Make an Old Home New With a Home Renovation Contractor in Ottawa

Buying a home in Ottawa is no joke. Home prices are high in the ninth most populous city of Canada. Because of high population and proximity to Toronto city, Ottawa has witnessed an exponential rise in real-estate prices.

If you are interested in buying a home in Ottawa, you must consider different costs such as mortgage, insurance, repairs and maintenance. Also, do not be in a haste to make a decision. You may want to buy a new home because you like the feel of a brand new property. But, escalated real-estate prices in the Peel region are making things difficult for home buyers. According to thestar.com, Ottawa home prices rose by 17 percent in 2016. So, if you buy a new property, you will have to part ways with a large amount of money.

Buying an Old Home Makes Sense

When you want to make a real-estate purchase, consider old homes because of the following reasons:

· The median age in Ottawa in 33.7. It is the youngest community of Greater Toronto Area. There are many young and first-time home buyers in the city. And, if you are a first-time buyer who is looking for affordable options, an old home can be the right choice for you.

· Old homes have matching décor and appliances. It means you do not have to spend money on buying refrigerator, stoves, air conditioner, etc.

· If you buy a brand new home, you will have to spend money on enhancing the curb appeal of the property. But, if you buy an old home, you will be able to avoid the cost. It is because you will have the opportunity to use the existing garden, deck, driveway, etc.

Do not worry if the Old Home doesn’t match your Requirements

People avoid buying an old home because they are worried about its condition. Also, they believe that upgrading the home to match their standards is an expensive task. But, the reality is different. You can consider renovating your home beautifully with the help of an experienced home renovation contractor. He will understand your requirements and help you in creating your dream home.

Do not make a swift hiring decision. Before hiring any contractor, consider the following tips that will make renovating your old home in Ottawa a piece of cake:

· Harmonized Sales Tax (HST)

It is a consumption tax that is not applicable on the sale of a new home in Ottawa. However, if you undertake the work of renovating your home substantially, you will have to pay HST. According to the Canada Revenue Agency, substantial renovation work involves repairing or replacing 90% or more of the interior of your home.

An experienced home renovation contractor will have knowledge about the rules related to HST. He will help you in avoiding the tax by showing you ways of minimizing the renovation work. So, do not make the mistake of hiring an amateur contractor because it will result in an expensive deal in the future.

· Mature Neighborhood Provisions

There are several old neighborhoods in Ottawa. And, the City Council wants to protect their unique identities. In September 2014, it introduced several new standards to ensure that any change to a home in a mature neighborhood is consistent with unique character of the area. So, if your home is near Bovaird Drive, Dixie Road or any other mature neighborhood, it is important to consult an experienced home renovation contractor. He will inform you about the different rules of renovating your home. Also, he will help you in obtaining the site plan approval from the Planning Department of the city.

· Building Permits

It is better to contact a home renovation contractor who has experience of working in Ottawa. Consult someone who understands the laws of the city. It will help you in obtaining relevant permits from the City of Ottawa. If you undertake any kind of renovation work without the permission from the Building Division of Ottawa, you will have to pay hefty fines.

An experienced home renovation contractor is necessary to inform you about the renovation projects that do not require permit from the local government. If you undertake the renovation work on your own, you will not know whether you require a permit for it. It can create confusion and waste your precious time.

Renovating an old home is not a cause of headache. If you hire a good and experienced home renovation contractor, you will not face any trouble in upgrading the home and making it new. So, do not spend your hard-earned money on a new home. Instead, make a smart decision of buying an old home.

If you are interested in renovating your old home and making it new, consult The Home Improvement Group. We offer home renovation services in Ottawa as well as other areas of GTA. Hire us for the best kitchen renovation, basement renovation and bathroom renovation services.

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