Toronto Renovations Don’t s

Toronto Renovations

Toronto Renovations Dont’s: What not to do with your home renovation

I think these are probably more important then the do’s are. Toronto renovations are very complicated and the are lots of variables that have to be accounted for from the beginning, in order to give you any chance of success. Above all never attempt to do anything on your home with out dealing with a professional. I have seen some real horror stories of homes being destroyed and families left in financial ruin, all because the person doing the work wasn’t a pro.

Never go at  Toronto renovations alone

This obviously falls into the always hire a professional statement also. We live in a time of home shows and magazines. Showing everything from a bathroom reno in 30 minutes to a full home in an hour. What you don’t see is the army of people behind the scenes that make it all happen. All renovation work requires a good team of people in order to break the work down into the required skill sets. When I started in this business, I always heard word that there was a guy that worked for virtually nothing an hour and was great at everything. Let me be the first to tell you he or she does not exist. Although you can become proficient in more than one trade, be very careful with the person who tells you he can do it all.

 

The cheapest price is never the best deal

Toronto renovations contractors should not be selected the same way you buy something from Costco or Walmart. A service is not a product, and what you’re buying at the beginning is not just the price. Always get some comparison bids, but keep in mind that if someone is far below the rest, the odds are that they don’t know what they are up against. Too many times I have seen families pick the cheapest guy and get hosed for all kinds of things once the home was under construction. You must trust the person implicitly and know he or she has your home and your best interests at heart. You are buying a process not just a product, find the one that can answer all of your questions and is confident on how to get the job done.

 

Never renovate without a plan.

A plan is the only thing you have to save yourself from the pitfalls that plague most home renovation projects. That plan starts with an honest look at what needs to be done on your home and not just what you want to do. Kitchens and bathrooms are great, and additions are fun, but if you don’t deal with the home as a whole, you run the risk of having to undo what you paid to do. Unless you live in a home built in the last 40 years or so, that was built with modern construction techniques. You probably need to address a whole slue of issues like insulation, plumbing, electrical and structure. These things are the most important to address because fixing them protects your investment in the rest of your home. Before you put any money into make the front of your walls beautiful, always make sure you have a plan on how you will deal with what is behind them also.

 

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Cristina Blesa
Cristina Blesa2023-12-06
Google

We worked with Chris Smith and Woodsmith Construction Inc. on a large-scale renovation of our east-end semi and we couldn’t be happier with the finished product. The project included adding a third floor, underpinning the basement, and updating the interior throughout the house. Chris handled both the design and the build, and he is incredibly knowledgeable about all stages of the process. He was professional and responsive and always had our best interests at heart. His team was hard-working and respectful and they were all a pleasure to work with.Chris was professional, calm, and reasonable in working with our neighbours at all stages of the process and earned a very positive reputation among people on the street who saw the process and admired the result. The final product maintains the same exterior character of the home while updating the interior and making it a hundred times more functional for our family. It is a total transformation from what it used to be and we thank Chris for his vision and guidance throughout the process.Chris and his team were organized, professional, and always on top of the details. They kept us in the loop throughout the project and made sure everything was done to the highest standard. We would not hesitate to recommend Woodsmith to anyone undertaking a residential renovation – he is one of the hardest-working people we know and we are very grateful for his expertise and dedication.

D Volpe
D Volpe2024-12-01
Google

Woodsmith Construction completed a project for us in a timely and professional manner. The quality of their workmanship is superb. Communication between them and us was informative, courteous and collaborative. We would highly recommend them.

Rick Wilson
Rick Wilson2020-03-31
Google

Emmanuel Moysis
Emmanuel Moysis2019-03-31
Google

Woodsmith Construction is first and foremost one of the leading contractors serving the GTA. We at Rigid Frame Structural Engineers Inc. provide structural engineering consulting for them. Woodsmith always adhere to the drawings and regulations in all of their construction projects. We also find Chris and all his crews to be very respectful. We recommend Woodsmith to all our clients who like to tackle renovations.

Woodsmith construction just completed a gut job and garage addition for my husband and I and it was the best experience I could have hoped for especially given all the renovation horror stories we have heard. They were so professional, helpful, diligent and responsive and the quality of the renovation was first class. I would recommend anyone to hire Woodsmith construction for all their needs whether it is a renovation or a new build. We could not be happier with the outcome and our newly renovated home.

We worked with Chris Smith and Woodsmith Construction Inc. on the design for a garage addition, and the experience was fantastic. The project included adding attic trusses to create a new walk-in closet and laundry room that seamlessly connected to our existing main bedroom. Chris’s goal was to make the addition feel like it had always been part of the home, and he absolutely nailed it.From the start, Chris took the time to understand what we needed and came up with a design that not only maximized the functionality of the space but also kept the style consistent with the rest of the house. He paid close attention to every detail, from the layout to the finishes, ensuring everything worked perfectly with our main bedroom.The design makes such smart use of the space, and it feels like a natural extension of the home rather than an afterthought. Chris was great to work with—responsive, creative, and incredibly knowledgeable. He even provided advice on how to approach the construction phase, which made us feel confident moving forward.If you’re looking for someone to bring your vision to life with a thoughtful and practical design, we highly recommend Chris Smith and Woodsmith Construction. The design he created for us has truly enhanced our home. Our construction is well under way and we are already seeing the great design come to life!

Steve F
Steve F2024-12-03
Google

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