Many condominium owners are looking to make the most of their small spaces and find design solutions to fit their lifestyles.
Before beginning the renovation process, it’s important to understand renovating a condominium is very different than renovating a house.
A fully licensed and insured renovator who is a member of a program like RenoMark and specializes in condominium renovations can come up with creative solutions to adapt your space to your lifestyle, while giving you the peace of mind to ensure the job will be done right.
When beginning the design process, considering your lifestyle is important. Do you have pets, small children, do you like entertaining? In smaller spaces, these aspects are magnified in importance, as every detail of the design should make the most use of available space and serve a purpose.
An experienced condominium renovator will know how to incorporate your lifestyle into the design and make your space work for you. As with any renovation, you should have a clear idea of your budget so your builder can advise you on what is realistic — we may be able to present alternative solutions to your wants or needs that will help to fit within your budget.
In a condominium, before any work can begin you must get permission from your building management and familiarize yourself with any building rules. Understanding and communicating these rules to your renovation contractor will help them to develop a more accurate budget. Things like parking access, building construction hours and elevator access are also essential for you and your builder to understand, as they can affect the length and cost of the project.
An experienced renovator will take your building code into consideration, as every condominium is different. Their team will need to form good relationships with building management, as they will likely interact with them regularly throughout the project. It is important for clients to understand their renovator is working within the existing envelope of the building — and that existing plumbing, electrical, HVAC and any issues they might have will need to be taken into account.
To help you make the most use of your space, we can implement design solutions like barn or pocket doors, built-in units and cabinetry that extends the kitchen into the living room, storage under staircases, and removal of drop ceilings, just to name a few. Making your condominium feel larger, and having it work for your lifestyle instead of against it is the ultimate goal.
To learn more about the condominium renovation process or about small-space design solutions from a fully-licensed and insured RenoMark renovator, visit the RenoMark booth for a free 15-minute consultation at the Fall Home Show from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 at the Enercare Centre at Exhibition Place in Toronto. Purchase tickets at https://torontohomeshows.com/sl/.
Jack Torossian is the owner and founder of Golden Bee Homes, a fully licensed, registered and insured Toronto home design and build company. Please send your thoughts or questions to renomark@bildgta.ca.
