Home Additions and renovations in Dallas & Toronto

Karen Homes provides home additions and renovations in Dallas & Toronto

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The General Contractor and their Infinite Number of Roles

The general contractor may be one of the least appreciated professionals working today, yet without them most construction sites in Toronto would grind to a halt. They hold the different aspects of a project together and make sure everyone has an opportunity to do their job effectively and efficiently. If you are contemplating a home remodeling project that will require the services of 2 or more building trades and you don’t hire a general contractor, you’re asking for trouble.

The Many Hats Worn by the General Contractor

If construction were football the general contractor would be the quarterback. If construction were music the general contractor – or GC – would be the conductor. The GC needs to wear a lot of hats to ensure a project is completed on time and within the budget. Some of those hats include:

  • Traffic cop – A construction site is an incredibly confusing thing. Everyone wants to get their people in, get the work done and get out. Someone has to oversee the coming and going of the various trades in order to avoid gridlock and accidents. That someone is the GC.
  • Diplomat – Have you ever tried to intervene in a dispute between two subcontractors? It can get heated at times. The GC has to be able to look at the situation objectively, let both sides have their say and devise a settlement that will satisfy all parties and allow work to proceed.
  • Translator – If a subcontractor tells you he needs to “install a pig tail in order to have a better view of the bottom plate” do you know what he or she is talking about? The GC speaks fluent ‘contractor-ese’ and can translate important points for you.
  • Talent evaluator – It’s up to the GC to find and secure the services of honest, dependable craftsmen and women. This is typically an ability that results from years of trial and error. Which is one big reason why it’s preferable to hire a GC with plenty of experience.
  • Financial advisor – The GC will be able to tell a client if they’re taking on more than their budget can chew and also advise them on how to deal most effectively with some of the other financial players involved in large projects; like banks and insurance companies.
  • Motivational speaker – Sometimes a subcontractor will fall behind for no discernible reason. When that happens the GC needs to talk with them and make sure they understand their responsibilities and how delays can affect everyone waiting in the wings to do their part.
  • Lawyer – The GC needs to know which permits are required for which jobs and secure them in advance. They also need to be able to look at a subcontractor’s work through the eyes of the building inspector and raise a red flag if its seems something isn’t code compliant.
  • Mediator – Believe it or not there are times when couples don’t always communicate perfectly. This can lead to conflicts when one spouse okays something the other spouse then quickly vetoes. In these types of cases the GC needs to bring everyone together, listen objectively and encourage an amicable solution without taking sides.

Karen Homes has more than 15 years experience acting as a general contractor for both residential and commercial projects in Toronto and has built a reputation for reliability and sound decision making. Our only goal when taking on a project is the complete satisfaction of the customer and all our efforts are focused toward that end. Give us a call to discuss any remodeling or home addition project you might be contemplating. We’ll help you get off on the right foot.

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Kitchen Remodeling Ideas for Your Home in 2016

If you’re planning to remodel your kitchen in the coming year we’ve got some great ideas to get the process going for you. Whether you plan a wall to wall renovation or are looking for creative ways to add flair to your existing kitchen our ideas will deliver enhanced comfort, functionality and visual appeal. Some of these ideas will be right up the alley of dedicated DIYers, while others will be best left to the pros. But regardless who does the work they’re all guaranteed to breathe new life (and value) into your kitchen in 2016.

Some of our Favorite Kitchen Remodeling Ideas

Kitchen remodeling is one of the most cost effective projects you can undertake. Not only that, it’s also the one most likely to deliver a high degree of personal satisfaction. So without further ado let’s take a look at some ideas that will make your kitchen the go-to room of your home.

  • High-end lighting – Polished stainless steel fixtures lend a kitchen a contemporary air and have the benefit of complementing most existing plumbing fixtures as well as appliances. But whether you choose stainless steel or cut glass, recessed lights or a single central chandelier you’ll find that high-end lighting is one of the easiest ways to significantly improve the look of the entire kitchen.
  • Thin slab countertops – Thinner stone slabs have been getting a lot of press lately for the contemporary edge they can provide a kitchen. While some are reluctant to shave a half inch off the traditional thick slab of granite, marble or quartz you have nothing to fear by doing so and you’ll wind up saving a considerable amount in the process. Thin countertops retain their ability to resist heat and shocks and can turn your kitchen into a 21st century showpiece.
  • Accent appliances – An increasing number of Toronto homeowners are finding ways to create kitchen accents through the use of appliances. Appliances can be used to put the finishing touch on a remodel since they’re available today in nearly every conceivable style, color and finish. The refrigerator, stove, dishwasher and more can be used as color counterpoints to the furniture, cabinetry or trim. Or, they can be used to make bold period or textural statements.
  • The industrial look – The industrial look – which utilizes elements like exposed copper pipes, concrete slab and glass faced cabinetry – has been gaining in popularity since it can give your kitchen a feel that is simultaneously retro and forward-looking. It typically requires a full-on top down kitchen remodeling however, as trying to introduce industrial touches into most existing kitchens can create visual discontinuities.
  • Revamp your floors – There are a number of ways to upgrade what’s under foot that will breathe new life into your entire kitchen in 2016. From hardwood planking to faux travertine tiles, from porcelain (yes, porcelain) to cork and ceramic the choices available to the homeowner have never been greater than they are today. Talk to one of our Karen Homes design experts about which material is best suited for your kitchen.

When you undertake kitchen remodeling you’re making fundamental changes to the way your home is experienced. Remodeling can be an all encompassing project or a targeted way to ramp up the appeal of an existing kitchen. Whichever route you choose make sure to talk to the remodeling pros at Karen Homes first. We’re the most trusted name in kitchen renovation in greater Toronto because we work closely with every one of our clients to achieve results that are right for their home, their lifestyle. Remove the stress and guesswork from kitchen remodeling by enlisting the help of Karen Homes. You’ll be glad you did.

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Different Types of Home Additions: Which is Best for Your Home

Creating an addition to your home is a major project that will require plenty of careful consideration. Before you begin to formulate a plan for your new addition it helps to have some knowledge about what kind of additions are possible and what types are most common. In this post we’ll take a quick look at some of the most popular kinds of additions and what each one brings to the table.

The 6 Most Popular Forms of Home Additions

Home additions range from the practical to the extravagant and can cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands and more. Here are the most common types of additions undertaken in the Toronto area.

  • The bump – Say you like your secondary bathroom, you just wish it had a shower stall. No problem. Just “bump” the exterior wall out a few feet and put your shower stall in the new space. From the outside the change will be hard to detect, but from the inside you’ll achieve your goals without breaking the bank or disrupting the established flow of your home.
  • Bathroom addition – A lot of older homes are bathroom deficient. That is to say builders of bygone days didn’t put much of a premium on the bathroom experience. If you have an older home and the 1 ½ baths that came with it just aren’t doing it for your family and a “bump out” won’t be enough, add a full bath onto the house and bring it into the 21st century.
  • The single room addition – Single room home additions are just that; you add one standard room onto your home to fulfill a pressing need. If your business is expanding and running it out of the kitchen just isn’t working anymore or you need another bedroom to accommodate your growing family a single room addition can fulfill your spatial needs.
  • Sunrooms – A sunroom is an old idea that has retained its appeal into the present day. Many homeowners are drawn to the idea of building out an addition to their living room or kitchen that includes lots of large windows and plant life. A sunroom can be particularly appealing during the dregs of winter when it provides a bright outdoor feel while keeping you warm.
  • Second story additions – Sometimes there just isn’t room to expand your home outward. In those cases you’ll have to look upward instead. Adding a second story can effectively double the floor space of your house and open up the ground floor as well by allowing you to move bedrooms upstairs. A second story addition will essentially create a new house.
  • The in-law suite – Creating a suite of rooms for an elderly relative is a good way to keep them close and safe and provide them with comfortable, familiar surroundings. The in-law suite typically consists of a living room, bedroom, bathroom and perhaps a kitchenette as well. Many will have their own entrance. It’s one of the largest types of home additions yet at the same time, one of the most popular.

Karen Homes specializes in the design and construction of home additions and is ready and able to handle whatever type of addition project you can conceive. Our world-class design team will work closely with you to make sure you get exactly the type and size of new space you need going forward. Give us a call on 416-661-6006 and talk to one of our home addition specialists or schedule an appointment to drop by our Toronto location and sit down for a talk. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and provide you with a no-obligation quote.

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Bathroom Remodeling and the Importance of Getting the Floor Right

There are a couple of things most people check out immediately upon entering a home. One is the kitchen and the other is… the living area? No. The deluxe 2-car garage? Sorry. The upstairs bedrooms? Afraid not. The other thing most visitors and potential homebuyers are in a hurry to see is the bathroom. Market research indicates that if buyers don’t like what they see in the bathroom they’ll be less likely to make an offer on a house, regardless of how spectacular the living room is.

Anchor Your Bathroom Remodeling Project With the Right Floor

When it comes to bathroom remodeling the whole process begins and ends with the floor. It’s the floor that sets the style tone, the floor that must handle all the loose water effectively, the floor that must provide a safe platform for walking and the floor that must clean up easily and look great.

  • Looks – If people don’t like what they see when they open the bathroom door it won’t matter if everything works like a charm. Today there are more flooring options available than ever before – including limestone, travertine, wood, bamboo, cork, vinyl and more – so you can be sure to find the one that’s perfect for your home, your style and your budget.
  • Functionality – Whether square, round or linear today’s drains make it easy to quickly remove water. This prevents the growth of mold in areas of standing water and also minimizes the risk of slips and falls. Be sure before you make the final payment to the contractor that there are no drainage ‘dead spots’ in the remodeled floor.
  • Safety – If there are older folks living in your Toronto house it’s important to choose a flooring material for your bathroom remodeling job that will reduce the risk of falls. You can choose polished marble, but you’ll be obliged to cover large areas with rubber mats. The alternative is to choose a material like non-slip vinyl, glazed ceramic with a non-slip finish or cork.
  • Maintenance – Different flooring materials come with different maintenance requirements. Most people who undertake bathroom remodeling or are looking to purchase a house are looking for ways to minimize time and effort put into floor maintenance. Here’s a quick look at the different flooring materials and their maintenance requirements:
    • Vinyl – When it comes to ease of maintenance vinyl is king. Durable, waterproof and stain resistant it’s a favorite with homeowners coast to coast. While it doesn’t carry the natural panache of stone or hardwood you won’t break your bank installing it and you won’t break your back maintaining it.
    • Natural stone – Natural stone flooring needs to be set just right and a sealing agent applied to keep moisture from working its way through the stone’s natural pores. Maintenance, however, is a Simply mop regularly with warm water.
    • Natural hardwood – Hardwood flooring is only as good as the people who installed it. But if done properly – with adequate drainage and plenty of sealer coats – hardwood floors will last for decades and require very little maintenance.
    • Ceramic tiles – Maintaining the grout seal is the biggest consideration with ceramic tiles and can be a chore. Grout needs to be replaced from time to time. If it isn’t water can seep through cracks, undermine the floor and lead to the growth of mold.

Call the bathroom remodeling experts at Karen Homes, Toronto on 416-661-6006 for answers to all your bathroom flooring questions. We’ve handled hundreds of remodeling projects for homeowners right across the GTA and have a hard-earned reputation for quality work at affordable prices. Call today and talk to one of our renovation experts or to get a free estimate on your remodeling project.

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Basement Remodeling: Considerations Specific to this Part of Your Home

Basement remodeling is one of those projects that pays off now and for years to come via increasing the value of your Toronto home and elevating the quality of life for everyone living in it. There’s a visible, tangible benefit to remodeling the basement that simply doesn’t come into play when you paint your house, for instance. While house painting is necessary and adds curb appeal you just don’t experience a repainted house the way you experience a renovated basement.

Don’t Proceed With Basement Remodeling Until You Consider the Following

A basement remodel brings you face to face with issues you won’t face when renovating most other areas of your home. For that reason you’ll want to keep these things in mind:

  • Moisture – Before you do anything conduct a thorough inspection of your basement focusing on water-related issues. You’ll want to move things away from the walls and look closely. Is there visible mold? Are parts of the inner foundation wall damp? Is there a strong musty odor? Is there evidence of water damage on bags or boxes? If the answer is “yes” to any of these questions you’ll need to address the underlying issues before proceeding any further.
  • Headroom – You need to be sure you’ll have enough headroom once the floor is built up and the ceilings installed. It’s amazing how fast 8 feet of vertical space in an unfinished basement can be reduced to 6 ½ to 7 feet during a basement remodeling. Do you really want your taller guests feeling like they need to duck? If not you may need to consider lowering the floor as step one in your remodeling efforts.
  • Access – Interior basement stairways tend to be cramped affairs so you may want to consider building an entirely new stairway leading down from the main floor that’s wider and more comfortable. Also, if the grade outside drops low enough at any point you may want to consider installing sliding doors that open onto a patio. Integrating the basement into the rest of the lot this way opens up a plethora of exciting options.
  • Flooring – You may want to build a sub-floor above the concrete slab. The sub-floor will create a softer, warmer feeling underfoot, much like you experience in the rest of the house. If a sub-floor is out of the question just make sure you don’t install carpeting directly onto the concrete slab. Should it become damp you’ll have mold and odor problems. Instead install a rubberized base padding under the carpet to fend off these problems.
  • Ceilings – Many of your home’s utility lines run across the basement ceiling before making their way up into the house. The ceiling you install should provide access to these utilities in the event maintenance or emergency requires it. This is one of the main reasons you’ll often see tile ceilings in a finished basement. But tiles aren’t your only option. If the joists are in good condition you can create something of a loft-like feel by leaving them exposed.

A basement remodeling project can expand the usable area of your Toronto home by a third or more. It’s the kind of project that will fundamentally change the way you and your family experience the house. In addition, should you decide to sell your home at some future date the finished basement will help ensure your home doesn’t linger on the market and that you recoup most of the costs you incurred as well. Call the remodeling experts at Karen Homes to discuss the finer points of basement remodeling or any other type of renovation project you have in mind.