Posts by Lou
Before & After: Markland Woods Kitchen and Family Room Renovation
At Inspire Homes, we recently completed a large scale kitchen and family room renovation on a Markland Woods home in the Toronto suburb of Etobicoke. This house, originally built in the early 1960s, had a dated kitchen that wasn’t suited for a busy family with growing children. The kitchen lacked much-needed storage and counter space,…
+ Read MoreThe Kitchen Design Process
The Kitchen Design Process: What to Expect? The design process is one of the most critical steps in a kitchen renovation. There any many factors to consider, such as the floor plan, electrical and mechanical placement, product selection and appliance location. It can be an overwhelming task when tackled alone, but, by working with a…
+ Read MoreWhat Is The Cost Of A Kitchen Renovation?
What to Consider When Costing Out a Kitchen Renovation Breathing new life into a tired or inefficient kitchen is one of the smartest investments a homeowner can make. In fact, according to the Appraisal Institute of Canada (AIC), you can expect a 75% to 100% return on investment by completing a major kitchen renovation. But,…
+ Read More10 Kitchen Renovation Trends for 2016
10 Kitchen Trends for 2016 The heart of any home is undeniably the kitchen. It’s a multi-faceted space where friends and family gather, meals are prepared and enjoyed, and day-to-day life unfolds. At Inspire Homes, we believe that kitchens can be functional and beautiful by incorporating the latest design trends with quality products, striking finishes…
+ Read More7 Smart Alternatives To A House Addition
Whether you are in need of additional space because your house is feeling too small, or you specifically require additional living, bedroom, bathroom or office space, the logical solution is a house addition. However, house additions come with a considerable investment – both monetarily and time-wise – and they can put a strain on your…
+ Read MoreRenovating? Ask Yourself, “Why”?
A couple of months ago, our colleague Bryan Sebring at Sebring Services asked us what is the most important tip that we could give a homeowner who is about to embark on a renovation project. The answer was simple: Ask yourself, “Why?” Specifically, why are you considering a renovation in the first place? Of course,…
+ Read MoreSecond Storey House Addition Cost
[Updated: January 2022] In one of our first blog posts, we wrote about the 7 Things That Affect House Addition Cost. To summarize, the key considerations in determining the cost of a house addition project were: 1. Size – Larger home additions are obviously more expensive, but cost less per square foot. 2. Purpose…
+ Read MoreProject Spotlight: Mississauga House Addition & Renovation
Nearly 25 years ago, a small solarium was added to the backside of this 1960s Mississauga ranch bungalow. The kitchen remained part of the solarium, but this no longer worked for our clients for several reasons. First, the solarium faced east so it received morning sun. This made the kitchen unbearable on sunny days. Second,…
+ Read MoreRenovation Tax Relief for Seniors and Disabled Persons
Seniors and persons with disabilities will be getting help from the Federal Government to assist with age and disability related renovations to their homes. The 2015 Federal Budget proposes to create a Home Accessibility Tax Credit. The proposal would provide tax relief of 15% of up to $10,000 in renovation expenditures, up to $1,500 in…
+ Read MoreRenovations: Return on Investment – Part 2
When it comes to renovations, we always advise our clients that they are renovating their home for themselves, not for the next person who may purchase the home down the road. Choosing to renovate because you think it will yield more money when selling the home isn’t always a good strategy. Why? Because the person…
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