Signs your basement needs more than a facelift.

Mistakes to Avoid When Remodelling Your Basement

Finding Experts That Will Soundproof Your Basement

Get the Most out of Your Garage Space

Preparing for your Basement Development

You’ve decided to finish your basement. Now what? There are a few things to consider before calling Alliance Renovations to come and build the basement of your dreams.

1. Plan Ahead.

 The first thing to consider is what you want your finished basement to be used for. Basement development companies can transform your space into whatever you have in mind but it helps to have a plan. You may need to consider things like the height of the ceiling, whether or not you plan to add in a downstairs bathroom, and the type of lighting you need or want. Basement development Calgary specialists can help you make some of these important decisions when they know what you want the finished product to look like.

2. Footloose and Flood Free.

One of the biggest obstacles for basements is the potential for flooding. The last thing you want is a newly finished basement to be ruined by preventable water damage. Cracks in the foundation of your home are one thing to look out for as well as making sure your in-home plumbing is secure and up to standard. Take the time to properly inspect all possible cracks and leaks. You may not even have to go inside to look for potential flooding hazards. If there are often pools of water along the sides of your house when it rains, it may be an issue of landscaping or resituating drain pipes. Basement development companies will know what to look for when they come to perform a quote but it never hurts to be prepared ahead of time.

3. Electric Outlets.

Making sure you have enough electrical outlets mostly depends on what your plan is. Home entertainment systems, basement offices and crafting rooms will likely require more than the average number of outlets. You may also want to consider how many things you plan to plug in where. You don’t want to blow a breaker every time you’re watching a Blu-ray disc on the big screen T.V. with surround sound and the theatre style popcorn maker running in the background. On the other hand, billiards rooms, storage spaces, and kids play areas may not require any additional outlets. When you call Alliance Renovations to come finish your basement, make sure you let them know what your electrical outlet needs are and how they can be met efficiently and effectively.

4. Permit Planning.

Basement renovations and developments require the proper documentation and permit based on the zoning laws in your city and the extent of your renovations. Acquiring the proper permit is especially important if you plan to turn your basement into a suite for renting. Knowing which permits you need can be stressful and confusing so it may be useful to look into basement renovation companies that take care of the permit for you. Companies like Alliance Renovations include the cost of the permit in their initial quote so there aren’t any surprises or extra hidden fees to worry about.

3. Financial Preparedness.

Basement development can be overwhelming, time consuming and expensive. Depending on the basement development company that you choose, you may find that finishing your basement is a project you’ll have to put on hold. Thankfully, Alliance Renovations – a Calgary based basement renovation company has a number of options to make sure your basement development project remains affordable and cost effective. When renovating or finishing your basement, look for basement development companies that offer sales, promotions, or financing options so that your dream basement is never out of reach.

Ready for to make your basement renovation a reality, then get ready for your basement renovation and contact Alliance for a free consultation. We also have monthly promotions so make sure to check those out as well.

Also thinking about a new Garage build? Check out our recent projects and get more information on our garage builders page.

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5 Water Deals You Want to Seal Before Beginning a Basement Renovation in Calgary

Before you take on the task a basement renovation in Calgary to transform your cold concrete box in to a social hub or a fortress of solitude there are a few steps you are going to want to take to avoid undoing all your hard work further down the line. Nothing throws cold water on to a fine basement renovation project like…well…cold water.

Codes: Not Just for Spies

Building codes exist for a reason, that reason being to keep yourself and those around you safe. Before you pick up a hammer or pick in to the earth check with the municipal offices to see what permits you might require. We all know from childhood public service announcements to watch out for wires but plumbing work will frequently require an inspection. Poorly installed plumbing can quickly rot a house from the inside out. Calgary building inspectors know what to look for when checking that everything is up to code. This keeps the house safe but also protects shared municipal infrastructure from stress and damage. A Calgary basement renovation should never proceed before taking these steps.

Calgary’s Seasonal Drips Can Damn your Basement Renovation

Horror movies have more than their fair share of damp basements, and that is hardly a coincidence. No one like a dank space with its own precipitation. Nothing condemns a basement faster than moisture so look for any signs of potential water issues before  starting basement renovations. Calgary Chinooks might have a dry climate, but when it rains it pours and homeowners want to keep that water outside where it belongs. You don’t need a flood to saturate the matrix of a basement, even heavy seasonal thaws can allow water to seep into the walls and floor. Look for puddles of water on the floor and drips from walls and supports below the natural drainage grade.  

Well, Well, Well

Wells are half-circular or rectangular shields that attach to the side of the house around windows, holding the weight of the earth and blocking debris and moisture from the gravitational flow to a basement window. If you want/have basement windows, wells are a must. Basement windows tend to get a real beating from water dripping off of roofs and from ground-flow rain/debris, so they deteriorate quickly. To protect basement windows, wells should include transparent covers which offer physical protection and a barrier to keep heat/cold in the room.

Foundational Knowledge

Foundations need to be protected as everything is build upon them. Check outside to make sure the surrounding area is graded away from your foundation to keep water flow from eroding and cracking it in the future. Repair any cracks found in your foundations walls and look for any unusual conditions that could have caused the damage beyond normal wear and tear. 

Vapour is a “Very Poor” Addition to Any Basement Renovation

If your foundation is crack-free, your wells are well constructed, there is no symphony of dripping pools, and your Calgary basement renovation codes check out with your plans your basement can still become a damp concrete cave. Add a vapour barrier to the walls and floors before doing any finishing work. To test for current moisture conditions seal 2-foot squares of plastic sheeting to the floor and walls. Wait a couple of weeks. If condensation forms underneath, the foundation’s not sealed. If droplets form on top, the basement needs dehumidifying.

If you are ready to start your Basement Renovation or have are looking for more basement renovation ideas, contact Alliance Renovations for a free consultation at (403) 228-2000 or on fill in our contact us form.

Also thinking about a Home renovation or Garage Build? Check out some of our Home Renovation projects and our Garage Build work. 

The post 5 Water Deals You Want to Seal Before Beginning a Basement Renovation in Calgary appeared first on Alliance Calgary.

Basement Renovation Ideas- Making The Most Out Of Your Basement

So you have finally decided to tackle your basement renovation. While a Calgary basement renovations company will have some ideas about what is or is not feasible, the design of your new basement should be dictated by its primary purpose in your life. Here are some basement renovation ideas to make the most of your space.

1. Games Room:

Are you a 12th level halfling healer, or a crack shot on the post apocalyptic wasteland of a distant planet? Maybe you’re the person who hoards all the ore making it impossible for anyone to expand their territory, whatever your gaming taste there is no doubt that the living room or kitchen table are sufficient, but hardly ideal. Whether you’re knocking over your grandmother’s heirloom figurines with your wild mario kart reenactments elbowings or losing dice to the dark void under the refrigerator it is pretty obvious that these spaces are designed for other activities. 

Talk to a basement renovation specialist and that can make a space that is actually designed to accommodate your entertainment evenings. Surround sound and dimmer switches wired in to pot lighting will certainly make the explosions of a nearby grenades a significantly more immersive experience, upping your awareness much to your teammates delight (and your enemies chagrin.) If you’re more of a traditionalist with tabletop games talk to your basement reno could include shelving options for all your cards, boards, chips, tiles, boxes, and dice. Never suffer the glaring irritation of buttons or paperclips mismatching the aesthetics of your tabletop world.

If this all seems like childsplay because what are games without proper stakes? You could renovate you concrete box in to an elegant billiards room or prohibition era high-rollers haven. A built-in bar, custom displays, and practical storage options will make your tiny piece of monte carlos worthy of a visit from 007 himself. A Basement Renovation specialist can build you a space with nothing to interfere with your hustler style trick-shots and carefully placed reflective surfaces to avoid revealing your hand to unscrupulous opponents.

Whatever your taste in gameplay may be Alliance Renovations will have exactly what you need to let the games begin.

2. Performance Space:

Whether you’re a professional with theatre Calgary, or an ameture belting it out to a karaoke track there is no doubt that performance space is hard to come by. It can be pricey, inflexible, and needs to be booked unreasonably far in advance. Poetry slams in cafes and bars might have worked in the Belle Epoque but nowadays they are likely to be overrun with drunken frat boys or chatty instagram socialites there for the free wifi, not exactly the audience you are looking for. Every artist needs to hone their craft and a neighbour pounding on the wall is hardly a helpful form of critique.

Why not contact a Calgary basement renovations company to make full use of the open floorplan and sound-dampening qualities of your unfinished basement. Build a black box performance space with soundproofing insulation, electric outlets to accommodate your lighting needs and flexible stage and seating options that can be manipulated to suit every performance. Master your blocking, sharpen your choreography, or perfect the pauses for your next audition monologue. 

3. Fitness Studio:

Let’s face it, we all need to exercise but going to the gym can be expensive, time-consuming, uncomfortable, and overall too inconvenient to stay motivated. Another basement renovation idea that might hold the key to your sustained fitness efforts, a Fitness Studio! Working with a Basement renovation contractor can build you a space that is appealing enough you’ll look forward to coming home and burning off the frustrations of the day. Divide your open floor plan to accommodate weights stations, install all the right flooring for a corner dojo or zumba dance floor, and leave all the room you need to condition your core strength and flexibility with some pilates and yoga. Workout without worrying about unwanted amorous advances, or uncomfortable judgement from the local gym bunnies and muscle-heads. Alliance Basement Renovations team  can transform your bare basement in to a fitness space that will improve your everyday quality of life

4. Crash Room:

But maybe a corner dojo isn’t quite enough, do you or your family practise martial arts? Or maybe you just have particularly energetic kids who like to wrestle and crash into each other at every opportunity. It’s all well and good to tell them to play outside but Calgary’s weather can make that an uncomfortable and/or messy proposition. When it’s raining in the summer or slushing the rest of the year outside might not be the best place to roll around unless mud tracks add to your personal decor. Instead consult aCalgary basement renovation specialist and turn your empty basement space in to a padded crashroom. Basement Renovators can advise how to properly install the hooks and supports to pad a room useful for everything from practicing slapshots, to mastering a tumble routine. Best of all? Your breakables are safe from the colliding energies of your ameture WWE fighters.

5. Beauty Salon:

If you’re somewhat more meticulous with your appearance you have probably noticed how quickly one can run out of  bathroom space. Between palettes, bushes, bottles, and tools there is barely space for the sink, and unless your bathroom was designed by a makeup artist the light is likely tinted or shadowed in ways that could not be more different from the natural light of day. Bring in a renovation company and they can set up your space to let you look your best. Install a walk-in closet so you can keep your quality clothing in pristine condition avoiding unseemly wrinkles and folds from extended time in cramped spaces. Next build custom storage options suitable for all the palettes and pots that hold the high quality pigments you use to create your makeup masterpieces every morning. No more losing your favourite lipstick to the bottom of a bag only to find it after it has expired. Finally install the proper lighting and outlets around the mirrors and vanities you have always wanted wanted. Your heating tools will never need to be tangled again when you have them neatly stored, ready for your latest styling inspirations. Alliance Renovations will know exactly how to build a space to showcase your most stylish self to the world.

If you are ready to start your Basement Renovation or have are looking for more basement renovation ideas, contact Alliance Renovations for a free consultation at (403) 228-2000 or on fill in our contact us form.

Also thinking about a Home renovation or Garage Build? Check out some of our Home Renovation projects and our Garage Build work. 

The post Basement Renovation Ideas- Making The Most Out Of Your Basement appeared first on Alliance Calgary.

Basement Development Ideas- Making The Most Out Of The Space

So you have finally decided to finish your basement and are looking for basement development ideas to make the cold concrete box under the stairs in to something a bit more liveable? While Calgary basement development companies will have some ideas about what is or is not feasible the design of your finished basement should be dictated by its primary purpose in your life. With life being as chaotic and busy as it is there is a good chance you will want your finished basement to be somewhat of a rejuvenating space. There is no better way to rejuvenate than to support a passion, so here are 5 basement development ideas that support the you that exists outside of survival mode.

1. Music Studio:

Do you play the piano? Maybe you like to remix classics into something new and creative? Perhaps you like to belt show tunes from your favourite musical? Or maybe you’re more of a drummer? While music may be your passion your neighbours do not always share your enthusiasm.  A basement development company will know how to properly set up a rehearsal space so you can rock and roll to your heart’s content.

2. Art Studio:

Another basement development idea to make your basement more than just another room in your house, Art Studio! You do not need to be the next Michelangelo, Pablo Picasso, or Bob Ross to enjoy the many art mediums humans explore. Whether you’re recreating a burnished sunset in oils, or spinning vessels out of clay there is no denying that art is messy. Calgary basement developers can tailor your basement to your creative needs. Do you need flooring that can easily be cleaned? Perhaps specialized storage for canvases left to dry? Unique shelving to display sculptures? Give your art the space it deserves and stoke your creativity.

3. Yoga Studio:

Life is full of chaos so carve out a bit of space to re-centre yourself. You do not need to be a cirque-de-soleil acrobat to enjoy the benefits of yoga. Yoga is an excellent way to engage in mindfulness practice, a promising form of meditation known to help with focus, stress, and overall health. Studies show more and more the importance of meditation to be in the same realm as diet, exercise, and sleep hygiene. Yoga can also help keep the body strong and flexible to avoid injuries from icy falls in Calgary’s mercurial winter months. If you are keen to dig a little deeper and reconnect with yourself this basement development idea is for you. Let your finished basement reflect and encourage this positive self-awareness.

4. Dance Studio:

Do you like to swing, salsa, or two-step to a catchy rhythm with a dance partner? Perhaps you enjoy recreating your favourite scenes of Swan Lake? Or maybe you want to move the latest hip-hop to impress in the clubs. Whatever your style a dance studio gives you the privacy to practice until you get it just right; whether that’s a perfectly balanced head spin or the areal from Dirty Dancing, Calgary basement developers will know how to install whatever you need to make your nights on the dance floor events worth remembering.

5. Craft Room:

Glitter may be the herpes of the craft world but it’s always wise to at least TRY to contain it. Crafting is deeply therapeutic stimulating positive feelings of pride in one’s one creativity by transforming raw material in to art. Any craft from scrapbooking to woodworking requires specialized tools and supplies. Keeping all of this organized without a dedicated space is cumbersome and stifles creative opportunities. Take the time to share your passion with the people responsible for finishing your basement and explain exactly what your needs are. Do you need a lot of surface area for working, or is efficient use of storage space more of a priority? Either way a finished basement can be an excellent haven to build your creative skills.

If you are ready to start your Basement Development or have are looking for more basement development ideas, contact Alliance Renovations for a free consultation at (403) 228-2000 or on fill in our contact us form.

Also thinking about a Home renovation or Garage Build? Check out some of our Home Renovation projects and our Garage Build work. 

The post Basement Development Ideas- Making The Most Out Of The Space appeared first on Alliance Calgary.

Basement Development Cost, What to Expect and What is Included?

So you have decided to finish your basement and enjoy all the benefits of the flexible space. But how much does a Calgary basement development cost? Are the prices wildly different from basement to basement? What do the costs cover?

The basement development cost in Calgary are of course dictated first by the size of your basement.  There are three price categories most basements will fall in to.

1. $18.9k-$28k (300 – 500 ft²)
2. $28k-$38k (500 – 700 ft²)
3. $38k-$48k (700 – 900 ft²)

This is just a general estimation of a basement development cost in Calgary, depending on your needs and taste the costs may run higher or lower to cover the unique labour and materials required for your personalized basement project. So what is included in a standard package for basement development?

1. Framing:

Basement development in Calgary will include the basic framing; this means the framing for one bedroom, closets, the mechanical room, and bulkheads.

2. Electrical:

Basement developers in Calgary will install tamper-proof receptacles, and light switches all of which will be up to current Alberta building code standards.

3. Cable and Internet:

Cable and internet connection points will be wired in to the main room and bedroom(s). If you wish to have your media hardwired in to other rooms be sure to specify this with your Calgary basement developer.

4. Smoke and CO2 Detectors:

Your safety is always the top priority. All safety detectors will be functional, tested, and meet Alberta building code standards.

5. Lighting:

Lighting is generally determined based on a pre-agreed allowance. Pot lights are quite popular and can occasionally be included in special promotions for basement development in Calgary.

6. Drywall:

Calgary basement developers will complete all exterior walls including the stairs, exterior bedroom and bathroom walls.

7. Stipple Ceiling:

This is the standard installation however it is not the only option, if you have specific ideas (anything from wooden boards, to plaster sculpting be sure to discuss it with your Calgary basement developer so they can building you

8. Paint:

Basement development in Calgary covers three coats of paint with a pre-agreed paint that meets builder quality standards without exceeding your budget.

9. Flooring:

While you do have a host of flooring option standard packages for basement development in Calgary include a choice of standard carpets with 8 lb underlay.

10. Closet Doors:

The closet doors installed will be dictated by the space available in your bedroom. Standard instillations generally include hollow core doors but if you discuss the cost with your Calgary basement developer beforehand other options such as glass or bi-fold doors can be installed.

11. Hardware:

Consistency is key for flowing aesthetics so basement developers will do their best to match to the hardware in the rest of your home.

12. Baseboards / Casings:

Basement developers in Calgary will generally do their best to match the baseboards and casings found in the rest of your home. However if this is not possible you can expect a choice of 4’ baseboards and 3” casings.

13. Permits

This part of the basement  development journey can be the most tedious, and one of the benefits of using a professional developer for your project.  Basement developers in Calgary are familiar with permit requirements and costs are provided in quote.

Although basement development cost can vary, these are simply standard package expectations and extras can always be added on. Basement development possibilities in Calgary are endless so talk to your developer and make your finished basement the space of your creative dreams.

If you are ready to start your Basement Development or have any more questions, contact Alliance Renovations for a free consultation at (403) 228-2000 or on fill in our contact us form.

Also thinking about a Home renovation or Garage Build? Check out some of our Home Renovation projects and our Garage Build work. 

The post Basement Development Cost, What to Expect and What is Included? appeared first on Alliance Calgary.

6 Reasons To Finish Your Basement

There are several reasons to finish a basement, a basement development can serve a variety of functions from storage to living space. Here are 6 reasons to call a Calgary basement developer to get the most out of your home and lower your stress levels.

Reason 1: Escape The Climate.

It’s no secret that Calgary has mercurial weather patterns, we get the extremes of summer heat and winter freezes. Finished basements are the perfect space for total climate control. Totally insulated they do not overheat in the summer and stay cozy in the winter. These spaces can be a god-sent to those who have difficulty sleeping in extreme temperatures.

If you are a collector of fine items such as antique books, cigars or aged wines a talk to a Calgary basement development company to set up the perfect space to preserve and maintain your particular treasures.

Reason 2: Kid Containment.

Children are a delight, but so are the trappings of your adult life and it can be difficult to enjoy both in the same space. Children’s toys can create a minefield of tripping hazards, energetic games lead to a symphony of ear splitting shrieks, and while you want to encourage their artistic creativity you would certainly prefer it if they did not use your antique furniture as a canvas.

Chaos and children go hand in hand and this is a universal truth for any healthy childhood. So you want to encourage their healthy play but not at the cost of your sanity  (one can only hear the theme song to Paw Patrol so many times) so how do you make it work? Don’t curb the healthy chaos, just contain it. Call a Calgary basement development company and tell them what you want to create the ultimate play space to fuel childhood imagination and encourage healthy growth. Install climbing handholds to create a bouldering wall to develop strength, balance, and coordination with carpets to soften any impromptu descents. Keep toys from tripping you up with built-in storage specifically built to contain the menagerie of plushies, or army of actions figures you currently find underfoot. Developed basements also dampen a great deal of sound so their screams of delight don’t need to give headache to you and your guests in the rest of your home.

Reason 3: Teenage Controlled Independent Space.

It’s 12:00am, do you know where your child is? If you have a teenager the answer is not always yes. Swinging between social butterflies and brooding creatures of darkness, teenagers stumble in to all kinds of trouble and it can be hard to give them the space they want and still feel like you are keeping them safe. Call up a Calgary basement development company and turn that cold concrete space in to a teenage hangout haven. Basement developers can build up a space that will appeal to adolescent sensibilities so your teenager will WANT to stay home where you can keep an eye on the without hovering. Why loiter where they’re not wanted when there is a perfectly good media centre set up downstairs? You won’t need to wonder who your child is hanging out with or what they are up to with your finished basement as their home base.

Reason 4: Guest Space.

We love our friends and family, and visits are particularly precious if they don’t live nearby. Living rooms are not the most comfortable accommodation for anyone, that space is built for socializing, there is no privacy or storage space so your guest is basically living on display for the duration of their visit. Work with a Calgary Basement developer and create a space that space to make your guests feel properly at home.

Guest rooms can also make a great temporary living space for adult children, exchange students, or family that need extra support in their day-to-day life.

Reason 5: Leisure Space.

Even people who do what they love for a living need some kind of release; yoga, art, video games, sewing, whatever it is that helps you unwind it is always ideal to have a space dedicated to it. A skilled basement development contractor can tailor your space to whatever you are passionate about. In to art? How about a basement with built-In drying surfaces or gallery displays. Passionate performer? How about a dance floor or soundproofed studio? Like to build things? How about custom storage built to keep your tools organized and accessible without crowding your workspace. Trying to keep that fitness resolution? A personal gym might be what you need to stay motivated. Trying to stay centred in a stressful work environment? Calgary basement builders can build a yoga or meditation space that will keep the distracting world at bay.

Reason 6: Organized Storage.

One of the most common uses for basements is storage, Christmas trees are nice to look at, but not in July! Unfortunately for most of us our storage spaces are little better than poorly labeled boxes haphazardly piled together on a cold concrete slab. This means every time you need something you are forced in to an intense game of giant jenga with a tower of boxes that could topple on to you at any moment. Alliance Renovations can end this problem forever with proper shelving built to suit your storage needs. No more archeological digs required every time you need to use your camping gear or want to decorate for a holiday. All your things can be easily accessible year-round, hassle-free.

Finished basement have so much to offer, call a Calgary basement finisher and use that space to it’s full potential.

If you have any more questions, contact Alliance Renovations for a free consultation at (403) 228-2000 or on fill in our contact us form.

Also thinking about a Home renovation or Garage Build? Check out some of our Home Renovation projects and our Garage Build work. 

The post 6 Reasons To Finish Your Basement appeared first on Alliance Calgary.

5 Reasons to Build a Garage This Winter- Calgary Garage Builders

Winter can be quite magical: various holiday dinners, snow battles, frosted windows, and trees draped in white make the season beautiful to observe. Winter however is not all snow forts and skating rinks; Calgary winters are quite harsh, yo-yoing between deep freezes and slushy Chinooks. These extremes in temperature take their toll and can tally up to significant costs in the long run, but building your home a garage can save you from the stress caused by Calgary’s mercurial winter weather patterns. Here are 5 reasons to call up Calgary garage builders this snowy season.

Reason 1: Scrape-Free Mornings.

Scraping the frost from a vehicle is one of the more unpleasant aspects of vehicle ownership. Shifting heavy snow so you can chisel away the thick layer of ice fusing to your windshield is not an ideal start to the day. This annoyance can be is compounded by an inability to properly scrap away icy residue due to insufficient arm-reach or awkward gaps between truck cabs and covers. A garage built by qualified builders in Calgary can save your fingertips from frostbite every morning.

 

 

Reason 2: Idle-Free Environment.

With the price of fuel and concerns over carbon emissions, leaving a car to idle for warmth is not the most responsible of actions. It is tempting to let your vehicle run in order to avoid the discomfort of frigid leather seats or biting cold steering wheels. Vehicle exhaust releases CO2 in to the atmosphere, this exacerbates climate change and contributes to the degradation of air quality. A vehicle stored in the shelter of a garage never needs to waste fuel to warm up. So keep your money in your wallet and mother nature happy, Calgary garage builders know how to properly insulate even an unheated garage to make idle mornings a thing of the past.

 

 

Reason 3: Longer Vehicle Life.

Vehicle fluids thicken when temperatures drop making your vehicle run less efficiently, and shortening its lifespan. Vehicle batteries that are not plugged in frequently die during a cold snap. Calgary garage builders services are an investment to protect you from the high costs of automotive repairs.

If you’ve already done some remodeling before filling out any forms or requesting any paperwork, it’s ok! You can get it all done afterwards, but it will be more difficult. If your framing or electrical work is already behind drywall, for instance, you will be required to remove the drywall for inspection.

Reason 4: Prep-Free Visibility.

Unpleasant as the task may be it needs to be done. It can be tempting to scrape a figurative peephole and drive on when you are pressed for time or desperate to warm your numbing digits. The windows may clear on the road with the heater cranked high, but drivers who move on the road without properly clearing their windows put everyone at risk. Parking in a garage means your car’s crucial points of visibility stay clear, so you can leave without 15 minutes of prepping your vehicle.

  

 

Reason 5: Better Insurance Rates.

Insurance companies do not want to pay out for damage that can be avoided. Vandals and thieves are a concern but snowplow debris, branches weighed down with ice, skidding vehicles, slip-footed pedestrians, and street sand mixed with melting salts call cause significant damage to vehicles left outdoors. Many companies will offer better rates to drivers storing their vehicles in a garage because it offers significantly better security.

As these winter months hit, don’t miss out on the benefits that a garage can provide you. Avoid the winter chill and check out some of our Winter Garage Build work.

If you have any more questions, contact Alliance Renovations for a free consultation at (403) 228-2000 or on our contact us form.

Also thinking about a Home or Basement renovation? Check out some of our Home Renovation work and our Basement Development projects.

The post 5 Reasons to Build a Garage This Winter- Calgary Garage Builders appeared first on Alliance Calgary.

Time-Sucking Remodeling Mistakes You’ll Wish You Could Erase

Avoid delays and frustrations with these home remodeling tips.

You’ve got your remodel scheduled right down to the housewarming. You’ve even built in time for any unexpected disasters lurking in your walls. But what about potential delays you, as the homeowner, might cause because you don’t know you’re screwing up?

It’s that old axiom: You don’t know what you don’t know.

Until now.

Here’s a list of time-sucking mistakes homeowners often make (so you don’t have to).

Designing Before Budgeting
You think you can afford that luxurious marble countertop — until you talk to the fabricator. It’s $2,000 over budget, and there’s no room to squeeze. If you’re already past the design phase, that’s a brutal discovery requiring a serious re-think — and extra time you don’t have at this stage of the game.

“There are an infinite number of design possibilities, but as soon as you pick a budget, seven-eighths are gone,” says Charles Rinek, who owns a remodeling and custom construction firm in Palm Coast, Fla. “Concentrate on the eighth that is appropriate with your budget.”

Know your budget. Then follow your dreams.

Modern kitchen with wood floors
Spend Oh-So-Wisely on a Kitchen Remodel
6 Materials Savvy Homeowners Never Use in Their Kitchens
How to Shop for a Retro Kitchen — and Not Get Stuck with Junk
Refacing Your Kitchen Cabinets: The Options and Costs
Indecision
Even the design-challenged can create a stunning kitchen with Pinterest on their side. But the breadth of options might create dismay — and delay — if you keep finding a better backsplash.

“Over-analysis becomes paralysis,” says Annmarie Bhola, who co-owned a remodeling company. “Now you spend all this time watching shows, and looking through Pinterest, and before you know it, oh my gosh, now I have all this data. Which should I choose? Should I go with light or dark?”

And then, the paint color isn’t right. So now you’ve got to rethink your complete color scheme.

Don’t be that homeowner. Once your design is finalized and construction is under way, consider your choices set in stone, or you might find yourself days, even weeks behind schedule when workers are waiting on you to decide.

Scheduling Work Before Materials Are On Site
You might have allotted enough time for each step — but if what you need isn’t there when you need it, all the scheduling in the world isn’t going to make up for that lost time.

Before scheduling workers to install your new cabinets and appliances, make sure the materials will be there for them. Don’t just allocate installation time; know how long it will take to ship your farmhouse sink. (Another related point: Know your contractor’s schedule, too, so you won’t be dismayed when he can’t come the day your cabinets arrive.)

Bhola says her common practice is to order everything ahead of time, to know the delivery dates, then to schedule contractors to start after that date.

Choosing to Live in the Mess
Remodeling is messy — dust everywhere, your pots and pans scattered, and living spaces become storage spaces.

No one expects you to be Martha in the midst of a home makeover, but too much disorganization will hog your time because you can’t find anything. Next thing you know, you’re a day behind because you couldn’t find the installation guide for the dishwasher.

As part of your project plan, include a strategy for all the stuff that needs a new home while construction is happening. And be sure to plan time to move it all so a) you don’t end up dumping everything in the nearest clear spot, or b) delaying the start of demolition, which means you’ll be starting out with a #fail.

Not Paying Attention to Permits
Your Uncle Joe swore he didn’t pull a permit for his kitchen remodel, and everything turned out fine. But if an inspector raises an eyebrow on a drive around the ‘hood, skipping this essential step could cost you months of inspections and repairs.

Give your local building department a heads-up. Plus, permits ensure your renovation is to code, catching any dangerous (or deadly) errors, like faulty outlets and improper plumbing.

Just make sure to budget time for the inspection.

“You can’t move forward with anything until it’s been inspected,” Rinek says. “God forbid he doesn’t show up until 4 p.m. and he doesn’t like your work. All that time adds up.”

Not Doing a Test Run on Materials
That soft teal was sure to make your subway tile pop. Until it didn’t. Give every paint, tile, and wood type a test run, otherwise, you might find yourself not liking the results, and then find yourself falling behind schedule while you pick the replacements.

For paint, Harris recommends covering a few inexpensive canvases in your favorite colors and leaving them in the room for a few days to help you decide. Do this long before workers come on site. As for cabinets, he suggests you “get a whole door.” You can’t see what a cabinet “really looks like from a three-by-three sample.”

A Too-Rigid Schedule
It might seem counterintuitive, but sometimes, your best choice is to just suck it up and cause a delay — especially if you don’t want regrets later.

“Time is almost always the reason why kitchen remodeling mistakes happen,” says Evan Harris, a San Diego real estate investor.

If you do start falling behind schedule because of unexpected surprises (darn carpenter bees — on top of hurricane weather, really?!), you might be tempted to try and make up the time.

But there’s where the danger lies, says Harris. That’s when you end up with sloppy work that may not stand the test of time: cabinets that aren’t level, a floor that wasn’t allowed to dry completely between coats and loses its luster too soon, a sloppy paint job. Cue future problems and expenses.

His advice: Budget even more time than you think you need for every step — and you might even finish early, in plenty of time to plan your housewarming.

Source: Time-Sucking Remodeling Mistakes You’ll Wish You Could Erase