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It’s good business to take a close look at the costs of any remodeling project. We work closely with our clients to trim any fat from their budget. We’re always looking for strategies that may actually improve the finished house while staying within our clients’ financial targets. We call this process value engineering.

But some cuts can go too deep. These cuts are different than value engineering, we call them skimping. Skimping is not an investment. When you skimp, you save a few dollars today only to pay more in the future. This category of cost reduction can compromise the performance of your remodeled home and put its value at risk.

But when is it better to pay a bit more up front to ensure that your project performs as promised and results in your complete satisfaction for years to come?

Much of what you should not skimp on is behind the finishes. Because you can’t see or touch these components, understanding their value is critical. These include areas that save energy, protect against moisture damage, enhance durability, or reduce maintenance chores and costs. In almost every case, it’s worthwhile to pay now instead of suffering the consequences later.

The Structure. It probably goes without saying, but the quality of the foundation and structural frame of your home or addition is paramount and should never be sacrificed for budget reasons.

A professional remodeler will work to optimize, but never compromise, whatever foundation and framing system is appropriate for the project.

Energy and Water Efficiency. The ongoing costs of home energy and potable water are rising and are likely to continue. It makes good financial sense to invest in systems and products that achieve comprehensive and reliable savings for these resources and their costs.

Vital components include properly applied insulation, high-performance windows, right-sized and efficient heating and cooling equipment, adequate fresh-air ventilation, brand-name appliances, and water-saving faucets, showerheads, toilets, and water heating systems. Consider including these items in the budget at the highest level of quality and efficiency you can afford.

Exterior Finishes. Your home’s ability to defend itself against weather conditions from the summer sun, high winds and heavy rain is critical to its durability, maintenance and performance.

If replacing or adding exterior finishes is part of your remodeling project, resist the temptation to downgrade the roofing, siding, trim, and other components for the sake of saving a few dollars. As with your home’s structure and primary systems, it’s smarter to pay a little more up front for exterior finishes that stand the test of time and weather. In the long run, you’ll spend less money and time fixing loose clapboards, repainting the trim and replacing the roof.

Drainage. The problems associated with a poor gutter, downspout, and rainwater removal system are legend .. and very costly. Worse, they usually aren’t apparent right away. Over time, moisture damage caused by poor site drainage leads to latent defects that can undermine the structural integrity of your house.

A well-designed drainage scheme within a larger scope of a remodeling project effectively captures and directs rainwater off of the roof and away from the foundation. In this way water can’t find its way and fester along the foundation, under the roof shingles, or behind the walls.

Materials choices vary, but trust your remodeling contractor to understand the dynamics of storm water management and provide your home with what it takes to deliver a dependable solution for your new home.

Flooring. There is no other surface inside your house that takes as much abuse as your floors. If new or replacement floor finishes are part of your home improvement plans, it makes sense to buy the best-quality carpeting, tile, wood, and resilient materials your budget permits.

In addition to holding up to foot traffic, spills, cleaning solutions, sudden impact and other hazards of daily life, your floors must retain their good looks to maintain your satisfaction and reduce repair and replacement costs as long as possible.

Finally, and perhaps most important, you should not skimp on your remodeler. If you are going to invest time and money in an extensive home improvement project, seek out and be willing to invest in a true remodeling professional. You’ll be buying a treasure chest of skill, knowledge, and experience that will be well worth the price.

-A wise old saying:

“The intelligent man learns from his own experience; the wise man learns from the experience of others.”

This is one that I’ve tried to keep close to my heart as a business guy and entrepreneur. I think that the marginal success that I have enjoyed has been because I have always assumed that I possess intelligence (though my wife may often beg to differ). As I reflect on the good choices that I’ve made, they were most often not attempts to “re-invent” anything. Good stuff for me has happened when I tried hard to follow the wisdom and experience of others. (I don’t seem to be able to do this enough though, God gave me a sense of “do-it-yourselfism” that runs deep and needs to be constantly kept in check).

I guess I continue to look for balance in my life. It seems appropriate for an entrepreneur to have the guts to make things happen, but it also seems important to be able to step back and evaluate opportunities through the lens of wisdom.

The BEST TIME to work hard and lay the foundations for future success is when times are tough.  While everyone else is crying and complaining, I hope we can take the lead from others who have gone before us and seize the opportunity to do great things in life.  Now is the time to charge forward with your passions and take a risk.  DO YOUR HOMEWORK…THEN TRY SOMETHING NEW, DO SOMETHING BIG!

YOU WILL NEVER REGRET IT!

Being quite busy over the last few months successfully completing several renovations, largely impart to our customer referrals has been exhilarating to say the least.

Thanks to all our past customers recommending Trillium Construction to there neighbours and friends looking to improve their home simply because we abiding by a higher standard, with a expert team of professionals. It truly been very gratifying and your kind words have been appreciated

So “Thank You Again”, to everyone talking up a storm about Trillium Construction, It’s nice to be noticed

Every year, Remodeling Magazine publishes an issue comparing the cost of a renovation to its end value.

This year, the magazine studied renovation jobs from 60 U.S. cities. They used a professional to write realistic specifications for the jobs, got three professional estimating services to compare costs, and asked real estate brokers from across the country to estimate the value added to the average home in their area, if it were to be sold within a year.

The criterion used is that the renovation jobs are high quality but not luxury-level, and that the work be done to professional standards. It should be emphasized that locale made a tremendous difference. A family room addition in Hartford, Connecticut, for instance, returned only 52% of its cost. Meanwhile, just down the road, in New Haven Connecticut, the addition returned 104%.

Although the study is from the U.S., and the numbers should be taken with a grain of salt, the results are informative.

Topping the list of projects across the board was the minor kitchen renovation, which returned 94% of its cost. According to real estate agents, nothing sells a house like its kitchen. This renovation might include changing the countertop and sink and taps, tiling the backsplash, and adding a new floor and paint.

The bathroom addition was next on the list. Gone are the days when a single bathroom was fine with lineups in the hall. Modern families expect a second bathroom and this renovation returned 89% of its cost.

The major kitchen renovation was next. I find this renovation often includes removing the upper half of the wall between the kitchen and living or dining area, creating the open concept. Most houses built in Kingston before the ‘70’s have the traditional kitchen/dining/living room plan which totally separates the three rooms. Our attitudes and the way we live have changed, and our architecture reflects that. The traditional style was mom slaving in the kitchen while her guests drank soda pop and waited for dinner in the living room. Nowadays the kitchen’s the most popular room in the house and the hosts want to chat and socialize while cooking’s in progress. Joining the spaces of kitchen and family or dining room is a natural result and a popular project. The major kitchen renovation returned 87% of its cost.

Additions came in next at 84%. These include a single story family room or a two story. As the writers suggest, additions must blend in well with the existing house and be well done using good materials. A poorly conceived or executed project can actually detract from the value of the house and make it more difficult to sell.

The attic-bedroom renovation was next. This usually includes a bedroom/bathroom under a new dormer. The pitch of your roof is critical. And you need to find room on the floor below for a stairwell up. But if you’ve got the space, this renovation returned 83% of its cost.

The flip side of the open concept is that we want privacy. Working people, especially those with kids, want some sort of sanctuary from the grind and high on the list of renovations is the master bedroom suite, where you can shut the door, get away from it, and have a luxurious bath and a private soda pop in your own space. This renovation typically includes a remake of the bedroom, ensuite bathroom, and a dressing area and returned 82%.

Main bathrooms make-over’s – as opposed to bathroom additions – were next at 73% and again, according to the real estate agents, this renovation is el primo for resale. One of the first things prospective buyers do is head for the bathroom, and they want to see sparkle. Using someone else’s used grungy bathroom doesn’t cut it.

The other categories were siding (77%), decks (70%), windows (68%), and home offices (64%). The authors caution, however, that home offices should be easily reconverted to living space with an eye to resale.

If you’re online, you can visit the website and read the complete details at http://remodeling.hw.net/. There are specifications, details on the costs, and design tips.

What an incredible transformation my small eighties bathroom has undergone thanks to Rick and his crew of trades people! It is indeed a sight to behold. My bathroom was completely gutted by Ricks’ very capable and efficient staff member Abner as well as rewired and re-plumbed according to code by licensed master electricians and plumbers. Subsequently, everything was replaced from the bathroom fixtures and accessories to the ceiling and floor tiles. Rick did not install anything in my bathroom that he would not feel comfortable installing in his own. In fact, he went to great lengths in finding me the same vanity that he used in his own home. He installed quality products and used quality materials. Rick was very adept in striking a balance between allowing me the freedom to make my own choices and offering his recommendations when necessary. I soon found myself relying on his expertise regarding everything including design suggestions such as choosing just the right paint colour and porcelain tile!

Throughout the entire process, Rick repeatedly would check with me to see if I was pleased with the phase of development at hand. His favourite phrase was “I want you to be happy with your new bathroom, Sarah.” I am extremely happy with my new bathroom.

If you value honesty, integrity, and quality workmanship, then I urge you to call upon Rick Lynch of Trillium Construction. Not only will you gain an impeccable renovator for your current project but you will find that you will want him to revisit your home for future renovation projects – I know I do. Ricks’ efforts have inspired me to continue with my home renovations.

Rick, thank you so much for providing me with a wonderful renovation experience, I appreciate that you went the extra mile every step of the way. Thank you for valuing me, as much as you valued my bathroom. Your team as well as your trades people’s professionalism is unsurpassed by any contractor that has worked on my home during my 31 years as a homeowner. I greatly appreciated your team’s punctuality, accessibility, calm and friendly demeanor as well as everyone’s sense of humor throughout the renovation. You and every member of your team were incredibly helpful in providing suggestions regarding other aspects of my house as well. Your company motto,’ “Treat each client the way we would want someone to treat our parents.”
Communication and quality is the key to a job well done”, truly reflects who you are.

With gratitude,

Sarah Saunders,
Bobcaygeon, Ontario

A common error some people make about bamboo is that it is a type of hardwood. Not to be confused with common associations of many species of grass, bamboo is actually a type of grass which matures into a material that can rival the hardness of maple! Well adapted to their environment, bamboo plants thrive in areas of fair-to-poor soil quality and still remain one of the fastest growing plants in the world. Controlled harvesting has very little impact on each individual stalk, which will continue to grow long after harvesting. This is what makes bamboo such a renewable source of flooring material, and why it is often associated with environmentally minded choices for flooring. The fact that it is so uniquely attractive makes bamboo flooring an extremely beneficial choice for your own interior environment!

How Bamboo Flooring is Made

Once the bamboo has been harvested, the outer layer of green skin is removed and each stalk is cut into lengthwise strips or fillets. These curved fillets of bamboo are milled along their outer edges in order to flatten them. The excess elements of this process will go into another type of bamboo flooring that is called strand-woven bamboo flooring. The flattened strips of bamboo are then kiln dried in order to remove the natural moisture in the bamboo, and are then boiled. The bamboo fillets are now ready to be glued together to make a solid, dependable surface that is more than suitable for flooring. The bamboo undergoes one final compression stage, which makes it that much more durable and ready to ship. Tongue-and-groove elements are added in order to make installation as easy as possible. The outcome of this manufacturing process is dependent on which kind of bamboo flooring is being made. There are several types of bamboo flooring, both in terms of cut and of color, and some differences in how they are processed.

Horizontal or Vertical Bamboo Flooring

During the gluing process, the bamboo can either be bound with the narrow edges facing up, which results in a thin, channel pattern, or so that the broader surface of the bamboo is bound facing upward, making for a surface that is more akin to traditional hardwood patterns. These styles of bamboo flooring are known as vertical and horizontal bamboo flooring, respectively. There are visual benefits to each one, depending on your personal taste, but both remain decorative choices. The horizontal style is striking for its knuckle or node patterns (the pattern naturally occurring in the bamboo that is the equivalent of growth rings in many hardwood species). The vertical style is a unique surface that remains unmatched by any other natural flooring material.

There is very little wasted material during the bamboo flooring manufacturing process, making bamboo a truly renewable and sustainable source of flooring materials.
With more and more demand for green products Trillium Construction has found itself promoting Bamboo flooring for is unique appeal, ease to install and relative durability, we also find ourselves educating our clients on where this product as well how it should be maintained.

There are several ways to improve your kitchen without having to incur a great deal of cost and using only a few basic skills.
When the kitchen becomes outdated and you find yourself tired of your flooring … ceilings … light fixtures … even cabinets, it’s relatively easy to repair, upgrade or replace these individually with less cost than an entire kitchen renovation.
First, search for pictures of other kitchens that you like to get inspired.
Some ideas to consider are:
• Changing your cabinet handles or knobs, a small but very simple change that can modernize your kitchen. If you are not interest in painting your cabinets, then ensure that the holes line up to prevent having to drill new holes and fill the old ones.

• Lighting can create a new ambiance, using elements as simple as dimmers or purchasing all new fixtures. These are easily installed, and you can ask the lighting store specialist for helpful ideas to achieve the mood you desire.

• Paint the ceiling and the walls. Don’t be afraid to be bold with the wall colours if you have a lot of cabinets.

• You can paint your cabinets as well, even if they are melamine. Prime with a specialty primer first (this is very important for melamine, so do not cut costs here). After you have primed, add two coats of paint to the cabinets and varnish for durability.

• Flooring renovations are all the rage right now. With click laminate floors, or peel and stick tiles, you can give the illusion of hardwood or ceramic tiles at a fraction of the price.

Remember to take your time and do one thing at a time

When considering a home renovation to improve the resale value of your home, keep in mind what has the highest return on investment (ROI).
Bathroom and kitchen renovations seem to still lead the market place with ROI. Painting both the exterior and interior or upgrading the floors will pay for itself in value. Renovating the basement, creating a recreation room, or building a garage to add square footage all offer a high resale value. Installing a fireplace, replacing windows and doors, installing central air and improving the heating and furnace system will all appeal to the energy-conscious buyer and also offer better pay backs at selling.
Working on your landscaping is always recommended, but be a minimalist as this is not the area to gain your ROI. Adding a skylight may seem like a good alternative to light your home, but for resale it has the same returns as using energy-efficient bulbs.
Set out a budget, the amount you are willing to invest to get a higher price for your home. Talk to a professional who is able to assist with improving your home, as well as your bank manager. These people should be able to tell you exactly what your house needs to get the highest ROI. Then, decide which areas you are going to focus on and start the process.

In the current economy, it has become fashionable to define “value” as simply the lowest price. For many, lowest price means best value. It’s a tact that has become commonplace in residential remodeling. But doing so discounts the value of providing a high level of construction quality, as well as a remodeling contractor’s service before, during, and after a remodeling project is finished. This may not be in a family’s best interest.
Remodeling a home is a significant financial investment. Why, then, would an owner trust that investment — both financially and in his and her enjoyment of it — to the lowest price and a limited definition of value?
As a professional remodeling firm, we operate with a broader definition of value. We believe value includes a positive experience for the owner and a sense of confidence and pride about the project’s quality. Value should also consist of a high level of personal service and a commitment to maintaining a relationship built on trust well after the project’s completion date.
Some remodelers play the low-bid game. They narrowly define value as a stripped-down set of specifications and a project on the cheap to achieve a cut-rate price. The goal: make a sale and move on. They typically don’t have the staff or systems in place to respond to issues once the remodel is complete.
Here’s how we define and deliver a higher level of value:
Communication: As professional remodelers, we listen and respond to our clients’ ambitions and dreams for their project. While working within budget, we help define and discover specific wants and needs. We educate them about the complexities of the remodeling process, set realistic expectations and keep them informed about what happens — and why — as their project takes shape. Our intent is to be prompt and respectful when we meet. We follow through on promises made and keep our clients informed about a job’s progress.
An Efficient Job Site: Our crews and job site managers follow an agreed-upon schedule and detailed list of specifications that we develop with each client. Materials for a project are ordered and delivered as needed and on time. We manage and coordinate our trade partners and materials suppliers toward the common goal of meeting our company’s standards and our clients’ expectations.
Follow-Through: When a project is complete, we don’t disappear. We know that it is critical to our clients’ ultimate satisfaction that we continue effective communication while providing thorough and prompt service. When issues crop up — and they always do — we have policies and procedures in place to respond in a timely fashion. We work the problem; we don’t pass the buck. We belong to this community. This is where we’ve chosen to raise our family and we intend to be here for years to come.
We believe our definition of value instills confidence and helps ensure client satisfaction. We respect that our clients’ entrust us to deliver a project that initially only exists on paper and is created before their eyes. It’s a responsibility we take seriously, and it’s the cornerstone of what we call value.
Warm regards,

Rick

Home entertainment has changed a bit over the last few years. There was a time when all a homeowner had to do was run down to the local appliance store, pick out the television set and/or stereo he wanted, bring it home, plug it in, and be done.
It’s not quite so simple anymore. There are some pretty cool home entertainment options out there. It’s amazing what you can get for your home now. But this stuff isn’t cheap. So you’ll want to make sure it’s integrated so that it all works together. There’s many helpful link that will provide you with good information about what to look for if you’re considering a home theatre system to go along with your basement renovations.
Of course just having great components won’t do you much good if you don’t have a room that’s adequate to handle them. Putting a 102” screen and surround sound in a room that’s only 10’x12’ doesn’t make much sense. It’s not just room size that matters, either. You’ll want to make sure that you’re wired adequately and that you can arrange your furniture in such a way that you can take advantage of everything your home theatre system has to offer. You’ll want to make sure you don’t have a lot of unsightly exposed cable lying around. And you may even want to conceal your speakers.
Whether you’re looking to add a home theatre to your existing home, or are planning one for a new home, make sure you talk to any one of Trillium Constructions staff first so that he can create a space that will allow you to enjoy your home theatre to the max!