As the 'centre of your home', there are a lot of experts that would recommend 'the kitchen' as the smartest room to remodel to maximize the value of your home. In doing a kitchen renovation, it is important to do your homework, ask lots of question and find a contractor that can get the most out of your investment. Here are a few important points to keep in mind when beginning your kitchen renovation in Victoria BC.

Establish your Goal

Are you looking to refresh the look, add your own style, gain some additional square footage or perhaps making the space more user friendly? Maybe it's 'd', all of the above. Tailoring your goals into priorities can allow you to formulate a realistic kitchen renovation budget.

Check your home

In Victoria BC, there has been lots of new legislation around the dumping and handling of hazardous materials like; asbestos, mold and lead. You can no longer assume that you can just take your old drywall and other construction material to the dump. First, you must take a sample to a local lab and have it checked. Our team at Villamar is experienced in walking you through this process early, to ensure your renovation project is safe, on time and budget.

Budget with options

It's important to have your budget and agreement written up. This will give you a good idea on what the costs should be through the whole process. A good rule of thumb is to keep the existing kitchen appliances close to their original location, if you can. By staying with the original layout, this will save you from extra costs in moving plumbing, gas and electrical. You may also want to give yourself options in choosing fixtures and finishes; quality drawers and hinges will save you repair and replacement costs from the demands of everyday wear and tear.

Quality by Design

It's easy to get carried away by the look of a showroom or loading up with the latest and greatest kitchen gadgets. However, your new kitchen should reflect your lifestyle, be highly functional and it's important to make your investment in timeless design and quality craftsmanship.

The right General Contractor

Before choosing a contractor, be sure to meet with them in person. Additionally, take a look at the work they have done and review what their clients are saying. At Villamar, we have collected a lot of positive feedback from third-party review sites. We have received recognition from customers, our community and also the trades people we partner with. This is important to us at Villamar and we work hard to foster and grow these relationships.

​We hope that this has given you some important points to think about and prepare for. Remember to ask lots of questions. The fact that you are taking the time to research your kitchen renovation online says that you're off to a great start. As well, if you have any additional question, feel free to drop us a line, give us a call or meet up in person.  



  

We live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Our landscape is uniquely Victoria, from areas of rocky terrain, marshlands, and a breath taking coast line; all in a 20km radius. As a homeowner considering a renovation, it is important to protect your investment and at Villamar that is how we approach every build we undertake. Here are some key steps to help you begin the renovation process.

Step 1: Before you Start... Check your Home:
One of the areas that you may not consider in budgeting your renovation is checking for hazardous material like; asbestos, lead and mold. If undetected early on, this may increase your budget considerably.  

• Villamar Construction has teamed up with some of the best remediation companies in Victoria BC. Together we are equipped to inform you of the most cost effective way to begin your renovation, safely.

Step 2: Choosing a General Contractor:
When interviewing and looking for a good contractor, it is important to consider these important points;

• Ensure that licencing and insurance is in place.
• Look at their previous work and recommendations.
• Ask about what safety training the company has in place?
• Meet with the contractors and look them in the eye. It's important that you get along with your contractor. Look at how he/she treats their sub-contractors and the rest of the team. At Villamar, we have chosen team members for their quality of skill and also their quality of character.

Step 3: What is the Cost?

• It is easy just to go with the lowest offer, however this may be more costly in the long-term.

 

• Does your contractor have a clear itemized written budget? You can't always plan for the unexpected, but at least you have a clear idea on where you are going.
• Consider the cost in paying someone cash to work on your house. When things go sideways these people can leave you hanging and there is nothing that connects them with the work that they have done. At Villamar, we stand behind our builds and go above and beyond to make it right.

Step 4: Goal!
Whether your renovating your family home or an investment; consider what you want as a goal. Villamar believes your goal should be a general contractor who will stand by you and be there through the whole process. You want to get the most value out of your renovation.

• Keep your goal front and center, as you venture into the exciting world of renovating your home.

 

• In the beginning, utilizing these key steps may seem to take a little more time. However, following these 4 basic principles will save you from lots of surprises and unwanted grief. Hire a contractor who is experienced and has the expertise to get the most value out of your home renovation.