Sometimes it’s intimidating to pick up the phone and make that first call to kick-start your home renovation project, so we’ve compiled a list of the most common concerns people have.
We encourage you to get in touch. We love to share our expertise.
Our specialty is interiors, especially kitchens and bathrooms, but we are proficient in exteriors as well. Our expertise includes lower level/basements, fine finishes, framing and windows, siding, and more.
We may use qualified sub-contractors for certain elements of a project but we do much of the work and all project management and supervision.
We make every effort to bring your project in on time.
It depends on the size and scope of your renovation. A kitchen renovation can be fairly straightforward if we remove and replace (“Re & Re”) existing cupboards, countertops and appliances, but don’t change the basic layout, electrical or plumbing setup.
A larger remodel can include moving walls, changing drainage, and more, sometimes even gutting the whole space to start fresh. Clearly this will take more time.
We’ll give you a projected timeline as part of our initial contract with you and then do our utmost to follow it, providing regular updates as the work progresses. If holdups occur (for example, the backsplash tile you selected is backordered) we’ll keep you updated and offer alternative solutions.
Any major changes to the timeline will be discussed and signed off on so everyone’s clear on expectations.
The cost depends on the size and scope of your project, but we make every effort to bring your project in on budget.
We can provide a traditional inclusive quote on the full job, or cost-plus billing, where we invoice you regularly for materials plus hours, which allows you to track expenses and make changes as you go along. The payment schedule will be tied to the completion of measurable milestones.
Either way, we’ll provide a detailed estimate that lists the plans and scope of work, material specifications, and projected cost breakdown.
We will agree on the details together and sign off on them before any work begins.
In addition to manufacturers’ warranties on any product we install, we offer a two-year unconditional warranty on all finishes completed by Stonesthrow Renovations. Each of our subcontractors also warranties their work.
We are fully insured, including WorkSafe BC, and we work only with fully insured sub-contractors.
With so many décor and design options available, it can be hard as a client to make up your mind. Designers and architects provide professional ideas and insight into colours, flow, and functionality. Working with one can help you use your light and space to the best advantage.
We are happy to work with designers and architects and enjoy consulting with these specialists, especially for larger renovations.
But you don’t need a designer or architect if you have ideas! We can handle the job completely, from hand sketches and plans that bring your concepts to life, to organizing your permits, to bringing you samples and ideas for designs, materials, and colours.
We are well versed in the local permit process and will guide you through it from start to finish.
Spend time looking at renovation books, magazines, and online (Pinterest is great for this) in order to figure out your preferences. What styles, colours and finishes do you love? What do you think would work in your space? Are there things you covet, but they seem too expensive? Bring all of this to us and let us pull it all together into a quality plan you can afford
We are happy to offer a free consultation where you can show us around your space to be renovated, talk about ideas and inspiration, and ask any questions you already have. We can give you some preliminary advice, and together we’ll come up with a custom home-reno plan for you.
We love it when clients know what they want! We are happy to advise you on the practicalities and potential pitfalls of your plan, talk about concepts and costs, and help you bring your vision to life.
Renovation can generate a lot of waste, but we do our best to recycle wherever possible and can advise you on ways to make your renovation as green as you can.
This is an area of interest and ongoing education for us, especially for new builds. Wherever possible, we build to green building standards.
If you’re gutting your kitchen, making meals is going to be a challenge for a while. If you’re willing to improvise, though, you don’t have to leave. Yes, there will be dust and noise, but we clean up the worksite every day and try to mitigate the impact on the rest of the house. You can set up a makeshift kitchen in your laundry room area, for example, and/or plan your renovation for the warmer months when you can do a lot of barbecuing. Our goal is to have you back in your completed kitchen as soon as possible.
Lots of people want to open up the space between a kitchen and another room. Some walls can be removed without causing any issue, and it’s a simple matter to identify these. Load-bearing walls that hold up your second storey need to stay in place – or we can engineer a solution for you (there are safe and creative ways around everything).