Kitchen Renovations
Types of
Kitchen Renovations
Basic
Kitchen Retrofits
A “Kitchen Retrofit” is a kitchen project that does not normally require major renovations such as the re-positioning of plumbing lines or fixtures, tearing down support walls, or other structural modifications. For the most part, these types of jobs only include the replacement of cabinets, sink and taps, countertop, etc. (where such items are already standing.
A basic kitchen retrofit is a more economical way to renew your kitchen. However in some cases, it may be the only option when the expansion or remodeling of the kitchen becomes impractical due to the home’s limited structural design
As most kitchen retrofits are performed in smaller kitchens, more attention is paid to the type and colour of cabinets, as well as the lighting used.
Need a Permit?
If you purchase your drawings and permit processing through a member-architectural specialist, you will receive a $1500 credit towards the final price of your renovations (if performed by a member-contractor).
For further information see:
Types of
Kitchen Renovations
Structural
Modifications
Today, many homeowners are opting to renovate their kitchens with more creative, “open concept” designs.
If your existing kitchen feels small, dark and confined, most support walls can be structurally opened up or removed entirely.
Note: All structural modifications performed within your home will require a permit. If you have your own designer, you can provide us with his or her final, stamped drawings. However, if you do not have your own architectural/structural designer, we will be happy to offer a flat rate price for the drawings and permit process through The Renovation Co-op’s Architectural Design & Permit Services.
In addition, if you obtain your drawings through The Renovation Co-op, and you later purchase the actual renovations through a member-contractor, you will be eligible for an Architectural Rebate up to $1500 that will be deducted from the final price of the renovations.
Need a Permit?
If you purchase your drawings and permit processing through a member-architectural specialist, you will receive a $1500 credit towards the final price of your renovations (if performed by a member-contractor).
For further information see:
Types of
Kitchen Renovations
Designer-Level
Kitchens
Planning a full-scale Kitchen Renovation can become highly personal for the homeowner. For most families, the kitchen is typically the main room within the house in which the entire family gathers each day. It is an important social and casual setting, and plays a significant role within the home.
Our approved kitchen designers are considered the finest in the business, and regardless of the size and/or scale of your kitchen project, each and every one of them will pay strict attention to your personal tastes and ideas when creating a kitchen design
Need a Permit?
If you purchase your drawings and permit processing through a member-architectural specialist, you will receive a $1500 credit towards the final price of your renovations (if performed by a member-contractor).
For further information see:
Types of
Kitchen Renovations
Basement
Kitchens
Whether you add a basement kitchen for personal use or as part of a Basement Rental Apartment, our quality cabinetry and installations reflect a high degree of professionalism and taste.
Need a Permit?
If you purchase your drawings and permit processing through a member-architectural specialist, you will receive a $1500 credit towards the final price of your renovations (if performed by a member-contractor).
For further information see:
Estimating Procedures
for Kitchen Renovations
Introduction
Although a Kitchen Renovation is defined as a General Contracting Project, the estimating procedures that are used for Kitchen Projects differ slightly from our organization’s standard estimating procedures for most other types of General Contracting work:
*Kitchen Design:
Normally, after a stamped Municipal Permit has been acquired(if needed), a senior-level Member-Contractor is selected to physically review the project with the owner(s), after which a Project Assessment Report is submitted to the Co-op’s Internal Bid Team.
The Bid Team then sends a Bid Request, or Invitation to Bid to a targeted group of contractors who regularly perform the same type and level of work required by the project.
The Bid Team then sends a Bid Request, or Invitation to Bid to a targeted group of contractors who regularly perform the same type and level of work required by the project.
However, a set of drawings for the proposed Kitchen Renovation and/or cabinetry must first be presented by a Kitchen Designer, who normally works for a Co-op-approved kitchen manufacturer with a professional showroom facility.
Kitchen Design and Cabinet Selection
Member-Bidding System
At the core of this unique process is the Co-op’s cloud-based Member-Bidding System. This secured, online portal enables selected, member-contractors to place their bids on a specific project.
Step 1: Initial Site Visit
A designated, Senior-Level Contractor is selected to conduct a visit to the property, which includes personally reviewing the final drawings and the proposed work with the client, which gives the contractor a more personalized idea as to exactly what the client wants. The contractor then records and submits all of the information regarding the work to be performed throughout the project.
Note: The “viewing” contractor accesses a remote, secured data system developed by The Renovation Co-op that helps create the detailed “Scope of Work” (descriptions of all items to be performed as part of the project).
Step 2: Bid Preparation
Step 2: The information is submitted to the Co-op’s Bid Preparation Team. The group reviews the information and then creates a targeted list of those contractor-members who regularly perform the same type and level of work required to fulfill the client’s project, and who would be best-matched to work with that client.
The selection of each contractor in this targeted group of contractors is also determined by each contractor’s stated, preferred geographical radius to the location of the work, as well as his/her own posted availability on the system.
Step 3: Invitation to Bid…
Upon determining the targeted group of member-contractors, a Bid Request Package (also called an “Invitation to Bid”) is submitted to each of these contractors, which includes copies of the Final Permit Drawings, the Scope of Work and any additional comments entered by the viewing contractor.
Step 5: Subsidy Funding Request
Upon completion of the bidding process, an automatic request is sent to The Canadian Renovation Funding Program to seek any subsidy funds or rebates that may be available to credit towards the project. In addition to its role as a free loan advisory service
The Program is also responsible for the fiduciary management of all Subsidy and Rebate Programs on behalf of The Renovation Co-op.
The granting of subsidy funds for each request normally takes 4-6 hours, and is largely based upon the availability of funds at the time of the request, the geographical location and the type of project.
Step 4: Contractor Bidding
The effectiveness of the process ensures that every contractor will submit a bid price for the same, detailed information that was originally entered by the viewing contractor.
Note: When viewing the project, the senior contractor accesses a secured, remote data entry system that precisely describes the Scope of Work (Description of the work required to complete the project).
Unfortunately, too many contractors in the industry will rely solely on the statement “Perform work as per drawings…” in the wording of their contracts, which over-simplifies the contract and leaves too much room for confusion and arguments when it comes to performing the actual work.
With our estimating system, all of the details are entered into the contract.
Each bid request contains a date limit by which the contractor must enter his or her bid.
This “Bid Response Time Window” is determined by the size and scope of the work. However, the targeted group of contractors must be given enough time to check availability and pricing from their sub-trades, suppliers, etc. before they commit to a price.
Note: Each responding contractor must guarantee their bid price for 30 days following his/her bid submission.
This is one of the main reasons why the Co-op will not process an estimate until the drawings and permit processing are completed.
Step 6: Online Estimate Review…
An appointment is arranged between a Renovation Co-op Service Rep and the client to simultaneously review the completed estimate through our secured, web-based system.
During this 5-minute review, the rep must verify that the client fully understands what is being presented, and that the client can properly navigate through the sections of the estimate. See example below…
Subsidy Withdrawal Policy:
As stated within each estimate, if there are Subsidy Funds being offered within the estimate, those funds are withdrawn after 5 business days following Estimate Review.
Note: Once the automatic request for subsidy funds has been approved, those funds are placed on hold and set aside for 5 business days pending a deposit or contract between the selected contractor and the homeowner. If there is no deal signed between the two parties at the end of those 5 days, the subsidy amount is withdrawn from the estimate, and the funds are placed back into the main Subsidy Discount Fund.
If the client accepts the deal, the subsidy discount amount is deducted from the final sale price, and the contractor is later credited (“subsidized), with the same discounted amount by the Funding Program.
The 5 business-day withdrawal period, during which the funds are segregated and held, virtually guarantees to the contractor that those funds have been set aside and will be available if there is an agreement signed with the client.
Estimate Request:
