Edmonton Home Renovation Blog | Peak Improvements

To Renovate or Not to Renovate

Written by Rick St Laurent | Oct 11, 2017 1:00:00 PM

 In the more than 10 years we’ve been doing this kind of work we’ve seen lots of good reasons to renovate (and seen some fantastic results that our clients loved). But we've also come across some situations in which renovating just wasn't the right thing to do at the time.  Let's look at five reasons to renovate your Edmonton home and three reasons now may not be a good time.

5 Reasons to Renovate

While there are probably no wrong reasons to renovate, here’s a look at some of the more common reasons homeowners do it.

1. Your family situation has changed.

Small children don’t stay small very long and often end up needing a little more space than when they were little. Sometimes an older family member may move in and that requires the creation of separate personal space (Multi-generational households are on the increase in North America).

2. You entertain more at home.

Many homeowners are doing more entertaining at home than previously. Sometimes older homes don’t accommodate today’s entertaining styles as well. A renovation project can open up a kitchen and family room and provide a great space for family members and guests to interact.

3. You want increased functionality.

The kitchen is one of the hardest-working rooms in your home. But if your kitchen hasn't been updated in a while, it may not be as convenient to work in as you'd like. A renovated kitchen not only looks better but if it's designed properly, it can be much more efficient (and enjoyable). Here’s a brief look at how to create a functional kitchen.

4. Repairs need to be done.

Sometimes you may simply need to replace features in the home that have been damaged or that have worn out. If you’re looking at a significant repair, that can be a good time to not only restore something to its former condition—but to actually make it better.

5. You want to improve your home’s value.

Maybe you’re thinking about moving in the future but you know that there are some things about your home that might lower the asking price—or make it harder to sell. Making improvements will not only help your home to show better, but there are some projects that historically provide a better return on your investment. Here’s a look at five renovation projects that will increase your home’s value. And on top of getting more for your home, you’ll also get to enjoy these improvements while you’re living there!

3 Reasons NOT to Renovate

 Let’s be honest, sometimes the time just isn’t right to renovate. That doesn’t mean you’ll never do it, but there can be situations that make taking on a project tough. Here’s a look at a few of those situations that may make you want to wait for a better time.

1. The budget isn’t there.

It’s no big secret that renovating your home costs money. As a matter of fact, we’ve posted articles before that give prospective clients an idea of what an Edmonton renovation costs for a kitchen, a bathroom, or even a whole home renovation. If you check out the potential costs and you just don’t have the budget for it at the moment, it’s not a good idea to take on the project. It will cause you stress, and if you try to cut corners to save money, you won’t be happy down the road.

2. You’re facing other stressful issues.

While renovating your home can be exciting and fun, it’s also a bit of a disruptive process. If you have other issues you’re dealing with at the moment (kids, parents, health, work, etc.) you may not want the added stress of having your home disrupted. It’s better to take on a renovation when you are free to focus on the decisions that need to be made.

3. You don’t really know what you want, yet.

 It's not unusual for homeowners to be somewhat dissatisfied with their homes. But there's no need to rush into things. You'll be much happier with the results if you take the time to think about your lifestyle and exactly what you want to do to your home to make living there more comfortable and convenient.

Obviously, you are the only one who can really determine if renovating your Edmonton-area home is the right move to make. If you do decide it is the right time to make a move like this, choosing the right contractor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Here’s a helpful post that highlights some of the key questions you should ask before signing with a home renovation company.