We’ve been throught it all.  We’ve seen and heard of all the renovation nightmares.  We’ve even been fortunate enough to experience the successful ones.  With the experience we’ve gained over the years, we thought you might benefit from a few tips we have learned the hard way.  Whether you are considering a kitchen renovation or know someone who is, careful planning is key to a successful renovation.  We hope you will find use for this list and future ones to come!

1. Determine your style – do some research (magazines, Google images, etc) if you’re not sure what you like.

2. Determine what you need in your kitchen based on how you use it on a daily basis (if you use it at all) – it may help to interview other members in your household as well to determine the household need.

3. Research appliances based on your needs – there’s no need to splurge on a WOLF oven if you only use your oven a few times a year – there are other items to consider.

4. Determine finishes of cabinets, countertops, and hardware based on how you use and how often you use your kitchen (marble countertops are not ideal for kitchens but if you hardly use your kitchen and have fallen in love with a particular marble then go for it!)

5. Before reconfiguring the layout of your kitchen determine the availability of other plumbing/electrical lines in the area – it can be very costly to install new lines if none are available.

6. Determine the space available and consider this when reconfiguring your space. There’s nothing worse than a beautiful kitchen that’s just too tight to be usable – check out nkba.org for their kitchen design guideline.

7. You cannot do everything on your own. Admit this fact before it’s too late. There are a lot of things you can do to save money but when it comes down to the actual work, know your limits! Someone who can install a lighbulb is not an electrician. When it comes down to it, if you hired a professional, you will essentially save yourself money that may need to be spent on fixing all those little problems you were not trained to see.

8. Apply for a building permit. Again, you will save yourself money in the end. Whenever you are removing/moving walls, updating electrical and/or plumbing, a permit is required. Check with the city before you proceed. We all have nosy (and sometimes envious) neighbours who will hear and know of your project. Best to check if a permit is required rather than waiting to find out that you need stop work after it has already started.

9. Everyone has a budget. Determine your budget and get a few different quotes before hiring a contractor.

10. If your are unsure about doing any or all of the above, consult with a designer, contractor, or trade professional. A renovation can be very daunting when you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into. There are many sources to consult and you will soon discover that those contractors who believe in what they do will be more than happy to provide information.

Klondike Contracting is supporting Habitat for Humanity by encouraging our clients to donate their quality new & used building supplies, appliances, and assorted home decor items to their ReStore. The ReStore provides the community a source for low-cost building supplies while diverting hundres of tons of unwanted material from the landfill every year. The ReStore relies on volunteers for the collection and sale of donated items, and all proceeds go to the building of Habitat for Humanity homes.

Also underway is Habitat for Humanity’s pilot project to salvage kitchens for resale. A volunteer demolition crew will remove any approved kitchen and transport it to Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore. This not only saves our clients money when it comes to demolition and rubbish removal, but the resale of our clients’ kitchens contributes to the prevention of unnecessary items being dumped in our landfill.

For more information on Habitat for Humanity and their ReStore please click here.

The GVHBA Renovation Council’s consumer renovation seminar – sponsored by BC Hydro, Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation and Terasen Gas – was a huge success. Despite economic woes, more than 230 homeowners registered for the two-hour seminar so they could learn how to differentiate the renovation pros from the schmoes. About $7 billion will be spent on home renovation and improvement in B.C. in 2009 – another record! The event was full of information for homeowners with 39 display spaces booked by GVHBA members within hours of being offered. The speakers received an enthusiastic ovation from seminar attendees.

Klondike Contracting would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who attended. Without your continued support, we would not have the opportunity to speak with so many wonderful homeowners. We would also like to thank the GVHBA, BC Hydro, Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation and Terasen Gas for organizing the event and allowing us to be a part of it.

The Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association (GVHBA) has launched its 13th annual Coats for Kids campaign in support of the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau. As a member of the GVHBA, Klondike Contracting has volunteered to serve as a drop off site for all donations until the 9^th of December. Donations may include coats, scarves, gloves, blankets and new and unwrapped toys and gifts for children, teenagers, and adults. Any contributions will be much appreciated!