Perhaps you're considering a move, or your property just needs a renovation.

Your kitchen is probably the most used room in your house. Poor layout, inadequate lighting, cramped spaces, outdated fixtures and old cabinetry are common complaints of homeowners.

Before you decide to go ahead with a kitchen renovation, it is important to clearly identify the features you want in your new kitchen. Just as important is a thorough pre-renovation inspection to identify any existing problems.

Kitchen renovations are high on the list of the most common home renovations. A renovation can be as simple as installing new flooring or be a major undertaking that includes enlarging the space and replacing all fixtures and finishes.

Homeowners consider kitchen renovations for many reasons including:

• Size and design — the existing kitchen may be too small or poorly laid out.
• Fixtures and appliances — the fixtures and appliances may be worn out, inefficient or outdated.
• Cabinets and countertops — cabinet finishes, hardware or countertops may be outdated, need repair or replacement.
• Structural problems  — there may be problems that require structural changes or repairs.
• Moisture — the floor, walls or finishes may be unsightly or damaged due to moisture problems.
• Plumbing and electrical — many older kitchens don’t have enough electrical outlets and circuits. Older plumbing and plumbing fixtures may include lead or galvanized steel piping.
• Heating and ventilation — older kitchens often have inadequate ventilation or heating systems. The area may be poorly insulated and have a high degree of air leakage, two factors that lead to high energy consumption.
• Finishes — older finishes may be unattractive or not durable enough to withstand the daily wear and tear.

Rewards

• Repairing structural problems, fixing leaks and making sure that all services are adequate will prolong the life of your house and make the renovation look and work better.
• By using low odour and easy to clean finishes, you will improve the IAQ of your home. Reducing condensation and controlling humidity will help to prevent mold growth.
• Thorough planning will result in a warm, comfortable, useable kitchen with good lighting and plenty of work and storage space.
• A well thought out and executed renovation will increase the value of your house

Costing Your Project

The cost of the renovation work will depend on the condition of the existing structure, the extent of the work to be done and local labour and material prices. Costs of finishes and fixtures vary widely. A good budget checklist will help you to develop a realistic cost for the project before you start

2) Flooring Choices

Selecting flooring that is durable, attractive, easy to maintain and healthy can be overwhelming because of the numerous good choices now available in the marketplace.

When choosing new flooring, consider the area where the new floor is to be installed, and the type of wear it will be subject to. Flooring covers a large surface area within your home, so choices can have consequences for both price and indoor air quality.

3) Renovating Your Bathroom

Renovating your bathroom is a great way to add value to your home — both for your family’s daily living and for future resale.

Before you decide to go ahead with a renovation, it’s critical to have a good idea of any underlying problems that could cause unwelcome and costly surprises. Taking time to find problems before you start your renovation will save you money, protect the indoor air quality and preserve the durability and structure of your home.

A bathroom renovation is one of the most common home improvement projects. Bathroom renovations come in all types and sizes—from a simple update of the flooring, to enlarging the room and replacing all fixtures and finishes.

Your project is unique, but your reasons for renovating will probably fall into these common categories.

• Size and design — The room may be small or poorly designed.
• Fixtures — The fixtures may be outdated, small, hard-to-clean, leaky, cracked or inefficient.
• Structural — There may be problems that require structural changes or repairs.
• Moisture — Excessive bathroom moisture may have deteriorated the bathroom surfaces, affected the indoor air quality or jeopardized the structure of your house.
• Plumbing and electrical — If your house is 30–40 years old, the plumbing and electrical services may be outdated and need upgrading. Houses built prior to 1950 often have lead piping that may pose a health hazard.
• Heating and ventilation — Bathrooms are often cold because of poor insulation or poor heat delivery. Ventilation is often inadequate, non-existent or causing secondary problems that need to be fixed.

Have a renovation question? Ask Maggie