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Why do people renovate? The local experts share the top 5 reasons

From more space to improved safety, here’s what Greater Victoria homeowners seek
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What are your reasons for wanting to renovate? While individual reasons can vary, determining your pain points will help you determine the best course forward.

You love your neighbours and your community, but just don’t have space for your growing family.

Maybe that outdated kitchen that saw you through a young family’s “busy years” is really showing its age. Or, maybe the kids are old enough that they need their own space as they head to college.

These are just a few of the scenarios that typically prompt people to renovate their home, notes Srdjo Djurkovic, project leader with MAC Renovation.

And while the motivations to renovate haven’t changed significantly over the years, your own reasons will vary according to your family’s needs, stage of life and of course, your home.

“If you love your home, it’s always a good time to renovate,” Djurkovic says.

So, with that in mind, here’s a look at the top 5 reasons people renovate their home:

  • Space. Pure and simple, as families change, or how they use their space changes – hello home office ! – what was once sufficient space can become cramped and unworkable. If there’s another baby on the way, or your parents are looking to downsize into a comfortable suite, for example, consider where unused, or under-utilized space can be adapted, whether through an addition or developing the attic or basement. “We’re expecting a new baby so we reclaimed space by moving all the bedrooms downstairs and having the living space upstairs,” Djurkovic says.
  • Multi-generation living: More families are living together under one roof, whether it’s aging parents moving in to stay independent longer or wanting more time with the grandkids, boomerang children saving for a downpayment, or anywhere in between. Suites offer privacy with the comfort and security of knowing family is right next door.

Improving Beauty while Reducing Maintenance. Sure, that cedar deck looks good now, after another round of sanding and staining, but what if an attractive, durable composite deck could alleviate the need for time-consuming annual maintenance? Simply put, we want to enjoy our homes and gardens, not be tasked with labour-intensive maintenance. The right renovation can help achieve that.

  • Safety Improvements. Whether it’s measures to help us age in place comfortably and safely, such as grab bars, wider doorways and lower-slip materials, or layout improvements to help us keep a closer eye on the kids, safety is a key concern for many homeowners, especially those living in the region’s older homes, Djurkovic says.
  • Broken promises. Remember the outdated kitchen and ugly bathroom you promised would be replaced years ago? Or the basement you agreed would give the kids a space of their own? It’s time to act on those promises! “People ask, ‘Will it add value?’” Djurkovic says. “If you live there, and it will improve your quality of life, that’s what gives a renovation its value.”

    • If you love your home, it’s always a good time to renovate, says MAC Renovations’ Srdjo Djurkovic.
    If you love your home, it’s always a good time to renovate, says MAC Renovations’ Srdjo Djurkovic.

    Bonus Round: While you’re upgrading your home, you can also incorporate efficiency upgrades. Draughty doors, single-pane windows, insufficient insulation or costly heating are all common reasons people may seek efficiency upgrades, and today’s options are plentiful. However, it’s important to choose a renovator who views the whole house as a system to ensure you maximize benefits through the whole home.

    Regardless of the reasons prompting you to embark on a renovation, it’s important to consider not only what’s challenging to you today, but what may become a “pain point” tomorrow. After all, the last thing you want is to complete one project, only to have to embark on another a few years down the road!

    To learn more about how MAC Renovations can help you create a home you’ll love today, and tomorrow, visit macreno.com or call 250-384-6091.

    READ MORE: A better way to renovate

    READ MORE: Wasted space no more: Dream new life into your basement