Thinking about Renovating?
Thinking about renovating?
Don’t let the cold weather scare you – renovating your home over the Christmas holiday isn’t such a bad idea, says Darcy Jerome – Owner of Exteriors by Leroy & Darcy.
“You’d be surprised at how low the barriers-to-entry are if you are considering renovating your home at this time of the year. We still have reasonably good weather, and with new home construction outside its peak building season, work can commence on your home and be finished fairly quickly”.
And with interest rates relatively low, completing that home improvement project might just be the right time.
We spoke with Canadian Home Builder’s Association (CHBA) Lethbridge Division, who have some tips if you are considering a home improvement or home renovation this Christmas.
- Know why you want to renovate. What problems are you trying to solve? Most renovations begin with practical issues. For example, your exterior siding may be damaged from previous weather storms. Perhaps your roofing shingles appear to be peeling or lifting. Or maybe you’re walking towards your front door and notice that it’s a little outdated.
- Evaluate the structure, systems and general condition of your house.With your renovator, list the repairs and replacements likely to be required over the next two, five and 10 years. If necessary, be prepared to make trade-offs between lifestyle improvements and work needed to keep your home in good shape.
- Work with the strengths of your home.Choose from a wide selection of colors and manufacturer products like James Hardie Fiber Cement, Sagipur, or AL13 Aluminum Metal Panel.
- Keep it simple.A complex design can result in complicated and expensive construction. Whether you want to build on to your home, change roofing shingles or reconfigure your windows & doors, consult with a professional renovator on the impact of design on construction and budget. Less complex designs will often let you achieve the same goals.
- Don’t just focus on the upfront cost.Renovation is a further investment in your home. Consider the time, energy and cost required on ongoing maintenance and possible replacement down the road. A well-planned renovation can reduce these future costs.
- Don’t cut corners to save a few dollars, or you may not get the results you want.There may be ways to stretch a limited budget or you may be able to scale down your project or alternatively, do it in phases over time. But don’t compromise on quality – it’s always better to do less and do it well.
- Check local bylaws.Before you get too involved in a particular design for adding to or substantially altering your home, you or your renovator need to know the local regulations-for instance, lot-line setbacks or septic tank requirements.
- Look at your neighborhood.Exterior changes or additions that blend with the existing streetscape will probably add the most value to your home, and they will usually be appreciated the most by your neighbors. If you do want a design with a difference, think about ways of complementing neighboring homes.
- Don’t worry about trends.Design trends come and go. First and foremost, plan for comfort, ease of living and personal satisfaction. Enjoy exploring options and possibilities-then design the renovation that is uniquely right for you and your family.
If you’ve got renovations on your mind, Exteriors by Leroy & Darcy would love to sit down with you and discuss products and show you a range of projects we’ve completed in Southern Alberta.
From us to you, Merry Christmas and have a great day!
Exteriors by Leroy & Darcy