Month: November 2020

Going green and saving money is becoming more common among homeowners as a valuable change. It not only helps boost your home’s value or appeal to more buyers, but it also improves your overall lifestyle. Retrofitting plumbing, in particular, is one such source of savings and benefits.

Valkon Construction in Edmonton is a general contracting company for construction and maintenance. They share some of the benefits of having your bathroom plumbing retrofitted:

What is retrofitting?

While sometimes thought of regarding electrical work, retrofitting can also be applied to bathroom appliances. In this case, retrofitting refers to replacing plumbing fixtures, like taps, showerheads and toilets, with water-saving fixtures instead. Low-flow faucets reduce the amount of water that is put out, upwards of 60%. That doesn’t reduce the water pressure, as some use aeration to add air to the water and create enough force.

Start in the bathroom

Things like the toilet and shower tend to use both the most water and the most heat with each use. By retrofitting these, you are cutting the amount used by each and so saving more. The best way to get the most accurate estimate of water consumption is to get a water audit. That way, a professional can tell you how much water you are using and where the biggest source is. Once you retrofit those, retrofit the sinks as well and get savings all around.

Leave it to a professional

Potential buyers who see that a home is energy efficient and saves money will be much more interested as a result. Renovating a bathroom shouldn’t be done as a DIY project. Instead, to ensure the job’s quality and skill, it’s best to hire a professional contractor.

Some fixtures may require more skill or care to install properly. Others have warranties when you hire a professional, which you may risk losing or nullifying by DIYing. Retrofitting also involves opening up walls to reach the plumbing behind, which is an easy task with a professional. However, DIYers can risk damaging electrical wiring behind the walls or resealing poorly and risking future water damage. With a professional, you won’t have to worry about any of these risks. Instead, you can enjoy peace of mind and value-saving upgrades.

General Contractors in Edmonton

Whether big or small, Valkon Construction is ready to help with any project you have. Their professionals are fully trained and certified and have the right skills and experience to make your home even better. From plumbing retrofits, electrical repairs, renovations, and more, they have all the services you need.

Contact Valkon Construction today!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Some siding damage is more extensive and requires a full replacement. However, other types of damage can be repaired. Knowing when to repair can save more money if the damage is minor while replacing siding when needed can prevent costly problems down the road. How do you know to make the call for a replacement?

Olsen Exteriors Ltd. in Calgary is a professional exterior renovations and siding company. They share how to know when to repair your siding and when to replace:

Repair: minor holes and cracks

If caught early enough, these damages can be easily repaired with a professional’s help. The risk of leaving these small issues, however, invites the problems worsening and becoming a replacement job. Minor holes can be caused by hail dents or stray stones from a lawnmower. Chips are likely a culprit of weather, such as extreme cold, causing cracks in vinyl siding. If the issue is isolated, then repair the damaged sections.

Repair: loose siding

Loose siding can happen for a few different reasons, but it isn’t always a cause to replace. Strong winds or poor initial installation can be the culprits for siding to loosen over time. If it does, it affects the quality and functionality of the siding. Heating and cooling can escape and lower the overall energy efficiency of your home. Loose siding can be easily repaired by a professional and doesn’t need to be replaced. Just be sure to have it repaired sooner rather than later to save your heating bills.

Replace: Extensive damage

If your siding has experienced extensive damage like the example in the image above, you’ll need a replacement. Damage from a major hail storm or fire will leave siding irreparable. Protect your home from moisture, and retain its value, by investing in a siding replacement.

Replace: bubbling and mould

Mould is not something you want to risk worsening by just spot repairing the areas of your siding that have mould growth. While it may clear the immediate area, there’s no guarantee that more isn’t hiding beneath the siding. It’s better to hire a professional first to remove the mould and then replace the siding. Also, make sure to find out where and how the mould got started. It may be moisture behind the siding that was caused by a hole or damaged siding. Bubbling is another sign that there is moisture beneath the siding. Water has become trapped and is causing water damage, but it also risks damaging your home. If any water gets into the foundation, you’ll be faced with costly interior leaks and damages as well.

Replace: fading and worn

Faded or worn-out siding is a likely sign that it is nearing the end of its lifespan. Instead of waiting for the siding to fall apart, invest in a replacement right away. In addition to the safety risks, worn siding harms your home’s curb appeal and overall value. If you’re planning to sell soon, then the initial cost of new siding will pay off with a great ROI and higher resale value. According to Remodeling Magazine’s cost vs value 2020 report, siding replacement has an ROI of 77%, making it a worthwhile investment.

Siding Contractors in Calgary

Olsen Exteriors Ltd. provides top quality materials and services to keep your home safe and protected. Their professionals are always dedicated to quality work and absolute customer satisfaction. Whether your home needs exterior renovations, siding repairs, or installation, they are the right company to call.

Contact Olsen Exteriors Ltd. today!

Click to Find >>>>> Siding Contractors in Calgary.

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

How often do you take the time to think about your plumbing when it is working correctly? The answer is likely never or very rarely, which, unfortunately, leads to plumbing emergencies. Preventative maintenance is more than just about the health of your plumbing; it also helps save money from emergency costs.

Proactive Plumbing and Heating in Calgary offers professional plumbing and heating services. They share the importance and benefits of having proactive plumbing to prevent emergencies:

Spend now to save later

Spending money even when there isn’t a problem may sound like a strange thing to do, but with plumbing, it’s not. Paying for a professional plumber to do annual checkups and maintenance on your home prevents the risk of emergencies. Unexpected clogged drains, leaks, or floods can all cost even more to fix than paying to avoid the problem. Even if you only think that there are strange noises or potential leaks, it’s always worthwhile to hire a plumber.

Cost reality

Once a plumbing problem becomes an issue for a professional, those repair costs quickly go up. These repair figures are from HomeAdvisor reports for various plumbing issues. A clogged drain, for example, can range upwards of $579 to clear. Leaking pipes can range from $150 – $350, while a burst pipe jumps to $1,000 – $4,000 in repairs. According to the City of Calgary, a leaky faucet resulting in a steady stream can waste 15,000 litres of water per month. In costs, that’s an added $47.26 on your monthly water bills. With preventative plumbing, a clogged drain or leaky toilet would only cost $100 – $150 to repair.

Catch leaks and clogs early

The best way to prevent unexpected breaks and repairs or higher monthly bills is proactive maintenance. Hire a plumber to do an annual inspection to help catch avoidable problems. Inspections are especially important for plumbing that is used daily, like sinks, showers, and toilets. For the rest of the year, practice DIY maintenance. Inspect your toilets and faucets for leaks or sounds of running water, which may mean a hidden leak. Regularly clean your drains with safe to use DIY drain cleaners and not harsh chemicals that can damage the pipes. If you suspect there may be an issue or minor leak, and a DIY approach doesn’t fit the problem, call a plumber.

Repair and replace as needed

Don’t be tempted to ignore a minor problem now, just to save some money in the moment. A new faucet may cost in the low hundreds to replace now but could spike much higher if it worsens. Sometimes DIY repairs, like installing new faucets or clearing minor clogs, can easily fix the problem. They can also save money through a DIY budget fix. Still, if the problem needs a professional and the suggestion is to repair or replace, there’s likely a good reason. Repair as needed, but also consider how much you are spending on those repairs. If the costs keep recurring, it may be more cost-effective to replace instead.

Plumbers in Calgary

At Proactive Plumbing and Heating, their goal is to help you save money by avoiding costly emergency plumbing. Their professionals will review your home plumbing and help create a plan that will prevent emergencies from happening. That way, you’ll save money and have absolute peace of mind. So no matter what type of help you need, Proactive Plumbing and Heating is ready to help anytime.

Contact Proactive Plumbing and Heating today!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

With a focus turning to sustainable living, more homeowners are choosing eco-friendly renovations. Doing so is a win-win situation. You get a beautiful new upgrade or addition to your home and lessened the impact on the environment.

O’Brien Contracting Ltd. in Vancouver is a professional and green forward-thinking renovations company. They share some ways to incorporate greener alternatives for your home upgrades:

Reclaimed flooring

The great thing about reclaimed flooring is that it’s not only a green option but also cost-effective for the materials. Rather than spending more on conventional hardwood floors, reclaimed and recycled wood from old flooring or buildings will cost less and be totally unique. Most species of wood, from pine, oak, and chestnut, can be reclaimed. They are much less likely to warp or bend over time, and some are even old-growth wood, which offers a much smoother, clean appearance. Reclaimed wood will require more labour to refinish, so factor that it into your budget.

Eco-friendly paints

Painting is another popular renovation project and one that can be just as green to do. Look for low- or no-volatile organic compound (VOC) paint. VOCs are harmful chemicals that are not only bad to breathe but also harmful to the environment. Eco-friendly paints will be low or completely free of VOC chemicals. They are much safer and friendly to use, and you still get the same quality and appearance.

Recycled countertops

You don’t need real marble or granite countertops to give your kitchen a show-stopping feature. Instead, start looking into recycled countertops that transform old products into stunning new surfaces. Popularly options include glass and concrete as recycled surfaces. With recycled glass, the glass fragments in the surface create a colourful and eye-catching countertop. No two glass countertops will look the same, so your design will be one of a kind. If you like the look of wood countertops and don’t mind the upkeep, you can have a countertop made from reclaimed wood. Ask your contractor about your options for countertops made from recycled products.

LED bulbs

Lights help brighten a room, highlight features like art pieces and can make or break good ambiance.  LED lighting is energy-efficient and eco-friendly and uses a fraction of the power a traditional incandescent bulb uses. The bulbs themselves use upwards of 95% of their energy illuminate, with minimal heat generated. Other conventional bulbs can use up to 95% of their energy as heat and only 5% for light.

Major Renovations in Vancouver

Sustainable futures meet sustainable homes when you choose O’Brien Contracting Ltd. for your renovations. They believe in implementing greener solutions by making homes even more efficient than ever. Whether an eco-friendly kitchen or bathroom renovation, a new addition, and more, O’Brien Contracting is ready to help.

Contact O’Brien Contracting Ltd. today!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Whether you are a contractor or a DIY homeowner, finding the right store for your painting and decorating supplies is key. Contractors need quality materials that are readily available to provide for their customer’s needs. DIYers need supplies, but also sometimes they need a few professional tips for their projects. That’s where Calgary North Decorating Benjamin Moore, independently and locally owned in Calgary, can help.

They provide quality paint supplies and window coverings for DIY retail and servicing contractors alike. They share some more reasons why their company is the best place for your needs:

DIY: professional paint support

Painting is a great DIY project and a great way to save money on your renovation. Picking the right paint colour, quality, and finish, can feel stressful. Interior paint has qualities and requirements that are different from the exterior, and even paint finishes affect the final appearance. That’s why having professional support, like Calgary North Decorating, is so beneficial. Their team of experts can help suggest the right colour combinations, finishes, or unique options like chalk paint and where to use it. If you’re not sure how much paint is necessary for the job, give them your total square footage of the surface you want to paint and they’ll sell you the right amount.

DIY: interior designer window covering help

Window coverings will add style and privacy and provide better energy savings for your home. Your monthly bills will go down, and your home’s value up. Between blinds, shades, and shutters, picking the right style and look for your home is more involved than just based on looks alone. Having a professional interior designer to help means you get professional advice and support to make sure your purchase is the right investment. Calgary North Decorating offers that service when you need new window coverings. Their professional interior designers will come to your home and offer a free consultation and quote for the perfect price and match.

Contractor: timely service

As a contractor, getting materials on time and quickly is an important part of keeping up with renovation timelines. Delays in orders can lead to costly problems or drawing out a project that shouldn’t take that long. For homeowners who need a timely turnaround, whether to sell or otherwise, that can be a major problem. It’s up to the contractor to ensure a smooth process, making a trusted company a key part of that role. Once you have all the right supplies, materials, and amounts, Calgary North Decorating can save time by you texting in that order. They’ll put together everything in a timely manner so that you can provide better service for your clients.

Contractor: quality materials and customer satisfaction

Part of hiring a trusted contractor means homeowners expect quality work and a quality finish as a result. The skill and years of experience a contractor offers can’t be beaten by a DIY job. Personal skill will play a big part in a quality finish, but using high-quality materials is just as necessary.

Calgary North Decorating only carries top-quality paint supplies and window coverings from primers, interior and exterior paint, wood stains, and specialty paints. These products are guaranteed to be long-lasting and just as visually attractive throughout those years. It also helps guarantee that clients and customers will return and rely on the same contractor again. Homeowners get quality with great results, and contractors benefit from working with a company that can be trusted, and that holds the same values.

Paint and Supplies in Calgary and Window Coverings in Calgary 

Calgary North Decorating Benjamin Moore doesn’t just offer paint, interior design, and window coverings; they provide a quality experience as well. Whether a DIYer who needs professional tips and support or a contractor who needs materials, they can provide for all.

Don’t hesitate to contact Calgary North Decorating Benjamin Moore now!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

A residential property renovation by Kay2 Contracting in NE Calgary, Alberta.

Kitchen renovations, along with other main floor rooms, are popular and value-boosting projects. To maximize those benefits, and have a great ROI, consider an open layout renovation. The design is spacious and visually attractive and adds great visual appeal. The right planning is essential, so consider some of these designs.

Kay 2 Contracting in Edmonton and Calgary provides high-quality home renovations, and custom home builds. They share some different types of open concept renovations and design ideas:

Kitchen and dining room

This design is more popular as traditional separate dining rooms are seeing less prevalence in modern homes. Opening up the two rooms creates a sense of connection and flow that welcomes more socialization. Meals can be prepared in the kitchen and then transferred to the seating area to be enjoyed together.

This layout can also include a kitchen island for seating and eating instead of using the dining area. Without walls, creative design planning, and furniture placement act as the new visual separation between spaces. In that case, the dining table and chairs act as a visual separation to the open concept. They can still be used for more formal dining and entertaining, but otherwise, the kitchen island is the main seating area.

Kitchen and living room

Blending casual seating and socializing with the kitchen creates an area for both entertainment and socialization. Compared to the dining room, this is a more popular main floor renovation for open layouts. Often, the kitchen is renovated into a one wall kitchen, L-shaped, or peninsula with an island. The layout is dependent on different homes, but the idea is always to have an open connection between the two rooms. Because these two rooms blend so well, they are also a great choice to renovate together. Pairing colour schemes, furniture styles, or lighting will help create a design flow for a unified space.

Kitchen, living room, dining room

This three-in-one renovation and the typical layout when thinking of an open concept has no separation between any rooms. All three areas are instead open for an uninterrupted flow of space and multifunctionality. When considering this layout, there are a few key design elements to consider. Without the use of walls, “rooms” are created with creative design spacing or the use of area rugs. A large dining room table set to the side, for example, creates the sense of a formal dining area. Arranged sofas and comfy seating with an area rug help separate a living room or casual seating space. Colours as well should be blended throughout the space to help create a unified sense throughout. 

One design trick is to pick a feature colour and then use it for subtle accents throughout. For example, a feature living room wall, furniture, or cabinet colours are all great choices. Another tip is to always work with a professional contractor. They can help ensure that your homes can support an open layout design, both visually and structurally.

Kitchen Renovations in Edmonton and Calgary

At Kay 2 Contracting, their goal is to ensure absolute customer satisfaction with every project, every time. They provide only the highest quality of work, skill, materials, and service so that their customer’s dreams are always realized. From custom renovations to home builds and remodels, Kay 2 Contracting is ready to provide long-lasting and valuable home transformations.

Contact Kay 2 Contracting in Edmonton or Calgary today!

Click to Find >>>> Kitchen Renovations in Edmonton.

Click to Find >>>> Kitchen Renovations in Calgary.

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com