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32 MILTON CANADIAN CHAMPION The Alny ers T E A M on‘ Direct: 905â€"878â€"6232 www.AmyFlowersTeam.ca TE i Offic « ROYAL LeEPAGE 4 questions to ask yourself before starting a renovation One of the worst mistakes a homeowner can make when tackling a major renovation is to jump in sledgehammer first without a plan. Whether you‘re an aspiring homeowner look ing to enter the housing market with a "hxer upper," or coming into the New Year looking to renovate and add function or value to your space, a renovation can be a good solution, but it can also be mess Dust and hard work aside, a renovation has obvious appeal as it generally brings a higher resale price. Many don‘t realize that planning for a renovation sometimes requires even more work than the execution itself, but if you‘re up for it, the end result is a bigger and better home. So, here‘s what you need to ask yourself before any renovation: 1. What is your budget? When planning for a renovation, always be conservative. If your budget is $100,000, plan to spend $80,000. Renovations are almost always guaranteed to go over budget, as unforeseen issues pop up. Having a continâ€" 1BDRM + Den Condo #411â€"1005 Nadalin Hts $1350/mth 4 BEDROOM DETACHED 254 Jelinik Terrace $2,000/mth F or full details visit: wWw AmyFlowersTe.am c a Ts Ts Michelle Merritt gency plan from the start will get you through when you check in to see if the work is on track. 2. What is your timeline? Knowing this in advance as well as the scope of work being done will help you deâ€" termine whether you stay in your home during a renovaâ€" tion or go elsewhere. Living through a major renovation is never easy, but if you deâ€" cide to do it, keep in mind the added cleaning at the end of the day to make the space livable again. It‘s always a good idea to request a payment schedule that is tied to your timeline and project milestones. 3. Have you done the required research? In the case of renovations, there is no such thing as overâ€"asking or over researching. It‘s good to have a rough idea of what materials cost in advance, as well as what is needed for a particular job. Also, don‘t be afraid to do your homework when it comes to picking the right 4BDRM + 4BATH Detached 463 Zuest Cres ym llouse is worth contractor. Get several quotes and references and check out any sites in progress to get an idea of how they work. 4. What is my resale goal? Ask yourself how much you‘re looking to inâ€" crease your home‘s value. This will help deterâ€" mine how much you should be investing in order to hit the target. For owners renovating with resale in mind, investing in spaces like the kitchen, bathroom or new flooring, although more costly than minor cosmetic changes, can pay off big time when it comes time to sell. If t 1| f this year?? 9 Call the Amy i Flowers Team today s for your mmmme 2l . sc . s iss d l \ | t I y \.. you‘re not sure of how long you‘ll be staying, it is always safe to renovate for the future Investing in classic, quality finishes now will keep you happy in your space and increase its value in the long run.If you‘re planning a reno vation, take your time and plan ahead to do it right. More renovation help is available at the Destination Renovation booth at the upcom ing 2016 GTA Home + Reno Show, February 12â€"15 at the International Centre in Missis sauga. www.gtahomeandrenoshow.com. www.newscanada.com