 The
Rewards of Renovating
By Dana Milner & Tony Kinney of Reno Friends
When we were children, we wished for the day when we could have our own space.
We longed for the freedom to keep our own hours, and of course, to have a pony or exotic
pet. We envied the kids with forts and rejoiced when our parents allowed us to choose our
own bedroom colours.
When we reached adulthood, we moved into our first apartment and got a
taste of that longed for freedom. We began to express ourselves in our decorating choices
and style of living. Our homes are our lives, directly reflecting who we are and how we go
about our daily activities. Modifying and beautifying our homes has been a favourite human
endeavour since the dawn of time.
Creating our homes is about comfort, status and gloriously expressing
ourselves. One of the first thoughts when moving to a new home is how to fix it up. Our
attention is drawn to areas that don’t work, either aesthetically or functionally,
and we vow to make changes as soon as we can. The changes we make can be large or small,
but either way it involves two main stages. The first stage is planning, and the second
stage is doing.
The first step in renovating is establishing your needs. If you have a
large family, plan to spend your money on practical solutions that will streamline your
life and save you time. For example, expanding your storage capabilities and investing in
easy to clean tile are good options. Today’s families have multiple careers and
multiple interests. Watch how much time you spend on your day-to-day activities and
determine what would make life easier. Each person’s needs and wants are different
and unique. Honour yourself and your family by taking sufficient time to plan to meet as
many wishes as possible.
After your needs are established, take some time to develop a good
relationship with a contractor. Informing yourself can conquer the fear of choosing
someone unqualified. Get quotes, don’t be afraid to ask questions, check references,
and refuse an offer that’s too good to resist. After talking to at least five
contractors about the same project, the experts will shine and you will be able to make an
educated choice. There are many qualified trades people out there and you need to talk to
a few until you find one that agrees with you. Communicate the details that you took so
long to plan and then listen closely to the answers. This will help you understand what to
expect during the renovations. If you encounter a contractor that does not seem to have
time to answer your questions adequately, then move on. Remember the old adage: if you pay
peanuts you will get monkeys.
A contractor is your direct source of ideas, information, inspiration
and solutions and should be paid as any skilled professional. Consulting with a specialist
will help you avoid costly mistakes and may provide innovative solutions that you did not
consider. Some renovations are much more complicated than what first meets the eye. The
final results will be spectacular but don’t underestimate the time and work involved.
A professional will be realistic about informing you of the actual time and cost involved.
Be realistic in your expectations and pay attention to details.
Although renovations may seem costly, they are cost-effective. Updating
fixtures in your home can take decades off its appearance, and lift your spirits in the
same dramatic way.
Making your home beautiful is a basic human need; there is no
substitute for a feeling of contentment as you enter your home after a hard day’s
work, or the pride you feel when entertaining. As we grow throughout our lives, where we
live should evolve with us. We wouldn’t dream of having the same hairstyle for 20
years and, similarly, our homes should also change and grow with us. Free yourself from
the old and express yourself. There are many advantages to renovating, but the greatest
reward is daring to fit your home to the
real you.
Dana Milner, B.Sc. & Tony Kinney, owners of Reno
Friends, Inc. are committed to providing personal service oriented around kitchen &
bathroom renovations. Contact Dana or Tony at 403.204.9498 & check out their website
at www.renofriends.com |
