Plan your way to a successful renovation

Whether it’s upgrading old systems, repairing problems or just adapting your home to suit changes in your family’s lifestyle, most homeowners will eventually need to carry out a renovation. With a little careful planning, you can make sure your renovation is a success, and make your home look better, work better, last longer – and be more comfortable.

If you’re thinking about renovating your home, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has a variety of questions you should ask yourself before you start work, such as:

• Are there any significant underlying problems in the condition of your home that need to be addressed before or during your renovation project?

• How will changing a particular part or component of your home affect the performance of the house as a whole?

• For your foundation, are there any cracks, damage, damp spots, white or chalky stains, or blistered paint on the concrete, finished walls or floors?

• Are there any signs of moisture problems in the basement or attic, such as high humidity, water stains and dampness, mold or rot?

• Are your heating or cooling bills unusually high, or do you find your house too dry, too humid – or simply uncomfortable?

• Are the mechanical and electrical systems sufficient for both your current and future needs?

• Is there any water seepage around kitchen or bathroom fixtures, windows or toilets, or leaks from pipes, taps, toilets or the water heater?

• Are your floors or stairs springy, sagging, warped, squeaky or damaged?

• Do your walls or ceilings have any cracks, holes, bulges, water stains or peeling finishes?

• Are any doors or windows drafty, broken, operating poorly or sticking?

• Does the roof have any curled or cracked shingles, bare patches, leaks, moss or damaged flashing?

• Finally, is there any blistered paint, rotted wood, buckled siding, stained or crumbled brick or damaged stucco on the exterior walls?

This article was provided by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. For more information or a free copy of the “About Your House” fact sheet on Assessing the Renovation Project or other fact sheets on virtually every facet of owning, maintaining or renovating your home, visit our website at www.cmhc.ca , where you can also view a “How To” video on planning your renovation. CMHC is Canada’s national housing agency and a source of objective, reliable housing expertise.