Home Renovation

Want to learn how renovation can benefit you?
As a home-owner, there’s lots to gain from this report: Home Renovations

Make energy efficiency renovations work for you – Get an overview of the actions you can take to make the biggest difference to your home.
Save big! – Explore the savings to be made through renovation – as well as the initial costs involved.
Get inspired – Learn about our superbonus scheme – and discover how an energy efficiency renovation transformed the lives those living in Toronto & GTA social housing scheme

Reducing energy cost and improving homes
As buildings are single largest energy consumer, accounting for close to 40 percent of total primary energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions, it’s good news that insulation can help reduce a building’s heating needs by up to 70 percent. Living in an energy efficient building has many benefits; lower energy costs, greater comfort at home, a more valuable property, and less emissions. Spending approximately 90 percent of our lives indoors, it’s our right to live, learn, work and recover in buildings that are comfortable and safe.

Here are just some of the ways you can renovated your building to ensure it’s better for your tenants – and for the environment. Home Renovations

1. Facade
External wall insulation systems with render or cladding materials improve thermal performance, fire safety, and building acoustics, without using valuable space from the interior.

2. Roof
A large part of a building’s energy loss is through the roof. So it’s the first place you should seek to insulate to maximise the energy efficiency of your building and reduce reliance on the grid. A well-insulated roof can significantly cut heat loss, meaning the building will stay warm for longer, even in the face of a heating outage. By using a fire-resilient material such as stone wool to insulate the roof, the fire safety of your building also improves greatly, which is good news for your tenants.

3. Flexible systems
It’s possible to integrate insulation products below solar and photovoltaic systems to help minimise the heat loss, improve efficiency energy and increase safety through added fire protection.

4. Above cellar/carpark
When built above a cellar or carpark, insulating the lower surface – or intrados – of the ground floor can reduce the use of energy and ensure a pleasant floor temperature. Home Renovations

HOME RENOVATION – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
So you’ve decided that this is the year that you’re going to transform your house into your dream home. But what next? Whether you’re planning a home addition, seeking to make eco home improvements or planning a basement extension, the same essential steps will help you to realise your vision as seamlessly as possible. Home Renovations

1. GET ALL PERMITS AND PERMISSIONS IN PLACE
Before your get carried away with home addition ideas and contractors, you need to get everything in order. This means sorting out all legislation and permissions that you need to legally start building work. The specific requirements and documents you need to provide will vary from state to state, however the intention is the same.

Often perceived as a difficult hurdle that’s designed to stop you doing what you want, permits in fact protect the value of your property and of your neighborhood by preserving the characteristics that drew you to in in the first place.

There are many cases of homeowners attempting to carry out home renovation projects without permissions, however, this can prove a costly as if you get found out. If not, you run the risk of having to tear the addition down, losing all the time and money you’ve invested in the process. You will also need to produce the permit documents should you come to sell your house – without them, you will lose money on the house.

If you live in an area Toronto & GTA (Homeowners Associations) or if you live in a designated historical district, then you may need permissions from these bodies in addition to the local government.

It is worth noting that some local building authorities may require you to have an architect on board before granting permits and permissions.

While it is not a legal requirement, it is also good practice to let your neighbors know your renovation plans and the expected timescale.

2. ESTABLISH YOUR BUDGET
Budget is the main sticking point for any renovation project – a shortage of money will quickly bring your project to a crashing halt or will have you making significant compromises to your plan. If undertaking an extension, then it is vital to know about home addition costs in order to establish a comprehensive budget. Home Renovations

If you are planning a basement renovation, be sure you are well acquainted with basement conversion costs to help you to define your budget and prevent unwelcome surprises.

‘ The best way is if you can ask the contractor to start some work, and then pay him slowly divided in milestones, in order to know that he is committed to do the job, and won’t run away with your money. But not always is it possible, so if you need to pay before, pay only the least amount possible, let’s say only the materials, or only 5
per cent just to start but not more. Trust me, it can be painful to make mistakes with this part,’ says Ben Gold, founder of Recommended Home Buyers(opens in new tab).

3. EMPLOY AN ARCHITECT
Hiring an architect is a valuable asset to your home renovation project. They will ensure your renovation ideas are practical and realistic and will transform your thoughts into a physical plan. ‘Before getting a quote, it is good to meet with the architect at your property and do a walk-around so you can explain your hopes and dreams for your project,’ explains Nancy. ‘This will allow your architect to get a good idea about the scope of the work and you will be able to see if your vision for the work is aligned with the architect’s own style.’

‘When deciding who to go with, consider that your architect will need to be someone professional and serious as well as light hearted and friendly. For most people, your home is the biggest asset you have and you need a safe pair of hands and someone with the right experience to ensure that you add value and protect and enhance your property.’ It is also important to check that your architect is registered with the American Institute of Architects(opens in new tab) to a