Undertaking basement remodels in Calgary will maximize your property’s space and increase its value. Like any home renovation project, improvements and adjustments can ensure that your basement becomes a key part of your home.

The process behind remodelling a basement is just like any other: it requires careful thought and planning. Rushing into renovations won’t help get the desired outcome for your basement suite.

While you might not do the work itself (we discuss this below), having the right foundation to build on makes a world of difference to the overall process and application.

This simple three-step guide will walk you through every step of the process, from the visual evaluations to the hands-on labour. Let’s get started.

3 Step Plan For Basement Renovations in Calgary

Step 1: Evaluate Your Basement Space

You can’t proceed with any remodelling or basement renovations without overseeing what you can work with in the first place. Take a look over your current basement space.

If your basement floor is already laid out, then you’re limited to what you can do. Try to build your plan around it. If you have an open space, then you have the luxury of starting afresh.

With a firm foundation (no pun intended) to build on, you can think hard about what you would like to do with your basement. Do you want to turn it into a man cave? Will it be another bedroom or guest suite of the home? Or will it be an entertainment room?

Think about how you would want yourself and others to use this space and develop your design.

Step 2: Developing the Floor Plan

Now that you have designed the outliers of your basement, you can focus on the floor plan, which is where you’ll place the bedroom(s), bathroom, kitchen, living room and so forth.

Map out where you plan to put the walls and the dimensions of each room. Make sure you leave space between the walls for plumbing and electrical wiring. Once you have established these areas, take a step back and look at the layout.

If you’re happy with it, you can continue onto the building phase. If not, consider hiring an interior designer for a professional opinion on how to best utilize the space.

Room in apartment before and after renovation works

Step 3: Speak to a Renovations Contractor

It’s best to work with a professional home renovations company in Calgary when building your basement development. You can always undertake the work yourself, but, no offence here, a lack of experience, knowledge and tools might result in you creating a subpar job.

That could lead to problems in the future, which will cost you more in repairs and devalue the whole project. It’s best to focus on hiring a professional that can build it for you.

Show them your plans, and explain what you would like for your basement development in Calgary. They’ll be able to provide you with feedback to make the renovations better.

Even if you don’t want them to build the whole thing, their ideas and suggestions can guide you in making better decisions for your basement remodel.

If you want to know how to find a renovation contractor, our blog can guide you right here.

Trademark Renovations is the leading renovations company in Calgary. With over 30 years of experience, a wealth of design and building knowledge, and numerous consumer choice awards. Our commitment to producing outstanding work, and offering honest, transparent customer service, is why the industry regularly recognizes us. Whether you are looking for new home additions in Calgary or a new kitchen, we are your trusted company. Contact us at 403-277-5600.

Ah, Calgary home additions. How sweet a thought. As one of the best ways to upgrade your home and increase its value, home additions encompass any act of adding to your home’s structure. They take on many shapes and sizes, from dormers to decks and everything in between. However, there is always a tricky question attached to home additions.

What is their value?

This question comes up again and again. Sure, it is easy to wish for a sealed-off deck space or a grandiose kitchen remodel, but if it will only cost you money and not bring any value to the property, is it worth it? Nobody wants to be on the hook for thousands of dollars, with nothing to show for the trouble. Therefore, the first essential step in planning a home addition is understanding what sort of value it will bring to the overall property.

How to Determine the Added Value of Calgary Home Additions

Popular Choices

Perhaps an essential piece of advice you can receive regarding Calgary home additions is to stick with the popular choices. It may feel limiting creatively, but realty is a strange animal. People want the common features of a home because they can accurately measure the added value, and they want to avoid strange features that are hard to quantify monetarily.

As an example, one of the most popular home additions is kitchen renovations. From redoing the cabinets and countertops to changing tiles and refinishing the floors, there are many ways to improve your kitchen’s look and increase your home’s value. However, on the flip side of this, we have reading nooks.

Reading nooks are small additions that you may wish to add to your living room or other common areas. Typically, they involve expanding large bay windows to accommodate a small but cozy space. They seem like a great idea, but their general lack of utility, other than sitting and lounging, makes them a less desirable addition. Plus, if they are not done correctly, the area can be chilly and uncomfortable, no matter the weather.

Study Your Market

Right in line with our first piece of advice, studying your residential market is key to the success of your Calgary home additions. Many fantastic home additions add real value in many areas of the country, but they might not fare so well here in Calgary. Typically, this property market values the following additions:

Kitchen renovations
Basement development
Porch additions, like enclosures or expansions
Dormer extensions for lofts, second bedrooms

How Much Value Do Calgary Home Additions Actually Add?

According to The Nest, an addition like a shed roof dormer may cost between $10,000-$15,000 or upwards of $20,000. This is not an unreasonable amount to ask for a second-floor observation deck, and they continue on to say that homeowners can expect to “add 80 percent of that [the cost] in value.”

Similarly, The Nest continues to appeal for adding in a wooden deck, which is already a popular choice here in Alberta. Again, you can expect to retain between “75 or 80 percent” of whatever you put into this particular home addition. As they typically cost around $10,000, you can rest assured your money will retain its value for the long term.

Find Your Ideal Calgary Home Additions Today!

Give us a call to learn more about the exciting options for your property today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Renovation contractors in Calgary offer a wide variety of services. In fact, they even go over and above the ones that you can learn about in the article below. However, the options we present are here for you to get the creative juices flowing. Additionally, as you read through them, you should consider how you can shape or mould your home to better suit your needs and personality.

Renovation Contractor Services

Electrical Upgrades

Electrical upgrades are a vital part of the renovation contractor toolset. Electricity has become a significant part of our everyday lives, and keeping it up-to-date is almost a full-time job in and of itself. Whether it is upgrading your electrical box, rerunning old wire, or adding in more outlets, renovation contractors will assist and advise you as the project progresses.

Kitchen Renovations

Kitchen renovations are, unsurprisingly, a regular part of Calgary renovation contractors’ tasks. For instance, installing new cabinets or replacing the countertops will be a part of their services, but there is much more to their scope than simply changing individual components one at a time. More on that later.

Basement Development

Renovation contractors who work on basement developments usually do great work. Typically, people want to add a secondary suite or a new bathroom in their basement space, and it is through cooperation with their renovation contractor that they get the results they expect in the time they desire.

Material Sourcing

Material sourcing means finding everything that completes the look of your home. From lumber and light fixtures to doorknobs and stair railings, renovation contractors are the people responsible for acquiring almost all the products that will end up in your house.

Bathroom Renovations

Bathroom renovations are also a major part of renovation services. Renovated bathrooms can inspire and delight. Plus, as one of the more solitary rooms in the house, the area should feel fresh and inviting as well.

Home Additions

Home additions include extra rooms, like sunrooms or balconies. But, did you know those home additions can also include garages and other standalone buildings? Adding to your property increases value and storage if that is your goal.

Interior Design

Remember how we said that replacing components was only a small part of the contractor’s scope? Well, it’s true. Interior design also makes up a big part of their duties, as they work with their clients and suppliers to create stunning, unique, and even groundbreaking designs. In some cases, these designs push the limits of modern construction techniques, but there is no limit when it comes to making your home the masterpiece you want.

Find Your Renovation Contractor Today!

Trademark Renovations is the leading renovations company in Calgary, with over 30 years of experience, a wealth of design and building knowledge, and numerous consumer choice awards. Our commitment to producing outstanding work, as well as offering honest, transparent customer service, is why the industry regularly recognizes us. Whether you are looking for new home addition in Calgary or just a revamped kitchen, Trademark Renovations is your trusted company for all home renovations in Calgary. Contact us at 403-277-5600.

The best home renovations in Calgary are the ones that fill you with joy. Barring that, however, the next best option is the one that gains you money. Therefore, the decisions you make during home renovations often strike a balance between practicality and originality. As a result, you should learn about the housing market in your area and inform your decisions.

However, different housing markets will have different demands. For instance, places that don’t regularly build basements into new neighbourhoods probably don’t care about basement renovations, which just makes sense. For home renovations in Calgary, though, basement renovations can significantly increase the value of your home. To learn more about what home improvements you should consider, read on below.

5 Value-Increasing Home Improvements

Basement Renovations

Indeed, you may have seen this one coming. That is why we chose it for the first option. However, it is hard to overstate the value of correctly done basement renovations. They function as another level to your home and provide an excellent area for personal activities and social visits. If you are considering basement renovations, make sure you include another bathroom. The plumbing stack is right there, so don’t miss out on an easy way to add substantial value.

Yard Cleanup

Yard cleanup is a general category, but it includes anything that improves the curb appeal of your home. Garden features, replacement siding, grass coverings, and more are a part of the yard cleanup you should do when selling your home. Additionally, consider removing any trees that have complex root systems or are susceptible to pests.

Fixture Replacement

One of the problems all homes face as they age is fixtures. The lights get coated with gunk, the stovetop vent gets greasy, and the vent covers get broken or damaged. Understandably, overlooking these problems is common, but take some time to critically examine each of them in turn. Often, it is the details that sell the house, and this is one place that needs no skimping.

Energy Efficient Windows

Energy-efficient windows are an excellent choice for your home. They are easy to sell, in high demand, and provide real value for the money. Plus, the sooner you install them, the more likely you are to turn a profit off of them because of the savings on your energy bill. Truly, a benefit for everyone.

Hardwood Floor Upgrades

Closing out our list is hardwood floor upgrades. Laminate is overdone and gives a sense of cheap, consumer buildings. Consider replacing it with a lovely hardwood floor to increase the value. And, for even better value, add any rooms with scratchy rugs to the list.

Trademark Renovations is the leading renovations company in Calgary, with over 30 years of experience, a wealth of design and building knowledge, and numerous consumer choice awards. Our commitment to producing outstanding work, as well as offering honest, transparent customer service, is why the industry recognizes us. Whether you are looking for new home addition in Calgary or just a revamped kitchen, Trademark Renovations is your trusted company for all home renovations in Calgary. Contact us at 403-277-5600.

When you are looking into home renovations in Calgary, you may find yourself feeling overwhelmed, which is totally understandable as there are a lot of improvements that need consideration. Surely, your dedication to finding the best options and deals possible.

However, there are subtle ways that you can improve your home renovations in Calgary, such as saving money, leaving your designs open for changes, and more. Ultimately, you should remember that the space you are working on is entirely your own, and any decision you make should reinforce your belief that it is the best possible solution.

Home Renovation Tips for Improvement

Keep Your Design Space Open

Yes, we all can relate to the idea of the wall dedicated to our hobby or interest. Taking up the majority of the largest living space and being the singular feature of our homes, our hobby will be the shining star in our living area. However, it rarely appears that people do that, and there must be a reason.

Usually, this is caused by the reality that transforming a wall into a sword rack doesn’t have much staying power, and people coming to purchase the property may not have the same mindset or interest in this type of renovation. Instead, most people leave the spaces open and decorate tastefully so that they can save money, but more importantly, keep the space open for future changes.

Reduce Your Spending

Unfortunately, a large part of our consumer experience centres around paying more for a product only because it features the name of a prominent designer or company. Of course, many people enjoy flaunting this type of possession, but a lot of that pride centres around having spent more money on a product or service of equal value.

You should consider breaking this cycle with your home renovations. The reality is that many beautiful products are available at a reduced price or even just a reasonable cost. Using these options gives you more room in your budget, and you can get creative in showcasing your wealth in other ways.

Keep it Simple

Your home renovations should never exceed your wants or desires. Instead, if you feel that you do not have the budget or interest in expanding your renovations, simply leave them as they stand. Doing this will save you money, give you a feeling of completeness, and ultimately showcase a more rewarding, completed project.

Having simple ideas without much fuss is a great way for you to hone in on what is truly important in your renovations, and you will have an easier time throughout the process.

Trademark Renovations is the leading renovations company in Calgary, with over 30 years of experience, a wealth of design and building knowledge, and numerous consumer choice awards. Our commitment to producing outstanding work, as well as offering honest, transparent customer service, is why we are recognized throughout the industry. Whether you are looking for new home addition in Calgary or just a revamped kitchen, Trademark Renovations is your trusted company for all home renovations in Calgary. Contact us at 403-277-5600.

Maximizing your kitchen renovations is lessened when you have less space. Since we are currently living in a world where smaller, simpler lifestyles are at the forefront, and people are creating interesting and novel ways of leading these lives, smaller kitchen renovations are actually a great place to start expanding your imagination and experimenting with unconventional ideas.

Therefore, if you are the proud owner of a small kitchen, and would like to begin renovations for the project, you should ensure you are doing a sufficient amount of research into your options because there may be options that you have not yet considered. For instance:

Interesting Ways to Perform Small Kitchen Renovation

Capitalize on Your Space

One of the most common mainstays in any kitchen is the presence of big, bulky appliances. Refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, microwaves and more appear the utmost necessity when it comes to a kitchen, but are they essential?

Perhaps not, as it turns out. Consider your dishwasher unit, for instance. Does it provide you with more benefits and save you sufficient time for the real estate that it occupies? If it doesn’t, consider removing it and reselling it in a used state. Not only will this give you money for better kitchen renovations, but it will also free up valuable real estate. Further, you can consider other appliances with the same process and see if you really need them as well.

Prioritize Countertop Areas

Another great way to get innovative with your small kitchen is by prioritizing countertop space. If you leave your toaster, espresso machine, coffee maker, bread maker, blender, juicer, flat iron, hot plate, and other similar small appliances on your countertop, you may feel like there is nowhere to actually prepare your meals.

However, by prioritizing your countertop space, you will find that there may be more real estate than you thought. To get the most out of this tidiness, consider adding extra cupboards or cabinets for proper storage of these devices, and just use them when you are preparing a dish with the requisite appliance. Help keep your kitchen feeling open and spacious, and you will always have somewhere to work on your next culinary delight.

Trust the Kitchen Renovation Experts

As a last point of advice, when you are going through your kitchen remodel and trying to get the most out of your space, you should pull on the expert knowledge of your kitchen renovation team. With years of experience and the creativity necessary to affect real change, your remodelling experts can give you great advice and likely their own fair share of ideas for your consideration.

Trademark Renovations is the leading renovations company in Calgary, with over 30 years of experience, a wealth of design and building knowledge, and numerous consumer choice awards. Our commitment to producing outstanding work, as well as offering honest, transparent customer service, is why we are recognized throughout the industry. Whether you are looking for new home addition in Calgary or just a revamped kitchen, Trademark Renovations is your trusted company for all home renovations in Calgary. Contact us at 403-277-5600.

It is fair to say that 2020 has already been a tough year for many people. With the advent of the pandemic, our culture has shifted away from in-person meetings which has taken a toll on many people emotionally and socially. As well, people are no longer visiting others in their homes which can make them feel lonely and dark.

However, we as a species must persevere, and accept that one day the world will return to normal. It is up to each individual to instill hope in themselves and others and to look towards a brighter future.

One of the ways that we can do this is to continue with our lives albeit in a modified fashion. Therefore, if you were planning for home renovations in Calgary, your plans should not be interrupted by our current circumstances. Perhaps your plans were not complete, and you are still looking for inspiration. Well, that is an easy situation to fix as there are some swell bedroom renovation ideas that are coming fresh from this year. They include:

Fresh Bedroom Renovation Ideas

Accent Walls

This is a newer trend from the last few years, but it is one that still looks great, even in 2020. Painting a single wall in a room with a different colour helps the entire room pop. Picture a cozy living room with plush furniture, and a roaring fire in the hearth. Now picture the wall that backs the fireplace as a deep purple or dark burgundy. The atmosphere appears to be immediately squeezed for all its comfort, and that feeling is amplified by the colour contrast of an accent wall.

Textured Contrasts

Contrasting colour is a staple of home renovations in Calgary. However, in 2020 there needs to be a little something extra, and that is the addition of contrast in your textures. A thin tulle pillow cover mixed with burlap gives a pleasant contrast to the feeling and can be combined with even further fabrics in other areas to get a fuller contrast. Nightstand covers are a great place to include contrasting textures as well.

Floral Print-Revitalized

Floral print is often associated with a simpler time in human history. It is a staple of elderly people’s homes and seems to be available for just about every piece of furniture in your bedroom. However, in the year 2020, this pattern is making a comeback. Floral print can be stylish when used in small amounts, like lampshade covers or bedside shams. Contrast some dark blues in your lightly-coloured room for a stark and beautiful contrast.

Wall Paintings

Perhaps the most avant-garde item on this list, 2020 is bringing a new concept to the foray with wall paintings. Paints have improved overmuch with every passing year, and their ability to cover darker colours makes them more affordable, as fewer coats have to be applied. To this end, consider having an artist come and paint directly on your wall to create a mural or design that shows off your uniqueness. Don’t worry about covering it after because it is just fun to see the difference, and people will enjoy your boldness.

Trademark Renovations is the leading renovations company in Calgary, with over 30 years of experience, a wealth of design and building knowledge, and numerous consumer choice awards. Our commitment to producing outstanding work, as well as offering honest, transparent customer service, is why we are recognized throughout the industry. Whether you are looking for new home addition in Calgary or just a revamped kitchen, Trademark Renovations is your trusted company for all home renovations in Calgary. Contact us at 403-277-5600.