Tips and Tricks
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"Should you decide to take on a big renovation or custom home project, start with the professionals who are focused on sharing knowledge and learning the best way to design and build your home. A home is your biggest investment and deserves the skill and expertise of the professionals." ~Architect Barry J Hobin

Factors to Consider When You Reno: 4 Pillars of a Home Renovation

Area: A 1,000-square-foot home costs less than a 4,000-square-foot home to build, but the smaller home does not benefit from the economy of scale of the larger home. As a result, if both were built identically, the cost per square foot of the smaller home would be larger. Size has a direct relationship with cost.

The system: This is the part of the home you never see, but is integral in the operation, longevity and health of the structure and its inhabitants. An example of this would be insulation – fiberglass batt, high- or low-density spray foam, wool, straw or other – all carry different costs, pros and cons, but all are a solution to the problem of heat loss/gain. These are not the sexy parts of the house, but are a huge part of the build and performance of the structure.
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Architectural complexity: A cathedral ceiling, cantilevered balcony, corbels, are the details that shape a structure and make it interesting. Keep in mind, however, that a perfect square is cheaper to build than a perfect circle. The more intricate the details, the more costly the build.
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Level of finish: This is the sexy stuff. Stone tiles and countertops, double-sided fireplaces, cabreuva hardwood and custom millwork. These are parts you show off to your jealous neighbours. The higher end the finish, the more costly the project. Likewise, the more common or entry level you use, the cheaper the build becomes.

Renovations that add value to your home

#1 An Income Suite
​No surprise, but the single biggest way to increase the value of your home is to build an income suite within the property. Whether this is converting your basement into a rental,  or another floor in the home, an income property will increase your home’s worth. The main reason for this is that it covers a portion, or sometimes all of your mortgage payments, and results in your home being cash flow positive – which creates real wealth that can supplement your income. (Source Genworth Canada at homeownership.ca )

#2. Kitchens and Bathrooms:
​We are not realtors, or home evaluation experts, however most of these experts agree that an updated kitchen is the next best investment, and an updated bathroom is next. There is an old adage that kitchens and bathrooms sell a house.

These renovations can be as simple as updating hardware, colours, back splashes, and appliances. This is where the "Do It Youself" weekends start for an affordable facelift. 

Next, in cost and skill level, flooring, countertops, cabinetry, faucets, sinks, & lighting. These require specialized tools and know how. Also, and this is a big one... Time. When you do your own renovations and work. this can be a much longer process than you realize. Living amidst a renovation that never ends makes great comedy a la The Money Pit, but it a tough haul for those who have to live there. 

Of course if you are wanting to move walls, windows, water lines, electrical or are thinking custom cabinetry you will definitely want to speak to our experts at Okanagan Geneneral Contracting. Issues such as permits, inspections, safety, timing of tradespeople, demolition, clean up, and so on can be a challenge. 

If you are investing in renovations, always remember and never forget,  clean, fresh finishings, and colours. Consider who may live there after you. For instance; as people age, they start to look for bathroom features such as walk-in showers, support bars, wheelchair accessibility, and other key elements that will prolong their time spent at home in safety and comfort.

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#3. Curb Appeal: 
​How welcoming is your home from the street? Many Realtors will tell stories of potential home buyers who took one look and refused to even go inside. Curb appeal can mean many things;

• Fresh paint
• Clean up ragged edges
• Trim bushes
• Upgraded garage doors 
• Front door and entrance facelift
• Siding 
• Sidewalk, new, replace or repair
• Stone veneer
• Landscaping 
• Constructing or painting fences

#4 The Hat and the Boots:
Less fun, but definitely worthwhile investments in your home are the renovations or repairs to your roof, your basement or foundations, the gutters, the windows and the things in between such as insulation and run off for water. These renovations can save you money while you live in your house allowing you to recoup some of the cost, and definitely are selling points if you choose to move on.

Consider this: 
New windows don’t just look better – they also have unexpected benefits like keeping your energy costs down. Potential buyers want replacement windows and are willing to pay top dollar for them.

There may even be a rebate available for some renovations that conserve energy, take a look here: https://betterhomesbc.ca/

Water damage is one of the most common and costliest disasters your home can experience. Home buyers, and even insurance companies often want to know how old the roof is, and this can save you money on your insurance premiums, and make you money when it comes time to sell. Water in the basement is often caused by cracks in building foundations or floor slabs. If you notice water seepage after heavy rain when you've never had a problem, you may have one now. Seepage is exacerbated by soil that has settled in a way to make water flow toward the building. After a storm, and especially if the ground is already saturated, rainwater that flows towards the building goes down the outside of the foundation wall potentially through any cracks.
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Speak to our experts to create a plan to deal with this issue before it causes bigger problems. 
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