Toronto’s real estate market is incredibly competitive. With limited inventory and high demand, it can be challenging to find the perfect home. However, if you already own a home in Toronto, a home renovation could be the solution to your problem. Not only can a renovation improve your living space, but it can also add value to your home in Toronto’s competitive real estate market. In this post, we’ll explore the benefits of a home renovation in Toronto’s competitive real estate market.

Increased Home Value

One of the most significant benefits of a home renovation in Toronto’s competitive real estate market is the increased home value. In a competitive real estate market, homebuyers are willing to pay a premium for homes that are move-in ready and have modern amenities. By renovating your home, you can add value to your property and increase its selling price. The added value of your home could help you stand out in the competitive real estate market, making it easier to sell your home in the future while enjoying the benefits while you live there.

Customization and Personalization

Another significant benefit of a home renovation in Toronto’s competitive real estate market is customization and personalization. Toronto’s real estate market is incredibly competitive, and finding the perfect home can be challenging. By renovating your home, you can create the perfect living space that meets your unique needs and preferences. You can add a new bathroom, create an open-concept living area, or build a new kitchen to fit your lifestyle. Customization and personalization can help you stand out in the competitive real estate market by creating a unique home that is tailored to your needs.

Increased Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is becoming increasingly important in Toronto’s real estate market. Homebuyers are looking for homes that are environmentally friendly and energy-efficient. By renovating your home, you can improve its energy efficiency and make it more attractive to potential buyers. You can add new windows, improve insulation, or install energy-efficient appliances to reduce your home’s energy consumption. An energy-efficient home can also help you save money on your utility bills, making your home more affordable to live in.

Better Functionality and Livability

A home renovation can also improve the functionality and livability of your home. In Toronto’s competitive real estate market, homes that are functional and livable are in high demand. By renovating your home, you can create a more functional living space that meets your needs. You can add storage space, improve lighting, or create a better flow between rooms to improve the livability of your home. A functional and livable home can help you stand out in the competitive real estate market by creating a more comfortable living space for potential buyers.

Competitive Advantage

Finally, a home renovation can give you a competitive advantage in Toronto’s real estate market. With limited inventory and high demand, it can be challenging to find the perfect home. By renovating your home, you can create a home that stands out in the competitive real estate market. A renovated home can be more attractive to potential buyers, making it easier to sell your home in the future. A competitive advantage can also help you get a better price for your home, making your investment in a renovation more valuable.

Renovations Are a Smart Choice in Toronto

A home renovation can be a smart investment in Toronto’s competitive real estate market. By increasing your home’s value, customization, energy efficiency, functionality and livability, and competitive advantage, a renovation can help you stand out in the competitive real estate market. 

Whether you’re looking to sell your home or create a more comfortable living space, a home renovation is a great way to add value to your home and improve your quality of life. With the right renovation, you can create a home that meets your unique needs and preferences, making it a valuable investment in Toronto’s real estate market.

Contact Novacon Construction today to learn more about your home renovation possibilities and to schedule your free consultation.

A home renovation can be an exciting but daunting undertaking. Whether you’re updating your kitchen, adding a new bathroom, or finishing your basement, the success of your renovation project depends on choosing the right contractor. 

Doing your research beforehand, which includes choosing the right contractor for your Toronto home renovation is crucial to ensuring that your project is completed on time, within budget, and to your satisfaction. For a major home renovation, there are many moving parts and lots of opportunities for things to go astray so the pre-planning stages are vital to a successful home renovation project.

Do Your Research

The first step in choosing the right contractor for your Toronto home renovation is to do your research. Start by asking friends and family for recommendations, they will often give you the pros and cons of the contractor they have used in the past along with some valuable tips for managing such a big project.

You can also look for contractors online using Google or a number of home improvement review sites such as Houzz or Homestars. Once you have a list of potential contractors, do some research on each one. Check their website, read their reviews, and look for examples of their work. MOst reputable home renovation contractors will have project galleries of past work you can view as well as the ability to give references from past clients. This will help you narrow down your list of potential contractors.

Check Licenses and Insurance

Before hiring a contractor for your Toronto home renovation, it’s important to check their licenses and insurance. In Toronto, contractors are required to be licensed by the City of Toronto. You can check a contractor’s license by visiting the City of Toronto’s website. You should also ask the contractor for proof of liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance. This will protect you in case of any accidents or damage that may occur during the renovation.

Some contractors may not carry the necessary insurance for performing a home renovation project and may not have their employees properly insured either, which leaves the liability on the homeowner if something goes wrong or one of the workers gets hurt on your property.

Look for Experience

When choosing a contractor for your Toronto home renovation, it’s important to look for experience. Choose a contractor who has experience with the type of renovation you’re planning. Ask for references and photos of their previous work. This will give you an idea of the quality of their work and their ability to complete your project.

Past work and a trail of happy clients will give you the confidence a contractor has the experience to do great work as well as providing great customer service.

Get Multiple Quotes

Before hiring a contractor for your Toronto home renovation, it’s important to get 2-3 quotes from contractors that you have narrowed down through your research. This will give you an idea of the cost of your renovation and help you choose the right contractor for your budget. When getting quotes, make sure to ask for a detailed breakdown of the costs. This will help you avoid any surprises later on.

Some contractors may provide low-ball initial estimates, which may not include many of the finer details and expenses that go into such a large project, just to get the job and then surprise you with a long list of additional expenses once you have committed to them.  Be sure your estimate includes everything needed to complete the project before signing a contract. A front heavy planning process is the only way to ensure all the details are accounted for, so an estimate that someone provides after an initial meeting is not sufficient for major renovations as it will then just be a guestimate rather than a planned out budget proposal.

Check Communication Skills

Communication is key when it comes to a home renovation project. When choosing a contractor for your Toronto home renovation, make sure to choose someone who communicates well. They should be able to explain the renovation process to you in detail and be responsive to your questions and concerns. They should also be able to communicate with other contractors and suppliers to ensure that your project runs smoothly.

Ask them about their processes and how they work/communicate with their clients throughout the project.  Also check their website to see if they have a standard process they use, this will ensure that they are serious about their communications and gives you something to expect from the contractor once you begin working with them.

Check the Contract

Before hiring a contractor for your Toronto home renovation, make sure to check the contract. The contract should include a detailed description of the work to be done, the cost of the project, and the timeline for completion. It should also include information about any warranties or guarantees. Make sure to read the contract carefully and ask any questions you may have before signing.

For a major renovation or home addition project, there may be many steps and stages to work through, be sure you understand what each stage entails before signing a contract and paying money to the contractor.  A good contractor will be very upfront and open with their processes and when/where contracts need to be signed and when money will need to be paid.

Trust Your Gut

Finally, when choosing a contractor for your Toronto home renovation, trust your gut. If something feels off or if you don’t feel comfortable with a particular contractor, it’s okay to move on. Choose a contractor who you feel comfortable with and who you trust to complete your project to your satisfaction.

A contractor may produce wonderful renovations projects but be poor in communication skills or may have a conflicting personality to yours.  A major renovation or home addition project will often be a months long journey so you want to make sure the contractor you choose not only produces great work, but is someone you get along with and communicate with well.

Choosing the right contractor for your Toronto home renovation is crucial to the success of your project. By doing your research, checking licenses and insurance, looking for experience, getting multiple quotes, checking communication skills, checking the contract, and trusting your gut, you can choose the right contractor for your project. Lots of research and pre-planning is crucial for a successful project and this will help ensure that your renovation is completed on time, within budget, and to your satisfaction.

About Novacon Construction

Novacon Construction is a custom home builder and renovator in Toronto.  We are a design build company that has a long standing reputation in Toronto for creating beautiful homes and renovations. Contact us today to learn more and to schedule a free consultation.  You can view our project gallery here.

When constructing a high-end custom home, the selection of the right builder for your project should be viewed as an essential part of the process. No matter what type of home you’re planning on it’s very important that you deal with a skilled and reputable building company which has a reputation for quality work. 

Do Your Research

One of the best ways to compile a list of local builders is to perform an internet search. You can look at Google Reviews, as well as other review sources such as Homestars, Yelp and Houzz to see what past customers have to say about each home builder.  In addition, you may be able to get some references from local real estate agents, family members, friends, colleagues and co-workers etc. 

Once you have a list you can visit the builders’ websites to get an idea of the type of work they do and their portfolio of past projects. . Look for reviews and testimonials and gather as much information as possible. It may seem like a lot of work when trying to narrow things down, especially if you have a long list of potential builders. But remember, you’re entrusting them with the construction of your home, which could very well be the biggest investment you’ll make in your lifetime. 

Be sure the homebuilder is in good standing with whatever industry associations that govern the industry in their area.

Ask Lots of Questions

Don’t be afraid to ask potential builders any questions you may have and you should also ask for references and to see some of their previous work such as a portfolio. If they fail to provide any of these you may want to skip down to the next person or company on the list. 

If references are provided it’s a good idea to drive by homes the builder has constructed in the past and speak with the homeowners if possible. This will give you an inside view on what it’s like to work with the builder and if any problems arose during the construction of their homes.

Many homeowners take this recommendation with a grain of salt as they realize builders aren’t going to give the names of dissatisfied customers as references. Therefore, if you’re able to find out which local homes the company has erected you may get a more accurate picture of the builder by speaking with the homeowners. 

Most people will be glad to share their experiences with you and inform you what they did and didn’t like about the builder. One of the key questions to ask a homeowner is if they would work with the builder again. 

When looking over a home, be sure to examine the construction quality of items such as trim work, painting, cabinetry and flooring etc as well as anything else you can think of. Again, don’t be shy when it comes to asking tough questions and taking notes.

Some of the questions you may want to ask should regard things such as warranties, cost, timeline, how long have they been in business and how many homes do they build a year. You can also ask about their design and building process as well as if they anticipate any challenges during the construction and how they would deal with them. 

Simple questions will typically lead to further questions and conversations which may reveal important information about the builder and their methods. It will also give you a good idea about their communication skills. 

Once you decide on a builder for your home be sure to read the contract thoroughly and have a lawyer go through it before signing anything. Don’t add your signature if you’re not clear about anything or are having second thoughts. A good custom home builder will be open and transparent, explaining everything in plain language.

Building a new custom home doesn’t have to be an overwhelming process and it usually isn’t as long as you’re working with a dependable and professional builder. Your home building experience can certainly be a positive one if you’re working hand in hand with a trustworthy and skilled builder with a strong reputation.

About Novacon Construction

Novacon Construction is a custom home builder based in Toronto. We have a reputation for high quality workmanship and stellar communications with clients. We serve the entire GTA and offer free consultations. Contact us today to learn more.

Like everything else in life, home owners and buyers will soon come to realize there are good contractors out there to choose from and there are some great ones as well. With that being the case, there’s no need to settle for a good one when a great one is available. There are certain situations and aspects that can help you differentiate between the two. 

How do you find a great contractor in Toronto?

When hiring any type of  contractor you should always ask for referrals, check out their credentials, professional designations and references, make sure they’re properly licensed and insured, interview potential candidates, check to see if they have an established presence in the community and try to find out if they have a trustworthy reputation with their peers and clients and are members of any trade organizations etc.

It’s also important to know if the contractor and employees are properly trained and if subcontractors will be used to perform any part or all of the project. And if so, what quality control criteria exists between the contractor and subcontractors.

Great contractors are well organized, always plan things out meticulously and document them for their customers. Great contractors will use an online client portal/CRM for their project communication so the homeowner knows exactly how the project is progressing at all times. All aspects of a job should be thoroughly covered, placed in writing and presented to the client well before any contracts are signed and work begins. 

A great contractor will be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to their projects as they will concentrate on preventing problems rather than trying to fix them. They have the knack of answering important questions before they’re asked and have the foresight to deal with potential complaints before they’re made. These contractors discuss all of the issues that are important to their clients and to themselves. In a nutshell, proactive communication is well planned, flexible, and delivers on its objectives.

Great Contractors Are Proactive & Experienced

Good contractors may tend to be reactive in nature instead which means they react to a specific situation. This is typically something that is unexpected or something they didn’t foresee happening and wasn’t planned on. This type of communication and work habit basically takes place after the fact when something has already taken place. The result can sometimes be defensive and disjointed as it has taken them by surprise.

Great contractors are ready and well prepared for all types of scenarios and are prepared to nip any potential problems in the bud before they have a chance to grow. 

It’s also important to know if the contractor is specialized in your type of project since not all contractors can efficiently handle large scale jobs. You definitely don’t want to hire a company which will be in over its head when it comes to properly performing the work.  

Some contractors are basically jacks of all trades which means they can handle all types of projects well but don’t excel in one certain area. Depending on the nature and complexity of the project, you may want to hire a contractor who specializes in a specific skill. For example, if you’re having a problem with your vehicle’s transmission you need to ask yourself if you should have it checked out by an auto shop which specializes in transmissions or take it to a general mechanic. You need to ask yourself the same type of question when choosing a contractor for your project. 

When interviewing potential contractors, another key question to ask is if they provide dedicated project management and site supervision. To have the job go smoothly and to provide you with peace of mind, it’s important that the contractor has somebody on site at all times to properly supervise the entire project from start to finish. This way, if anything unforeseen happens it can be handled immediately, which will ultimately save you time and money. 

Nobody wants to see their finished project turn out differently than what they imagined but ultimately, the homeowner is responsible for the quality of materials chosen for the job. A great contractor should present you with several options to choose from such as a selection of high-end, mid-range and lower-end materials and let you know the pros and cons of each of them. 

One of the major keys of being a great contractor is to always communicate clearly and to prove you’re trustworthy and reliable by doing what you say. If you make a promise be sure to keep it. These contractors do their utmost to satisfy their clients and that can often be enough to separate them from good contractors. 

About Novacon Construction

Novacon Constructions is a contracting company in Toronto specializing in custom home additions and major renovations. WE are one of the most highly rated contractors in the GTA and are known for the quality of our work as well as our great communications with our clients.  Contact us today to learn more or to schedule a free consultation.

If you’re planning on modernizing your split level house you’ll be glad to know that just about any split level  home can be renovated to make it more modern, open and functional. In addition, you may be able to continue living there while the work is being carried out due to the structure’s multiple levels.

Toronto has thousands of aging split level homes in the city and it’s become very popular to take one of these dated designs and add a modern spin to them. You’d be surprised just how beautiful you can make an older split level home.

Types of Renovations For Split Level Homes

Some of the most common renovation ideas for split level homes include removing non-weight-bearing ground floor interior walls to create an open floor plan between living room, dining room and kitchen. In addition, you can build an island between the dining area and kitchen to create additional gathering and work space. To slightly separate the kitchen from the living area you could also retain a half-wall with built-in display or storage, a railing or glass barrier.

Some homeowners like to install cathedral ceilings to the ground floor, build a guest bedroom, sunroom or master suite at either end of the home and optimize the natural light by adding windows to the sides of the home or skylights to dining and living rooms. Carpeting and flooring could be replaced with wood flooring and a cozy fireplace may be added to the living room. Also, windows can be replaced with larger ones or new windows added to blank sides of the home. Skylights and solar tubes are other options if you’d like to brighten up the inside from above.

Exterior Renovations For Split Level Homes

Other popular modernizing ideas for a split level home include converting the garage into an expanded family room or bedroom and then build a new garage at the back of the property. You can also update older garage doors with more modern options. 

Home exteriors can also be updated with modern-looking surfaces such as a new paint job or new sidings such as cedar clapboard, stucco, or natural stone. You may decide to add details such as trellises, shutters, corner boards, trim or a pergola or shutters. The wide horizontal siding could be swapped in favour of vertical siding, architectural panels or narrow lap siding. 

You could also vary the pattern, material texture or color of the materials to create visual interest.

The roofing may be updated with contemporary material and you could always create additional space for gatherings with a deck or four-season porch at the rear of the home. Trim can be installed under the soffit, which is the roof overhang on the home. When trim is added and painted a color which contrasts with the siding it creates a bold highlighting effect.

Interior Renovations For Split Level Homes

When it comes to the interior of the home, the trim and molding could be painted a light color for a modern feel. You may even want to remove some of the trim around doorways and retro wood paneling can be painted. 

Some homeowners reconfigure their HVAC system so the home has a separate thermostat in different areas while others install an in-house audio system which can entertain each room. At the same time, you may want to increase the security and safety by installing a smart security system as well as additional smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout.

Hiring The Right Contractor For Your Split Level Home

You’ll need an experienced renovation contractor to modernize your split level home and one who understands exactly what you’re looking for before getting underway.  With a creative mind and a little hard work the most dated split-level homes can be transformed into attractive, highly functional and modern living spaces. There are numerous modernizing options for a split level home but be sure to contact a professional designer/contractor to make sure your ideas are feasible for your existing home.   

Novacon Construction is a design build renovation contractor in Toronto. We specialize in modernizing older split level homes and have a stellar reputation when it comes to our craftmanship and customer service. If you are located in the GTA and are interested in renovating your split level home you can contact us today for a free consultation.