Before You Start Renovating Your Kitchen

Your kitchen is probably the most used room in your house. Poor layout, inadequate lighting, cramped spaces, outdated fixtures and old cabinetry are common complaints of homeowners.

Before you decide to go ahead with a kitchen renovation, it is important to clearly identify the features you want in your new kitchen. Just as important is a thorough pre-renovation inspection to identify any existing problems.

Common Situations

Kitchen renovations are high on the list of the most common home renovations. A renovation can be as simple as installing new flooring or be a major undertaking that includes enlarging the space and replacing all fixtures and finishes.

Homeowners consider kitchen renovations for many reasons including:

• Size and design — the existing kitchen may be too small or poorly laid out.
• Fixtures and appliances — the fixtures and appliances may be worn out, inefficient or outdated.
• Cabinets and countertops — cabinet finishes, hardware or countertops may be outdated, need repair or replacement.
• Structural problems  — there may be problems that require structural changes or repairs.
• Moisture — the floor, walls or finishes may be unsightly or damaged due to moisture problems.
• Plumbing and electrical — many older kitchens don’t have enough electrical outlets and circuits. Older plumbing and plumbing fixtures may include lead or galvanized steel piping.
• Heating and ventilation — older kitchens often have inadequate ventilation or heating systems. The area may be poorly insulated and have a high degree of air leakage, two factors that lead to high energy consumption.
• Finishes — older finishes may be unattractive or not durable enough to withstand the daily wear and tear.
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Ontario builders seek relief in budget

Ontario builders seek relief in budget

TORONTO STAR GRAPHIC

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TONY WONG 
BUSINESREPORTER

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty's top priorities in the upcoming 2009 budget should be job creation and infrastructure projects in an effort to stave off a devastating slowdown in the economy, according to the province's property developers.

A survey by the Ontario Home Builders' Association found more than a third of builders expect to lay off staff for 2009.

"People will continue to work and we can ensure adequate roads, transit and residential services are upgraded and expanded," OHBA president Frank Giannone said.

Job creation, infrastructure spending and personal and corporate tax reductions were the top three priorities identified by home builders. A balanced budget was in fourth place. Financing in tight credit markets was another issue.

About 47 per cent of home builders surveyed said availability of financing was down. A third also said they had difficulty financing new home and renovation projects.

Meanwhile, separate reports released yesterday show the housing market hasn't hit bottom yet.

"Issues affecting the overall economy are impacting housing markets across the country and the situation is not expected to be remedied until consumer confidence is restored," ReMax Ontario Atlantic Canada executive vice-president Michael Polzler stated in a report.

ReMax is forecasting average prices across Canada will fall 3 per cent this year and 2 per cent next year to $293,000.

Other forecasters however, are taking a gloomier view.

Carl Gomez, vice-president of research for real estate consultants Bentall Investment Management, said prices have to fall nationally by at least 10 per cent from their peak to return to normal valuations. In Alberta and British Columbia, where prices have gone up a lot quicker than the national average, values may have to fall by as much as 30 per cent. However, prices may fall further than that as the market seeks to correct itself, Gomez stated in a report released this week.

"All markets in Canada are facing deteriorating economic conditions that are likely to either accelerate or cause a larger than required cumulative decline in house prices."

Prices in Ontario are about 10 per cent overvalued, but could fall further depending on economic conditions, Gomez stated.

"The recent deterioration of macro economic conditions and the potential for deflation to affect all asset prices in the current environment could potentially result in Ontario home prices falling by even more than the expected 10 per cent," Gomez stated.

Globally, Canada is in better shape than other industrialized countries because home prices increased far more moderately, by about 80 per cent between 1997 and 2008, according to the report.

By contrast, Britain and Spain saw increases of 200 per cent in the same period. United States house prices jumped 190 per cent between 1997 and 2006 before crashing in 2007.

Another, tough-minded report yesterday by the Center for Economic Policy and Research in Washington says U.S. house prices must fall further to stabilize the market.

"Prices in many markets are still hugely out of line with trend levels," it said.

"As long as house price remains inflated there is no way that the market can stabilize since there will continue to be a large excess supply."

The best way to stabilize house prices is to deflate the bubbles by allowing government-sponsored enterprises such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to refuse to buy mortgages in markets in which house prices are out of line, said the U.S. report. ."

Bathroom Renovation: Still Popular In Todays Housing Market

Double Bathroom Vanities Top Of The Line Bathroom Furniture

Toronto, CA 12/01/2008  

With homeowners significantly scaling back their remodeling plans or scrapping them altogether in light of a floundering economy, many are finding ways to create the bathroom of their dreams while avoiding the excessive costs of full-scale renovations – by opting for double bathroom vanities from www.the-reno-coach.com

Bathroom renovations are expensive. The cost to renovate even a small bathroom averages at least $20,000. A bathroom remodel, though, is also among the most valuable renovations one can make to a home.

Many leading economists expect the current financial crisis to last for some time, but the need for homeowners to renovate their bathrooms isn’t dropping with the stock market. But homeowners don’t have to forestall their remodeling plans.

With such a wide array of styles and sizes available, finding a double bathroom vanity to fit an existing bathroom, or the bathroom of your dreams, at a fraction of the cost of a full remodel at  is a snap.

Replacing existing vanities, or expanding a single vanity to a double vanity, can significantly upgrade an existing bathroom.

A double bathroom vanity is a perfect for master bathrooms. They offer more storage and the ability to use two sinks at one time – solving morning conflicts over who gets to use the sink first and ending battles over drawer space.

TradeWindsImports.com offers numerous traditional, antique and contemporary styles. The wood, color and metal finishes available can fit any bathroom’s motif. All of the vanities come complete with countertops and sinks, with many offering a number of faucet styles.

Double bathroom vanities from  make remodeling a bathroom simple and affordable without scrimping on quality. The vanities can be easily installed in one day without having to hire a contractor and cost a fraction of the price of a bathroom remodel.

What’s more, double bathroom vanities from  are durable and easy to maintain. They are sure to add a more luxurious feel to any bathroom.

Enhancing a bathroom with considerable improvements can be done easily and without breaking one’s budget. For a complete listing of different styles and designs, installation guides and more bathroom renovation ideas, 

visit www.the-reno-coach.com