Going up? Adding Ceiling Height to Your Basement Remodel

Last post we started the discussion of adding basement ceiling height to your remodel. We discussed the strategy of digging down to gain height in the basement. In this post, we talk about up by lifting the house to gain basement ceiling height.  As mentioned in the last post, these strategies have a high degree of difficulty

First and foremost you have to check what the city zoning will allow. A few things to look for are how will house raising affect your floor space ratio and will the new height be above what’s allowable. Providing you are able to check all the city boxes and get a building permit, then we get to the good stuff.

Let’s Get that House Airborne

Have your qualified contractor and structural engineer inspect the condition of the home ensuring it can sustain a house lift and the additional weight. Next disconnect services like water, gas, electricity and sewage. In the basement demo the existing interior walls. Confirm subgrade condition for stable placement of jacks and support cribs.  Cut holes in the foundation to allow beams under the building. Jacks are placed under the beams and the house is raised and crib supports take the place of the jacks. Now that the building is off the foundation, its time to build the structural supports between the foundation and the bottom of the home. Lower the home onto the new structural supports and voila you have a taller basement. Now you are ready for framing, plumbing, electrical etc.

Questions? Please feel free to contact me and I’d be happy to help out.

Beams Placed for House Lift

Support Cribs Under Beams

A View of the House Above the Foundation

Condominium Renovations-What you need to know

Condominium and Townhouse Renovations in Vancouver seem like a snap but they present their own challenges that single family homes don’t have. Here are a couple of quick tips to hopefully save you from a few surprises, expense and time when embarking on a condominium renovation

Love Thy Neighbour

Condominium Kitchen Renovation Before

Your neighbours will be involved and affected in some way. From demolition and construction noise to accessing the neighbouring suite to make plumbing adjustments for your new sink. Making friends with the neighbours well in advance will go a long way to making the project run much smoother.

No one is above the law

Read the strata bylaws very carefully before starting your renovation. Look for flags like restricted work hours (ex 10 am to 2 pm) or strata approval for minor things (like flooring). You can pretty much count on design approval and building permit required for a typical renovation. Breaking bylaws will land you a bunch of fines and/or a stop-work order, so take them seriously

Condominium Kitchen Renovation After

Sorry but some things are a little more expensive…

Delivery and access are two big challenges when doing a condominium renovation. Many things will be moved by hand from a truck, up the elevator, down hallways… well you get the idea. Waste disposal is another problem because using a dumpster is rarely an option. Consequently, many trips with a trailer are required to remove waste from a condominium renovation

Hopefully, you found these tips useful and if you have any questions please feel free to contact me directly

Winter Is Coming: How to keep your home warm

FEATURE BLOG: Sally Writes, Wall Fireplace Pro

Keep Your Home Warm in Winter

Temperatures in Vancouver in Winter are normally down to 38°F. It’s extremely important to keep your home warm and well-insulated. Insulating your house will help preserve energy, costing you less money and helping to look after the environment. Over half of Canadians heat their homes with furnaces burning non-renewable energy sources. Conserving this heat is essential in Winter. If you are getting a home restoration and making improvements, it is really worth considering home insulation.

Identifying Problems With Your Insulation

An opportunity to skyrocket your land value and make $$$!

Increase your land value

Great news for homeowners who want to increase the their land value by creating laneway and duplex homes.

Vancouver city council have approved changes allowing more development on RS (single family zones) and RT (two family zones), meaning you can increase your land value. More affordable housing and the desire to protect heritage homes has influenced this change. This is a win-win for landowners and those of us looking to purchase more affordable homes.

Vancouver City Council’s – Two Approved Changes:

1. RS (single family zones) is the lowest density regions and covers over 80% of vancouver’s land mass. Those in RS zones can now build, sell or rent laneway houses on their land. The catalyst for this change is to protect heritage homes. 
2. In denser RT (two family zones in the Grandview Woodland and Mount Pleasant area) the number of homes on a standard 33-foot lot can increase from 2 to 3. This means you can have a duplex and a laneway house to sell or rent.

At the moment, heritage homes are being pulled down and replaced and create more affordable housing.  The changes n0w protect heritage homes. As a consequence, if a heritage home is demolished, the city will limit the size of the new house you are able to build.

What does this mean?

If your current home is on a RS or RT zone you are able to increase your land value. You can build a laneway home or turn your home into a duplex. This means, in effect those in RT zones could live in one element of your home, and sell or rent off the other two. Pay off your mortgage and possibly even make an income. As a result it means there will be more affordable housing available.

Act now

Find out more about these changes and how we can help you renovate/build to skyrocket your land value. Contact us at 778-379-4403 or get a free consultation here. 

From Rec to Rentals – What To Do With Your Basement Renovation?

Organization By Design

VANCOUVER is a real estate hot spot! The mild West coast weather is a huge draw coupled with the mix of mountains and seaside beauty. You can go to the beach and snow ski all in the same day! It’s a gem that is well-known around the world.  While this is amazing and why we live here, it’s making it more and more difficult for young people to live and families to grow here. Space is constantly shrinking while prices are going up due to high demand.

So what can you do if you don’t want to leave yet still want to live here comfortably in a small space? Organize!

The best thing I do for myself (and my sanity) every 3-6 months is purge. I usually do it at season switchovers and get rid of anything I did not wear/use unless I can seriously justify keeping it. This is so important when you live in a small space as clutter has not only physical effects (read: no room to walk or sit) but psychological as well! It takes up not only your physical space but your mental too. Once I have done a good purge on my apartment, i feel refreshed and ready to organize everything that’s left!

A lot of times, we work in kitchens or live in bedrooms that don’t have the right flow. We can’t seem to pinpoint the reason why we don’t feel like our home is a calming space. Whether you’re renovating your own home or trying to make do in a rental space, there are plenty of ideas out there. If you’re renting, the biggest thing to keep in mind is flexibility. If you have to move, you will want whatever you acquire to (hopefully) work in the next place you live. It’s important to think about whether or not you will be able to take it with you. If not, really consider if it’s worth investing in.

Ikea – Yes, really

One of my favourite and inexpensive ways to incorporate more storage is with IKEA. If you’re thinking, Ugh everyone has IKEA! You’re not alone but there are many ways to give products a more personal touch and luckily there are lots of hacks/ideas out there. Some are as simple as a quick coat of paint or new knobs while other require a little more energy and tools. However, they are all doable and take a simple product to another level. The best part? If you mess up it’s typically not a hugely expensive flop!

Storage

If you’re renovating, there are a multitude of ways to incorporate more storage and make your home flow better. When renovating, it’s important to have a reason why. Plan the space for right now but future growth as well. Whether that means just updating to sell in a few years or adding more people or pets to your family or wanting to work from home. The best way to narrow this all down and create the best space is to hire a professional to plan your home. Whether you decide to hire someone or not, prepare to get comfortable with sites like Houzz and Pinterest for ideas to get a feel for the style you want. Even if you hire a professional, having a good sense of direction (and pictures) will save you time and money in the long run.

Start with the rooms you use daily. Are they organized and easy to use or are you constantly going in the wrong drawer or digging through trying to find things? You may not realize how much little frustrations affect you throughout the day. Ridding those frustrations helps clear your mind. When your space is organized, it’s much easier for you to be. Working with a professional can make a huge difference, especially in a larger ticket room like a kitchen or bathroom. Would you trust yourself to privately sell your home or hire a realtor?

Ask yourself

Is your bathroom functional? Is your morning shower relaxing and invigorating to get you ready to seize the day? Maybe you need more space in your vanity to store the essentials so everything is within arm’s reach? Maybe you need a new handheld shower head so you have more flexibility and or better pressure? Not enough storage? Create better ways to organize the storage you do have or add shelving somewhere. My favourite way to keep a shower organized is to add niches! They look sleek and offer just the right depth for bottles so they aren’t littered around your shower.

Layout

Is your kitchen a great place to cook where everything flows or are you constantly running around trying to find everything? Do you have a functional work triangle? Does your kitchen need to accommodate one or multiple cooks? Working with a professional designer is key to make sure you explore the possibilities. They can answer the pertinent questions to design to your needs. The right accessories, such as a recycle unit, can make recycle day a breeze because the hard work is already done. Having a utensil sorter so your whisk is easily accessible and you’re not removing all the other utensils stuck in it as your sauce burns. A spice organizer so you’re not digging through a drawer trying to find that one spice you haven’t used in a year. You get the idea!

Another area that we use every single day is our closet. How many times have you torn apart yours trying to find an outfit for the day? If everything was organized into sections and laid out properly so you can see each piece it would make putting outfits together a breeze. Built-ins are the best way to achieve the closet of your dreams and end the couple battle over space. If you’re renting, you can still get removable pieces that will keep your closet manageable. From jewelry dividers in drawers to laundry hampers. There are lots of great ideas for efficiently organizing. This Buzzfeed article has a step by step on purging and organizing your closet:

17 Invaluable Tips For Anybody With Too Many Clothes

Pinterest

This all may sound daunting and exhausting however, once it’s done, it’s done. It then means it’s easy to maintain moving forward. In the long run, the time you put in at the start will pay off and then some. The age old saying, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail” is beyond true when organizing. What most people forget to do is plan to plan. You have to set aside the time and make it a priority.

What happens to a lot of people is they finish their renovation and don’t take the time to put everything in the proper place and organize it. This is a huge mistake! If this has baffled you and you don’t know where to start, call us and speak to a professional to help you get started!

What To Ask Before Renovations Start

Know What To Ask Before Renovations Begin

Renovating your home can be an overwhelming task. Knowing the right questions to ask can really help you manage your expectations and build a trusting and transparent relationship with your contractor.

It’s your home, your money and your vision! You want to ensure you investigate and explore all of your options and know what you are singing up to. Think of your first meeting with your renovator like an interview. You need to know that you can work together and trust them. Find out what you need to ask before renovations start.

Ask about the company

How long have they been doing business? If it’s a long time, it’s likely they have completed successful renovations and have happy clients. It also means they will most likely have built strong relationships with suppliers which means you’ll have lots of choice of material and perhaps even a cheaper rate.

Who will be at the renovation site?

So far you may have only dealt with one person, but who will be at your home every day? Do they have employees or is it contractors? What’s the process of opening and locking your home if you aren’t there? How often will you need to be on site/available? All important questions to find out to help you plan your work/life balance while your renovation is taking place.

How will you present the budget and how do I pay?

Some contractors will tell you the top line cost. Others like us at reVISION Renovations provide a detailed and transparent cost breakdown. Will you be able to see all the material costs, design time costs and mark up? How will you be paying for your renovation? Will you be paying in one lump sum, weekly or as items are billed?

How will you protect my home and the items in it?

This must be asked before the demolition stage. Is there a process for protecting your belongings and anything in your home that is remaining throughout the renovation. For example, ask do you cover carpets/flooring. Do you move furniture? It seems like a simple question, but you will be able to gauge the level of professionalism and care the company take by their answer given.

Will you obtain the correct permits and design around this?

Some contractors will try to cut corners. It’s important that you obtain the correct building permits and that your design has been worked around the limitations of this. Ask about this process to ensure your new home will be to code. All of our team including designers understand the code and regulations. This will save you time and money.

How will you communicate with me during the renovation?

It’s important you express how involved you would like to be during the renovation. Do you want to be called or emailed? What does your renovator normally do when decisions need to be made. How often will you need to come back into the office? If you don’t click with the people at the renovation company, or don’t like how they work, it’s likely your whole renovation process will be a struggle.

Is there anything about my renovation that concerns you?

Is there anything the renovator is concerned about? Or perhaps, is there anything they are not capable of completing for you?

How long is this renovation going to take?

You need to make plans to either live in an unaffected area of your home, stay with friends/family or get a hotel or Airbnb. You need to ensure it’s a realistic time scale which will help you set your expectations.

Our goal at reVISION Renovations is to help clients love their homes. We do this by guiding them through a clear and transparent renovation process, supporting them every step of the way. Before renovations, during and after.

Request an Estimate Today

5 ways to update and brighten your space on a budget

Feature blog by Nicole Poelzer, Interior Designer at Revision Renovations

One of the most common questions I get as a designer is how can you brighten and update your home without breaking the bank. Whether you are renting and don’t want to invest in a home you don’t own or you recently bought your place and don’t have the extra cash to renovate yet, this tips will help you out!

1) Roll on some new paint

            

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4) Update and add more lighting fixtures

5) A gallery wall

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Feature Blog written by Nicole our Interior Designer

Find Out More About Nicole Here

Clever & Innovative Renovation Ideas

During a renovation, we’ve all done it. Scanning pinterest to find the clever, innovative renovation ideas you can incorporate into your home. We’ve done the hard work for you and put together a Pinterest board which we think will make your life easier. We love including innovate features in our renovations. Here is an overview of a few ideas to get you thinking about your next project…

Stairs Storage

Finding a place to put those pesky shoes that pile up at the bottom of the stairs can be difficult. Shoe racks don’t hide them well enough for our liking and cupboard space is precious. We love this idea of storing your shoes in the stairs.

Pull out bins

How useful would it be to be able to scrape food scraps straight to the bin! These bins are easy reach, hidden away and right where you need them most.

Bathroom Storage

So you’ve had your bathroom renovated and now you have to add all the life essentials like shampoo bottles. All of a sudden the bathroom doesn’t look as nice. This storage pull out is a great idea to hide all the daily essentials.

Laundry storage

Finding a place to put your dirty clothes before washing can take up lots of room. Separating colours is always a drag. We love this laundry storage as it makes all those problems disappear.

Small touches count

It’s easy to overlook the small touches. It’s a busy morning and your rushing around getting ready. The last thing you want to do is put a hot hair dryer on your lovely new bathroom counter. Little touches, like adding a place to hold and store these types of items make your life easier.

Extendable Balcony

Outdoor space is hard to find. The hot summers in the Lower Mainland can be difficult to handle without a little outdoor space. This is a great solution to bring fresh air into a room.

These are just some of our favourite of many ideas we found on Pinterest and have created in previous renovations. Check out the Pinterest board here to see the images up close.

Riverdale: Sweet Water Makeovers

Ads a If you live in or around Vancouver, you’ll have likely heard the buzz around Riverdale; the mysterious teen drama based on the Archie comic books which is being filmed in the lower mainland. 

The filming locations of Riverdale have a very distinct mysterious style with the sets having a vampy mix of retro pieces with a modern twist. The aesthetics scream twin peaks, haunted hollywood and are very vampire-esque. As a result, this got us wondering how could we replicate some of these elements in our home. We have picked our top 3 sets from the show and broken down how you can incorporate some of the vampy style into your interiors.

Inspiration 1: Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe

http://riverdale.wikia.com

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Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe is the ‘Central Perk’ of Riverdale. It’s the meeting point for characters so therefore features poften in the show. We couldn’t help but get inspired by the 50’s retro/70’s mobile home vibe. The checkered floor and bright red neon signs and seating are reminiscent of the iconic Mel’s Drive In on the Sunset Blvd. We’re not saying turn your kitchen into a grungy american style diner. But you could certainly take some inspo like CW did for an event they threw.

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American Diner Style Appliances

Appliances that add a pop of colour and a nod to the 50’s can liven up a dull kitchen and add a fun element.

Kitchen Booth

Adding a coloured kitchen booth like ‘Pops Chock’lit Shoppe’ provides the family a fun place to enjoy meals together while being very easy to clean. Furthermore, the bright colour lightens up the room and ensures the booth is a focal point. We love the neon sign above the booth and the mix of classic wooden beams with modern furniture. (pictured above)

Checkered Flooring

Checkered flooring isn’t just for the kitchen and it certainly doesn’t have to be black and white. Another thing we love is this dark green and white flooring (above), mixed with the dark walls and foliage. The the deep green flooring colour provides a modern twist while the darker walls keep the room looking vampy and glam.

Inspiration 2: Veronica’s apartment building (The Permanent Building Downtown)

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Veronica’s apartment building is actually the Permanent building in Downtown Vancouver. This heritage building exudes glamour and class. The original Bank of Canada vault door still stands in the main hall as well as the beautiful stained glass atrium over head. This is perfect apartment inspiration for those wanting a elegant and prestigious look.

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Stained Glass Windows

If you don’t have an atrium like Veronica, why not add stained glass to the bathroom. Due to the fact stained glass instantly adds drama, history and interest. The glass windows in the bathroom (above) provide beautiful colours which will change as the sun shines through. It also gives an element of privacy without having to frost the glass.

Crown moulding and framing doors and windows.

By framing the doors and windows you instantly make the room look more expensive and dramatic. This creates interesting lines for the eyes to follow and makes your home look far more upscale and traditional.

Metal and steel

It’s ok, we can’t afford our own steel vault in our home either. However, we can afford to introduce metal features such as this sink (above). By mixing metal with traditional materials such as wood, your home can look rustic and modern. The alternative textures really complement each other.

Inspiration 3: The Blossom Mansion

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Twitter @madelainepetsch

http://www.priceypads.com

The brick & stone Blossom Family Manor is impressive in size and quality. While located in South Langley, British Columbia, the property is the gem in our inspo blog. Notably, the dark wood, velvet and gold finishes provide a mysterious and rich atmosphere.

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Dark wood with gold accents

Don’t be afraid of dark wood. It can be intimidating using dark wood, particularly with dark paint, however by adding gold accents the reflections lighten up the space and make the colours look far richer.

Fireplaces Gates and Tall Candles

We pay homage to the Blossom Mansion gates by including a smaller version in the fireplace (pictured above). Firstly this gate adds drama, secondly it contrasts well with the lighter fireplace. Tall candles often make appearances in the Blossom Mansion and by adding these around the fireplace it can be a great way to bring everything around the fireplace together. It’s also common that fireplaces in vancouver are decommissioned but not removed. By going this, it’s a great way to keep it a feature.

Velvet

If we are talking vampy style, velvet has to be included! In order to ensure velvet doesn’t look tacky you could add matte materials and matte paint around a feature velvet piece. Furthermore, this allows it to shimmer and stand out without clashing with any other shiny materials. Since in the Blossom Mansion (pictured above) velvet bedding and sofas are always the focal point.

Here at Revision Renovations, we have in-house designers who will be able to help you pull these looks together from flooring to fixtures and fittings.

Contact us and get started today!