s also relatively inexpensive to convert a room into an office; a basic desk, office chair, and door should do the trick.

Build a Low-Maintenance Deck

Many millennials don’t want to spend their weekends doing home repairs or maintaining a garden. But they do want to be outside. To sell your home more quickly, Consumer Reports recommends adding a deck or patio, with room for seating and a built-in or freestanding grill. Similarly, since landscaping requires upkeep forgo planting seasonal flowers in favor of perennials, which last for more than two years; peony plants, for example, can survive for decades with minimal care.