Home Renovation Guide: A Comprehensive Checklist for Successful Home Renovations
Have you taken a look around your home recently and felt like it doesn’t really represent you? Maybe you’re dealing with functional issues in a cramped kitchen, or you just don’t feel comfortable inviting friends and family members over. You might be outgrowing your home, or perhaps it’s packed with features that don’t fit your current lifestyle any longer. Home renovation is far more than just a fresh coat of paint to give the place a new look. While our interior designers can help you plan out many visual improvements, we also focus on changes that will help you create a cherished and functional living space. It’s about falling back in love with your home. For many homeowners in the Toronto area, it’s the best alternative when moving is not an option.
Taking on a home renovation project can be daunting. With the right partners on your side, your home renovation project becomes an exciting and enjoyable journey. The key is finding a dedicated and transparent team of experts.
We’ve assembled this comprehensive guide to empower you with the tools you need to start your home renovation with the SOSNA. It’s important to choose a contractor who will listen, understand, and transform your home renovation dreams into reality. We’ll do all of that while respecting your unique needs and budget.
If you have questions or need examples of how to fill out a particular section of this Home Renovation Checklist, feel free to fill out our form or call us directly for assistance. That’s why we’re the Renovator You Can Trust.
Define Your Goals and Budget
Before embarking on your renovation journey, it’s crucial to identify and clearly articulate your objectives and budget constraints. These goals will guide all subsequent steps. Without basic goals and a rough budget, it’s harder for our designers to make suggestions about where to start.
Determine your renovation goals
- What improvements are you seeking?
- Are you aiming to increase functionality, enhance aesthetic appeal, or both?
- Have you outgrown your home but moving is not an option?
- Are you embarrassed to have people over?
- Do you feel crowded or cramped in certain parts of the home?
- Do you suspect damage from issues like water leaks or previous renovation attempts?
It can be helpful to gather inspiration from a wide variety of sources. Explore magazines, design websites, and the renovations of your friends and neighbours to collect ideas and visualize the ideal space for you and your family. Keep in mind that while trends can be appealing, it’s crucial to consider design elements won’t quickly go out of style. You want timeless materials and features that will age well as time passes.
Set a Realistic Budget
We’d all love to have a limitless amount to spend creating our dream homes. Having a realistic budget from the start helps you and your family focus on the features that matter the most. Avoid just shopping around for the lowest possible bid either. Contractors who don’t charge enough can only make money in turn by cutting corners. You won’t really save money if you find that the quality of materials or workmanship is suffering.
Find a Trusted Renovation Company
A home renovation is one of the largest projects you can take on short of building a new home. Hiring a trusted company from the start will save you from potential disasters and stress later on. Spending a little more time on researching the backgrounds of the companies you consider will help you narrow down the choices and will show why Sosna is the best choice in Toronto.
Research the professional contractors in your area
Begin by scouting out neighbouring projects you admire and ask who handled their renovations. A search on Houzz, Homestars, and Google can provide valuable information about a contractor’s reputation and past work. Depending on where you’re located, you’re likely to find that the majority of quality projects will be handled by just one or a few companies. It’s worth waiting for availability from a quality contractor instead of rushing to go with the first available professional.
Check credentials
Don’t assume that a business listing or website ensures a contractor is reputable or ready to do business in your area. Double-check references, licences, insurance policies, and reviews from actual customers. Verify the credentials of the engineers and architects that the team works with in particular since they’ll be responsible for any structural changes.
Contact professional home renovation companies
Contacting the home renovation companies should involve more than just signalling your interest and asking about availability. During your first conversation, you are evaluating the company’s commitment to customer service. It’s time to determine if you are a good fit for one another. Check out some questions to ask before hiring a renovator for more guidance on what you should ask every home renovation company you contact.
Hire a Renovation Company
Only once you have found a contractor that is reputable, respects and understands your needs and budget, and is a good fit for you and your family, is it time to take the next steps.
Establish clear contracts and agreement
A well-defined contract is the best way to protect yourself and the company you’re working with. It clearly outlines the renovation agreement, terms of the design, construction details, total cost, and the expected payment schedule.
Navigate permits and local regulations
This is one of the more complex aspects of your home renovation project. However, it is a critical step to ensure your renovation project is legal, safe, and up to code. A design-build firm from your local municipality will have the most expertise in handling permits and other details with minimal delays.
Different municipalities within Ontario have different rules when it comes to permits and renovation regulations. If the renovation involves structural or layout alterations or modifications to plumbing and electrical work, a permit is likely. Obtaining the necessary permits can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months depending on where in Canada the project is taking place.
Design and Construction
Starting out with a professional designer leads to the creation of a well-detailed and accurate renovation plan. This gives the contractors and other team members a clear roadmap to follow for the entire project.
Prepare your home
Talk to your renovation team to find out what helps them set up a clean and safe work environment. They’ll want to take every measure they can to protect your belongings and avoid disruptions to your routine. You can discuss options for alternative living arrangements if needed to give them access to the structure for more intensive layout changes. A well-prepared home significantly streamlines your renovation, paving the way for a successful project.
Clear out the work area
Prepare the space by removing furniture, personal items, and any valuables from the active work areas. Your renovation team will inform you on how long to expect to keep your items in storage and how long you may need accommodations.
Execution and Project Monitoring
Once the home is prepared, the contractors will arrive and begin executing the renovation plan. The key to smooth and seamless execution lies in effective coordination and communication.
Coordinate with contractors
Keep an open line of communication with your onsite project manager. Discuss the timelines and raise any concerns you have promptly. Stay on top of the progress updates you’re given along the way.
Monitor quality and progress
Check-in at least once a week to twice a month on your project’s progress. This ensures you are aware of any changes to the schedule and that the work is up to your standards. Bring up anything that doesn’t meet your expectations immediately with the project manager so it can be addressed with the workers are available. Waiting until the end of the project to mention something only makes it harder to remedy.
Manage any changes
Try to avoid mid-project changes whenever possible. Every change will have an impact on the schedule and budget and may call for an update to the contact.
Final Inspection
You have come to the final stage of your renovation project. There are just a few steps left before you can sit back and enjoy your updated home.
Conduct final walkthroughs
Meet with your renovation coordinator and complete a walkthrough to inspect the work and give it your final approval. This is the last chance to bring up anything that doesn’t meet your expectations.
Organize documentation
Organize your documents including contracts, permits, invoices, and warranties. You need these for future reference, insurance purposes, or if you decide to sell your home.
Post-Renovation Celebration
This is the moment you have been waiting for; your home renovation is complete!
About Sosna Home Renovations
At Sosna, we adhere to a strict process to ensure our clients are happy with our work. We do not cut corners. We ensure that every room is renovated to the highest standard using quality materials. We honour our promises and are proud to continue to be the Renovator You Can Count On. Contact us today to get started.
Questions our Customer Often Ask:
Yes, having proper insurance for your renovation is crucial. If you’re doing the renovation yourself, check your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if it covers any potential damage that could occur during the process. If you’re hiring a contractor, ensure they have adequate insurance to cover any damages or accidents that may happen during the project. It’s also recommended to contact your insurance provider to discuss the specifics of your renovation project and understand what additional coverage you might need.
If the renovation involves structural or layout alterations, or modifications to plumbing or electrical work a permit is likely. Obtaining the necessary permits can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months depending on the municipality where the project is taking place.
Our team at Sosna is familiar with permitting requirements within Toronto and the GTA. We understand when one is needed, and can streamline the process of obtaining them for your project.
Establishing a budget for your home renovation project is an important first step. Costs can differ significantly based on the project’s scale, the quality of materials used, craftsmanship, and the intricacy of the work involved. Having a realistic financial plan from the beginning is essential for you and your family, as well as crucial to a successful home renovation project.
At Sosna, we firmly believe that you should not experience any price creeps or surprises. That is why we offer a fixed-price quote that encompasses your entire project and does not increase throughout the entire renovation process. That is our promise to you.
Effective and clear communication between you and your home renovation company is key to a successful renovation.
- Clarify Expectations: Before the project begins, have a detailed discussion with your contractor about what you want to achieve. This includes aesthetic preferences, functional needs, and the quality of materials you expect.
- Regular Updates: Request regular updates on the project’s progress. This could be a quick daily summary or a more formal weekly meeting, depending on the scale of the project.
- Written Communication: For important details or changes, written communication is best. This provides a clear record of discussions and can prevent misunderstandings.
- Open Dialogue: Encourage your contractor to communicate any issues, delays, or concerns as soon as they arise. A problem addressed early is often easier (and cheaper) to resolve.
- Remember, the goal is to establish a relationship of mutual respect and understanding with your contractor. Clear, frequent, and respectful communication will help ensure the renovation process is smooth and successful.
It is crucial that the renovator you choose is a reputable company and can prove to you that they will honour the promises they are making to you up front.
At Sosna, we prioritize effective and transparent communication with our clients. To ensure everyone is aligned from the start, we conduct a pre-construction meeting that ensures we are all on the same page and know what to expect from each other during construction. Throughout the project, our project manager provides daily updates and is readily available to address any questions or concerns you may have. We extend this support after the project’s completion with a 2-year warranty on labor and materials.
If this guide speaks to you and your family’s renovation aspirations, and you’re ready to fall back in love with your home, reach out to us and start your renovation journey today with Sosna Inc.
