Ultimate Renovations, born of humble beginnings more than 40 years ago, has consistently strived to gain a reputation in alignment with our name. We are proud to offer the Ultimate experience when it comes to complete home renovations: from start to finish, our team offers professionalism and expertise beyond the ordinary. This shows in our work, and our results: Ultimate Renovations has consistently been a top contender in the renovation industry at municipal, provincial, and even national industry award celebrations in a wide variety of categories, and this past year has been no different.

At Ultimate Renovations, we are committed to a palpable excellence that our team regularly procures for every job we take on. Our methodology combined with the careful curation of the most skilled professionals in the industry exemplifies what we are all about: bringing your dream home to life.

It has taken time, dedication, and consistent efforts toward growth to get to where we are today. Every home that we have had the privilege of working on is a testament to our journey toward the award-winning enterprise we are today. We cannot thank our valued clientele enough for helping us to reach these milestones year after year. And of course, to our industry peers for recognizing our work too! We are proud to be considered one of the premier home renovation companies in Calgary.

A Year in Review

Finalist Categories

In the past year, Ultimate Renovations is proud to announce that we were considered finalists for 18 different awards and categories.

These included:

2022 Canadian Homebuilders’ Association (CHBA) National Awards for Housing Excellence:

- Best whole home renovation in both the $200-$400k & $600-$800k categories

- Best basement, best exterior, and best bathroom renovations

- Best kitchen renovation in both the under $70k and $70k-$100k categories

2022 Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) Alberta:

- 2 X Best kitchen renovation in the over $100k category

- 2 X Best renovators choice category

- Best bathroom renovation

2021 BILD Calgary:

- 2 X Best kitchen renovation in the $56-$100k category

- Best kitchen renovation in the over $100k category
- Best basement, best exterior, and best bathroom/ensuite renovation

Awards Won

In the past year, Ultimate Renovations has also been awarded the following 5 wins for our exceptional work. We are extremely proud of the team effort it has taken to bring these awards home.

2022 BILD Alberta:

- Best kitchen renovation – over $100,000

- Best bathroom renovation

- 2022 Pinnacle Renovator – 3rd Year in a Row

2021 BILD Calgary:

- Best whole home renovation with addition

Renovator of the Year – 3rd Year in a Row making us Calgary’s only 12-time Renovator of the Year

As we eagerly await the results of the 2023 CHBA national awards (finalists announced early January 2023), and the upcoming 2022 BILD Calgary region awards, we can’t help reflecting on how far we’ve come. To our industry associations and peers for recognizing our standards of excellence and achievements in this area, to our amazing team, to our valued clients, we want to take a moment and give our sincere thanks for making these achievements possible. We couldn’t do it without you!

It’s All in the Name

At Ultimate Renovations, we do our best to live up to our name. From the beginnings of ideation to the final steps of your renovation, our goal is to provide the ultimate experience – and it shows in the accolades we have earned over the years. We have worked hard to become one of the leading home renovation companies in Calgary today, and intend to continue making strides in our industry.

Whatever your vision is, allow the experts in local industry and craft to help you bring it to fruition. For truly award-winning work, contact us at Ultimate Renovations to get your project started today.

Ultimate Homes & Renovations is Calgary’s only 12-time “Renovator of the Year.” Our mission is to bring your home to life. For over 43 years, we have established ourselves as the industry’s elite team of contractors for complete home renovations in Calgary and Edmonton. Our quality craftsmanship, superior customer service and our ability to exceed expectations are how we have established ourselves as the renovator of choice for homeowners. Contact us at (403)-287-3122 (Calgary) or (780)-430-6441 (Edmonton).

As we wrap up 2022, it’s time to take a look at the ultimate trends that defined this year. While we’ve all made a return to sharing spaces both public and private, homeowners are still making tweaks to their living spaces to enhance their comfort and joy at home. With the Canadian home improvement industry growing steadily by an average of 1-2% each year since 2015, it’s no surprise to see trends emerging from the constant flow of remodeling projects.

So where exactly have people been spending their dollars? Below are three areas that we have seen homeowners invest in as we continue into another busy year of renovations.

Outdoor Enhancement

More and more homeowners are taking full advantage of outdoor living, a trend we love at Ultimate Renovations. Outdoor living spaces have become a highly sought after area in peoples home as we see backyards be redefined into secondary kitchen and dining spaces, heated and covered decks for entertaining, and even garden spaces to grow food and stay connected to nature. And with good reason! While these spaces allow people to prioritize their time outside, they also benefit from spaces that go far beyond functional. Offering both sanctuary and privacy, these spaces also offer great return on investment by adding a unique selling feature to your home come time to move on.

But how can this be accomplished in a climate so fickle as Alberta? Ultimate Renovations provides the solutions homeowners need to enjoy the great outdoors year-round, with our specialty being the ability to extend your living space to your own backyard. Rather than dismissing our colder seasons, Ultimate Renovations provides patio solutions that make enjoying your outdoor living space a year-round blessing.

Going Green With Eco-Friendly Upgrades

Continuing with the theme of natural living, in 2022 we have seen more homeowners making an effort to integrate eco-friendly themes into their home upgrades. This looks like going green with decorative houseplants and indoor gardens as well as prioritizing environmentally conscious features such as energy-efficient lighting and appliances. Alberta homes are growing in sound, sustainable solutions that incorporate environmentally conscious features into luxury home upgrades.

Beyond being fashionable, these improvements add long-term value to the home and open up potential access to economic benefits such as grants, rebates and lower energy bills. Solar power upgrades are a prime example of this. As more folks realize the simple pleasures of connecting with nature at home, themes of green living are abound in the home improvement sector.

Home Offices and Work Spaces

Finally, as no surprise, home offices and workspaces are becoming more and more popular as the workforce continues to evolve. Although in most cases remote work is no longer mandatory, many folks discovered the benefits of working from home through the pandemic and have decided to keep the lifestyle change. Beyond the challenges of recent world health events, as the world goes digital and bring-your-own-device culture soars, it has become less necessary to head into the office than ever before.

As a result, many homeowners are truly investing in comfortable, productive home office spaces. The younger market of new homeowners also sees an increasing amount of spare bedrooms and extra space being converted into functional work areas that go beyond a desk setup. Creative studios, workshops, production areas and even storage and shipping spaces are popping up in households across the country. A house is no longer just a home: as recent trends have demonstrated, home-based businesses are increasingly popular thanks to the pandemic providing a perfect leaping point for many entrepreneurs.

Invest in Your Home

To conclude this month’s posting, we hope you found this brief list informative of the most popular home renovation trends in 2022. While you can’t go wrong with these upgrades, never hesitate to explore and expand beyond these popular trends. Ultimate Renovations is here to provide you with the knowledge, expertise, and experience to make all of your home renovation dreams come true, whatever they may be!

Remodelling any home is an undertaking that requires careful planning and a lot of attention to detail. After all, you’re uprooting your daily life to create significant environmental changes. Turning a house into a home is no easy feat; though, one worth taking on. Many other facets of your world depend on the thought and consideration that goes into your home renovation – so how can you best go about the process?

Caring friends and family are sure to have input. And the internet is chock-full of resources. There are endless books and videos to pour over in anticipation of your home improvement journey and its outcome. But the best way to help yourself is to consult professional home renovators who have the experience and expertise required to guide you confidently throughout your renovation journey.

To help save your valued time and resources, the team at Ultimate Renovations is here to provide you with a value-packed article. We’ve included the best tips and tricks for your complete home remodelling project.

tidy bedroom with walk out balcony and hardwood storage bed

Planning & Preparing for Your Renovation

The first and most important component of your renovation project is accurate planning. Here are the key things to consider when organizing your renovation.

A Realistic Budget

It goes without saying that your budget can make or break your project. It is essential to know exactly where you will be putting your financial resources and to have a clear understanding of how they will be used.

Key factors to consider when putting together your budget include:

Your priorities in terms of quality vs quantity: is it more important to have a specific material for one room, or to be able to complete a variety of changes across the whole home?
What expenses will you have outside of the renovation itself: will you need to pay for accommodations for pets? How much will you be spending on food while your kitchen is out of commission?
Expertise and quality: although it may be tempting to hire help for a lower cost, are you truly able to afford a contractor who might have less knowledge and skill than a well-established company? The best improvement in any home starts with help from the right people; a team of skilled tradesmen and designers who can see the project through from start to finish, anticipate issues, and keep things on schedule.

If you’re looking to understand what an average project costs, there are great tools online that can provide fair estimates of project costs based on finishings, square feet, and overall scope of work.

Your Lifestyle

When planning your renovation, be honest about your lifestyle and what truly makes your home your happy place. Ask yourself deeper questions about what you like and dislike about your current space. Uncovering your genuine motives for remodelling your home is the best way to plan renovations that will truly satisfy you.

How do you plan to use your space in the long term? Does it need to be malleable as your family grows and changes, or are you certain that particular additions will always represent high value for you?

The importance of understanding your lifestyle and priorities cannot be understated, so take your time and give deep attention to what features will contribute to that the most.

Visualization

If possible, take the time to create a visual representation of your ideal result. Utilize social media by creating a board on Pinterest. Save posts on Facebook and Instagram so that you can easily share your preferences with our team of designers.

If social media isn’t really your thing, you could even create a physical collection with cutouts from magazines and the styles and textures of materials that you like. Gather your favourite swatches of fabric and paint samples together so that you have quick references and ideas to discuss with us. Of course, we’ll be there to help guide you through this process, but knowing what look you’re going for ahead of time will help us tailor our suggestions and designs to you.

What’s the Scope?

Make sure you have a crystal-clear picture of the true extent of the home remodelling you desire. It’s easy to daydream about what you would change, but accurately defining the details is a different story.

The best way to conceptualize the true scope of your project is to get it on paper. Whether it’s a rough sketch or a compilation of lists, determine where the lines will be drawn on your project. Having clear boundaries on what will and won’t be addressed in your renovation is essential to keeping your expectations in check and your project on track.

beautiful renovated bathroom with window and walk-in steam shower

Accommodations

Finally, when getting ready to remodel your home, it is crucial to remember that there will be a shift from your normal, daily routine. You’ll need to consider what accommodations and adjustments you are going to need to make to ensure interruptions and inconveniences are kept to a minimum.

With so much on the go, here are some important details to consider to make sure you don’t overlook the impact this may have on you and your family:

Where will your family be staying if not at home, and what daily routines and resources will be compromised? For example, if you have a highly specific diet, will you be able to fix your own food properly? How will the family cope without the usual amount of privacy?
What changes to your daily schedule will you have to make while the renovations are underway? Will commute times be compromised, and if so, by how much? If you use your home gym to work out every day, do you have access to an adequate alternative space?
If you have pets, how will they be taken care of while your home is being remodelled?
Are there specific items that you will need to put in storage to ensure they aren’t damaged by dust or some type of mishap? What are you comfortable returning to the house to get as needed, and what needs to be packed and taken with you?

These are just a few of the questions that you should answer well before the remodelling gets underway.

Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some key – but common – mistakes that can complicate the remodelling process.

Too Many Changes

Do your best to stick to the plan once your renovation process begins. Too many additional changes are likely to drive up the cost and lengthen the timeline of your project. Making changes also creates opportunities for confusion, so working with an organized renovation contractor is key here to reducing layers of stress that could affect the outcome of the project as a whole.

Strict Timelines

Building the home of your dreams is a delicate and creative process. The truth is, some things will happen which are outside of your control. It is ideal to give yourself buffers in terms of expectations for when the project and its various facets will be complete. You never know when you might run into a challenge like supply chain issues or other unexpected circumstances – so going into your remodelling project with a flexible timeline is ideal.

Waiting to Order

If your home upgrade includes new furniture, don’t wait to put your order in! By the time all of the paint is dry, you’ll be relieved to be able to sink into your new couch. Give ample time for all appliances, lighting fixtures, decor and other pieces to arrive. Order new items at the start of the renovation so that you won’t need to wait for things to arrive once everything else is complete.

When All is Said and Done

At the end of the day, you should be thrilled with the outcome of your renovation proud to show it off. If you’re not sure how to make the most of your new space, get in touch with our designers for the ideal finishing touches. Wherever you are in the process, the team at Ultimate Renovations is here to help.

Danny Ritchie, co-founder and president of Ultimate Renovations, took some time to explore what drives the Ritchie family business. Ultimate Renovations, now a 62-time award-winning home renovator, is out to make your vision a reality. Speaking to Danny a bit about what homeowners can expect from our service line and what makes us a home renovation company of choice for Calgary and Edmonton proved to be both interesting and insightful.

“There are two main types of renovations: cosmetic and major (structural) renovations. In general, a major renovation is when you’re looking to gut an entire floor or house, maybe even putting an addition on it. The space is usually completely reimagined and reconfigured. And then there’s the cosmetic renovation, which is all about flooring, painting, millwork and other jobs [of that sort] that give the same space a new look. At Ultimate, we typically tackle a bit of both in the same project, say, redesigning the kitchen and opening up the main floor while installing new floors and a fresh finishing package throughout.”

Ultimate Renovations, which is focused on large-scale, stunning projects that transform your home, typically works with homeowners who have a broad vision for their space rather than those looking to fix smaller, isolated rooms. Either way, it’s rare to find a family-owned and operated company in the renovation business, making it an interesting subject to explore with Danny. While many companies describe their corporate culture as “a family,” few are actually related by blood or marriage. Ultimate, who has both, has found a way to make it all work.

Who's in the Ritchie Family Business & Who Helps with Ultimate Renovations?

“The Ritchie family business, [Ultimate Renovations], started back on July 16, 1979, nearly 44 years ago. We’ve been doing it for generations. My father, though not in the same company, was a window and siding installer, and he taught me a lot. When I first started Ultimate, it was just me and my wife Barbara Ritchie; she’s been with me since day one managing our receivables. While I’ve always looked after the renovations – the vision and know-how on the projects – my brother Terry, who’s a CMA, joined me in 1988 to look after the financials as we began to grow.

Then, we have my son Paul. He’s basically been working for the company since he was 15 – coming and going over the following 15 or so years – starting with demo when he was a teenager and finding his stride in sales many years later. A natural-born salesman if you ask me, he’s now our Sales & Marketing Manager and will ultimately be taking my place and filling my shoes.

We all get along great and respect each other’s talents. It’s what’s led us to so much success over the last four or so decades as we’ve navigated the ups and downs of a small business together.”

What Are the Challenges of Working with Family, Especially in Renovations?

“There’s really no con. Everyone has a different role, and everybody respects everybody else’s role in the business. Sure, we may have our differences at times, and we get our say, but we always come to respect each other’s decisions trusting in the fact that we’re all the best at what we do in our given areas.”

How Do You All Foster an Environment of Respect and Collaboration?

“We have a lot of trust between us, which makes it easy to respect each other’s decisions; if it’s an accounting question, you have to let my brother deal with it, and if it’s construction, let me deal with it. Understanding our customers, it’s mainly my son who deals with that – and if it’s about collecting money, my wife deals with it. We respect each other’s ideas on how to get something done and are always open to input or feedback when or where it’s needed.”

How Would You Describe Your Competitive Advantage In the Complete Home Renovations Game?

“We have so much to offer our clients compared to many of our competitors: we have homes for people to live in while we renovate theirs, a fully renovated showhome so people can experience our work firsthand, a design centre for meetings and selections, our own custom cabinetry shop, and of course, our in-house staff and trades. We have great talent here at Ultimate, and working with our staff in-house means more accountability and consistency compared to other companies that are constantly outsourcing work and changing hands mid-project. Then, of course, there’s our track record of awards, which speak for themselves about our long-term dedication to delivering a quality renovation.”

Being Awarded "Renovator of the Year" 12 times Must Have Been A Challenge. But was It Easier to Win the First Handful Or The Last Handful?

“I’ll have to say it was easier winning the first handful. The first time we entered the BILD awards was in 1998; we swept the awards, and we won every renovation category. There were 5 of them. So we won that, but of course, staying on top is harder because everyone is pushing the envelope of what’s possible. There have been lots of what we call “flashes in the pan” that have come along, whereas we’re very consistent. Every couple of years, somebody else comes along and gives us a run for our money, but they just don’t seem to last for more than a few years. We’re fortunate to have maintained our success over the years, but it’s taken a lot of hard work and dedication to stay at the top of our industry.”

The Ultimate Legacy

What’s Keeps You All Motivated?

“What keeps us motivated, the way we like to call it is the ‘final look’ when we complete a project. Nothing is more satisfying than seeing the ‘after’ transformation [of the space] and how happy our customers are with our work. At the end of the day, that’s what keeps us motivated. We love to think outside the box and explore a vision for each space. If you go to a kitchen renovation specialist, they might say, ‘Oh, you want to knock down a wall? We have to bump the house out? [Build] an island?’ Well, a lot of our competitors aren’t into that. They just want to do a kitchen [their way], whereas we prefer to explore what’s really possible in a space, the best design if you will. We often ask our customers if they’re open to exploring our vision of their space. Quite often, they’ve never even thought about what’s possible outside the status quo, and they get quite excited when we can help them reimagine their space. Sometimes they just shake their heads and say, ‘never thought of that!'”

How Has Your Business Maintained Its Success Over the Years?

“There’s always room for improvement, you know? You don’t make the same mistakes twice. We have a saying after 44 years. ‘We don’t practice anymore; everybody else is still learning.’ If you take [a look at] the renovation world, and you look at how long somebody has been in business, well, I don’t think you’re going to find anybody that’s been in business even half the length of time that we’ve been around. We’re on the forefront. We don’t practice our skills on our projects, they’re already mastered, but we do still find room for improvement. We are always looking for ways to maximize our efficiency and productivity, but we’re not in the learning phase of renovations that so many of our competitors are.”

So what comes next for a company that’s about to embark on its 44th year of business? Ultimate Renovations is all about constant improvement, and with decades of experience backed by generations of expertise, you can expect home renovation results that will reflect just that. From the designs we create to the service we deliver, Ultimate Renovations is committed to delivering a quality renovation experience to help their clients fall in love with their homes again.

Some might think that home renovations in Calgary are typically done in the spring and summertime. Albertans know, all-too-well, just how little warm weather we experience making it challenging to squeeze every home renovation project into such a small timeframe. That leaves many Albertans wondering if renovation projects can be tackled in the winter months.

Fortunately, the answer is yes! Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why completing home renovations in Calgary during the winter can be advantageous.

H2: Benefits of Winter Renovations in Calgary

Lower Demand & Great Sales

Since the spring & summer months are peak times for home renovations in Calgary, it can be more expensive to secure materials, especially at competitive prices. By renovating through the winter you’re avoiding the seasonal rush on many popular building materials. You’re also able to take advantage of great sales during Black Friday, Boxing Day, and end-of-year sales by large manufacturers and distributors, making the furnishing process more affordable.

More In Touch With Our Homes

Naturally, we’re also spending more time indoors during the winter months. This can give us a better sense of what’s working well in our home, as well as what pinch points or design flaws have us dreaming of a new space. This makes it a great time to start in the planning phase of your renovation so you’re ready to go out the gate in springtime, rather than just beginning. Depending on the scale of your renovation, the design and selections phase can be lengthy, making now the perfect time to get started!

Renovate While You Vacation

The winter months might also be a great time to schedule your home renovations in Calgary if you head south to escape the cold. Most renovations can be completed whilst you live at home, but for more extensive projects you might be more comfortable elsewhere. Renovating during your snow-bird months can be a great way to avoid displacement, and, make coming home that much sweeter. Can’t head south? No worries, Ultimate Renovations even has homes you can stay in while they renovate yours.

A Time of Reflection & Predictions

During the winter months we also see a recap of highlights from the current year, and, a host of new ideas in the renovation and design industry with predictions for new trends, colours, and furnishings in the year ahead. This makes it a great time to execute on proven concepts and stay ahead of the game by capitalizing on the latest and greatest styles.

Minimize Disruption to Your Family

Last but not least, if you have kids, renovating during the winter months can be much easier than in the summer when they’re off school and constantly looking to be entertained. Minimize disruption to their routine, and keep fewer balls in the air at once by tackling your renovation in winter.

Ultimate Homes & Renovations is Calgary’s only 11-time “Renovator of the Year”. Our mission is to bring your home to life. For over 42 years, we have established ourselves as the industry’s elite team of contractors for complete home renovations in Calgary and Edmonton. Our quality craftsmanship, superior customer service and our ability to exceed expectations are how we have established ourselves as the renovator of choice for homeowners. Contact us at (403)-287-3122 (Calgary) or (780)-430-6441 (Edmonton).

Transforming an old fixer-upper into your dream home can be an incredibly rewarding journey. But with so many rooms and projects around the house, it can be tricky deciding where to start!

While there’s no “right” order to home renovations, there are some paths worth exploring that may make the process easier and more financially considerate. By collaborating with a contractor who specializes in home renovations in Edmonton, you’re certain to find a renovation route that makes the most sense for you.

Let’s explore some of the options below!

Home Renovation Orders Worth Exploring

Start With The Structure

The structure of your home, from the foundation to the walls to the roof, is incredibly important. It works hard to maintain the integrity of your house, ensuring you and your family are safe within it. Cracks in the foundation or ageing shingles can be troublesome in the future, as they jeopardize the quality of your structure.

Windows are important as well! Make sure the seals are still good and that you don’t have any problems starting with the exterior or interior. An expert can inspect them for you and advise on their condition.

By tackling any structural issues first, you can move forward with other renovations with greater confidence. Plus, this can actually save you money in the long run. For example, if you were to develop your basement before fixing your foundation, flooding may damage your renovation and set you back to square one. With a solid structure, you won’t have to worry about any of your projects experiencing delays.

Consider Foot Traffic

Once you feel confident about your home’s structure, consider tackling the most visited rooms in your home. Kitchens and bathrooms are typically the two most utilized spaces, so make sure they serve you well. They also offer some of the best return on investment compared to other spaces. Your home is your sanctuary, so if you’re actively avoiding or finding yourself frustrated with certain rooms, you may have a good idea of where to start.

By taking on such important rooms at the beginning of your renovation journey, you get to establish the tone and ensure the rest of your projects match the design and quality standards that you have set. Plus, you get to take full advantage of your newly renovated spaces right away!

Look At Your Budget

Some home renovation projects in Edmonton cost more than others, so determining how your renovation can add the most value to your home is a great consideration. Whether you’re staying for the long haul or thinking about selling, you’ll want to consider what investment makes the most sense for you. If your goal is to boost curb appeal, start on the exterior. Or, if you’re mindful of resale values, consider renovating highly sought-after spaces like the kitchen before developing the basement. It’s entirely up to you how you want to progress your home’s renovation, and having a financial plan that matches your renovation goals will help you decide where to get started.

Ultimate Homes & Renovations is Calgary’s only 11-time “Renovator of the Year”. Our mission is to bring your home to life. For over 40 years, we have established ourselves as the industry’s elite team of contractors for complete home renovations in Calgary and Edmonton. Our quality craftsmanship, superior customer service and our ability to exceed expectations are how we have established ourselves as the renovator of choice for homeowners. Contact us at (403)-287-3122 (Calgary) or (780)-430-6441 (Edmonton).

Planning your complete home renovation in Edmonton is an exciting first step towards turning your current house into your dream home. Transforming your space is a thrilling idea, and ironing out a few key details before you start is a great way to set your project up for success!

By taking the time to plan your home renovation, you can be sure everything gets checked off your list and that both you and your contractor understand the expectations. So let’s take a look at some steps you should consider taking during the planning stage of your renovation.

3 Considerations To Make When Planning Your Complete Home Renovation

Set Your Budget

Determining your budget is one of the most important elements of any home renovation. Your budget will determine everything from the scope of your renovation to the finishing materials to the contractor you work with. Setting a budget will also help you prioritize which aspects of your renovation are the most important to you and highlight areas where you might opt for upgrades versus standard finishes.

Depending on the scale of your renovation, it’s recommended that you put at least ten percent of your budget to the side as a contingency. This will help to cover any unforeseen costs like asbestos, water damage, or structural deficiencies, which are often not revealed until after construction begins. Having a contingency will also give you confidence and peace of mind that your project will stay on budget.

Determine Your Timeline

There are so many routes you can take when tackling a complete home renovation in Edmonton. Some choose to renovate the entire house at once, while others prefer to take on a room or two at a time. If you’re on a shorter timeline, renovating your home all at once and securing temporary accommodations might be the way to go. If you have more time to play with, however, you may prefer to stay in your home during the renovation. There is no wrong way to establish your timeline; it’s all about what makes the most sense for you.

Speaking to your contractor can also help you figure out a timeline that works for you. With their years of experience, they can better estimate how long a given project will take and how that will play into your everyday life, as well as your budget. By working together, you can determine whether you want to tackle your complete home renovation all at once or bit by bit.

Document Your Vision

The ways in which you can transform and style your space are endless; modern, traditional, contemporary, farmhouse, boho – the list goes on! Having an inspiration board of ideas you love, from floor plans to finishes to styling, will help your contractor understand your vision and make the recommendations that are right for you. Creating a Pinterest board, saving photos in your Instagram or Houzz account, or making an album on your phone are all great ways to ensure that nothing gets lost in translation.

Understanding what isn’t working well in your current space and knowing how you want the new space to function and feel are two key design components to consider before starting your renovation. Your vision will likely tie into both your budget and your timeline, depending on the scope of your project, so having a clear plan on how you want to move forward is important.

One of the best things about planning your complete home renovation in Edmonton is that you can take as much time as you need. By having a detailed plan at your disposal, you can feel confident taking on the rest of your renovation project!

Summer is upon us, so why not make the most of the season? By showing a little love to your home’s exterior and checking a few renovation projects off the list, you can create an outdoor space that will allow you to soak up the sun surrounded by luxury.

There are so many tasks that you could take on when it comes to exterior renovations in Edmonton. However, here are a few options that will surely make your home the envy of the block.

4 Exterior Renovations You Can Do For Your Home

Add a Deck

Decks are wonderful in that they create additional square footage for your home. Whether you’re gathering the family together for a barbecue or you simply want to read a book out in the sun, decks allow for extra living space while also being incredibly functional.

One of the great things about decks is how customizable they are. After taking your backyard into consideration, you can change the shape and size of your deck to fit your needs. If you want to add some drama to your deck, consider including a fireplace or built-in seating to really set the mood.

Replace Your Windows

From a purely aesthetic perspective, new windows allow for your home to look more clean and sleek. From a practical standpoint, however, the benefits are even greater.

The seals around older windows are often less reliable, thus letting drafts of cold air blow throughout your home. However, once you replace your windows, you will instantly notice a decrease in your heating and cooling bills. It will feel like you’re making back the money you spent on windows through savings!

Get a New Garage Door

Garage doors play a significant role in solidifying first impressions of your home. When doing your exterior renovations in Edmonton, playing with garage door options is a rather creative way to add some personality to your home. From carriage-style doors with a bold handle accent to a sleeker, handleless look, there are so many options to choose from. Don’t be afraid to set your house apart!

Replace Your Roof

Cracked and curling shingles can age your home by years. If you choose to replace your roof, not only can you make your house look younger, but you can also take the opportunity to select a different style of shingle. This can add to the aesthetic of your home and perhaps allow your exterior to better suit your style.

Additionally, a new roof will ensure that your home is protected from the Canadian elements and any pesky critters. Old roofs may have cracks or gaps in them, thus compromising your attic. A newly installed roof will not only keep the weather out, but also prevent any hot air from escaping your home in the winter.

There are so many options when it comes to exterior renovations in Edmonton. Consider what project will add the most value to your home, whether that be financially or emotionally. You deserve to feel proud of the way your home looks.

Summer is around the corner, which means it’s time to embrace the great outdoors. Taking trips with the family to the Rocky Mountains and Alberta’s marvellous lakes is a favourite pastime for many Canadians.

It’s also the perfect season for sitting back and relaxing in your backyard while marvelling at your wonderful home. And you can do that by upgrading your home’s outdoor living space.

Here is what you can do with yours and why you should consider doing it.

How Can I Improve My Outdoor Living Space?

We have moved on from the time when your backyard was just a patio and some chairs. It’s about an extension of your home.

With the experienced team of Ultimate Renovations behind you, you can transform your backyard into something that is uniquely yours.

Here are some ways you can do it:

Create an outdoor living room. You can include everything from cozy couches to a large TV or projector. Take the indoors outside with this unique space.
Add a fireplace or spa to your patio. Who doesn’t love to sit back and relax near a fire? Why wouldn’t you embrace a spa if presented to you? The best thing about these additions is that you can use them year-round.
Create a (dream room) outside! You can add an at-home workspace, dining room, or even bedroom if you wish to your patio. We can design and construct it in such a way that it’s beautifully individual but also part of your home’s decor.
Build a full-feature kitchen. From grills to sinks, from pizza ovens to bars, you can extend your kitchen outdoors with special designs and creations. Cooking outdoors has been this fun or accessible.
Add a loaded gym. There is nothing better than exercising outdoors. The fresh air in the morning will do wonders for you. You can extend your living space by adding a fully-loaded gym with treadmills, bikes, and weights. Connect the Bluetooth speaker, and you’ll have music to get you going. Also, don’t forget the yoga mats!

While these are just some ideas for your outdoor living space, you have the freedom to do as you wish. Our home renovators can provide you with guidance and advice based on your ideas and lifestyle goals.

(When’s the time of year to make home improvements? Read our Guide to find out)

Why Improve My Home’s Backyard?

There are many advantages to investing in enhancing your outdoor living spaces. Here are the most important benefits to note:

Great for the Whole Year. Upgrading your backyard means you get to enjoy it more often throughout the year. Many of Ultimate’s designs and creations are functional in that they can be used all year round. You owe it to yourself to spend the time outdoors as much as possible; we can help you do it.

Increases Your Home’s Value. If you ever plan to sell your home (why would you if it’s this marvellous?), you can expect a tidy increase back on your investment. Functional, unique and high-quality outdoor living spaces are eye-catching and appealing to buyers and investors alike.

Boost Your Home’s Visual Appeal. If there is ever something to blow away potential buyers (and your guests), it is a functional, gorgeous backyard design. Watch as your people marvel at your home’s beautiful backyard layout.

Extend Your Living Space. Sometimes, life might seem a little cramped. You can make more room for yourself and your family by extending your home outdoors. Not only will you get to enjoy more space, but you’ll also get to do it outside.

More Enjoyment For You, Friends & Family. Why invest in something if you are not going to enjoy it with your loved ones? Whether it’s a kitchen or living room extension, luxury outdoor living spaces allow you, your family and friends to enjoy quality time, having a fun and exciting experience. You can even transform it into a space just for you when you want some quiet time.

Enjoy Your Summer Now With Our Home Renovators

There is no better time to enhance your outdoor space than now. Ultimate Renovations is ready to help you with all your outdoor living space designs and creations.

With our team’s experience, knowledge and eye-for-details, you’ll be enjoying the outdoors this summer and beyond. Speak to our team today.

What makes your home special is the memories that are made inside. It’s why many homeowners look towards renovating or restoring their homes, so they can continue making these precious memories with family and friends.

However, these terms – renovation and restoration – do not mean the same thing. You can be forgiven for assuming each of these terms are completely interchangeable, as most homeowners do. But in fact, they mean different things entirely.

Let’s look at the differences between both, so you know how to continue making your home special.

What Does Restoration Mean?

Restoration is the process in which you return your current home to its original condition.

This type of construction typically occurs for historic-listed homes or buildings, although many modern homes also undergo restoration as homeowners want to cement their style and pass it down.

Restoration is for you if you wish to:

Maintain the historical nature and authenticity of your home
If your home is considered “historical” and recreating its previous structure is mandatory

From a design perspective, restorations are not overly difficult to work around, as it requires following the structure and layout of the current home.

Overall, restoration projects aim at restoring your home, maintaining its authenticity and original form.

(Find out the best time of year to make home improvements)

What is a Home Renovation in Calgary?

Complete home renovations can be described as improving your home by upgrading what’s already present, modernizing the look and feel of your house. You are “renewing” parts of your home instead of restoring it to what it once was, making it more functional, liveable and presentable.

You can change the structure, space and layout of your home and can include adding new components.

An example would be renovating the kitchen by changing its decor (such as changing the floors), altering its layout (repositioning the items and countertops) and installing new appliances. Renovations can also include external upgrades, transforming the aesthetics of your home and enhancing its curb appeal.

Compared to restorations, renovations offer you more creative freedoms to create a dream house, entirely in your image. This is why many homeowners opt for a renovation over a restoration when possible.

This level of creative freedom can result in numerous benefits, including:

Making your home align with your personal tastes
Improving the functionality and aesthetics of your home, increasing your quality of life
Enhancing and increase property value
Improving energy efficiency
Maintaining the quality and living standards of your home

When the opportunity presents itself, always consider renovating your property as opposed to restoring it. Investing in renovations can satisfy your creative desires while ensuring you improve your current home for decades to come.

Hire The Team at Ultimate Renovations

Whether you wish to restore your home or If you wish to improve your home through renovation, the experts at Ultimate Renovations can handle your project.

Investing in newly-developed, high-quality and stylish renovations or upgrading the prestige and quality of your home can enhance and maintain the quality of your home, ensuring you create more memories with your loved ones. Start by speaking to Ultimate Renovations to help you with your complete home renovation in Calgary or Edmonton.