Preparing for the Build Additions

Guest Post by: Sam Marquit As a commercial contractor, I’ve worked with all kinds of businesses that want to change their facilities to operate with sustainable energy. It’s inspiring to work for individuals who feel so strongly about the fut…

The prospect of a home remodeling project is exciting for most home owners. Remodeling upgrades breathe new life into your home as well as improving the functionality and efficiency of your spaces. Remodeling can even save home owners money in the long run. It is not uncommon for costs to get out of control if the home owner isn’t mindful of their remodeling budget. Unexpected issues with materials or contractors might arise mid-project or you may decide to go for that last-minute upgrade to enhance the space. Keeping your budget on track is crucial if you are watching costs. These tips will help home owners devise a solid remodeling budget and help keep it under control.

Be realistic. Home owners often want the moon and the stars when they decide to remodel their home. No expense seems too much or fixture too extravagant. The first step in setting your budget is to be realistic. Most home owners can’t afford the gold-plated chandelier and likely neither can you. Take a look at your savings and be honest about what you can afford.

Do your research. The cost of upgrades may surprise you if this is your first remodeling project. Don’t estimate the cost of materials when establishing your budget. The likelihood is that you will be way off, and your budget will be ruined. Get on the Internet or drive to your local hardware store to learn about your options, including their cost. Price out your materials in order to secure the best deals.

Hire a professional. Weekend warriors tend to think they can do it all themselves; however, larger projects can quickly get out of hand. Consider the scope of the project as well as the technical details of it before you decide to do it yourself. While a professional contractor will add to your overall budget, they will likely save you time and could save you money in the long run.

Give yourself some padding. Unless you are one of the lucky few, your remodeling budget will go over due to incidentals and the unexpected issues. It doesn’t mean you are a bad home owner. Things just happen! Prepare for this during your initial budget planning by adding a 10 percent cushion to your budget. This will protect you from being caught off guard by unexpected costs and will keep your project moving forward.

Your remodeling budget can quickly get out of control if you haven’t set firm restrictions during the planning phase of your home remodeling project. Contact Case Design/Remodeling in Halifax Nova Scotia at 902-454-2273 today to discuss your remodeling project.

Living in an older house in Halifax, Nova Scotia can be a great experience.

Most of our homes have more character and don’t look
just like every other house in the neighborhood. Most of our older homes are located in desirable locations, close to downtown Halifax, downtown Dartmouth. There are more mature trees, universities, restaurants etc. There are compromises however and a renovation or remodel can help. We at Case Handyman and Remodeling of Halifax see first hand how the right renovation can transform the way people live in these older Halifax homes.
At some point, though, you may think about making
the rooms bigger, bringing in more light, or doing
a bathroom or kitchen renovation project.

Here are some things to
consider :

Evaluate the house: Have experts examine
the plumbing, electrical system, and structure. You will probably need to upgrade the electrical
system at the very least, but you should understand what other changes you will need to make.
Consider the walls: Many walls in older homes are load bearing because builders
couldn’t easily support larger spaces. Load bearing walls can be removed, but the building still needs to be supported. Engineering may need to be done to verify what needs to heppen to support these changes.

Plan for the exterior: If you’re designing an addition, be sure that it ties in with the
rest of the house. You don’t want something that sticks out like a sore thumb. Sometimes you
can use modern materials, but make sure the architectural details remain consistent. Most Halifax neighbourhoods have a unique character and this should be preserved. Not only
will this help to preserve the house’s character, it will ensure that it remains attractive to future
old house buyers.
Interior: Preserve as many of the original details – molding, hardware, carving, stenciling –
as you can. Many of older Halifax homes have these unique features. The remodeled part of the house should echo these little touches. Focus on using similar materials, colors, and construction techniques. See how many parts of the original house
you can keep. Repair vintage interior doors. Repair and refinish damaged floors. And reglaze that claw-footed tub!
Our Case Handyman and Remodeling office in Halifax uses a kitchen and bath designer to help homeowners select kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets, color and material choices etc.
More modern living areas might be incorporated as well, such as a home office, a kids playroom, or a home office.

Energy Efficiency: Most older houses aren’t very energy efficient, but a renovation project
gives you the opportunity to change that. See where you have insulation, if any, and plan to add
more. There are many options available and government incentives that can lower your costs. Look into replacing windows and exterior doors with more energy efficient models.

Design and Plan:

Time spent ahead of construction will ensure things go smoother during the actual time crews are building. Our Halifax office uses a 3-D design software that can show customers exactly what the finished product will look like before we even start plans or settle on a project scope.

Green Building choices:

At Case we like to be mindful of a balanced approach. There are many material and design options available without a compromise on the building’s performance or additional cost to the homeowner.

Visit Case Handyman and Remodeling of Halifax online at Halifax.CaseRemodeling.com or call us at (902) 454-2273