| You've reached your own personal tipping point: the | | | | contractors has become a whole lot easier with the |
| toaster won't work when the coffeemaker's on, you're | | | | age of the internet. Now there are websites which are |
| down to one working burner on your stove, only one | | | | specifically focused on capturing word-of-mouth |
| person can be in the kitchen at a time so your family | | | | reviews from consumers online. If the companies |
| eats in shifts, and finally the microwave blew on the | | | | you're interested in using don't have any reviews, you |
| morning of your big presentation at work, and you | | | | may want to look at other companies that do and |
| decided, "Enough is enough. We need a new, functional | | | | compare their services. Also check out the company's |
| kitchen!" | | | | website. If they don't have one, you have to wonder |
| You're not alone. Usually everyone has a particular | | | | how professional they are. |
| tipping point; that one last thing that sends them into the | | | | Another tip you can try is entering the company's |
| renovation pool. You try to hold on for as long as you | | | | name in search engines like Google and Yahoo!. You |
| can because you're dreading the noise, the dust, the | | | | may find some feedback people have posted on |
| inconvenience and the disruption to your daily life. | | | | them on various forums. You can also post a question |
| When your space becomes unusable, it's time to do | | | | asking if anyone has ever used this company. Finally, |
| something. But you can't just jump into a renovation, | | | | check the references he or she gives you as well, talk |
| particularly one as costly, time consuming and | | | | to a few of his past clients and go see the work he or |
| inconvenient as a kitchen renovation, you need a well | | | | she did for them. |
| thought out plan of attack if you're going to pull it off in | | | | Once you've chosen your designer, contractor and/or |
| the quickest amount of time with the least amount of | | | | kitchen company, get ready: Ask yourself if you can |
| inconvenience and expense. | | | | live through the renovation by setting up a second |
| Start by developing a Design Plan: A renovation will | | | | kitchen in the garage or basement. Do you have |
| only be as successful as the research and planning | | | | toddlers who would be better off away from the |
| that's put into it. Like any business proposal you | | | | construction site? Make arrangements to be out of the |
| develop for work, you need to have a clear goal of | | | | house for a specific amount of time and make sure |
| what you want to achieve with the renovation. Do you | | | | that you and your project team have discussed the |
| yearn for updated electrical wiring, maximizing storage | | | | most reasonable move-out and move-in dates. |
| space, adding an eating area, appliances that work? | | | | Did you have to factor furniture storage into your |
| You can start by popping into kitchen renovation | | | | budget or can it be wrapped and stored on site? |
| stores to look at the latest available features in kitchen | | | | Again, your contractor will tell you which is the best |
| design. Speak to the staff, tell them you're at the | | | | option depending on the size of the job and your |
| beginning of your journey and see if they have any | | | | storage space availability on site. |
| ideas for you. | | | | During the renovation: Assumptions: One of the |
| Cut out photos of kitchens you love from magazines | | | | breakdowns in communication between homeowner |
| and put them in a folder. Identify why you like the | | | | and contractor is in assumptions made by one party or |
| kitchens you've chosen - is it the space? The lighting? | | | | the other. For instance, one woman had purchased |
| The colour? The style of cabinetry or countertops? It | | | | bathroom sinks and fixtures for a brand new home. |
| is even helpful to give your designer images of things | | | | The contractor saw that the powder room fixture |
| you definitely do not like. That way they won't propose | | | | would be outfitted with separate taps and a faucet |
| those very things in your dream kitchen. When you | | | | and so drilled three holes in all the sinks because he |
| determine what you really want, it will help your kitchen | | | | assumed that all the fixtures were the same. |
| designer draw up the plans that suit you. | | | | Unfortunately, they weren't and the homeowner had to |
| If you have a friend who's recently renovated her | | | | replace the other fixtures to match the holes. |
| kitchen, take pictures and identify what you like about it | | | | But incorrect assumptions can just as easily be made |
| as well and stick it in the folder with your other | | | | by the homeowner. A homeowner handed a water |
| pictures. | | | | filter kit to the contractor and asked him to install it. The |
| Toronto architect Jacqueline Rhee says that when | | | | homeowner had read on the box that the water filter |
| she sits down with potential clients and they say to | | | | was good for the whole house and could be fitted on |
| her, "Design us something gorgeous," she has to | | | | the main water supply. When she returned at the end |
| explain that they aren't giving her enough information. | | | | of the day, the contractor had installed it under the |
| She says, "What their idea of 'gorgeous' is and what I | | | | kitchen sink. She'd never told him where it was to go, |
| might have in mind could very well be two different | | | | she had just assumed that he knew it was meant for |
| things. Maybe they want French Country, but I have an | | | | the entire house. |
| idea that they might prefer a sleek contemporary | | | | Problem solving: In any renovation, no matter how |
| kitchen." The more direction clients can give their | | | | minor, there always seem to be unforeseen problems. |
| designer about their likes, dislikes and what their goals | | | | It's not as surprising as you might think. What happens |
| for the space are, the better the design can live up to | | | | behind the walls stays behind them until they're ripped |
| their expectations. | | | | apart. Up until then, you might not know that the |
| Budget: The good news regarding a kitchen renovation | | | | insulation used was actually newspaper, or that the |
| is that it tends to be a good investment. The Appraisal | | | | plumbing went through the wall that needs to be |
| Institute of Canada estimates that a kitchen renovation | | | | demolished. How your contractor and you handle |
| will return 75-100% of your investment if you were to | | | | these problems depends on how proactive your |
| turn around and sell your home. However, the sky is | | | | contractor is. |
| never the limit, even for Donald Trump. Just as you | | | | During Sue and Leon's main floor renovation, the |
| would plan your company's annual marketing budget, | | | | designer had called for the laundry room backsplash to |
| you need to develop a budget for your kitchen | | | | consist of stainless steel tiles; beautiful, but at a cost of |
| renovation. A general rule of thumb for how much to | | | | approximately $5,000. Sue balked. The contractor |
| spend on a kitchen renovation is up to 10-15% of the | | | | suggested instead a row of the tiles, two feet high, just |
| value of your home. But don't feel like you have to | | | | behind the washer and dryer at a cost of $500. Sue |
| spend that much; if you can do more with less, do it. | | | | was grateful that contractor made her aware of the |
| For example, if your cabinets are in the right location | | | | costs and had an alternative suggestion for her. |
| and sturdy but just tired and outdated, consider | | | | The end result -- your dream space: Living through the |
| refacing them. Refacing comes in at about 50-75% of | | | | dust, noise and strangers in your house for weeks to |
| the cost of new custom cabinetry. | | | | months on end can be tiring. Even though you get |
| Hiring a Kitchen Company and/or Contractor: Most | | | | along well with the crew and your contractor, you can |
| people hire a contractor or kitchen designer through | | | | find your temper becoming short, particularly if there |
| word of mouth. If you've been to a friend's recently | | | | are delays during the project leading to prolonged |
| renovated house and you like what you see, start | | | | construction. Recognize that delays are often |
| asking questions: Who did the work? Did you work | | | | unavoidable and that one day, you will be back in your |
| well together? Was he on time and on budget? Is the | | | | home, the workers will be gone and your new beautiful |
| end result what you expected? Was he | | | | kitchen will be all yours. |
| well-organized or did you scramble to get finishes at | | | | On-line Resources: This Old House: This website is a |
| the last minute? Were there any major problems | | | | DIYer's dream. There are videos and tips on probably |
| during construction, and if so, how did he handle them? | | | | every aspect of renovating a kitchen. Kitchens.com: A |
| If you liked the answers your friend gave you - | | | | wealth of information on everything you ever wanted |
| assuming your friend isn't shell-shocked from the direct | | | | to know about kitchens, including information on |
| grilling she's just received - get his card. Now, find at | | | | "greening your kitchen." Better Homes and Gardens |
| least two other contractors and/or kitchen companies | | | | has an extensive section on renovating your kitchen |
| so you can compare quotes. | | | | including an "inspiration gallery" to give you some ideas. |
| Meeting with the Designer and Contractor: If, while | | | | The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation: |
| you're meeting with a designer or contractor, your gut | | | | CMHC has an excellent website for any renovation or |
| tells you that no matter how great the work is you | | | | home purchase. The kitchen renovation area has |
| couldn't stand being in the same room with him for | | | | downloadable charts you can use for reference |
| more than a minute, cross him off your list of | | | | guides as you go about your renovation planning. |
| candidates. You may have to meet with this person | | | | Appraisal Institute of Canada: The Renova section of |
| every day. If your personalities don't mix, you'll never | | | | this website allows you to input the cost of your |
| be able to solve problems together. Likely, however, if | | | | renovation and it will calculate how much of a return |
| you're getting that vibe, the contractor or designer is | | | | you would receive if you sold your home. |
| too; it's best to part ways before a relationship has | | | | On-line Forums: Forums are a great place to ask |
| begun. | | | | questions about all kinds of different topics. Search |
| If, on the other hand, your first meeting is fantastic and | | | | forums first to see if a thread already exists on the |
| you're bowled over with his enthusiasm and ideas and | | | | topic you're interested in. |
| you get along as if you'd known each other your entire | | | | - HomeStars Forum. |
| lives, you still need to do your research. Ask him how | | | | - This Old House Forum. |
| many jobs he can handle at once and how many he | | | | - Bob Vila's Forum. |
| has going currently and make sure he is bonded and | | | | - Style at Home Forum. |
| insured. | | | | - Canadian House and Home Forum. |
| Further necessary research - the internet is your new | | | | - Holmes on Homes Forum. |
| best friend: Researching kitchen companies and | | | | |