Top Qualities of a Renovation Contractor

When it comes to renovating your home, the result is always important. You can only achieve this if you have the right contractor for the job. Having said so, there are several qualities to keep in mind in choosing the right contractor.

qualities of contractors

In this article, we will jot down the qualities that a contractor should have. In this way, you’ll have the peace of mind that the project will be headed in the right direction.

The Qualities

Contractors must treat your home like their own

Even though they do not own your home, they must exert extra care in renovating your home. The goal is to improve your home and not to damage anything in the process. It will prevent you from spending on unnecessary things that are due to carelessness.

They have a passion for their job

When a person is passionate about their job, the maximum potential is unleashed. It results in a better outcome which is perfect for the successful completion of the job. So be sure that you are getting a contractor that is passionate about the job and not only after money.

They find a better solution and know a lot about their work

An ideal contractor will always have the brightest solutions in every scenario. They can deal with challenges by working diligently. This is because of the extensive experience that they got in the home renovation industry.

They are open to suggestions

They ensure that the voice of their clients will be heard. Suggestions are truly welcome and will help them in finishing the project diligently. As a result, clients will love the finished product of the home improvement project.

They have a reliable group of subcontractors

To make the job more efficient, a contractor should have a team that is reliable at all times. This will prevent delays in the project itself. You do not want to entrust your home renovation with a bunch of fools. That’s why it’s important that from the contractor to subcontractors are all trustworthy and efficient.

Conclusion

A contractor holds a lot of responsibilities in a renovation project. They must have the most ideal qualities possible to make the most out of the renovation. Since you will spend time and money on the project, it is only fair that you should get the best services. This will only be made possible if you’ll have a good contractor with you.

Getting a contractor for the first time might be a very difficult task. Regarding that, we are happy to spare you from that. We at Renovation Contractors Calgary, are happy to help you with your renovation project. Rest assured that you’ll have the best home that you are always dreaming of.

Different Ways to Finance Your Home Renovation Project

It is given that not everyone is blessed with a tremendous amount of riches. So, it becomes a challenging task to renovate our homes. However, despite the financial challenges, there are still ways that you can do to make that goal a reality. In this article, we will try to discuss all of that.

construction project financing

Focus on Saving Money

Saving money is the best way that you can afford a decent home renovation. If you have some income from your job then always consider securing a portion of it on your savings. In time, you’ll be able to accumulate enough money for your home renovation project.

As much as possible, do not spend your emergency funds on home renovation. This is because emergency funds are only meant to be spent on challenging times wherein you need some cold cash to solve the problem.

Mortgage Refinancing

You should consider a cash-out mortgage refinance if you possess existing substantial equity in your home. It is significantly better than the usual personal loan. This is perfect if you are aiming to execute a huge renovation project and if the interest rates are lower.

Avail a Personal Loan

It is not always bad to avail of loans especially if you needed them most. So if you are currently free from debts then it is now the time to have some loans especially if you have a source of income. You can use the loan for your house maintenance, repairing, and improving it for your betterment. Just be sure that you will only loan an amount that you can pay.

Grants and Rebates

The Canadian government and its branches offer grants and rebates mostly up to 75,000 USD for home energy improvements. Each province has its specific grants which you can easily search through the internet and the government’s websites. You can use those grants and rebates to buy materials and to pay for the labor for your home renovation.

Credit Cards

This might sound unusual to some but credit cards can help you with your home renovation project. However, as we all know credit cards do have high-interest rates that’s why it is important to only use them in the most limited manner. You can use it to buy it for the cheaper materials that are needed to support your home renovation. Having said so, it only entails that you must use it in moderation.

Conclusion

A home renovation project can eat up a lot of resources. So you need to have a strategic plan to achieve desirable results. It might be an investment but it is a good one especially if everything is done in the right way. By considering the options that we have discussed above, you’ll surely be on the right track.

Furthermore, Renovation Contractors Calgary will make your dream home a reality. With our expertise in the construction industry, you’ll surely be in the right hands.

The Average Home Renovation Costs

Renovation is one of the best gifts that you can give to your home. It is considered as a treatment for your aging home. Since our homes usually get damaged just like any other things that we own, we must provide them with the repairs that they need.

home renovation costs

However, a lot of homeowners neglect this part. This is because they are worried about the tremendous amount of money that should be shelled out. It is actually sad because many real estate properties just break down while being helpless.

Here in Canada luckily, there is an increase of people getting interested in renovating their property. The percentage was said to be 49% with an average budget of 10,000 USD in a survey conducted 2 years ago by CIBC Home Renovations. Although some people went overboard on their budget, the results seem to be exceptional.

What boggles the mind of the homeowners?

Yes, home renovation is the best solution to saving your living space from deterioration. However, on that mere process, there are usually questions that will run into your mind. The answers to those questions will determine if you will continue the renovation or not. To give you an idea, here are the usual questions that homeowners ask themselves when planning to renovate.

  • The overall cost of home renovation
  • The prioritization of spending
  • The steps to take to manage the financial aspects of the project properly

How much do you have to spend?

When you renovate a property, do not think of it as another money pit instead think of it as an investment. Once a property was renovated, its value goes up meaning you’ll get the investment that you’ve had with the materials and labor for the renovation.

For an instance, you spent 65,000 USD to improve your basement, while your whole home is just priced at 50,000 USD, which does not make sense at all. It only entails that you have to be a wise spender when renovating your home.

The timeframe is also a major concern. It determines if your costs will go up or down. The longer the project takes, the higher the costs that you have to spend. As much as possible, if you can perform some DIYs on the project, much better as it will minimize the overall costs of the project.

Aside from the project proper, there are other costs that you have to consider as well such as the following:

  • Building permits
  • Emergency funds
  • Architect fees

For you to be on the safe side, you should add at least 25% more to your budget for you not to fall short. The budget for the whole house usually depends on its value.  A 500,000 USD house might require 25,000 to 50,000 USD per room.

The rule of thumb is you must allot 1% of your property’s value for its yearly maintenance. The painting alone can cost you 10,000 USD for the whole house assuming that the paint is the only one that needs attention.

Conclusion

Our home is where we take our refuge in our daily lives. Having said so, we must ensure that our homes are always in their top condition.

The best way to do that is by having an efficient home renovation project. This will take away the impurities that your property has and will make it a better place to reside and bond with your family.

Renovation Contractors Calgary will be your best choice when it comes to home renovation projects. We will be using our expertise to help you out in achieving the perfect home that you want.

The Wondrous Benefits of Hardscaping

Hardscaping might sound new to some but it has been around since ancient times. Whenever a person does landscaping, awareness is always a concern.

There is a chance that they are not aware that they are already doing some hardscaping. This is because they are not even aware of the meaning of hardscaping.

hardscaping and renovation

The concept is pretty simple, like any other renovations for a property, hardscaping is used to beautify the appearance. However, that is just the most common benefit that you can get from hardscaping. Aside from that, there are fewer common benefits that you can get from hardscaping. They are proven worth it, that’s why spending money, time, and effort is reasonable.

Furthermore, the notion that hardscaping features are just patios, fire pits, etc. The fact is anything that can be touched and seen around your landscape is considered a hardscape. Some of the best examples are the following:

  • Pathways
  • Rocks
  • Benches
  • Statues

Those hardscapes promote significant benefits. They are not just there to improve the look of your property but can be a gateway for more benefits. To give you an idea, here are the other benefits that you must know to decide for yourself in case you want to have some hardscapes in the future.

For Soil Erosion Prevention

Soil erosion is a common problem nowadays. This is because of the tremendous cutting down of trees in the forests. It primarily affects the quality of soil which leads to uneven surfaces. Some might be flat while the others might have a steep slope. In this case, adding some pathways might make the area look neat. This can give a better design of the landscape and at the same time be useful. You can also add a patio if you want to make it look nicer and even.

Privacy Purposes

Believe it or not, you can use hardscapes to be more discreet. For example, you can put a wall or fencing on your landscape. This will prevent people from seeing what’s happening on your property. If you want a less discreet yet still have some privacy then a gazebo is the perfect hardscape to add.

For Stress Release

If you have very limited space at home where you can chill and relax, it is now time to expand it. You can convert the outdoors of your house into a happy place. This will give you more variations of activities that you can do while you are at home.

For Extending the Functionalities of Yard

With hardscaping, you can surely use your yard on any part of the day or even in bad weather conditions. As long as your yard is safe and sound, you’ll have the peace of mind that you can enjoy the full potential of your property.

Safety Measures

When you have guests who are not aware of the terrains of your property, walkways and driveways are a big help. This prevents accidents and at the same time protects your property from acquiring unnecessary damages.

Lessens Maintenance

Believe it or not, once you have a lot of hardscapes, you can lessen your maintenance costs. This is because you can minimize the grasses on your landscape. As a result, you do not have to trim the grass from time to time.

Conclusion

Hardscaping provides owners with the power to bring the best in their properties. It will surely make your home or any property a desirable place to live in. You might spend some cash on it to have the perfect hardscape.

Well, it does not need to be perfect but the most important thing is you are satisfied and happy with the results.

To make things easier for you, Renovation Contractors Calgary is here to help you out. We have experience in creating lovely homes as renovation contractors. Just contact us if you need help with your renovation project.

 

 

Top 5 Things to Minimize Costs in Home Renovation

Breaking the bank is probably the biggest dilemma when renovating our property. This is because we are afraid that the home remodeling will eat up our budget that is supposed to be for other things.

minimizing construction costs

So it is important that as much as possible we minimize our expenses in a renovation. To give you an idea here are the strategic ways that you can do to cut down costs.

Increase Capacity Without Altering The Size

Don’t put new cabinets that are bulky instead put wall-integrated racks. It will save a lot of space because the floor area will not be compromised.

Increasing the floor space requires tedious work and budget. So by going for customized cabinets that are just integrated on walls, you’ll surely save money.

However, if you are not a fan of wall cabinets then you can consider having cabinets with drawers. In this manner, you will be able to put more things without compromising space.

Use Light Tube for Better Lighting

It is not advisable to make new windows if you are on a budget. Remodeling your house does not mean that everything must be done from scratch.

For example, if you want better lighting then light tubes would make a big difference. It will not require you to make new windows instead bring sunshine without spending that much.

Minimize Things that You Are Not Using Anymore

As time passes by, we have acquired things that we are not using already. It will take up a lot of space that could make it hard for you to store thus compromising the good ambiance of your home.

So as much as possible, you must liquidate the things you are not using anymore. You can either sell them for a low price or give them away. In this way, you can save money from putting up a new room to store those extra belongings.

Go For the Long-Term

When it comes to home renovation, make sure that everything is for the long-term. You do not want any half-baked work done in your home.

It will just fall off easily requiring you to redo the work. This will just cost you more money in the long run.

Be Resourceful

When it comes to materials and delivery being resourceful will save you a lot of money. You must learn to canvass high-quality yet inexpensive home remodeling project materials. Also, if possible you can pick up the materials by yourself to minimize costs.

Conclusion

Home renovation can be a very thrilling project to have. However, not all people have an unlimited budget to achieve their house.

So as much as possible, it would be great to be practical. By practicing the things that we have discussed, you’ll maximize the most out of your project.

On top of that, Renovation Contractors Calgary will make things easier for you. We will surround you with the right people to help you carry out the task. As a result, there will be a much better outcome on your home renovation project.

 

 

 

 

 

Why add more features to your home

Your home is considered a shelter and refuge. So it is important to take good care of it. As time passes by, it becomes prone to damage due to the usual wear and tear.

adding new features

So the primary course of action is to repair the damages. However, it would be better if you will add some good features to your home.

To give you an idea, here are the features that you can add to your home.

Security Features

Our home is where we mostly store our belongings. It is only fair if we will provide top-notch security inside and out. Having said so, security cameras and alarms would be a great addition to your property.

In this way, you will be able to monitor what’s happening inside your home from time to time. This will reduce the chances of unauthorized people getting access to your property. As a result, you’ll have peace of mind even if you are away from home.

Elevators/Lifts

If your property is pretty big and has multiple floors then having an elevator would be the best thing to do. It will help the occupants to save time from going from one floor to another.

This will boost productivity and at the same time increase the value of your property.

Landscaping

There is no doubt that a better landscape promotes a better environment. It also makes your surroundings healthy for your mind and body. Aside from that, it will also make the place safe and sound to visitors.

Although you have to spend resources on having a beautiful landscape, everything would be worth it. It does not only give your property a higher value but also provides health benefits as well.

Conclusion

Doing repairs on your property is a great way to maintain it. However, adding more features to it makes it extra special. So if you have the extra budget, adding features to your home allows you to show gratitude to it. It does not mean that you have to do it all at once but depends on your financial capabilities.

Renovation Contractors Calgary would be a great help to make your renovation project a desirable one. With the combination of our expertise in the construction and landscaping industry, you are surely in the right hands.

The Benefits of Home Renovation

Our homes are usually the witnesses of our childhood. As much as possible we would want to preserve them for the next generations to see. This is where you will appreciate the benefits of home renovation.

home renovation benefits

The primary reasons are mostly age and harsh weather conditions. Although those things are unpreventable, it does not mean that we can’t do anything about them.

Over time, the effects of it will manifest through different damages to your home. Having said so, home renovation plays an important role in preserving your beloved shelter.

However, many homeowners are reluctant in renovating their homes because of many reasons. Some of them are the fear of going out of budget and the tremendous amount of time that it would take to finish.

The Benefits

By knowing that, you might get discouraged already to restore your old home. However, you are only looking at one side of the story.

Once you get aware of the benefits, you’ll think that home renovation is worth it. To prove that, here are the benefits that you will get from home renovation.

Cost-saving benefits

Believe it or not, home renovation can indeed save you a lot of money somehow. This is if the home renovation is done at the right time. Since you will renovate your home, you can prevent it from acquiring further damage. As a result, the portions of the house that needs fixing will be minimal.

For beautifying your home

A home that has minimal to no flaws is so desirable to look at. You can only achieve this if you will put your attention on what needs to be fixed and improved.

Stress-free view

The ambiance that a wonderful home can give is priceless. It will not only impress you but your guests as well. This will surely lessen your stress hormones and give you a better mood.

Increases value

Last but not least is that home renovation makes the value of your home higher. Physical appearance and quality are crucial in the appraisal of real estate. So if you have plans of preventing the value deterioration of your home then never hesitate to restore it to its full glory.

Conclusion

You might need to spend some resources on home renovation but it is very worth it. The benefits will always outweigh everything.

Just make sure that you are getting the services of real professionals. They will help you out from the first to the last stages of beautifying your beloved home.

Renovation Contractors Calgary is one of the leading contractors to help you out in your home renovation project. This will surely be a great step for you to achieve your dream home.

How to do home renovation the right way

Home renovation is getting popular nowadays. This is because our home is our refuge from the dangerous world outside. This is where we gather our family members to eat, have quality time, do tasks, and rest.

home renovation process

However, because of the usual wear and tear due to the weather and its natural aging process, our homes deteriorate. This is the saddest part when you see your investment rotting out.

What to do?

The best thing that you can do to preserve your home is by renovation. It is a project wherein you try to restore your home to its former glory.

There are different ways to do a renovation. You can either choose to reinvent it or to preserve its old look it. The good thing about home renovation is that it can be budget-friendly at times.

You can decide to do it all at once or partially if you do not have a budget. Some people would want to put their personal touch on the renovation. So they decided to just do most of the renovations on their own.

However, problems may arise if you do not have sufficient knowledge. So it is advisable if you seek professional help for a more desirable finish.

Things to Remember

Once you already got a professional to help you with your home renovation project, there are things you should remember.

The whole plan must be sculpted beforehand in your mind. In this way, once you already hired a contractor, you know what to say. You must know what you want for your home, will you go for a purist or modern renovation?

Afterward, the contractor will give their insights on your plans. The next thing is you’ll all agree to a common goal on how to approach the project.

The combination of expertise and your visions will make your home renovation a success. So it is great if you do not rely solely on your own as more ideas matter.

Conclusion

The process of home renovation might be easy to do. However, if you will dig deeper into it, there are lots of processes to accomplish.

From the planning up to execution, everything must go smoothly. This will only be made possible if you have an expert with you.

If you want to save your time and probably resources from redoing things, doing it right the first time is the solution. Regarding that, Renovation Contractors Calgary is the right institution for you. We will do our best to make your dream renovation project come true.

 

Elevators and Lifts in Your Home

Best Qualities to Look For in a Home Elevator

Your Calgary home could increase in value and become more desirable if you put it in an elevator. This is why elevators are getting more popular day by day.

home elevators benefits

It becomes more accessible even to ordinary homeowners. It provides a lot of convenience and elegance. People with disabilities and the elderly ones will be able to move easily whenever they want to.

The usual stairs will not be obsolete though but their usage will be minimized already. Stairs will just be used if you want to have some physical activities going.

Modern multi-level homes are putting this mostly for mobility and privacy. The freedom of access that it gives is extraordinary. The combination of accessibility and style is the usual characteristics that you can see on home elevators.

If you are looking for a home elevator service company in Calgary, check out Ascension Elevators.

Installing the Home Elevator

Home elevators are amazing to look at and the function is superb. Not only that, the process of planning and installation of a home elevator is exciting.

You can see the meticulous process of how a home elevator is placed. Finding the right elevator, where it will be placed, and the installation proper is what you’ll expect.

The installer must be knowledgeable enough to ensure that the elevator will be installed properly. But what are the usual qualities that you should look for in a home elevator? We will now discuss it in the following subchapter.

The Qualities

Customizable

It is a great factor if the elevator is open for customizations. In that way, you can put your personal touch on the elevator. As a result, the design of the elevator will blend well with your home’s interior.

So aside from the quality and features, be sure to check the design as well. Having an elevator that can be customized is an added benefit that you should not take for granted.

Compactness

The elevator must be spacious on the inside and not bulky on the outside. This will make the installation easier and faster at the same time cost-friendly. The fact that the elevator is not bulky, will not consume that much space on your property.

Safety Features

You do not want injuries to happen inside your home because of your elevator. So it would be great if the elevator is full of safety features.

Check the elevator before buying. Are the features will provide safety to you and your family? You can check the elevator’s brochure for the specifications.

Manufacturer warranty and maintenance plans

When buying a home elevator, don’t forget to check if there is a warranty. This will protect you in case you noticed some problems with the elevator.

Aside from that, there must be a solid maintenance plan that is provided by the elevator company. This will keep your elevator in good working condition at all times.

Conclusion

Elevators are truly a gift. It makes life easier. However, it is always best if you will have the elevators that are the best of both worlds. So always remember to check the qualities first before opting to buy one.

 

Battle of Alberta: Arena Wars Pt. 2, “Calgary Strikes Back”

Battle of Alberta: Arena Wars Pt. 2, “Calgary Strikes Back”

Edmonton, Alberta’s Capital City, has nearly completed its brand new arena. This epic addition to the city has already sent shockwaves through the world of sports-related construction, and even though the eventual cost will pass the $600 million mark, the project appears to be poised to benefit the local economy immensely, with billions of dollars in investment already beginning to pour in.

calgary strikes back

So, when one rival makes a “power move” of such impact, what might be a fitting response?

Possibly to stand back, clap generously, and admit defeat?

Not bloody likely.

The Calgary Flames Sports and Entertainment is in the process of planning “CalgaryNEXT.” Located in the West Village, this $890 million mega-complex is of grandiose proportions. If completed, it will not only be home to the Calgary Flames, but also the Hitmen (Western Hockey League), Roughnecks (National Lacrosse League), and the Stampeders (Canadian Football League).

Yes, The Stampeders.

Along with the proposed hockey arena, which would seat slightly fewer fans than the new Oilers rink, the facility would also include 30,000 seats at an interconnected indoor stadium. Here, the Calgary Stampeders would play their home games.
The current proposal has Calgary’s public taxpayers paying roughly $200 million to complete the project, about the same as Edmonton’s citizens paid. However, unlike former Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel, Naheed Nenshi appears to be stubborn when it comes to picking the pockets of his populace:

“I know that Calgarians require very wealthy people from New York to come and tell us what we need to do in our community because they understand vibrancy better than we do,” Nenshi stated. “Perhaps in other cities that he has come to, the city councils have just written checks based on back-of-a-napkin proposals without any consultation to the public or without any analysis. That’s not how we operate here.”

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has threatened that Calgary’s 30-year-old stadium is too decrepit to play host to an All-Star Game or NHL Entry Draft, and has even brought the battle of Alberta into the rhetoric:

“When Canada celebrates the 150th anniversary of its confederation, the Battle of Alberta hockey will still be legendary, but the Battle of Alberta arenas won’t be close — and that’s no joke.”

This has failed to rattle the cage of Calgary’s Mayor, as he asked, “When did we get to a point where a 30 year building is considered obsolete?”

Nenshi will wait for the committee behind CalgaryNEXT to research their cause further and provide legitimate reasoning for the construction of the macro-complex. Mayor Nenshi will have his plan of action dictated mostly by one voice: the tax-paying public.

The CalgaryNEXT committee believes there are a number of benefits to Calgarians, including an initial $900 million in construction activity. As far as the construction of this new Calgary sports facility goes, it would be hard to believe that this is a matter of “if” and not “when,” but Calgarians should be proud that their leader is avoiding the controversial (and arguably heedless) immediacy of Edmonton’s earlier in the 2010s. Calgary and Edmonton are two very different cities; they have different needs. Right now, Nenshi believes that a more modern sports facility (at great expense to the municipal and public purse) is not an immediate need, nor a commitment worth rushing into with questionable terms. When (or if) the project does begin, it will be a feat of construction that may manage to steal some thunder from Calgary’s rival to the North.