If you’re new to the renovation process, you might not know what to look out for, especially when it comes to renovating your basement. Below are some questions to think about before renovating your basement
Do you need a permit to renovate your basement?
As a homeowner renovating your house for the first time, you’re probably wondering whether you need permits to renovate and if so, what type of permits should you apply for? When applying for permits, you should know that there is a difference between development permits and building permits. The type of permit you need differs according to the changes you’re planning to make and depends on where you’re currently residing.
Since obtaining a permit can be quite confusing, especially for first-time renovations, you will need to hire a contractor who can obtain the correct permits for your project. For instance, if you’re renovating your basement in Edmonton, then you’ll need permits for the following:
- Changing the size of a window or an exterior door
- Adding an extra window or exterior door
- Any electrical, plumbing or gas additions and alterations
- Structural modifications
- The development and building of the basement itself
With that said, a permit is not required in cases where only minor cosmetic upgrades are needed, like replacing flooring, painting walls or upgrading roof shingles. As a homeowner with limited experience in renovations, obtaining the correct permits and ensuring that all the necessary paperwork is up to date can be very overwhelming.
At Peak Improvements, we understand that basement renovations are stressful for homeowners, which is why we aim to provide our customers peace of mind with every project we work on. We will manage your renovation from start to finish, including obtaining the correct permits, supplying all materials needed during the renovation, and ensuring that all renovations are up to date with the latest building code standards. No matter how major or minor your project is, we will always make sure that the process is as stress-free as possible.
How Do You Prepare For A Basement Renovation?
Generally, staying or leaving is a personal decision, but some renovations will make it difficult for pets and/or kids. With renovations taking place, you might feel comfortable living in your home with loud noises and workers coming in and out of your house; however, that might not be the case for your kids or your pets. While you might not have a problem with the disruption of the remodel, it may cause other household members to be stressed and agitated throughout the process. At first, you might try to test out staying in your home and getting acclimated to the noise and disruption, but if it becomes too difficult to endure, then you might need to think about moving temporarily until the project is complete.
Some homeowners leave their homes without preparing for the renovation making it more difficult for the workers to access their homes easily. Before the renovation takes place, make sure that your basement is empty, clean and accessible for your contractors to get in and out of your property quickly and safely. Renovations can be messy, and you don’t want to lose any personal belongings along the way but with Peak Improvements, you won’t have to worry about that! We are more than happy to provide you with all the necessary tools and equipment to help you safely move your possessions out of the basement for the project’s duration.
How Much Will The Renovation Cost?
It goes without saying that the cost of the renovation plays a very important role in whether you decide to renovate your basement. Similar to all home renovations, the cost of the project will vary depending on the materials used, the scope of work and the scale of the project. Some contractors will give you an initial estimate on your project and then charge you with expenses as the project progresses. While this method of payment might make you feel that you have more control over the expenses, it does not account for the fluctuation of prices throughout the duration of the renovation. You might feel comfortable paying the initial estimate, only to realize that you have spent almost double the amount due to sudden price changes in the materials used.
To eliminate the possibility of any surprises throughout the duration of your renovation, Peak Improvement implements the Guaranteed Price + No Surprise Contract with every project. Once you sign the contract, our team is 100% committed to adhering to the price agreed upon and will not surprise you with any hidden fees or sudden price changes. Regardless of any sudden changes, we will not change your pricing after the project has started.
Ready To Start Your Hassle-Free Basement Renovation?
We have meticulously designed our six-stage process, which has successfully proven to offer clients a hassle-free renovation experience while maintaining exceptional and flawless results with every project. Check out our Customer Success Stories and our Before & After Gallery to see for yourself! Contact us today to learn more about how we can make your basement renovation stress-free!