Author: Canadoo Admin

How Long Does it Take to Remodel a Kitchen?

Posted on by Canadoo Admin

If you’re asking the question, “how long does it take to remodel a kitchen?” and you’re looking for a hard and fast answer, you’ve come to the wrong place.  In fact, many factors will influence the duration of a kitchen renovation and any contractor that quotes you a timeline upfront and without assessing your kitchen first is probably setting you up for disappointment.  Even the most carefully planned and organized kitchen remodel can face unpredictable delays.  So, with that in mind, let’s have a closer look at what you need to consider and how you can estimate the timeline for your kitchen remodel.

Design Phase

The design phase of your kitchen remodel is essentially in your hands and you can take as much or as little time as you want.  Still, during this phase you want to plan for the finished renovation which includes considerations of appliances, flooring, countertops, paint, and lighting.  At some point in the design phase, you’ll want to consult your contractor about your design decisions to ensure there aren’t any structural or other pragmatic barriers to the renovation.

The design phase helps you determine the scope of your project and from start to finish usually requires at least a week – regardless on the size of the kitchen or the scope of the renovation.  Keep in mind, a complete remodel where cabinets, appliances, and flooring are all removed will take longer than a smaller project that may only involve upgrading cabinets and paint, for example.

Once the design has been finalized, you’ll collaborate with your contractor to purchase all the products and materials you’ll need for your kitchen remodel.  One thing to keep in mind is that it can take upwards of a month or two for all materials and fixtures to be ordered and delivered.

Demolition

After the design phase, you’ll be ready to start your renovation.  And, what’s the first step in remodeling your kitchen?  Demolition.  Usually, demolition is a relatively quick process that requires only a few days.  However, if major structural changes are needed (like moving a wall), demolition will often take longer.  Ultimately, you want your demolition to be safe and there may be permits required if you are moving load-bearing structures.  As such, demolition could take several days or even a couple months.

Utilities Installation

Again, depending on the scope of your kitchen remodel, you may need to reconfigure your plumbing, gas, and electricity.  Major changes to kitchen layout will often require new utilities layout – expect this stage of your renovation to take one or two weeks.

Fixtures and Features

Installation of new lights, floors, fixtures, and other features will again vary depending on the scope of your remodel.  Nevertheless, flooring, cabinets, and countertops can be assessed and installed within a week or two.  Lighting will usually take at least a couple days, as will installation of backsplashes.  During this phase, all the elements that make a kitchen a kitchen need to be managed and this phase can take from several weeks to a month or more.

Finishing

Finally, finishing carpentry involves your contractor attending to all the details and to wrap up any loose ends in your kitchen renovation.  This phase usually lasts a couple days. 

As you can see, the typical kitchen remodel can range from 3 to 6 months in duration; and that’s providing everything goes right!

Choosing Floors for Basement Renovations

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Choosing Floors for Basement Renovations

Basement renovations allow homeowners to expand their living space and increase the resale value of their home.  When it comes to renovating your basement, there are so many great options – create a new living room, add an entertainment room such as theatre or games room, or even build a fully equipped suite.  Whatever your basement renovation, there is a flooring option to match the function and style of the room as well as your budget.  For more information about choosing floors for basement renovations, keep reading!

Basement Flooring Need to Know

Your basement flooring should be durable, functional, and stylish.  For these reasons, one of the top flooring options for basement renovations is vinyl flooring.  Vinyl flooring is durable and holds up well to high traffic, moist environments, and will stand up well to even the harshest elements.  Whether you have pets, small children, or rowdy house guests, vinyl flooring stands the test of time.  Add to that the versatility of vinyl flooring and it’s no wonder that it’s a top choice for basement renovations.  There are many stylish vinyl flooring options and all of them will endure all that basements have to offer.

Indeed, basement renovations and flooring choices for the basement need special consideration.  Hot water tanks and laundry facilities are often found in basements, so flooring needs to survive potential floods.  Additionally, basements usually feature a concrete slab, so moisture from the outside environment and even drastic temperature changes can wreak havoc on basement floors – but not vinyl.  Carpet easily damages, tile can get too cold, and hard wood is not recommended for moist environments.  Vinyl flooring, on the other hand, can mimic the appearance of natural wood flooring, provide the comfort of carpet, and doesn’t get cold like tile.  Plus, vinyl is affordable.  It’s almost perfect for basement renovations.

Keeping up with the Joneses

Fortunately, vinyl flooring can also have a serious aesthetic impact.  Vinyl flooring is available in a wide variety of styles and finishes.  For example, for a more contemporary design, homeowners love the sleek aesthetic of faux wood finishes that vinyl flooring offers.  Indeed, vinyl flooring looks like real wood, and many manufacturers provide flooring with subtle nuances such as “distressing” to make vinyl floors appear to be reclaimed wood which is very popular these days.  Alternatively, herringbone designs on vinyl floors are also very trendy in 2021. 

So, when it comes to basement flooring, remember that you need to consider features such as durability as well as style.  You’ll find many different vinyl flooring options to match whatever basement renovation you’re planning and to suit your personal style.  As an added bonus, vinyl flooring tends to be very affordable so it’s easy on your budget too!

Basement Renovation Ideas

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Basement Renovation Ideas

Basement Renovation Ideas

An unfinished basement offers a unique opportunity to expand the living space of your home.  In the past, the basement may have been a forgotten space for storage, laundry, or other utilitarian purposes, but today’s basements serve much more variable purposes.  From extra bedrooms to games rooms, suites, and everything in between, the following basement renovation ideas may give you an idea of how to make better use of your unfinished space.

Playrooms, Games’ Rooms, Home Theatres Galore!

Your basement renovation may be the perfect opportunity to create more space for entertainment.  Maybe you want a room where your kids can play and not mess up the main living area of your home, or maybe you want an adult games’ room where you can play darts or billiards.  There is even a growing trend to convert basements into home theatres.  Your imagination can really run wild when renovating your basement.

A kids’ playroom can be built with slides, climbing walls, and even monkey bars so that your children can be active even on a cold or rainy day.  Also, consider how to incorporate storage for toys and games to keep your home more organized.  If you build a home theatre, you can get a big screen TV or projector, rows of reclining chairs, and an impressive sound system. 

Add Liveable Rooms

A basement renovation is also a great opportunity to expand the living space of your home.  Added bedrooms or living rooms are a common choice.  If your family is growing, you want more room to relax, or you have regular houseguests and you want to make them comfortable, adding an extra bedroom or living room might be your ideal solution.  Even smaller basements can be renovated to add more living space.  For a bedroom, consider a Murphy bed and creative storage solutions.  For a living room addition, consider keeping the basement living room more casual with a more formal living room on your main level.

Health and Wellness…or Maybe a Place for Drinks!

You could convert your basement into a home gym, or you could make the real adult choice to create a bar or wine room.  A moderate to large sized basement is ideal for a home gym.  You’ll want to choose a durable flooring option to protect surfaces from heavier equipment; but, you don’t need to get too fancy with your gym either.  Some free-weights and other simple equipment combined with a TV to follow online workouts might be all you need.  On the other hand, if the gym isn’t your thing, you could renovate your basement into a bar with cabinets, countertops, stools, and even a keg tap.  For the “more sophisticated” alcohol connoisseur, the basement is often the perfect location for a wine cellar.  Temperatures tend to be cooler and you can install multiple wine racks and even wine fridges to display your favourite varieties.

As you can see, there is so much you can do with a basement renovation.  If you know what you want to do with the space, work with a professional contractor to ensure you create the space you want on a budget you can afford.

Café Renovation Budget

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Café Renovation Budget

Café Renovation Budget

When you are renovating a space to open a café, costs can add up quickly.  Not only do you need to consider the lease for the space, but your budget must also incorporate costs for kitchen equipment, interior design, furniture, front-of-house supplies, and much more.  Indeed, a café renovation budget can vary significantly depending on the size, design, and even location of your café.  As such, it is important to carefully plan your budget before you begin your café renovation.  This guide ill help you understand some of the costs for opening a café so that you have a foundation of knowledge that will help you create a sound café renovation budget.

Location

Remember that location is everything, but the best locations usually come at a cost.  If your café is located in a busy business and commercial district, you’ll have access to more customers.  At the same time, these locations usually come at a greater cost.  You may not have considered factoring your lease into your café renovation budget, but ultimately it is going to impact your operating costs and is a necessary component of any budget and business plan.  With that in mind, do your homework.  Look at the competition in the area where you are planning to open a café and consider your audience.  Ideally, your rent should be no more than 10% of your projected sales.

Design

There are two elements of design that need to be considered – operational design and decorative design.  Operationally, you may need to reorganize your café space to ensure that things run smoothly.  Often, these kinds of renovations are the most costly, particularly if they involve construction that impacts building structures.  For example, if you are renovating and existing café space, the costs will likely be much lower than if you are converting an office space into a café.  Ideally, you should consider working with a professional contractor and designer with restaurant experience to optimize your renovation and ensure you identify and address all key priorities including floor plans and necessary equipment and supplies.

When it comes to decorative design, this is where your concept comes in.  But don’t be fooled, your decorative design must be seamlessly integrated with your operational design.  Still, your concept should reflect your market research and your ultimate café vision.  Once again, working with a professional restaurant designer can help you realize your vision in an operationally sound manner.

Administration

Don’t forget that running a café will also require administrative duties.  Not only do you need to track and purchase inventory, manage expenses, take payments, and create menus, but you’ll also need to promote your café, manage payrolls, track your income, and more.  With that in mind, you also need to remember to purchase point of sale system that should include software that helps you keep organize with all these administrative tasks.

As you can see, there are many balls to keep in the air when you are starting a café renovation and your renovation budget must incorporate much more than the construction itself.  Careful planning will help you create and maintain an affordable budget.

Kitchen Renovation Ideas

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Kitchen renovation Vancouver

From the simplest paint job to a major kitchen renovation, there are many ways you can refresh your kitchen that can fit into almost any budget.  As the kitchen is a key room in the home, it is also one of the most frequently renovated; and yet, coming up with kitchen renovation ideas can be challenging – especially if you are on a tight budget.  Thankfully, the following kitchen renovation ideas feature updates that can be easily adapted for cost savings; alternatively, you can also adapt these renovations to the luxury end of the budget scale. 

Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen cabinet renovations make a mark.  Indeed, of all our kitchen renovation ideas, new cabinets are likely to make the biggest difference by revitalizing the look of your kitchen but also by improving functionality.  Additionally, updated kitchen cabinets will have a huge impact on the resale value of your home.  Nevertheless, cabinets can be expensive, so if you’re looking to save money consider keeping or reusing old cabinets.  A little bit of elbow grease and a new coat of paint can brighten up your kitchen – and if you add new hardware, you’ll hardly recognize your old cabinets.  If you’re less concerned about budget, consider consulting with a kitchen design expert to reconfigure the layout of your cabinets to make your space more efficient.  There are even new cabinet designs that improve storage and functionality that make a great long term investment.

Countertops

Natural stone countertops are expensive but they are durable, sophisticated, and elegant.  If you can work granite or quartz countertops into your budget, you won’t be disappointed as they require little maintenance and resist heat, stains, water, and bacteria.  That being said, laminate countertops are great for the budget and they’re available in many different styles, colours, and patterns.

Appliances

The upfront costs of new appliances can be a deterrent for some home owners looking for low cost kitchen renovation ideas, but it’s also important to consider the long-term energy savings of high efficiency appliances.  A new energy efficient refrigerator and dishwasher can save you hundreds of dollars in electricity bills over the years which means they pay for themselves.  Plus, new appliances are offered in an impressive array of colours and finishes and they can make an impressive impact on the aesthetic of your new kitchen.

Lighting

Upgrading the lighting in your kitchen gives you flexibility over how and where light is focused.  Ultimately, layering lighting so that you have decent ambient lighting as well as task lighting allows you to illuminate your kitchen according to your needs.  If you’re already updating cabinets and countertops, consider installing task lighting under cabinets.  Also, consider decorative lighting to add aesthetic appeal – chandeliers and pendant lights are great choices for sophisticated designs, or for a contemporary look consider directional spot lights or pot lights.

Remember, your kitchen renovation should reflect not only your budget but your personal style as well as practical elements related to how you use your kitchen.  With careful planning and research, you can achieve an impressive upgrade to your kitchen on any budget.

Why Hire Commercial Renovation Contractors

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Office Renovation Vancouver

When you are embarking on a commercial renovation, there are many factors that come into play to ensure the job is done on time, on budget, and to your specifications.  No matter how large or small the renovation project, a commercial renovation contractor helps you at each step of the way from budgeting and planning through execution to completion.  Overseeing a commercial renovation is often more complicated than things may seem, and a commercial renovation contractor is an expert in managing every phase of your renovation so that you are ultimately satisfied with the finished project.  If you’re wondering why you should hire commercial renovation contractors, you’ve come to the right place.  Read on.

The Devil is in the Details

Even the smallest renovation projects can have a lot of moving parts.  Blueprints, permits, and inspections must be organized, subcontractors must be hired and organized, and contingencies must be managed.  Commercial renovation contractors keep a close eye on all the details to ensure y our commercial renovation contract progresses smoothly and to the standards of quality you would expect.  Their expertise allows them to oversee all aspects of your renovation so that nothing gets overlooked.

Keeping on Track

Coordinating all aspects of a commercial renovation is often a full-time job.  When you’re trying to keep your business on track during a renovation, you want to make sure that you maintain focus.  Working with a skilled contractor ensures you have the experts keeping your project on track so that you can keep your business on track.  Contractors schedule every aspect of the renovation and can adapt scheduling whenever there are unexpected delays or distractions so that your renovation is completed on time even in the face of unpredictable challenges throughout the project.

Team Work makes Dreams Work

Your ultimate renovation vision is going to rely on a great team.  A commercial renovation contractor is a critical member of that team because they act as your team captain.  By offering expertise in construction projects combined with exceptional communication skills, you can work closely with your contractor to realize your renovation dream.  At the end of the day, somebody will need to communicate across all the team members involved in your renovation project from tradespeople such as electricians, plumbers, and carpenters to suppliers and laborers.  Your commercial renovation contractor is your point person – they know what to expect from subcontractors, how much you should pay for particular jobs, and how to interact with the many professionals involved in your renovation.

When it’s all said and done, working with a commercial renovation contractor makes for a highly efficient and effective renovation project that aligns with your budget and your vision. 

Restaurant Renovation Tips

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uncle tetsu restaurant reno

Restauranteurs know that their business is highly competitive and you need to combine great food, great service, and a great atmosphere in order to be on top of the game.  Add to that the reality of constantly evolving dining trends, industry professionals can tell you that appealing to new customers and maintaining your current customer base requires a keen ability to adapt.  Restaurant renovations are a great way to reinvent your space so you stay competitive.  But…before you start ripping apart 80s-style booths, read these restaurant renovation tips so you can be sure your remodel is a success!

Budget

The good news is that the most effective restaurant renovations can boost your sales by up to 40 per cent.   On the other hand, these projects can be expensive – not only when you consider the cost of the remodel, but also the impact on revenue during the project.  Depending on the size of your restaurant and the scope of your renovation, the cost of restaurant remodeling can vary widely.  Before you begin a renovation, you’ll want to do some careful calculations to develop a budget and then start planning your renovation based on that number.

 Consider your sales and expenses so you’ll have a sense of what it may cost you to close your restaurant for a period of time.  The average restaurant renovation takes around 2 months and you’ll probably need to close your doors for at least part of that time.  These figures must be included in your budget, but they should also help you determine the scope of your project.  A fast casual style restaurant renovation should not be as extensive or expensive as a fine dining renovation, for example.

Design

Now that you have a sense of your budget for your restaurant renovation, you want to think about your design goals.  Keep in mind, you not only want to attract new customers, but you want to be sure your regulars are considered too.  You can even ask regular customers what they would change and what they would keep.  Not only should your design reflect your type of restaurant, it should also reflect your neighbourhood.  Particularly if you have been in business for many years or even decades, the demographic of your neighbourhood may have changed.  One major influence on the demographics of a neighbourhood is gentrification – if you’ve noticed a lot more young families in your area or a shift to young urban professionals, you’ll want your renovation to address their preferences and spending habits.

Improve

Finally, your restaurant renovation offers the perfect opportunity to identify and rectify inefficiencies in your operation.  Is your seating adequate?  Is your restaurant accessible for people with disabilities?  Does your waiting area accommodate your patrons effectively?  Can staff move easily throughout the dining area?  Does your kitchen design promote efficiency?  If you identify areas for improvement, use your restaurant renovation to improve!

Tips for Keeping your Gym Looking Like New

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How to Choose the Best General Contractor for Your Home
Gym Renovations Vancouver

You can’t stop time or its effects.  Even the best maintained gym is going to show signs of aging over time, particularly when you consider the amount of traffic and the kinds of activities that take place in gyms.  Equipment, structures, and furniture are bound to get chipped, scratched, cracked, and damaged.  Dust builds up, moving parts dry out, and equipment breaks down.  These are facts of life in the gym game.  So then, how do you keep your gym in optimal condition?  Follow these tips for keeping your gym looking like new.

Planning makes Perfect

Listen, all things that are new become old eventually, but your gym’s clients want to enter a space that looks clean and offers equipment that operates properly.  So, when you are building your gym, you need to take some time to consider how the space will be used and what you can do to keep the facility looking new for longer.  For example, in the planning and construction phases, you want to consider the types of materials used for flooring, walls, the front desk, and furniture.  Ultimately, you need to choose materials that can survive a lot of traffic and high impact.  In other words, durability is critical.  Work closely with your contractor to choose flooring and wall coverings that will withstand the impact from weights and other equipment.

You can protect walls and other structures with corner guards, but also consider the materials used to construct the walls.  If you have the budget, consider concrete for walls or at the very least choose materials that are designed for high-impact.  Fixtures such as sprinklers, lighting, and speakers should also be durable, particularly if gym equipment may come in contact with them.

Every inch of your gym can be protected if you plan carefully.  Entry points, countertops, toilets, and showers are all areas that will see a lot of traffic are likely to show signs of wear and tear quickly.  You can prevent damage by planning ahead by installing commercial-grade materials and fixtures that are built to last.

Ease of Cleaning

Another factor to consider is how easy materials and finishes will be to clean.  Ultimately, you want to install materials that are durable and easy to clean, but also materials that hide dirt and damage well.  For example, matte-finish tiles will hide damage better than a gloss finish.

Budget for Upgrades

Finally, to keep your gym looking like new, you’ll need to invest in new equipment and structural upgrades from time-to-time.  When you are building or purchasing a gym, it’s important to factor ongoing maintenance and upgrade costs into your budget.  You’ll likely need to replace many different elements of the gym – not just equipment, but flooring, wall coverings, and fixtures as well.

When it’s all said and done, the key to keeping your gym looking like new is in the planning.  Regular maintenance and cleaning as well as equipment replacement and building restoration are all critical to keeping your gym looking great.

How to Pick Lighting for your Home?

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Planning a home renovation? Getting the right lighting for your home can have a huge impact not only on style but also function.  Depending on the room, your lighting is going to change – you’re not likely to use the same lighting solutions in your kitchen as your bedroom, for example.  Additionally, there are so many available lighting options today – from chandeliers and pot lights to LED lights and hanging lights, there are many factors to consider when choosing lighting for your home.  Let’s have a closer look at some of the most important considerations so you can learn how to pick lighting for your home.

Types of Lighting

First understand the basic types of lighting – ambient, task, and accent lighting.  Sometimes you’ll mix and match different types of lighting in a room.  Ambient lighting is your primary light source – two of the main examples in homes are overhead or recessed lighting fixtures.  You’ll want to consider how much light you’ll need in a room depending on its function.  Kitchens and bathrooms usually have more ambient light than bedrooms, for example.

As the name implies, task lighting provides adequate light for specific tasks.  When you’re watching TV, applying makeup, or reading a book, you’ll probably benefit from some task lighting.  Table lamps or a mirror lights are both examples of task lighting.  They can increase lighting in a specific area, but can be deactivated when they’re not needed.

Finally, accent lighting represents a style choice.  You may use accent lighting to highlight your favourite art or a specific feature of your home.  For example, accent lighting may be installed around a fireplace so you can accent pieces on the mantle.

Types of Fixtures

Next, it’s important to understand that there are many different lighting fixtures.  From sconces and flush mounts to lamps and chandeliers, different types of lighting fixtures will often serve different purposes.  Sconces are mounted to your wall and usually act as accent lights.  Flush and semi-flush mounts are usually installed in the ceiling and provide ambient lighting.  Chandeliers and lamps are usually design features that may provide both ambient light and accent lighting.  You can probably even remember using desk lamps as task lighting.

Lighting for Space

Finally, consider the space you are lighting when trying to pick the right lighting for your home.  Entryways generally benefit from brighter, ambient light mounted in the ceiling.  For more flexible design, living rooms are well-suited to ambient light from floor lamps and table lamps.  Consider installing a dimmer switch in the living room for more control over lighting.  Dining rooms should feature a balance of light – enough for eating and chatting but not offensively bright.  A chandelier or mounted fixture over the centre of the table is traditional.  In the kitchen, consider pairing ambient lighting with task lighting where you do most of your kitchen work.  For your bedroom, a softer, ambient light with a couple of lamps for task lighting are great ideas; but for the bathroom, you need a lot of light.  A variety of sources allows you to add more light as needed – and don’t forget task lighting for your grooming tasks.

How to Choose Flooring for your Home

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How to Choose Flooring for your Home

When it comes to home renovations, there are so many options available that it can be a daunting task to find the right flooring for your home.  Depending on your material and style preferences as well as function and budget, selecting the best flooring is more complicated than simply finding a look that you like.  With that in mind, this guide will address many of the key considerations you need to make so you don’t have to guess about how to choose flooring for your home. 

Budget

Not all flooring is priced the same.  On the cheaper end of the flooring spectrum, laminate options are the go-to.  You can choose styles that look like hardwood at a fraction of the cost – you can even find bargains where you’ll pay less than $2 per square foot.  Engineered wood flooring gets a bit more expensive, particularly as you look at more exotic woods, but these options are still affordable and range between $2 and $5 per square foot.  High quality laminates and vinyl tiles will also land you closer to the $4 or $5 per square foot price.  The most expensive flooring options tend to be exotic hardwood floors made from mahogany or Brazilian cherry, as well as premium laminate or vinyl floorings.  Ultimately, if you know your budget, you can focus your search on systems that fall in your price range.

Function

Next, think about the room or rooms where the flooring will be installed.  Is it a high-moisture space?  Is it a high traffic area?  What about pets or children?  When flooring rooms such as the kitchen or bathroom or areas in the basement, you want to choose a flooring system that can stand up to moisture.  Concrete, ceramic, or porcelain or vinyl tile floorings are great options for high moisture areas.  If moisture isn’t a consideration, most types of flooring will be suitable – but there are still some questions to be answered.

If you want a floor that will stand up to high traffic, pet stains, or the whims of children, more durable flooring systems such as ceramic or porcelain tile are also great.  If you want durability as well as versatile style options, laminate and plank vinyl flooring are also great options.  Also, you may shy away from carpet because of potential stains, but if you’re less concerned about spills and accidents, carpet flooring is long lasting.

Maintenance

Finally, remember that all flooring systems require regular care and attention.  Vinyl flooring and laminate flooring tend to require the least maintenance – regular sweeping and occasional damp mopping will usually suffice.  On the other hand, hardwood floors are more susceptible to scratches and may need to be refinished from time-to-time.  Regardless of the type of flooring system you install, remember to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for cleaning and maintenance to ensure the longevity of your floors.

Now that you have a sense of some of the most common factors to consider when choosing flooring for your  home, you can easily focus your search to find the right style for any room.