Make way for readers | We answer your renovation questions

Based on the many questions you have sent us, our collaborator gives you advice and possible solutions once a month to carry out your projects.

Stephanie Levesque
General contractor, guest collaborator

Buy renovated or not?

“We hesitate between buying a house to renovate and a house that is already renovated. Apart from the fact that the house to be renovated will be 100% to our liking, what is the most advantageous to buy considering the high material costs? Also, is it true that everything is painted, from kitchen cabinets to bathroom tiles? »

Patricia Fortin

It is completely normal to ask yourself this kind of question. It is a healthy and prudent reflex. The situation has been very particular for two years. The majority of home improvement contractors are so busy that their backlog is through August 2023. Not to mention the labor issue. Renovation requires candidates to have several skills, in addition to patience and responsiveness to the unexpected. Even if, since the pandemic, some people have found new passions, knowing the techniques, respecting the integrity of the house and working in an aesthetic way is not given to everyone. Therefore, even if you are discouraged because you cannot find anyone, even for your small jobs, take your time. Poorly executed work costs three times as much.

I really like the way you ask your question since the main advantage of renovating a house that we have just bought is precisely to make it 100% compatible with our needs and our tastes. We choose a house for the advantages of its location (school, park, proximity to work, etc.), then for its assets: land, number of rooms, etc. At the moment, if you find a house that corresponds to what you are looking for, but it is not 100% to your liking, it will always be possible to renovate it later by planning the work well and planning the necessary budget so as not to find yourself in a golden cage. Of course, everything still has to be safe, but pale blue ceramic tiles in a bathroom have to be endured.

That said, yes, everything paints, but this option is temporary. Hybrid primers and paints offer the ability to quickly transform a kitchen cabinet panel, bathroom vanity or piece of furniture. Same thing for wall ceramics, but the grout joint no longer appears and durability is not its first quality. What you must remember is that you must respect the complete drying time of the products. Read the data sheet.

Renovating a kitchen with a budget of $25,000?

I own a bungalow located in Saint-Hyacinthe, the year of construction is 1978. I would like to renovate my kitchen which is now over 15 years old, with appliances over 20 years old… I am a single dad who doesn’t have a big renovation budget (maximum $25,000) and I wonder if it’s feasible. If so, what are the preferred materials for cabinets, and those for countertops and the best appliances? I often hear about induction hobs, is this an interesting product? I like to cook a lot, and I would like to keep my house for another 15 to 20 years… and I hope this will be my last kitchen!

Yves Simard

Yes, it is possible, but you have to choose your options carefully. When we talk about a kitchen renovation, without even knowing what we are going to do there, we state the budgetary parameters. But do not think that it always costs the same for all types of cuisine. There are kitchens that cost $25,000 and others that cost $150,000 and more. You just have to be well informed and above all compare apples to apples. Attention, the variants are large!

First, the works. Do you entrust all the work to the care of a general contractor? If so, this option makes your project impossible with the current budget. It is known, labor represents a very large part of the budget. If you don’t know anything about it, this is the most likely option. Do you have some skills that could be useful to you, both manual and in management, we mean? You also have to deal with the stress of delivery delays, the unexpected and common errors, such as cuts at the wrong size. If you are interested, the finishing work is accessible and allows you to do things as you want. Make a scenario to assess if it’s worth it. Because it also takes time to do the work properly.

Now, the materials: you’re right, it all depends on what material you choose. Ask yourself the right questions. It would be wise to choose durable materials, especially if you plan to stay in this house for a long time. But yes, they are inevitably more expensive. A well-used and well-maintained melamine or laminate countertop has a fairly respectable useful life, but they are less environmentally friendly choices. Obviously, it’s not comparable to solid wood or a granite countertop, but that’s where you have to plan and make choices.

Now the appliances. If you include them in your renovation budget, they will figure prominently. There is something for all tastes and all budgets. Regarding the induction hob, it has the reputation of spreading the heat well and being easy to maintain. This type of appliance requires an electrical demand that is often different from that of your current cooker. It is not uncommon for the electrician to have to modify and readjust the electrical source. This is to be validated in order to properly plan the stages of the work. Take your time, especially these days. The delivery of materials and appliances is unpredictable in terms of time and availability. If you have very specific desires, take a step ahead.