Toronto, the fastest growing city in North America, is sometimes affectionately referred to as condo-ville. That’s right, Canada’s financial capital not only has more tall buildings than Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver and Edmonton combined but also the city is growing and expanding, to the point that it can dwarf Buffalo in New York.
A lot of condos have been constructed in the city proper, giving those with a strong affinity to live near the downtown core a chance to be near their offices and experience the city life. In a housing market which is among the most expensive in North America, Toronto condos are an affordable option resident can avail.
Can residents of condos renovate them, as residents of suburban homes do?
It should be understood that renovating a suburban home and a condo might have the same result. But the process is different. Renovating a condo has its limits but it also has possibilities, which should be approached tactfully. All residents should consider the factors and limitations before they embark on renovating their condo.
What things should residents take in consideration before they start renovating their condo unit?
Residents must consider multiple factors before they start on a project to renovate their condo. Each of them will be discussed in brief detail so now let’s start discussing them.
Understanding the rules and regulations of condos
One of the first things for residents to understand before planning to renovate their condo is what rules, regulations and policies does the condo board have in place. These very rules also reveal when can residents bring in the needed materials, which elevator should they use, what are the safety guidelines for workers and vice versa, as laid forth by the Condo board.
At times, some condo boards may not have those policies affecting the decisions to improve a condo’s look or the selection of needed materials. However, some condo boards have policies in the form of what day and time of the day residents can allow the activities to start and finish.
If residents forget to check these details in advance, then they will face barriers and hurdles when they try to schedule deliveries along with bringing in personnel needed for the job. Sometimes, the condo board requires residents to obtain a permit or an approval to start any kind of renovations.
Policies like these are present to give other condo residents happy and in peace, so they won’t have to face any inconvenience. However, renovating a condo takes more time than renovating a suburban house so condo owners should give themselves an extended timeline.
Residents should hence discuss with the board a projected timeline, especially with those having knowledge of renovations along with the design team and/or the contractor. Moreover, they should also add two months to the time, just to make sure expectations are realistic.
Residents should understand what they are renovating
Once residents understand what the condo board allows and does not allow, they must find out who they are renovating the condo for. This simply means whether they are renovating it for increasing the sale or rental value, or for the sake of adding more space for luxury. At times, both purposes are achievable.
However, in realistic terms, renovations often favor either, with residents approaching both purposes differently. hence for them it is important to decide which one should be of top priority, and they should be honest with themselves about their choice. When residents are designing the condo for themselves, they must consider the duration they will be living there, and thus prioritize renovation work as per the given timeline.
For instance, if residents live in a condo for less than five years then should focus on adding those things they can take with themselves to a new home. Among them are sconces and upgrade furniture instead of things like tiles.
When residents are renovating their condo for a resale, they often do get the best ROI by focusing on key areas and saving on aesthetics. Kitchen cabinets, doors, flooring and paint are often considered as smart investments in renovating condos.
Understanding limitations of renovating condos
It is important for condo owners and residents alike to understand the limitations of their project before they start swooning on an idea they may not be able to complete or be in regret about.
Condos have tight spaces and can at times include odd angled walls and intrusive columns. Moving them structurally will compromise the building. It is hence important understanding what can be removed and what cannot be. Bringing on board an expert for help and consultation is a smart move, and residents should not move any fixtures.
Bathroom fixtures can often be moved from their location but this move comes with a price. This indicates that residents can keep the toilet where it is but may not add another sink.
However, what residents can be able to do is changing their perception of their condo. This can be done by selecting some unique finishes to make it stand out.
Reducing lighting
In terms of moving the walls and fixtures, it should be understood that condos have cement ceilings. It won’t be easy to drill into them. Residents will also notice that dropped ceiling panels in the kitchen allow for new overhead things to be easily installed, especially lights and other ceiling related changes such as ventilators or a new fan.
Depending on the fixtures residents wish to add, the ceiling can be dropped by almost 6 inches to almost a foot. This is a noticeable change in the ceilling’s height but only done in a small area, which often is not low for anyone to hit their heads on.
Creating things
Rich and detailed mouldings are popular for traditional homes. At times, using them for condos give them the richness and elegance of the traditional western home.
There is however a catch. It is not as easy as tearing down the plain old moulding because the door frames a condo unit has been probably made of metal, and obviously they’re stubborn. Residents can however try adding more in them, through the addition of a backband, which acts as a layer over the original moulding.
The result is a deep moulding, delivering a feeling of splendour and nobility.
Residents should be flexible
Design and renovation experts often reveal that they find their clients have often pre-decided things regarding their renovation projects. They can help conduct the project in various ways.
For instance, oftentimes people desire a large fridge , an island in the kitchen, a double sink, a large bathtub, a king-sized bed or a large living room TV console shelf to accommodate BluRay players, TVs and of course, gaming consoles.
Flexibility in this matter counts. When residents can see what they can get, they can make a trade-off for things that are of priority through removing those that are not of priority. A small fridge in the kitchen for instance can help create more free space.
Using a new coat of paint is a good move
At times, residents would despise a paint work that’s dark for their taste, or they might love the existing paint job they conducted but are worried that the next owner would change the coat of paint the previous ones used. While painting complete room with numerous coatings of paint can be a lot of work, just for changing particular shade of paint. Though it constitutes a small part of the renovation budget.
When residents eventually sell it, they must paint it in a fashionable way with trendy hues so it can add life to the condo unit. This option is also not as expensive as it seems.
Working with a third-part for renovation is a smart move
When residents work within the rules of a condo association, they can streamline their work processes when working with a designer or a skilled team. These advantages are beyond the fundamental contractor tasks and help in coordinating numerous activities and deliveries.
Arrival of furniture items and other materials is hence reduced to a few trips instead of using the inconvenience of booking the elevator many times along with things and materials stacked inside and outside the condo unit.
Residents can consider staying elsewhere for the renovation’s duration
For residents, if it is possible, then they can live at another place when their condo is being renovated. They should either carry out the work earlier or find a temporary residence for some time to avoid inconveniences. Staying with friends or family can help greatly. moreover, there are guest suites in condos, allowing residents to stay for the process’s duration. They can move back in once all work is complete.
Conclusion
These are the tips condo owners and residents must take into consideration when renovating their condo. This will help them avoid unnecessary inconveniences whilst enjoying life and seeing their old condo be remade into something novel and luxurious, and worth the buck too.
