Every once in a while, we all need to take time to “stop and sniff the flowers”. In times like these, though, that can be difficult. Where do we go, and what do we do, when traveling abroad to sun destinations are put on hold? This is Canada, so your backyard or patio isn’t really an option in winter. Your basement! A basement renovation allows you and your family to avoid going stir crazy with cabin fever by escaping to your home away from home. That’s right, a home away from home, that’s still in your home. Hey, nobody said the new normal was going to make sense!

Hmmm, Is “Home Theatre” a Synonym for “Basement Renovation”?

whether you like to forget about reality with an afternoon of football or unwind after a long day of zooming by binging the latest series, a home theatre can’t be beat. As part of a basement renovation, building a home theatre creates a destination for you and your family to escape to after you are done with your workday and have brought home the bacon – or at least finished with accepting it as part of your grocery delivery. A basement renovation can free up some space so you can get that giant screen, new surround sound, maybe a new couch, a recliner or two…

Just imagine having peace of mind and tranquility just a few steps below. And all you had to do was
say yes to your basement renovation!

 

 

Not a Couch Potato? How about a Gym, Bar, or Maybe an Apartment Then?

The truth is, basement renovations can open up a whole new world for you and your family. Modern plumbing, wiring, flooring, and the chance to model and decorate from scratch are all within reach when you choose a basement renovation from a contractor with a great reputation such as A & R Renovations.
Give us a call to get started on your basement renovation.

Doing our part for the environment is something that concerns most everyone these days. A good place where you can make a real and measurable impact is with a bathroom renovation. Bathrooms are where we use a large share of our water and energy usage, and a bathroom renovation offers many ways to reduce our water consumption without sacrificing any of the creature comforts or conveniences we’re accustomed to.

Saving Water and Energy Will Give You a Reason to Sing in the Shower

If your bathroom renovation includes a shower overhaul, an important thing to consider is ways to reduce water used during showers. From budget to luxury, low-flow shower heads are available to suit just about any bathroom renovation, and that is an easy and effective way to go green with your bathroom renovation. Many of us probably don’t realize that when we save water in the shower, we are also saving the energy it takes to heat that water.

There are even ways to take it one step further when going green on your bathroom renovation. On the ultra-high-end of shower options available for your bathroom renovation, there are recirculating showers available that can save up to 80% of energy and 90% of the water of a traditional shower. As a result, they pay for themselves in a couple of years.

Why Not Consider a “Smart” Bathroom Renovation?

As smart technology offers more convenience and better choices in many parts of our lives, bathroom renovations are no different. It’s probably not something you think about, but there are many exhaust fans available with green features such as LED lighting and ENERGY STAR® ratings. That can reduce your energy consumption and pay off in the long run.

Other possibilities to consider for your bathroom renovation include your exhaust fan. Smart exhaust fans with humidity sensors that turn themselves off are an option that can save your bathroom from damage caused by mould growth and dampness. There are high-end ceiling exhaust fans with variable airflow rates, LED lighting/night light, and a heater. Again, these options are designed to pay for themselves over time by saving you money over time.

On the Other Hand, How about a Retro-inspired Bathroom Renovation?

Another way to go green, literally, with your bathroom renovation is to hunt down and install green toilets, sinks, and tubs that were popular many decades ago. From smart exhaust fans and recirculating showers to installing fixtures from your grandparents’ home, there’s no shortage of ideas to consider for your bathroom renovation.

Contact A & R Renovations for more ideas and to get started on your bathroom renovation.

Now that it looks like we’re all going to be working from home in some capacity for the foreseeable future, why not make the most of it? A & R Renovations offers home renovations such as hardwood flooring, new energy efficient windows, and freshly painted walls that can all add to your quality of life. Two popular home renovations right now are building home offices and turning basements into apartments.

As a home renovation, building a home office in your basement or another part of your house has many benefits. Perhaps most importantly it creates a separation from work and private time. This can not only help to reduce stress by taking your mind off of work when it doesn’t need to be, but it can also improve your productivity.
A home office creates a place for privacy, where you can go to “put on your game face” and avoid interruptions such as traffic, kids, and endless other distractions.

Turn Your Basement into an Apartment with a Basement Renovation

Now that the price of condos is not much lower than the price of homes, your previous plans to sell your large house and move to a smaller condo may have been put on hold. If this is the case, perhaps a basement renovation that turns your downstairs into an apartment may be a good idea.

Turning your basement into a self-sufficient apartment is a basement renovation that offers benefits, such as a source of income, potential companionship, or even a place for friends and family to stay over for the weekend or on holidays. Besides, staying in the home you love allows you to stay in the neighbourhood you know, support the local businesses you have known “forever”, and stay close to your friends. So why not give us a call for more ideas on how to spruce up your empty nest?

Why a Kitchen Renovation Makes so Much Sense Right Now

We’ve always spent a lot of time in our kitchens, but during the pandemic many of us have practically been living in them. After all, restaurants are closed, we’re home way more often, and what would the neighbours say if you got home delivery every night?  So, is it any wonder that so many people are planning kitchen renovations?

Improve Your Quality of Life with a Great Kitchen Renovation

A newer, more efficient, and beautiful kitchen can really add to your quality of life. It can make you happy to spend time there. Of course, there are age-old upgrades such as cabinets and drawers, but there is now a plethora of faucet and sink options available. In addition to 1-handle and 2-handle standard faucets, there are options such as pull-down and pull-out faucets.

And the world of sink options has exploded as well, sort of like a dropped plate of paella hitting the floor by accident. Popular choices for sinks include undermount, wall-mounted, drop-in, farmhouse, and apron.

Drawers, Cabinets, and a Backsplash Are Key to Your Kitchen Renovation

Drawers with smooth sliders that last a lifetime and funky hardware to match! Cabinets that add functionality, great looks, and more efficient storage! A backsplash that looks good enough to be in an art gallery! Yes, these are all very realistic goals these days when you choose to renovate your kitchen. But what’s the catch? Choosing the right contractor, of course!

The key to a successful kitchen renovation is to choose a contractor with a great reputation, offers a written guarantee, and has tonnes of experience. In short, a contractor such as A & R Renovations Inc.

Thinking of Selling? A Kitchen Renovation Can Be a Good Investment

A kitchen is one of the focal points of any home, and it often makes the first and most lasting impression of your home or condo. In a recent survey, 65% of RE/MAX real estate brokers said that kitchen upgrades, including cabinets, countertops, and appliances, yield the highest ROI for sellers. What’s more, 87% of those same agents went on to report that a kitchen renovation is the most important home improvement sought out by homebuyers.

View our Kitchen Renovation Portfolio

Is Now the Right Time for Your Home Renovation?

You’ve probably heard that the price of lumber is through the roof, as the housing market remains white-hot and demand is at an all-time high. Also, many people are deciding the time is right for a home renovation, now that they are spending more time at home. Even industry experts are divided on when or even if lumber prices will return to pre-pandemic levels. Ultimately there is only one person who knows if the time is right to renovate your home, and that person is you.

So How Do YOU Know If the Time Is Right to Renovate Your Home?

A lot of deciding if the time is right to renovate comes down to budget and quality of life concerns. Again, there is some confusion, as interest rates are still very low but demand and prices are high. So more than ever doing your reno homework and finalizing your financial commitment to your home reno is more important than ever.

Contrary to what many people believe, the main benefit of a home renovation is an improvement to your quality of life while you remain living in the home, not the resell value of your home. So again, think of yourself first when planning a home renovation. What is best for your family’s needs?

Home Renos That Offer Year-round Quality of Life Improvements

Kitchen, basement, and bathroom renovations remain the most popular home renovations, accounting for over 40% of all home renos in Canada. That just reinforces the fact that the main goal of a home reno is to improve your quality of life. A newly renovated kitchen, finished basement, or updated bathroom gives you and your family benefits all year round.

Award-winning A & R Renovations Inc. has over 25 years of experience in the home renovation industry and can help you throughout your home reno project, from ideation to completion. Give us a call to get started on your home reno.

View Our Home Renovation Portfolio