It's one thing to know you want to remodel; it's another thing to know how to do it right.

 

Any renovation project can seem overwhelming, but it's sure to go more smoothly if you know a couple of insider tricks. When it comes to renovation, there's no shortage of good advice. We contacted a few of our pre-screened, members across Ontario get a few of their design ideas and how to make the most of your space.

 

Tips 1-5: Contracts, Communication

 

1. Plan ahead. Selecting products early can help prevent delays later. Proper planning can also help keep you on budget. There will be many decisions ahead, but with planning ahead you'll know what those decisions are going to be, when those decisions have to be made and what the decision is going to cost you.

 

2. Remember the big picture. Long-term maintenance, energy-efficiency and repair costs can add up quickly, so make sure you include them in your calculations when comparing prices.

 

3. Find good help. All eRenovate contractors have been in the renovation business for more than three years. The experience they bring to each individual project helps make each encounter with them unique to your specific needs. All members have General Liability Insurance and WSIB coverage where applicable. All members have a positive record from the Better Business Bureau and many customer references. The most important decision of your renovation project is to select a renovator you trust.

 

4. Visit a job site. When evaluating the potential renovators, ask to visit one of the job sites they are currently working on. The best renovators maintain clean and organized work sites, take all precautionary measures to ensure safety, and know how to keep a low profile in a neighborhood.

 

5. Be a good boss. The most important thing you can do during a renovation project, other than write checks, is treat your renovator, and their staff, well. You as a client should be easy to get along with, honest, and have an appreciation for what they do. Open communication between both parties will help keep the project on time, on budget and completed with the highest quality of craftsmanship.

Tips 6-10: Getting Ready

6. Insist on a detailed contract. If you rush into a renovation project with an vague contract or no contract at all, you may as well hire an attorney and set a court date right away. There are many details that must be included, the contract needs to have the right address, a start date, a completion date, and a detail of all work that is and is not going to be completed.

 

7. Know what you're getting into. Sure, renovating your home can be exciting. But there's also a lot of frustration as you come across an array of unexpected delays and the inevitable inconveniences that come from living in a construction zone. You can handle the lows better if you know they're coming. A reputable renovator will warn you of these bumps before a project begins to help set your expectations.

 

8. Set up a temporary kitchen. Speaking of lows, it can't get much worse than living without a kitchen for weeks on end. Minimize inconvenience by setting up a temporary one away from the construction area. Include a refrigerator and microwave oven, so you can continue to make light meals at home.

 

9. Pack away your breakables. Renovation projects affect every room in your house. You need to take down pictures, move vases, and pack away valuables before any of the construction work begins. While you're at it, take steps to protect immovable fixtures, including built-in cabinets and chandeliers. Have flooring covered with cardboard sheets if it needs to stay in good condition.

 

10. Communicate. Renovators can do some amazing things, but they can't read minds. Talk to your project manager. Let them know if anything is unsatisfactory so they can deal with the issue right away before it cause delays or more work.

 

Tips 11-15: Design Ideas

 

11. Skip the whirlpool tub. Unless you're a fan of luxuriating in a bath on a regular basis, you can do fine with a standard tub. Furthermore, if you find that you don’t ever have time for a bath, bypass the tub and spend your renovation dollars on something you'll notice every day: a luxury shower stall with dual heads.

 

12. Maximize storage. Install an organizational system in the space beneath the stairs so you can utilize the otherwise wasted space.

 

13. Leave out the planning desk. Over the past couple years, people have been adamant on installing a planning desk in the kitchen, but no one ever sits there to plan anything. Consider whether you'd benefit more from additional cabinets or a pantry instead of wasting the valuable space.

 

14. Connect spaces. Looking for a project with big impact? Opening up walls and hallways is one way to get the most from your renovation project and create more livable spaces.

 

15. Don't share the mudroom. Everyone wants a main-floor laundry room. Homeowners have been squeezing one into a tiny area near the garage, but often are unhappy in the long run. Renovators advise homeowners to create a separate mudroom and laundry room areas, even if that means moving the laundry room down to the basement.