Home Additions and renovations in Dallas & Toronto

Karen Homes provides home additions and renovations in Dallas & Toronto

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General Contractor: Home Improvement Projects that Shouldn’t Be Handled Without One

The DIY craze of the past decade has been great for giving people a feeling of control over their lives and property, but it’s also created an inflated sense of possibilities in some. It may be tempting to believe that, because you were able to replace the kitchen countertop, that you can now oversee the remodeling of the entire bathroom. But the fact is there are quite a few home remodeling projects where you’re still far better off hiring a general contractor (GC) and stepping aside.

Letting the General Contractor Handle Complex Projects is the Right Decision

The GC plays an indispensable role in the execution of large scale home renovation projects. Some projects where their presence is crucial include:

  • Kitchen Remodeling – Remodeling the kitchen is a complex process requiring careful planning and the coordination of workers from a number of different trades; carpenters, plumbers, electricians, plasterers, painters and more. Failing to coordinate everyone effectively can result in important components of the remodeling scheme being overlooked or poorly executed with long term risks to the home’s occupants and your wallet.
  • Bathroom Remodeling – The bathroom may look like a harmless place where people take showers and do makeup, but in fact the bathroom is a fulcrum of the homes utilities where plumbing, wiring, exhaust vents, heating and air conditioning need to exist in close proximity and do their jobs flawlessly. Any misstep in the handling of these forces can have expensive, even deadly consequences. Let the general contractor handle it.
  • Home Addition – Home additions in Toronto require the services of even more tradesmen than a typical kitchen or bathroom remodel. The GC’s job of shuffling everyone in and out at the right time while ensuring they’ve done their work properly and that no detail gets overlooked is not unlike being a conductor. Sure it looks easy on TV, but try it yourself and see what kind of music you get out of that orchestra.
  • Pool Installation – Attempting to act as the general contractor for a pool installation is perhaps one of the worst mistakes you can make relative to your home. There are so many things that could go wrong from rupturing a gas line to a major leak that slowly causes large areas of your yard to subside that you should leave it to a well-qualified GC every time. No exceptions.

The general contractor makes sure everyone shows up when they’re supposed to, double checks everyone’s work, acts as a liaison with the sub-contractors, inspectors and suppliers, secures all necessary permits, ensures the safety of the job site and makes sure you’re not getting ripped off for materials and labour. Without the GC what you’d have is chaos.

If you are of the opinion that you can bring things into line yourself remember this: like people in any other profession, members of the building trades are far more likely to take direction from one of their own rather than an outsider who is trying to save some money. That’s not a reflection on you, it’s just life. So don’t scrimp on safety and quality. Hire a GC the next time a home renovation project requires the services of more than 2 different trades. You’ll be glad you did.

Karen Homes is One of the Most Respected General Contractors in the GTA

Karen Homes is one of the Toronto area’s premier home renovation and remodeling contractors. Our designers and craftsmen are the best in the business and we have the expertise and experience necessary to handle any project regardless of size or level of complexity. Before you decide to act as your own general contractor, give us a call on 416-661-6006 and talk to one of our remodeling experts.

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Why Overlooking  a Kitchen Remodeling is a BIG Mistake

If several rooms in your house are candidates for renovation but you can only afford to do one, how do you decide which to do? Maybe a better question would be: How do you NOT choose the kitchen above all other rooms? Quite often folks will elect to forge ahead with a bathroom remodel or even to renovate the basement or add a deck instead of remodeling their kitchen. But there are good reasons why putting off Toronto kitchen remodeling in favour of another renovation project is a mistake.

Kitchen Remodeling is Home Remodeling

Here are just a few reasons why you should always proceed with kitchen remodeling before undertaking any other renovation project around the house.

  • Home is Where the Family is – If your family is like 99% of the families on planet earth, you spend most of your time in the kitchen. It’s the place where everyone can relax and be themselves, where meals are made, where you have your morning coffee and prepare to face the day. The natural gravity of the kitchen is deeply ingrained in our DNA and doesn’t dissipate regardless of the season, the weather, the time of day or the particulars of your home. The only other room that even comes close in terms of year round, day and night use is the bathroom; and for entirely different reasons.
  • Sealing the Deal – If you have no plans on selling your home any time soon kitchen remodeling makes perfect sense. Since it’s the most popular room in the house it should get the remodeling love when the time comes. On the other hand, if you are looking to remodel a room in order to make your home more attractive to prospective buyers then a kitchen remodel, once again, is the perfect choice. Why? Because most buyers go straight for the kitchen when trying to determine if a house is worth their investment. If they’re turned off by the kitchen, no amount of fancy bathroom cabinetry will seal the deal for them.
  • ROI – Though you may realize a slightly better ROI on a deck addition, chances are that in Toronto your deck is going to be out of commission, covered under half a meter of snow for about ⅓ of the year or more. So you’re better off putting your money where the use is. You’ll get to enjoy your kitchen renovation year round and realize nearly the same ROI you would have achieved by adding a deck.

So, before you decide to pass over the kitchen on the renovation tour, keep these things in mind:

  • The kitchen is the heart and soul of the house
  • It plays an important part in holiday celebrations
  • The kitchen often determines buyer interest or disinterest
  • It’s likely the only place the whole family comes together on a regular basis

In many respects your kitchen is your home. At the very least it’s the beating heart of the house. When it comes time to decide which room will receive the remodeling attention, remember which room is the one that truly sustains the home as a functioning, welcoming, social place. The kitchen.

We Set the Kitchen Renovation Standards in the GTA: Contact Us Today for More Info

Karen Homes specializes in home addition and remodeling projects of all sizes and all degrees of complexity. Over the course of our 15 year history we’ve built a reputation based on quality workmanship and dependable, comprehensive customer service. If you’re contemplating a kitchen remodel there is no team in Greater Toronto better qualified than the professionals at Karen Homes to handle your renovation for you. Give us a call on 416-661-6006 to find out more about kitchen remodeling or any other renovation or additional questions you may have.

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Home Additions Don’t Have to Be Huge: Creative Floor Plans to Get the Most Out of Your New Space

When it comes to home additions the sky’s the limit. Unless of course the garden is the limit. After all, what good does it do to add floor space to your Toronto home if you have to sacrifice your patio to do it? There are alternatives to the yard-devouring addition though. Through careful planning and a smart allocation of resources you can achieve the desired increase in functionality without having to give up your yard in the process.

Be Smart With Home Additions and Enjoy the Rewards

If your home is situated on a smallish lot but you need to expand the house nonetheless you need to think outside the box, literally.

  • Identify the Need – The first step in a smart addition of limited scale is recognizing need. If you’re building out for a particular reason, what exactly is that reason? Are you in need of only 1 type of space or do you need different types of space? Do you need space on opposite sides of the house? Do you need more space in one location and less in another area?
  • Redraw the Floorplan – If your plans originally called for a full-sized room to be added on to the back of the house but that would devour too much of your remaining lot, maybe it’s time to rethink your home’s floorplan. You might be able to gain some of the space you need by reimagining your home this way and then creating a smaller addition than you originally intended to provide the rest of the space you want.
  • And By That We Mean… – People often have space in their house that is sitting unused. By knocking down walls, combining or reconfiguring rooms or replacing an existing stairway with a spiral staircase you may be able to activate unused space and minimize the amount of additional space you need to create. Also, don’t discount the value of building up. Just raising a ceiling and installing skylights can make any ordinary space feel much larger and more airy.
  • The Bump – If your renovation plans call for a larger bathroom you don’t necessarily have to build a new one from scratch as an addition. Once you have your reimagined floor plan in place, you might only need to bump one wall of the bathroom a few feet out into the yard in order to add a shower enclosure and transform your ½ bath into a full bath.
  • The Double Bump – If you want the master bedroom to have a grander feel to it in your new floorplan, you can take what you’ve learned with the bathroom and apply it to the bedroom. Bump one wall out a few feet and you can add that walk-in closet you’ve always wanted without having to build a whole new bedroom to get it. Inside your master bedroom will take on a new feel; outside, your home’s profile will change little.

Hence, by reorganizing the existing space and then strategically bumping the walls out just a bit in 2 different locations and perhaps raising the roof a bit here and there you can create a more spacious, more luxurious house while minimizing the size of any home additions.

Call Karen Homes Today for Further Help and Advice

Karen Homes has been creating smart, beautiful home additions for the people of Greater Toronto for more than 15 years. We’ve learned a lot in that time about maximizing value for our clients and can show you many ways to make the most of your property and the house you call home. Give us a call today on 416-661-6006 to discuss home additions or your renovation plans and let us help you unlock the long-hidden potential in your house.

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Basement Remodeling: Things to Keep in Mind

Basement remodeling is one of the most cost-effective renovation projects you can undertake. It will return on average a larger portion of the investment than either a kitchen or bathroom remodeling job, both of which are considered among the smartest renovations you can do. Over at mitsubishicomfort.com they have a great article that takes a look at the issue of remodeling the basement starting with the rationale:

As families grow, homeowners are often faced with two choices: maximize the space they have, or buy a new home. For many families, moving is not an ideal option, which leaves them to focus on working within their current space. Rather than adding on, it can be much more cost efficient to convert existing space into something new. A finished basement is a great way to expand living space while simultaneously increasing energy efficiency and adding value to the home.

If we take a closer look at basement remodeling we begin to see why it’s such a smart idea and one that is always a big hit with prospective buyers.

  • Addition Without Addition – With basement remodeling you add to the liveable square footage of your home by a third or more without having to make an addition. In cases where you are forbidden by local ordinances from creating an addition to your home, basement remodeling becomes the perfect solution.
  • Greater Integration with the Yard – If your basement includes a section that is level with the yard you can put in sliding doors that open onto a new patio. You’ll not only increase the useable space of your home but extend that usability out into the yard as well.
  • An Ideal Retreat – If all the noise and commotion upstairs makes it hard for you to find peace when you get home, turn your basement into a study where you can retreat and relax. A study also comes in handy when you have to bring work home and when the kids need to prepare for important tests at school.
  • Increase Your Home’s Value – Let’s not forget one of the biggest reasons folks undertake basement remodeling. Not only will a finished basement add to the value of your home, it’s been proven that a finished basement will help your home sell faster and will also give you more leverage during any bargaining.

If you’re sold on the idea of basement remodeling but don’t know how to get started here’s a checklist of things to consider that may help you get things moving.

  • Decide How You Want to Use the Space – An office, a family room, an entertainment centre and apartment will all require different planning and different expenditures.
  • Keep an Open Mind – Consider turning your new space into an apartment or a shop of sorts where you can indulge the hobbyist in you.
  • Keep it Tasteful – Remember, when it comes time to sell the house, buyers are not going to be impressed with orange shag carpet and lava lamps.
  • Don’t Divide the Space Up Too Small – The only good reason to divide the basement into separate rooms is if you’ve decided to turn it into an apartment you’ll rent.
  • Set a Realistic Budget – Make the most of the money you have and don’t plan on going deeply into debt. If you do it will colour your experience of the new space.

Remember to get quotations from more than one contractor, to check their references and get everything in writing before signing on the dotted line.

Need More Inspiration? Contact Our Basement Remodeling Pros Today

Over the past 15 years Karen Homes, has established itself as one of the GTA’s premier builders of custom kitchens, basements, bathrooms, home additions and more. We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners realize their dreams by offering first-class design and construction services at a price that doesn’t break the bank. There are cheaper companies out there and there are bigger ones, but there aren’t any better than Karen Homes. Call us today on 416-661-6006 to discuss your basement remodeling or other renovation needs.

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The Do’s and Don’ts of Bathroom Remodeling

Renovating your bathroom is one of the smartest remodeling projects you can take on. Not only will it improve the experience of your house but it will ramp up the value of your home and make it easier to move at sale time. But bathroom remodeling shouldn’t be handled haphazardly. There are a number of things to consider before any work gets underway and a new posting over at homeportfolio.com has a pretty comprehensive list beginning with spatial considerations:

How is the current square footage and floor plan working for you? Do you need more space for two people to get ready simultaneously? Is this a bath that siblings share? Do you have space for performing common tasks or would you like to shuffle the space around?

If you’re considering expanding the bathroom… What’s the situation outside if you plan to add on? Will an addition extend into the privacy of your backyard or will it happen streetside? How will local codes and regulations govern the addition?

As you can see there are a multitude of things to consider before plunging into a bathroom remodeling project. But while it’s crucial that you keep in mind what you want and how that may impact the project, it’s just as important to know what to avoid. Remember: the goal is to create a space that will be both functional and beautiful. You can do so by avoiding the following common mistakes:

  • Did you remember the view? – Your new bathroom should have a clear path for natural light to enter and you to see out. Don’t jam the window into a tight corner where it won’t do any good or, worse yet, forego a window altogether. Even if the location of the bathroom means a window isn’t possible, a skylight might be.
  • Is there too much view? – While a window in the bathroom is important you’ll want to avoid a nice clear view into the bathroom from any of the home’s major public areas. Make sure your new bathroom has a discrete point of entry. You don’t want the guests you’re entertaining in the living room to have a nice view of the toilet.
  • And speaking of the toilet – While the toilet is certainly a key element of any bathroom it doesn’t by any stretch of the imagination need to be the focal point. Consider putting it in a corner or nook or even behind a partition and create sightlines that converge on the mirror, above the sink or even the window.
  • Needless space – Space should serve some functional purpose. While it may seem like a good idea to take some space from the spare bedroom and dedicate it to making your renovated bathroom larger, is there a good reason to do so? Sure everyone loves space, but sometimes space is just that, space. It doesn’t serve any real design purpose and can actually overwhelm your expensive cabinetry or make your new shower enclosure seem too small.
  • Under budgeting – You need to be aware at all times during your bathroom remodeling exactly what you have to spend and then make sure you don’t commit to a project that is beyond your means. Things can add up fast when it comes to bathroom renovation. Set a limit and respect it.

Premium Bathroom Remodeling Solutions from Karen Homes

Before embarking on a bathroom remodeling project, call the design professionals at Karen Homes. We’ll help you make sense of all the different considerations so that you wind up with a renovated bathroom that is a functional, beautiful and valuable addition to your home. For more than 15 years we’ve been building our reputation as one of the GTA’s most trusted custom building contractors through the quality of our work and the excellence of our customer service.

Whether you’re contemplating a home addition, a renovated basement, bathroom remodeling or any other type of home improvement project, we can help. Call us today on (416) 661-6006 to find out more or to talk over your project with one of our award winning designers.