Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
Quick and easy updates to help sell your home
If you plan on selling your house, a new report lists a few renovation projects that could ensure you get top dollar for your property.Whether we're talking new plumbing fixtures, new flooring or new kitchen cabinets, a suitable renovation can improve your home, as well as increase its value.
Updating a kitchen or bathroom may require a trained professional, but there are many projects accessible to the do-it-yourselfer, according to the Royal LePage Renovations and Returns survey.
According to Statistics Canada, renovation spending grew by 8.3 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2007 to $9.2 billion, from the same period in 2006.
Explored within this survey are renovations that are intended to translate directly into enhanced equity in a property. Some of the renovation suggestions, ranked in ascending order of project cost, include:
Freshen up your house by adding a new coat of paint. If you're planning on selling soon, stick to neutral colours.
Take a look at your floors, and consider installing hardwood or laminates, which are becoming increasingly popular with buyers.
Consider new light fixtures and modernize by installing modern electrical and new light switch cover plates.
Clean and tidy your yard and lawn to improve curb appeal of your property.
Sleek, stainless steel hardware such as kitchen exhaust hoods and the addition of new backsplash can enhance the modern look of your kitchen.
An elegant entrance foyer is a prospective buyer's first impression of the house.
While more extensive projects will cost more, these renovations can also bring high returns when it comes to you eventually selling your home. Updated kitchens, for example, can bring one of the highest returns on your investment.
-- Canwest News Service
Renovation & Design
Trees, shrubs have purpose
A reader of my Tree Care articles called and asked why I focus the content of my articles on problems with trees and shrubs rather than the benefits? The reader's point is well taken. In my business, when there are no perceived problems with trees or shrubs in the yard, I do not normally hear from the owners. People get in touch with me when they have concerns.Having said that, I do want to stress there are many benefits of having healthy vegetation of all kinds on one's property. Trees provide beauty and many functional purposes around our homes. Shade and wind protection are very obvious benefits. Well-placed trees can save energy costs associated with air-conditioning and heating. Deciduous shade trees on the south and west sides of the home provide cooling through shade during the heat of summer. Coniferous evergreen trees on the northwest and north sides of the homes in our area can reduce the force of cold winds, making the house more comfortable in the winter, thereby lowering heating costs. Urban trees and shrubs provide places for birds, small mammals and desirable insects such as bees, butterflies, dragonflies and others, with food and places to live. In some cases, vegetation in our yards provides suitable habitats for frogs, toads and snakes. Of course, I know not everybody is completely happy with some creatures of the animal and insect world.
If you have a suitable space, you might want to consider planting a tree this spring. If you do plant, please avoid overcrowding the trees and shrubs in your garden unless you are planning to grow a dense forest. Crowding always increases the risk of diseases and undesirable pests. Garden aesthetics for most people means having a balanced landscape of trees, shrubs, flowers, possibly vegetables, ground covers and non-living ornamental things. The selection of plants and how they are used is entirely up to the owner of the yard.
Looking at the other side of the landscape coin, my most common complaint from people who have trees is related to pests and diseases of larger coniferous evergreens such as spruce, pine, fir and cedar. For years I have advocated owners of these evergreen trees have them assessed in the winter. All the serious issues on these trees that will be of concern are apparent during the winter to the knowledgeable tree expert. The earlier the diagnoses are made in the lives of these evergreen trees, the more effective will be the treatment controls that can be initiated in spring.
In my 38 years as an urban forester and arborist, I have assessed many thousands of trees and even a greater number of shrubs. Nearly every yard that has mature trees in southern Manitoba has or will have at least one problem with a tree or shrub. Most people have accepted this reality and are quite prepared to live with this. Many people do not realize they have serious problems until it is too late. Many people know they have tree problems but have been frustrated in trying to get them resolved. Each year, I help many hundreds of property owners but even I can only be spread so far. I do this through garden visits, adult education courses I give on tree and shrub care, occasional phone-in radio shows, magazine articles and public appearances.
Beautiful yards and gardens usually do not happen by chance. They are the result of careful planning, attention to detail, and an understanding about how to take care of all the plants including the trees.
I will be available in person at the following public events:
Arbour Day in Assiniboine Park on June 15 by the Lyric Theatre: Arbour Day activities are being organized by the Coalition to Save the Elms from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Call 832-7188 for more information). The coalition reminds people who have put up Tanglefoot bands on trees to refresh them with a new application of Tanglefoot as soon as possible. This will help stop the spring cankerworm female moths from climbing over the old bands, most of which have lost their stickiness.
Jane's Walk (part of a national event) in the Kingston Crescent area: I will be part of the walking tour talking about trees and shrubs in the area on May 4 at 1 p.m. The walk will start at B.D.I. on Jubilee Avenue. Local event activities are being coordinated by the community headed up by Lorraine Thomas (Call 231-5156 for more information)
Michael Allen is a consulting urban forester and certified I.S.A. arborist and owner of Viburnum Tree Experts. He makes house and garden visits to assess tree and shrub problems. He can be contacted by calling 831-6503 or by e-mail at viburnumtrees@shaw.ca. Questions can be mailed to Michael Allen, c/o Newsroom, Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6. His website is www.treeexperts.ca
Renovation & Design
New book offers 1,000 tips for caring for home
Hurry! Your guests will arrive any minute now. Shove everything away in some closet, spray some air freshener, and try to look relaxed.If that's the routine you follow, Easy Household Tips: 1,000 Ideas for Caring for Maintaining Your Home (Filipacchi Publishing; US$14.99, paperback) has some alternatives.
In four parts, the book from the editors of Woman's Day magazine offers creative and inexpensive solutions for keeping your home -- and your life -- organized.
Part 1 focuses on cleaning and caring for all areas in the home including bedrooms, bathrooms, utility spaces and backyards.
Part 2 covers cleaning basics, no-nos, laundry tips and shortcut cleaning.
Part 3 includes troubleshooting appliances, tackling simple repairs and getting rid of odours.
Part 4 provides ideas for de-cluttering, managing time and handling big jobs.
-- Canwest News Service
Renovation & Design
Overactive sump pump needs a look
Question -- Should a sump pump be kicking in every day of the year? Through summer dry spells and cold winters my sump pump kicks in daily. What could be the cause of this? I extend my drainage hose far away from the property. I keep downspout extensions down throughout the summer. How can we discover where all the water is coming from?The house is 10 years old and the overactive sump pump has been here since the beginning.
I look forward to your reply with any comments or suggestions.
-- Jim Anderson, e-mail
Answer -- As the seasons change, I attempt to answer questions that may be relevant to concerns at that particular time of year. Your question is extremely timely as the melting snow and thawing ground will cause sump pumps in many homes to begin working after being mostly dormant over the long, cold winter. There may be a few reasons why your pump is going off every day, even in the dead of winter, with some being positive and others being potentially problematic.
It is quite normal for a sump pump in a 10-year-old home in our area to engage every day for several months of the year, but not normally in the dead of winter. The drainage system installed around the perimeter of your foundation will collect excess groundwater long after a rain or snowfall. The soil may remain quite saturated for many weeks, depending on levels of precipitation. If the sump pump is running several times a day, it is a sign that it is functioning well. If it runs continually, without normal cycles, then a problem may be suspected. Normal operation should be observed from March until November, but not often after the surface ground is frozen. If your pump runs well after this point in the year there is likely a problem that is either mechanical or due to unusual situations with your home.
A properly installed sump pump will be connected to a length of ABS plastic drain piping that exits the foundation wall above grade and empties outside the house. This pipe may be of considerable length and should have a fitting at the exterior to easily connect a flexible extension hose, to direct the sump water well away from the foundation. This hose must be removed in the fall before the ambient temperature falls below freezing for extended periods of time. If this regular maintenance is not completed, and the hose is still connected to the sump drain pipe, the hose may freeze and the pump will not be able to pump effectively. A frozen line may cause a pump to engage for long periods of time, without draining water from the pit, as designed. In some cases, the pump may actually overheat or burn out before the line thaws. If you have not disconnected your extension hose, it may be blocked and would be the cause of the excessive pumping.
One other integral part of the sump system is a check valve, normally attached to the drain pipe near the pump. This device is a one-way valve that allows water to be pumped out of the pit through the piping, but does not allow this water to back up into the sump after the pump has shut off. In many homes, this check valve is missing or damaged, allowing a large amount of water to flow back into the pit after the pump shuts down. This water may be enough to activate the float switch or pressure switch in the pump and cause the pump to cycle on and off. Also, there may be a small hole or leak in the valve or piping allowing a slow return of the water to the sump. The result will be the same as a damaged valve or blocked pipe and may cause the pump to engage without new water being introduced into the pit.
As an alternative to removing the extension hose at the exterior of the foundation for the winter, many homeowners divert the sump hose into their floor drain for part of the year. While this practice is illegal (though I've not heard of anyone being fined), it may eliminate excessive ice on roads and sidewalks caused by misdirected extension hoses. It will also prevent backing up of water into the sump from a frozen line. Unfortunately, many of these amateurish modifications that I see are poorly done. A bad job in this regard may cause major problems with the sump pump.
The final mechanical problem that may be responsible for your hyperactive sump pump may be with the float switch. Many sump pumps have a switch contained within a plastic cylinder that floats. When enough water enters the sump, this cylinder will rise to a certain height causing the switch to be tripped. This will cause the pump to activate and work as designed. Very often, these float switches become damaged, waterlogged, or lodged between the pump and the sump pit. Any of these defects can cause improper functioning of the pump and the problems you are experiencing.
While a mechanical defect is the likely cause of your overactive sump pump, there may be another less tangible reason for this problem. If a mechanical deficiency cannot be identified, after having your system evaluated by a licensed plumber or other knowledgeable contractor, then it may be due to the location of your home. Some homes in our province are built in areas that have very high water tables or pockets of porous soil. In these homes, excess water may continually seep into the soil surrounding the foundation and cause excess functioning of the weeping tile and sump pump system. This may be tough to substantiate, but if your sump pump is functioning as often as you believe, there should be little chance that this high water situation will cause any issues other than a noisy pump.
Ari Marantz is the owner of Trained Eye Home Inspection Ltd. and the president of the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors - Manitoba (www.cahpi.mb.ca). Questions can be e-mailed or sent to: Ask The Inspector, P. O. Box 69021, #110-2025 Corydon Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R3P 2G9. Ari can be reached at (204) 291-5358 or check out his new website at www.trainedeye.ca.
trainedeye@iname.com
Renovation & Design
Tips for choosing the right kitchen cabinets
Have you ever stared at your kitchen cupboards and decided that they look dated? Are the cabinets in rough shape? Perhaps you just want to make better use of the kitchen space you have. Ask yourself what your goals are in purchasing or renovating kitchen cabinets. The following tips will help you choose the right cabinets to meet your needs.
1. Whenever you start any construction or remodeling project, your first step should be to decide how much you want to spend. In kitchen projects, especially, costs can quickly spiral out of control. After deciding your overall budget, cut that amount in half. This should be your cabinet budget. It sounds excessive, given that you may also need to purchase appliances, flooring and countertops, but cabinets are typically the biggest financial investment in a kitchen.
2. In addition to cost, you also need to focus on style, convenience and quality. The least costly stock cabinets will be durable and last for years if you choose well. Today's kitchen offers more features than ever before. Examples include: smooth gliding drawers, shelves that pull out for easy access, rotating lazy Susan's to help reach items stored in the back, large drawers or bigger cabinet boxes for those oversized pots and pans, and handy small pull-down storage spaces in the front of the sink that hold sponges and scouring pads. Choosing kitchen cabinets counts as a major decision in designing your home since they will be in place for many years. Doing some homework will help you make practical and attractive choices while staying within your budget.
3. One part of kitchen cabinetry that tends to be misunderstood involves the terms stock, semi-custom and custom. Contrary to what many people think, these terms are not related to the quality of cabinets but rather, how they are manufactured.
4. Stock -- Stock kitchen cabinets are pre-manufactured in specific sizes, typically 3" increments, with few if any options for "customization" other than some limited choices the manufacturer might offer. They are off-the-shelf products in a limited range of styles.
5. Semi-Custom -- Semi-custom cabinets are like stock in that they are also pre-manufactured but come with a wider array of options and sizes than pure stock cabinets. With semi-custom you have some ability to pick and choose various details to tailor an otherwise pre-built stock cabinet. In other words, you have some 'customization' choices.
6. Custom -- Custom cabinets are built to the customer's specifications, with no limitation on size, style choices, wood grade or finish. They are made-to-order. They may be fancy or plain but the difference is that they're made to suit your specific design requirements, in whatever size, form, color and material you desire.
7. Want to save time and money with your kitchen remodel? Refacing your existing cabinets with new cabinet doors is a great cost effective way to upgrade your kitchen and increase your home's value. Purchasing manufactured cabinet doors can cut costs on a cabinetry project while custom orders usually tend to increase costs. With all the options that manufacturers offer in size and style, homeowners are not overly limited when manufactured doors are chosen.
8. Before choosing cabinets ask yourself: Are the doors true solid wood (If you are looking at solid wood doors)? You would be surprised how many manufactures sell so-called solid panel doors, and they are a thin veneer (thin layer of wood) wrapped around a particleboard or MDF panel. This matters because a true solid wood panel door costs much more to make, and is typically superior quality to a "veneer" door. Should you damage your solid door, it can be sanded down and refinished. This is very difficult to do with veneer doors.
9. Don't purchase cabinets that will fall apart. Find out if the cabinets are held together only by connector pins or are they screwed and nailed, biscuited (thin wooden wafers) and glued? Connector pins are only good for holding a shelf to a side but not for holding an entire cabinet together while supporting the weight of heavy dishes.
10. Thinking of painting your kitchen cabinets but can't decide which paint to use? Thus begins the debate for latex paint vs. oil based paints. Some experts recommend using latex paint for people who are painting their kitchen cabinets a light colour. These light colours include white and cream and some pastels. Latex paint in whites and creams tend to cover better than oil based paint in white or cream on kitchen cabinets. Choose a semi-gloss finish for maximum clean ability.
11. Oil-based paints in dark colours work well on kitchen cabinets. Black cabinets or even a dark earth tone fall under this category. However, the battle of latex versus oil continues in a number of other areas. Oil based paints will stand up to scrubbing more so than a latex based paint. If you have young kids then you may consider oil based paints such as melamine. Whichever paint you choose, allow 24 hrs. between coats, even if the label says less. This will ensure that each coat reaches its maximum hardness and will be less prone to chipping or gouging.
12. A mild dishwashing liquid works well for cleaning the front of cabinets. A tablespoon or so in a cup of warm water should do the job. For trickier bits of food that may be stuck, use a sponge with the green scrubbing pad. Do not to use a scrub brush, steel wool pad or any type of abrasives as these will only scratch the surface of your cabinet. Scouring powder is damaging to cabinets as well. Before drying, sponge with cool, clear water to rinse. Tip: Salt is another kitchen cabinet cleanser that is useful as a soak and mild abrasive. It is also known to kill germs.
13. To liven up wood cabinets or pantries, wipe them down with a very thin coat of car wax. Dry then buff for a beautiful shine.
14. If you choose to remove the doors for painting or refinishing, be sure to label or number the doors so they'll go back in the right place. The holes for the hinges (door and frame) need to match too, so you can easily determine which door goes where.
15. Do you have drawers or cabinets that could use a new look? Here's a way to change the look of that piece with very little effort. Just change the hardware, and you won't believe the facelift.
Solutions, is compiled from various sources: lowes.com, homeguide123.com, howtodothings.com, home-style-choices.com, rekitchen.com, associatedcontent.com, youniquedesigns.com, homerennovations.about.com, essortment.com. Similar information may be found elsewhere.
Solutions sleuth Reena Nerbas is a home economist and speaks professionally on the topic of household challenges; she is also the author of two national bestsellers, Household Solutions 1 with Substitutions and Household Solutions 2 with Kitchen Secrets. She can be heard on radio programs across Canada and seen on the CBC TV show Living Winnipeg.
www.householdsolutions.org
Renovation & Design
No two renovation estimates are the same
Question: " What does it cost to do a renovation these days"That's a good question and one of the most frequently asked of professional renovators by home owners.
Unfortunately, it's not one that is easily answered .
The costs to do a renovation vary as widely as the type and condition of the homes in Winnipeg. No two homes are identical, and no two estimates are the same either. However, we'll try to help you sort through it with some "ranges" of reno costs .
Let's start with the most popular renovation these days -- kitchens. First, separate the kitchen cabinet costs from the renovation costs. Cabinets or millwork are usually a big chunk of the overall budget of a kitchen makeover. You can spend anywhere from $6,000 to $8,000 (at the low end) to $13,000 to $15,000.00 (at the high end) for a semi-custom set of cabinets and counter tops.
If you go with all the items on your dream kitchen wish list, total costs can quickly balloon to $15,000 to $25,000 or $30,000. Most people are looking for more cabinets. Your kitchen, with its six to 10 lineal feet of cabinets, can expand to 12 or 15 lineal feet in a hurry. That alone will drive your costs up .
Renovation costs are often driven by changes to the home created by the kitchen design itself. Are the major mechanical systems moving? Where's the sink going? Are the major electrical circuits moving (stove, wall ovens, microwave )? Are you going to change windows or doors as part of the renovation? Those costs, although not a kitchen item per se, all have to be accounted for.
How far is the flooring being redone? Now that the walls are being removed, is the flooring running all the way into the dining room/living room and down the hall? Once again, the kitchen renovation budget may include costs that reach far into other areas of the home. Are there structural changes to consider? Is an engineer required to spec. a certain size beam?
Renovation costs can vary greatly. The minimum might be in the low end range of $5,000 to $10,000 with an upper range almost limitless. An extra $30,000 to $50,000.00 or higher is not unrealistic, depending on the changes being contemplated at the time of the kitchen renovation.
Your renovation general contractor can help you by preparing a firm, accurate price once a finite set of specifications have been created. You, as the consumer, must be honest with yourself, your banker and your contractor and come up with a realistic dollar figure that you can spend on the project. Project this dollar figure into all the discussions early in the process to avoid unnecessary and costly wasted time -- yours as well as the contractor's.
We hope this helps you with some perspective on the maze of kitchen renovation costs. Other renovation projects will be discussed in future issues.
Brought to you by members of the RenoMark Renovator's Council of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association