• What is the approximate per square foot price to a project?

(The following prices include design, permits, engineering and construction costs)

Quality finished Custom Home:
$175 to 225 per square foot

High end Custom Homes that include exclusive features such as pools, elevators etc.
$225 to $400 per square foot

Residential addition:
$200 – $300 per square foot

Residential interior renovation( including kitchens):
$75-$100 per square foot

Basement development:
$40-$60 per square foot

• Another frequently asked question is how long would it take to complete the custom home or major renovation; here are some answers:

Most residential project take between 1-6 months to complete this would include main floor renovations, kitchens, basement development, and complete interior/exterior renovations of an existing structure.

Residential Projects under $100,000 4-6 months
Residential Projects between $100,000 -$500,000 take 6-8 months
Residential Projects over $500,000 can take up to one year

• If I’m building a home approximately 4,000 square feet, how long should I allow from design to permit to completion?

Approximately 12 months.

• Can I use any of my own trades?

We allow part of construction to be done by the owners or their trades as long as the work does not require certification. Responsibility for scheduling and warranty for those parts of the project is assigned to the home owner.

• Will there be a site supervisor on site?

There is always a project manager, site supervisor and administrative support provided for each project. Depending on the size and complexity of the project a supervisor may be assigned on a part-time or full time basis.

• Is there a deposit or down payment required?

Yes. Deposits or down payments are generally as follows:
Design & Build 5% of the construction costs at signing
Renovations 20% of the construction costs at signing

• How are payments or draws made?

Payments are made in two different ways:
On a monthly basis based on the percentage of construction completed
On construction progress after the completion of each phase such as foundation, framing, mechanical and others.

• How do I legally hold back funds?

We follow the Alberta Builders Lein Act and therefore accept a 10% holdback on each draw, which is deposited into a mutually held
Lein Holdback account at a given financial institution or by the lawyer administering the mortgage.

Planning in the fall for a spring renovations is a good start since it takes a few months to crystallize the plans and gather pricing and estimates.

Gwidon Homes & Renos will help you with all of the stages of planning process from blueprints through finishes and interior design to final completion of all of the smallest details, whether it’s a major renovation or a custom house. Our extensive background and experience in engineering, architecture and construction management makes us confident we can achieve results you desire.  We can match your budget with the finishes and latest trends in interiors, advise you on costs and timing, suppliers and even furniture and decor. We will put you in touch with the best people to handle the job on budget and time. Use our Renovation Worksheet to help you get started on your next project. Feel free to review and fill out the fields provided for a preliminary overview of your next renovation project. A representative  will contact you to answer any questions that you have and to assist in your renovation project.

According to the Appraisal Institute of Canada and various professionals we’ve consulted, the following

are a few things to keep in mind before you get started;

Invest in your kitchen!

About 10-15% of the overall value of the home should be spent on the kitchen. If you don’t plan on selling

for another 5 years, spending 15-25% more on it today will give you about a 44% higher recapture

depending on the quality of the renovations. Buyers need a functionally designed, spacious, low

maintenance kitchen. Scratch-resistant, durable materials such as granite countertops and high-quality

appliances add tremendous value and have timeless appeal.

The bathroom is next!

You can expect up to a 60-80% (and in some cases up to 100%) contribution to value on a well-designed

bathroom even if that requires a complete relocation of fixtures or walls. From floor to ceiling, new tiles,

light fixtures and cabinetry to create one’s own personal spa, is especially appealing. Luxury fixtures to

enhance pampering may include water jets, soaker tubs and double sinks in the ensuite bathroom.

Don’t forget the floors and walls!

The buyer wants a home that’s ready to move into. Smooth walls with quality, neutral paints will enlarge

spaces and will give you an 80-110% recapture. Carpeting should be limited to bedrooms, if at all.

Hardwood and tiles not only benefit in allergen reduction but add elegance as well. Good flooring that

flows from room to room and ties in with baseboards, cabinetry, walls and so on, can provide a 50-75%

better contribution to value than low-cost, mediocre flooring.

Spend the money!

As the saying goes “You get what you pay for”. Over the past year the cost of materials may not have

increased dramatically but the cost of labour is certainly rising. Quality craftsmanship and insuring a job

well done is key. Nothing is more costly than having to do it twice or replace it early. The importance of

using the highest quality materials cannot be stressed enough.

Remember: High-quality, easy maintenance, environmentally conscious products and timeless designs

are all essential to ensuring value-added appreciation with the best contribution to value possible.

REMODEL KITCHEN

(cabinets, flooring, ceramic tile)

a) Average quality $16,000 – $27,000  return on investment  70 – 85% $11,200 – $22,950

b) High quality $27,000 and up return on investment 65 – 85% $22,950 and up

Start with an overall plan including the functions of the rooms you want to develop. Remember that by Canadian Building Code the windows in the bedrooms must be a minimum of 0.35 sq m (3.77 sq ft) in area and have no dimension less than 380 mm (15″) this is the total opening for emergency and rescue proposes (referred in the industry as egress). Windows can be changed to hopper windows that pop off the hinges giving you a full opening to escape or have to be cut bigger to accommodate safety codes. The window wells also have to have specific dimensions as prescribed by code.

If there are any moisture problems those have to addressed from the start when all walls are exposed. Walls should be  inspected for leaks and mold and possible causes explored and mitigated. Most problems are minor and are caused by improper drainage, ventilation or vapour barrier. Whatever the cause now is the time before all wall cavities are covered. Older concrete floors have no vapour barrier under the concrete and in some instances are the source of moisture in the basement; if so the floor can be sealed with a concrete paint.

Layout of your new rooms can be now drawn on the floor and final adjustments can be made. Remember to leave adequate space for utility room access including electrical panned ( minimum of 3′ ) and all heating and plumbing for future maintenance  and replacement. It may be time to replace the furnace or the hot water tank at this time as it will be easer and safer as not to damage the newly finished space.

TBC – Rafal Milczynski

Coming Soon!!!

I will describe some special room ideas and fun uses of the basement…

- Your homework. Get educated by discussing your projects with home improvement specialists.

- Get referrals and check references for contractors. (www.chba.ca) Don’t just take someone’s word for it.

- Prebook your contractor well in advance. Winter is the off season so there may be more availability of good contractors then.

- Hire a project manager on large jobs to ensure quality workmanship and timelines are being met.

- Take advantage of natural light where possible and use timeless design patterns that make people feel good.

- Consider building a 3D scale model to better visualize an add on or new construction.

- Protect against mold and insist on the very best vapour barrier installation like structural insulated panels (SIP’s), or an exterior layer of rigid foam.

- Choose the very best roofing material. It will be the least costly in the long run as a large portion of the cost involved is in the labour.

- Ventilate the area behind siding, brick and stone as well as tall, vaulted ceilings to prevent condensation.

- Consider Canada’s advanced technology in radiant in floor heating systems. These either distribute hot liquid through floor frames or use high resistance electric heating pads.

DON’T:

- Don’t agree to pay by the hour plus materials. There’s no guarantee of cost or work efficiency without a detailed contract and a set price. Beware of any changes that you make later on. It may require a lot of extra money and patience.

- Don’t assume that a great job is being done. Check up periodically while bringing coffee for the crew.

- Don’t be afraid to cancel the job if you don’t feel that you can trust your contractor.

- Don’t hesitate to offer your input and ideas to the contractor. Of course, you should be clear and respectful.

- Don’t limit your thinking to just monetary pay offs. By using energy efficient materials and techniques, your home will be that much more valuable.

Kitchen is the heart of every home, families gather here to prepare every day meals and celebrations. As families grow, styles and needs change, renovations to the kitchen become important and necessary. In fact the need for larger and more functional kitchen in many cases is the key reason families decide to remove walls, build additions or move to a new house. Since renovations are always more economical than moving many people choose to go through the process of modernizing the existing space. The process however should not only involve replacement of the cabinets or their rearrangement; the utilities including electrical, plumbing, ventilation and lighting should always be a part of the overall plan. Over the years electrical and ventilation building codes have changed to address many issues arising from the growing amount of small kitchen appliances and to improve home air quality.

This is why when planning a kitchen renovation one should consult a professional general contractor that is up to date with all the current codes and technical issues but is also able to advise on the possible layouts and projected budgets.

There are three possible levels of kitchen renovations each increasing in complexity:

LEVEL 1: Renovate your kitchen by staying within the existing space; update the kitchen cabinets, countertops, fixtures and make some minor changes to the layout.

LEVEL 2: Renovate your kitchen by moving walls, open up the communication and access, expand into adjacent room to make the kitchen more functional.

LEVEL 3: Renovate your kitchen by building an addition to the house, create a brand new layout and incorporate the existing kitchen into the existing house.

Whichever route of kitchen renovation is the right for you depends on the existing space inside and outside the house, your needs and wants and of course the budget.  Plan every step of your kitchen renovation carefully start with the layout, and continue with style, appliances and the colours to make to it your own.

Above all always remember nothing is impossible, all renovations are customized to your needs and you can always get what you want.

Canadians love their homes. So much so that homeowners spend more than $40 billion each year repairing, improving, upgrading and expanding them. That’s slightly more than is spent annually on building new homes across the country!
When it comes to major renovations or additions, the stakes are particularly high – costs are substantial, projects can take months to complete, disruption to your daily routine is unavoidable, and the consequences of mistakes can be long-lasting.
Major renovations or additions are usually once-in-a-lifetime projects, and should receive the same care and attention as other family milestones, such as weddings. A dream wedding and a fantastic renovation are candidates for lengthy anticipation, careful planning and thoughtful execution.
To give homeowners confidence, to reduce risk, to minimize inconvenience, and to maximize the pleasure and added value that a well-conceived and executed project can add to your home, the CHBA Edmonton Region offers this guide to a successful renovation.
We are the voice of the residential construction industry in Edmonton. Our members include not just new home builders, but renovation contractors, suppliers, lenders, subcontractors and others involved in all aspects of residential construction.
Our RENOMARK symbol identifies those renovation contractors who have agreed to the CHBA Edmonton Region code of ethics as well as a renovation specific code of conduct, who provide warranties, who understand the value of customer service during and following projects, and who are regularly exposed to information on current trends, the latest materials and new regulations.
We are confident in saying that the first place to start your renovation project is by hiring a RENOMARK renovator. The CHBA Edmonton Region wants you to live happily ever after with your renovation project.

Five steps to worry free Renovation or Addition

1. Carefully Plan Your Project
Some renovations and additions, such as converting a bungalow to a two-storey home, will require that you move out during construction. Others projects, such as an addition above an attached garage or a refurbished kitchen, may allow you to live with the building project – but there will be inconvenience and disruption that you’ll have to plan for.
Major projects may require the services of an architect and other professionals such as engineers and heating contractors. Their drawings are not only required to obtain building permits and other municipal approvals, but they provide the basis for your renovation contractor to price the project.
Be realistic about the time a project will take to get started and to complete; its full costs, including at least a 10 per cent contingency for changes and unexpected conditions; and the impact the project will have on the daily operation of your home and family activities.
If your project is likely to last more than a few weeks, it’s wise to discuss your project with neighbours. In addition to unavoidable noise and dirt, there will be vehicles parked on the street, disposal bins in the driveway, and plenty of truck deliveries. Most neighbours will be understanding and accommodating, especially if notified first.
Include a requirement for daily clean-up in your contract, so that your home, your street and nearby lawns don’t end up resembling a construction site

2. Select a RENOMARK Renovator

Look for a RENOMARK renovator as your assurance that you have hired a professional who will provide high quality services.
Ask about the renovator’s experience with projects similar to yours. We recommend that you get the names of homeowners who have had equivalent work done and ask them about their experience.
It’s wise to contact a renovator first. Many RENOMARK renovators have in-house design professionals or relationships with architects and others who specialize in designing residential renovation projects. If you engage a designer first, bring a renovator into the team as early as possible so that the experience and expertise of each party can benefit your project.
At this stage your design professional or your renovator should be able to provide rough sketches satisfactory to give you confidence to proceed or to refine your plans. A preliminary sketch and a general indication of the quality of materials and workmanship you seek (the “specifications”) will allow the renovator to give you a budget estimate and an indication of the time it will take to finalize design, obtain building permits or other approvals, and complete the project.
Your RENOMARK renovator will select and manage experienced trades people for specific elements, such as electricians, plumbers, painters, or those who apply drywall, brick or stucco

3. Get a Written Contract

Once you are satisfied with a preliminary design, a preliminary budget and a realistic timetable, you are ready to commit to final drawings. When these are complete you are in a position to get an accurate estimate of the cost and to sign a contract with a renovator to perform the work.
If you decide to ask more than one renovator to submit bids, remember that this can be a time-consuming effort. The renovator has to be very precise in pricing materials according to the specifications… because he will be locked in to the price.
When you make your decision to hire a renovator, get it in writing. Include the precise scope of work; the exact price, including a schedule of payments; a reasonable timetable for completing the work; and any instructions for protecting parts of the house not under construction.
If there is any difference of opinion between your renovator and your design professional about procedures or materials, this is the time to resolve it. It is important to avoid any significant changes during construction because this may cause delays and extra cost.
Avoid renovators who offer to do work without a contract in an attempt to avoid payment of the GST. This type of renovator may also not be paying worker’s compensation or carrying adequate insurance, leaving you at financial risk.

4. Check on Progress

Regular communication between you and your renovator may avoid problems.
During the course of a renovation or addition it is common for the homeowner to request changes or ask for additional work. These requests may affect the cost and time it takes to complete your project. It is important that you have a signed change order for all changes.
Make sure that you are aware of additional costs and that these changes are added to the contract. Better still, try to think of these things during the planning stage – you don’t want to be ordering additional flowers on the wedding day!

5. Discuss Your Concerns

Raise any concerns you may have without delay. Schedule meetings with your renovator when he or she can address your concerns without distraction.
Your renovator will discuss any concerns that you may have with the project or items that do not meet your expectations. But be flexible when minor changes occur that do not affect either the appearance or function of the job. Note any changes that are made as a result of such conferences, and do so in writing.

Projects that will provide payback

The Appraisal Institute of Canada regularly surveys its members to find out which renovation projects are most likely to result in “payback” when the house is sold.
In order, the following projects add value that may be recovered:

• renovating a kitchen
• upgrading the flooring
• adding a main floor family room
• renovating the basement
• renovating a bathroom
• replacing windows or doors
• adding a fireplace
• upgrading the heating system.
Understand whether your project will increase the market value of your home or is just for your own pleasure and convenience.
WHY RENOVATE?
There are many reasons to renovate beyond just increasing the convenience and comfort of your home; and many reasons to build additions beyond just creating more space. Many projects will make your home more attractive, safer, easier to maintain as well as more energy-efficient and less costly to operate.
Except for the most personal of aesthetic improvements, you may also add to the market value of your home.

Reno mark members undertake to-

• Be a member in good standing of the CHBA Edmonton Region.
• Abide by the CHBA Edmonton Region code of ethics.
• Provide a detailed, written contract (including scope of work) for all jobs.
• Offer a minimum two (2) year warranty on all work (excludes minor home repair).
• Carry a minimum of $2 million liability insurance.
• Have coverage for workplace safety and employers’ liability and/or work only with subcontractors who carry such coverage.
• Carry applicable licenses and permits.
• Maintain a professional level of knowledge of current building codes, permit procedures and technical skills through continuing education.
• Maintain a safe and organized worksite.
• Return phone calls within two (2) business days.