Home Additions and renovations in Dallas & Toronto

Karen Homes provides home additions and renovations in Dallas & Toronto

By

Kitchen renovation tips for your next big project

kitchen renovation torontoKitchen renovation can be a daunting task for any homeowner. However, there is help available in the form of professional contractors. At Karen Homes, we have compiled a list of kitchen renovation tips to keep in mind when you do decide to take up on that project.

Get rid of wasted steps: Figure out how you use your utensils in your kitchen and make sure to locate areas which will make them accessible quickly and without taking 2-3 steps. This will make your life a lot easier as less time will be wasted.

Wider walkways: It is important to have wider walkways in the kitchen to provide sufficient space. Recommended paths through kitchen should be atleast 36 inches wide and paths within the cooking zone should be 42 inches wide if its for one cook or 48 inches wide if its for two cooks.

Direct traffic: If you have kids, it is very important to keep the cooktop out of the reach of children. This can be done by carefully designing your kitchen in a way that prevents kids from catching handles or spilling something while they run through the kitchen.

Ideal height for the microwave: The ideal height for a microwave depends on a number of factors. Those include the height of the chef, if there are kids in the home, etc. Ideally, the microwave should be 15 inches above the countertop. If you have kids, a below countertop microwave level would be more helpful.

Keep corners cleared: It is important to design your kitchen in a way which won’t let doors smash into each other. You must also not keep appliances in corners so their doors would be able to open up without any hurdle.

What is the island’s function: Determine what the main use of the island’s function would be and design your kitchen space accordingly. Ensure that the cooktop is separate from the island if you plan on eating dinners on the island as well.

Landing space: It is recommended that atleast 15 inches of space is need on either side of the cooktop, refrigerator, and microwave.

Consider countertops: If you cook frequently, you would need more space for countertops which is why it’s important to plan accordingly

Double up maybe? If you want to provide extra facility for your guests and other family members, consider a space for a second microwave so they don’t get in your way.

These are just some of the tips you must consider when doing kitchen renovation. Your best bet is to contact a professional who can help take a project from start to finish and stay within your budget.

By

The General Contractor Can Make or Break Your Project

You can plan your home improvement project down to the last detail. You can set aside enough money to take care of everything, including emergencies. You can select all the materials yourself, take a leave of absence from work to oversee things and arrange a safe, convenient and comfortable place for grandma to stay during construction. But if you choose the wrong general contractor none of that will matter.

The list of do’s and dont’s is long when it comes to selecting the right general contractor for a home improvement project. That’s because the stakes are high and the landscape is littered with unscrupulous types who prey on the unsuspecting or uninformed.

The National Center for the Prevention of Home Improvement Fraud (NCPHIF) has their own list of things to watch out for and it doesn’t waste time getting down to brass tacks:

Questionable contractors usually don’t like written contracts. They say things like “we don’t need a contract; we understand each other.” They want to avoid permits and building inspections (“they’re just a money grab by the government”), don’t like explaining how they plan to do aspects of the job, and aren’t keen on showing you proof of liability insurance.

That last point is an important one because if you fall for the “we don’t need liability insurance” line and then someone gets hurt on the job site, you, not the contractor, will be responsible. Contrast the above behavior to that of a reputable contractor:

Good contractors like to use written contracts, recognize the need for building permits and proper inspections, are willing to answer questions, and will show you proof of their liability insurance coverage.

But even if you’re talking to someone who comes recommended and you feel comfortable with them personally, you might want to pull the plug in the spirit of “better safe than sorry” if you hear either of these questions:

  • Do you live alone? – While it’s possible their inquiry is harmless any professional tradesperson should know how creepy that question sounds and never let it leave their lips.
  • Can you show me the other bids you’ve received? – If the contractor is asking to see other bids they either don’t know what they’re doing or they’re trying to cheat the process. Either way it doesn’t speak well of their character.

Shady contractors expose themselves in other ways too such as insisting on cash, asking for full payment up front and offering an unbelievable price.

Questions To Ask a General Contractor

Hopefully you now know a few of the signs that indicate a general contractor may not be what they say they are. But sometimes potential trouble can really only be unearthed by asking the right questions such as:

  • Are you fully licensed and insured? – If they’re not, take a pass
  • Have you done projects like this before? – If the answer is “yes” ask for references from that earlier project.
  • Who will be in charge? – Sometimes the pleasant, knowledgeable person you make the deal with is not the person who shows up to run the job site.

In addition, if the general contractor was late to the meeting, showed up unprepared, borrowed things like pen and paper and/or kept taking calls while you were trying to discuss your project you probably want to give them a pass.

No Need to Keep Searching: Just Call Karen Homes Instead

Karen Homes is the GTA’s premier custom home building and renovation service. We’ve been proudly serving the residents of Toronto for more than 15 years and in that time we’ve built a reputation for quality work and the best customer service in the industry. All dealings with our customers are fully transparent and we encourage you to get involved by asking questions and checking us out.

We’ll work closely with you from the start of the process to ensure the final product will match or exceed your expectations. We’ll always be available to answer questions and address concerns and when we finish you’ll have the kitchen, bathroom, basement, deck or custom addition you always wanted. Give us a call today on 416-661-6006 and discover the Karen Homes difference.

By

Reigning in the High Cost of Kitchen Renovation

Anyone who has ever spent an afternoon flipping through an interior design magazine has no doubt spent time wondering how much it would cost to turn their current humdrum kitchen into one worthy of its own magazine spread. If their curiosity is sufficiently aroused they may even do some checking into the matter. Usually what they find is enough to deter any further thoughts of renovating the kitchen, but does the process really have to be cost prohibitive?

Justin Pierce over at the washingtonpost.com website has an interesting piece about steps you can take to avoid the high cost of kitchen renovation. He begins with this unpleasant fact:

According to Remodeling magazine, the national average for a full kitchen remodel is $54,909. I have never been able to get my mind wrapped around this, considering that the national median income is only around $51,000.

Those sort of numbers put things into perspective in a hurry don’t they? The fact that the average renovation costs more than the average person earns in a year is stunning and makes you realize why so many homeowners hold off on remodeling their kitchens. But are his numbers accurate? Unfortunately, the answer seems to be “yes”. Bhg.com states that an upscale renovation can top $75,000, houzz.com puts the cost of a moderately deluxe renovation at between $40,000 and $75,000 and fixr.com chimes in with their estimate of $57,000.

So now that we’ve all joined Mr. Pierce in having a hard time getting our heads around the high cost of kitchen renovation in Toronto, the next logical step is to ask: What can be done to keep costs down?

Pierce recommends a detailed, patient approach which begins with examining potential layouts for your renovated kitchen to find ways to eliminate expenses, such as:

Avoid moving plumbing and electrical items if possible — at least try to keep your stove (especially gas stoves) and sink in the same location.  Moving a gas stove will require relocating gas lines and moving your sink plumbing can create additional problems. They also require additional permits and time.

He also suggests being sensible when it comes to selecting countertop materials:

Granite is granite so there is no significant quality difference in the stone.  You can easily pick a $20 a square foot granite and get the same look as a $45 a square foot granite.

Furthermore he suggests that, unless you have some compelling reason to chase top of the line appliances, you take a half-step down on the brand name ladder when it comes to things like your stove and refrigerator. And he is a firm believer that there are deals to be had in flooring if you’re willing to shop around.

Proper Kitchen Renovation Requires Properly Trained Professionals

One of his final suggestions is perhaps the most important one: make sure you find the right contractor. The right contractor can turn your kitchen renovation project into a smooth, relatively painless operation that results in you getting exactly what you want at a fair price, just as surely as the wrong contractor can result in your project being abandoned halfway through when funds run out to cover all the contractor’s cost overruns. The contracting landscape is littered with vaguely qualified, and even totally unqualified, fly by night operators who will be happy to drop a lowball bid in your lap and then start playing games once you’ve signed on. Don’t be fooled, and remember: if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

Karen Homes: We Get Kitchen Renovation Right Every Time

Countless homeowners in the Greater Toronto Area have discovered the difference the renovation professionals from Karen Homes can make on any basement, bathroom or kitchen renovation project. They’ve made us the go-to company for quality work at an affordable price and we’re proud of that fact. When you trust Karen Homes to handle your remodeling project you can be certain the design will be eye-opening, our craftsmen will treat you and every corner of your property with respect and the price will be fair.

We leave the game playing to others and concentrate instead on bringing your dreams to life and creating one more satisfied customer. Call us today on 416-661-6006 and experience the difference working with qualified, experienced professionals can make.

By

Basement Renovation Unlocks Your Home’s Potential Value

Basements are an interesting case study in human psychology. More often than not they sit unused for years, accumulating dust and serving only as enormous laundry rooms or tool storage units. Upstairs, growing families lament the shortage of space in their home and contemplate moving to accommodate their needs, while just below them the basement waits patiently for someone to notice it.

In the end most basements remain unfinished and exactly why that is would probably make for an interesting study or two. For the purposes of this article though we’ll assume you’ve made the leap and decided to finish your basement and are looking for a few words of advice before proceeding.

Author Dave Schrock over at bottomlinepersonal.com has written an article that starts right off with one of the most important reasons to consider finishing your basement:

Expenses tend to be around 30% to 50% lower than the cost of putting a similarly sized addition on the home. And you can expect to recoup more than three-quarters of the cost when you sell, according to Remodeling magazine, a better payback rate than most home-renovation projects.

He didn’t just pull those figures out of thin air. Most renovation specialist agree that basement renovation is one of the most cost effective ways to expand your liveable area while increasing the value of your home. A recent article on interest.com puts your expected return just over 70%: just below adding a backyard deck and above a two story addition. The finished basement also has the advantage of being a 4 season, 24/7 space that you can rent out if you like to recoup your investment. Try taking a tenant on the backyard deck.

Back at bottomlinepersonal.com author Schrock draws our attention to one of the biggest issues involved in any basement-related project: water intrusion. His solution is a healthy dose of “an ounce of prevention” common sense.

If water leaks into your basement through cracks in your foundation—or through another route—have this remedied months before your basement-finishing project begins. That way you can be fairly confident that the problem is solved before wallboards and/or flooring block the area from view.

Once any water intrusion issues have been cleared up and you’ve decided to proceed with your basement renovation project there will be some things you can do yourself to save a few dollars and some things you’ll definitely want to leave to the pros. Housekeepingchannel.com suggests you handle as much of the tear down and other prep work as possible yourself and then, once the serious work is underway, you stay involved and ask lots of questions.

On the flip side they advise that you leave any plumbing and electrical work to the professionals and don’t change your mind about things during the construction process. This will only increase the chances you’ll wind up with a basement you don’t really want.

Be Sure to Select the Right Contractor for Your Basement Renovation

Once you’ve decided to go ahead with your basement renovation project, shored up any leaks and made a list of the things you’ll want to handle yourself, you’ll need to find the right contractor to handle the job. Karen Homes is the GTAs premier building and renovation contractor. We’ve earned our reputation through our leading edge design concepts, customer-centric service and meticulous attention to detail.

Our basement renovation team is comprised of the top people in their fields who use only the finest materials and keep you in the loop from start to finish to ensure your complete satisfaction with the final product. Others may try to attract your attention with lowball prices, we prefer to do it with the outstanding quality of our work.

What Are You Waiting For? Contact Us Today

So when you’ve decided it’s finally time to finish the basement make sure you hire the craftsmen of Karen Homes to get the job done right. Call us today on 416-661-6006 to set up a free consultation and find out more about how we can turn the most neglected part of your home into a dazzling showpiece you’ll cherish for years to come.

By

Bathroom Renovation: The Final DIY Frontier

Houzz has a great article listing 15 things to think about before embarking on a bathroom remodeling project. Reading through them is a sure fire way to come face to face with how much you don’t know about bathrooms.

Bathroom renovation is one of the most popular remodeling projects undertaken today. Second only in popularity behind the kitchen remodel. But remodeling a bathroom, especially if you’re doing it yourself, is not as easy as buying some nice tiles, a tub and a vanity and setting aside a weekend to put it together. Bathroom remodels are tricky and not to be attempted by those with no remodeling experience or, for that matter, by the impatient. As Houzz puts it:

If you’re tackling a bathroom remodel project, having a working knowledge of what to expect and what to consider can make the difference between a months-long waking nightmare ending in a bathroom that you settle for or a near-pleasant experience resulting in the room of your dreams.

Told you it wasn’t going to be easy. But just what is it about bathroom remodeling that’s so difficult? Well, according to licensed contractor Jeff Devin on DIY master Bob Vila’s website it starts with planning. Or to be more precise; lack of planning.

Sometimes people think they can figure out what needs to be done as they go along,” says Devlin. “But you need a plan in place before you start any demolition… Planning is everything,” he emphasizes.

Okay. So now we know. Have a realistic, workable plan in place before you start tearing things apart. It’ll save you a lot of aggravation in the long run. Great. But that still doesn’t tell us why bathroom renovation is so difficult. Only that it is. So let’s keep looking around to see if we can get an answer.

How about this from bathexpress.com:

Many people think that a bathroom has three or four components (cabinet, toilet, tub…) but that’s not at all true. The typical bathroom has more than fifty components that need to be researched, matched, ordered, sized and brought to the home…

Fifty different components? Who knew? But it seems we’re finally getting somewhere. More research unearths the reason all those components need to be so rigorously vetted before finding a place in your bathroom: water. In fact an article on finehomebuilding.com indicates that inadequate waterproofing and trying to save money by using non-waterproof materials is the number 1 mistake people make when conducting a bathroom remodel.

Bathroom Renovation and DIY Plumbing: The Mistake That Keeps on Giving

Water of course brings us to plumbing. And plumbing brings us to plumbers. Who needs them anyway? Well, if you’re about to embark on a bathroom remodel that requires altering the existing plumbing in any way, you do. Trying to tackle plumbing issues yourself or letting your brother-in-law do it because he watched some plumbers and it’s no big deal is asking for long term headaches that won’t respond to aspirin.

Any changes to plumbing must conform to building codes or you risk damaging the value of your home. Also, DIY plumbing has been known to lead to mysterious drips that come out of nowhere and defy rectification for years. Is it really worth it? Of course not. Either plan your bathroom renovation to use the existing plumbing or call in a licensed plumber to make changes. Still thinking of doing it yourself? Take this into account from homeimprovementpages.com.au and make careful note of the last word:

Don’t even consider taking on a DIY plumbing project that involves your hot water system or poses even the slightest risk of mixing water with electricity. There are far too many things that can go wrong and the slightest mistake can be fatal.

For Bathroom Renovation That Works Contact Karen Homes

When done properly a renovated bathroom can boost the value of your property both in a bottom line and aesthetic sense. And when done poorly it can have exactly the opposite effect. So if a bathroom renovation is in your plans call the professionals at Karen Homes. We’re the leading home renovation specialists in the GTA and can turn your old bathroom into an oasis of rejuvenation that will be the envy of friends and neighbors alike. Give us a call today on 416-661-6006 to find out more.