Renovating your home can breathe new life into an old space or prepare a property for the market. With the right changes, you can achieve a high-quality finish without breaking the bank. However, property owners often make several home renovation mistakes in Edmonton, from failing to get the necessary permits to forgetting about the city’s frigid winter climate.
Looking to renovate your home? Consider these eight top tips to avoid any costly home renovation mistakes in Edmonton. These are some of the advice we’ve picked up over the years working with residents.
8 Tips to Avoid Home Renovation Mistakes in Edmonton
1. Plan. Plan. Plan
There’s always an eagerness to dive headfirst into renovation projects. You want to experience the finished results. That’s a mistake. Before starting any renovation work, have a detailed plan in place.
This includes knowing what you want to achieve, setting a realistic budget, and understanding the scope of the project. Detailed planning helps to avoid making impulsive decisions throughout the project that could lead to unnecessary expenses.
Indeed, with a plan in hand, it makes it less enticing to change your mind mid-project. Remember, be as discerning and fussy as you want during the planning and decision stages. But, once the plan is put into action, consider everything set in stone. Even a small pause or delay in work can ripple through the project timelines.
2. Set a Realistic Budget
One of the biggest home renovation mistakes in Edmonton is not budgeting correctly. Calculate the costs carefully (factoring in both materials and labour) and include a contingency fund of at least 15-20% for unexpected expenses.
Moreover, depending on the size of your home renovation, you may have to leave your home for a short period. If you remain, dust, debris, tools, and extra supplies will become a part of your normal life. Even if you choose to stay, a kitchen renovation will prevent you from cooking. Homeowners often fail to account for these “everyday expenses”, such as eating out, staying in a hotel, or other unforeseen expenditures.
3. Hire the Right Professionals
Hiring a professional is your best option unless you’re a highly experienced builder or tradesperson. The question is, who? Perhaps the biggest home renovation mistake in Edmonton is going for the least expensive contractor or the first contractor you find. Unfortunately, these candidates aren’t always the best option for the job.
In fact, cheaper contractors usually cut corners and deliver poor-quality work to save costs. They’re more concerned with maximising profit than delivering a high-standard finish. Sooner or later, you will have to pay someone to repair their mistakes.
Always speak to previous clients, read reviews, and ask in-depth questions before awarding a job. Ensure they can do what they say for the price they quote.
4. Comply with Local Regulations
Skipping the permit process can lead to heavy fines and require changes if the work doesn’t meet local building codes. Obtaining the proper permits upfront ensures that your renovation complies with local regulations. You’ll also want to meet your municipality’s zoning bylaws.
Ask yourself and your contractor:
- Do you need planning permission?
- Do you need building regulations approval?
- What can you accomplish without a permit?
- Do you need to notify neighbours?
Unsure of which permits you need? Edmonton provides a complete residential guide to help determine the right permit (and estimate fees) required. If you don’t live in Edmonton, contact your local municipality for their permit guidelines.
Remember, permits are not required for maintenance or minor cosmetic upgrades. If you live in a single detached home, you can only apply for a permit related to heating and ventilation, plumbing, gas, and electricity.
5. Avoid Trendy, Short-Term Solutions
Like clothing fashion trends, trendy renovations use current in-vogue colours and materials. Unfortunately, once you’ve finished the renovation, you have to stick with the result.
Opt for timeless designs and durable materials that withstand the test of time. Trendy renovations may look appealing today but can quickly become outdated, potentially affecting your home’s resale value. Choosing neutral colours, in particular, is critical if you’re renovating to sell. Go for a neutral palette, including greys, browns, and creams.
6. Consider Seasonal Timing
A common home renovation mistake in Edmonton is failing to account for the weather. Due to Edmonton’s colder months, you have to plan and pre-book outdoor projects such as decks and patios for the summer and fall months. This is another reason sticking to your original plan is so important – any delays can cause projects originally planned for late summer or fall to drift into the winter months, further stalling renovations.
The climate also affects the kind of renovation you should construct. Edmonton and surrounding areas experiences a wide range of temperatures throughout the year. When planning renovations, consider energy-efficient materials and installations that can withstand local weather conditions, such as proper insulation and windows suitable for cold winters.
The City of Edmonton has a Change Homes for Climate Guide, informing homeowners on the best alterations to improve energy efficiency, consumption, and generation. Review its sections for further information on lowering utility bills and renovating greener.
7. Focus on Value-Adding Renovations
Are you renovating to stay or to sell? Depending on your answer, you should prioritise different renovations. For example, updating kitchens and bathrooms adds more value to your home than other types of renovations. Focusing on these areas can maximize the impact of your spending.
But, if your living room or bedrooms are severely outdated, it can be worth making the necessary changes – especially if you plan on living on the property for several years.
8. Plan for Waste Disposal
Renovations generate a significant volume of waste. Edmonton has specific regulations and facilities for waste disposal. During the planning stage, discuss with your contractor how you will manage renovation waste in an environmentally friendly and compliant manner. Ensure you know whose responsibility it is and set timelines for removal. Remember, waste will build up rapidly, so the sooner it’s taken away, the better.
Ready to start your home renovation in Edmonton? Lambert Brothers Construction is highly experienced in renovating every room. We know the ins and outs of local regulations and can advise on the best course of action. For a free in-home consultation and quote, contact us today.
