Information
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Frequently asked questions
It all began with a simple idea fueled by a deep passion. As a small business, we pride ourselves on personal attention and dedication to every detail. Our approach is rooted in quality and integrity, ensuring that everything we do reflects our commitment to excellence.
Inadequate Planning
Planning is one of the cornerstones of any home renovation because everything hinges on it, from the renovation budgeting to the timeline. A detailed plan can help you avoid cost overruns, missed deadlines and missing or forgetting critical parts of the project. The first step should always be clearly defining your goals and setting a realistic budget to help you set up a solid framework. From there, create a detailed timeline for you and your contractor to fine-tune and follow throughout the project. Don’t hesitate to speak with professionals early on to help ensure your plans are realistic.
Underestimating Costs
We mentioned the budget and underestimating the costs, which is a widespread mistake in home renovations. Whether it’s unexpected expenses from hidden structural issues, changes in material prices, or additional labour costs, it is not uncommon for costs to pop up after a home renovation project has started. Any budget should always include a contingency fund for unforeseen expenses to avoid this. To help set up a realistic budget, it’s a good idea to consult with contractors and get multiple quotes to better estimate how much the project may cost and prevent you from overextending yourself financially.
Ignoring Permits and Regulations
While not every renovation requires building permits and has particular regulations to follow, it is critical to check beforehand with your local authorities. Ignoring this can have severe consequences, ranging from fines and work stoppage all the way to having to undo all the performed work. The regulations can vary from community to community, so there are no general guidelines. Depending on the renovation, you may require a permit for building, electrical or plumbing work, while adhering to local building codes ensures your project is executed safely and legally. Working with a local home renovation company can help you, as they likely have experience with which renovations require permits.
Skimping on Quality
Balancing costs is one of the biggest challenges of any home renovation project, and it may be tempting to save on material or labour costs to keep the costs down or get more for your available budget. However, while you may enjoy initial savings, it can backfire in the long run if you have to repair or replace parts of the project due to shoddy materials or poorly done work. Quality materials and skilled labour can significantly boost the longevity and quality of your project. Professional contractors often have access to higher-quality materials or can get discounts homeowners don’t have access to. If the budget is an issue, try to prioritize areas like structural components and high-use areas.
What Is a General Contractor?
A general contractor, often called a GC, is the person or team responsible for overseeing every aspect of a construction or renovation project. From the early planning stages to the final walkthrough, they coordinate all the moving parts so you don’t have to.
General contractors manage design coordination, material sourcing, budgeting, subcontractor coordination, and timeline tracking. They also ensure your renovation stays in line with local codes and regulations. Working with a GC becomes even more essential if you’re planning a more involved or multi-phase project.
The Full Scope of a General Contractor’s Role
Site Evaluation
Before anything else, we take a close look at your space. We assess its condition, potential, and any structural or zoning considerations that could impact the project.
Design Collaboration
If you’re working with a design-build firm like Senso Design, this is where the process really starts to come together. Our designers and builders work side-by-side to ensure your vision is not only achievable but smartly planned from the outset.
Budget Planning and Estimates
A realistic budget is the foundation of a successful renovation. We help you determine where your money will go, providing accurate, detailed estimates so you can confidently make decisions.
Building Permits in Ontario
Permits can be confusing, but we’ve got it covered. We handle the application process, ensuring your project complies with all of Ontario’s local building codes and regulations.
Poor Contractor Selection
In many ways, a renovation project is only as good as your contractor is, so choosing a bad contractor can significantly delay or even derail things. Some of the most common mistakes in contractor selection are hiring strictly based on the lowest bid or failing to check references to ensure the contractor is licenced and reliable. During contractor vetting, do your research, check credentials, read reviews, and ask for references. When checking reviews, also read negative ones to see how they are dealing when something goes wrong and also if there are any patterns, such as issues with work quality or timeliness. Try to get multiple price quotes to ensure you can compare them, and look for clear and detailed communication outlining the cost, timelines, and payment terms.
Beyond the ordinary
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