Basement Renovations
Listen to Radio Commercial:
Full or Partial
Basement Finishing
Whether you plan to turn your basement into a Family Room, a fully-equipped Fitness Area, Private Office or Rental Apartment, The Renovation Co-op offers a wide variety of member-contractors who each specialize in specific types and levels of basement renovations.
If you are a “do-it-yourselfer,” we offer a series of basic Basement Finishing Packages that are limited to structural modifications, framing, plumbing electrical, etc.(mainly those items that need to adhere to building codes, etc.).
By purchasing such a package, you can save money by doing your own finishing (flooring, painting,etc).
Need a Permit?
If you purchase your drawings and permit processing through a member-architectural specialist, you will receive a $1500 reduction in the cost of your renovations (if performed by a member-contractor).
For further information see:
Legal
Basement Apartments
Depending upon the location of your home, you can add $1500-$2400+ in rental fees to your income by converting your existing basement into a Legal Apartment.
And while several municipalities have started to ease their restrictions with regard to basement apartments, safety remains the single most important issue. Municipal inspectors and examiners have become more careful than ever in reviewing architectural drawings for this type of project. Many local municipalities recognize that there is an increasing number of inexperienced designers (though newly licensed) who have entered the field.
Need a Permit?
If you purchase your drawings and permit processing through a member-architectural specialist, you will receive a $1500 reduction in the cost of your renovations (if performed by a member-contractor).
Note: All Co-op-approved Designers and Structural Specialists who perform this type of service are fully experienced in the permit processing for Basement Apartments. In addition, each of these specialists has developed his/her own long-standing professional relationships with the various municipalities.
For further information see:
Basement
Underpinning
Lowering your basement floor through Underpinning or Bench-Ledging can add considerable value to your home. (especially within the downtown core of most major cities, such as Toronto.)
However, Basement Underpinning should only be performed by an experienced contractor who specializes in this type and level of Structural Modification Projects and does so on a regular basis.
Need a Permit?
Drawings and permit processing for Basement Underpinning projects requires the skills of an architectural designer with extensive structural skills and experience. If you do not have your own architect or structural designer, contact us to obtain a price through our own Architectural Design & Permit Services.
If you purchase your drawings and permit processing through a member-architectural specialist, you will receive a $1500 reduction in the cost of your renovations (if performed by a member-contractor).
For further information see:
Recreation
Rooms
Whether its a game of pool, a hearty ping-pong competition between you and your friends, a drink at your basement bar, or watching a great movie on your large-screen t.v, a Basement Rec Room can become a warm and cozy place to spend time with your family and friends.
Need a Permit?
If you purchase your drawings and permit processing through a member-architectural specialist, you will receive a $1500 reduction in the cost of your renovations (if performed by a member-contractor).
For further information see:
Home
Offices
If you work from home, a well-appointed office in your basement can be a great alternative to working out of your bedroom or living room. A basement office can offer you additional room and privacy, and provide a more professional atmosphere to your business.
Based on the room available in your basement, we can create an open-concept style office or a completely enclosed “executive-style” space for your personal business needs.
Need a Permit?
If you purchase your drawings and permit processing through a member-architectural specialist, you will receive a $1500 reduction in the cost of your renovations (if performed by a member-contractor).
For further information see:
Home
Fitness Rooms
Turn your basement into a partial or complete personal workout area.
Many homeowners are now opting to invest in their own gym equipment rather than paying high monthly fees for membership in a health club.
Home gyms offer homeowners complete privacy, with 24-hour availability. The options that are available for adding a professional-level fitness area in your basement are almost limitless.
Depending upon the drawings and renovated size of your basement, you can have your own elliptical machine, treadmill, rowing machine, bicycles, or whichever type of equipment you desire. No more having to work around your health club’s schedules and peak times, etc. If you feel like working out at 3 a.m., the facilities are all there for you, right in the privacy of your own home.
Need a Permit?
If you purchase your drawings and permit processing through a member-architectural specialist, you will receive a $1500 reduction in the cost of your renovations (if performed by a member-contractor).
For further information see:
Home
Theatres
Turn your basement into a complete entertainment centre with a professional Home Theatre
We offer the construction of several different levels of theatres, ranging from a basic, large screen and high performance sound system, right up to a Custom-Built Theatre System complete with luxury seating, lighting and professional sound baffling throughout the whole area.
For such high-end systems, our experienced sound engineers utilize the same professional techniques found in the construction of commercial sound studios.
Need a Permit?
If you purchase your drawings and permit processing through a member-architectural specialist, you will receive a $1500 reduction in the cost of your renovations (if performed by a member-contractor).
For further information see:
Basement
Entrances
We’ll build a basement entrance for you through a side door or excavate below grade and install the entrance at the basement floor level.
Note: A basement entrance will require a building permit. If you have your own architect, fill out an estimate form for general contracting. You will be requested to submit the final drawings and/or permit documentation.
If you do not have your own architect, please request an estimate for drawings and the permit process from our own Architectural Design & Permit Services.
Need a Permit?
If you purchase your drawings and permit processing through a member-architectural specialist, you will receive a $1500 reduction in the cost of your renovations (if performed by a member-contractor).
For further information see:
Basement
Laundry Rooms
Many Basement Renovation Projects include the installation and/or refurbishing of a laundry room. Depending upon your personal needs, a simple laundry room can be built to accommodate just a sink and basic appliances.
Or you can choose to install our custom-built cabinetry, flooring and lighting.
Need a Permit?
If you purchase your drawings and permit processing through a member-architectural specialist, you will receive a $1500 reduction in the cost of your renovations (if performed by a member-contractor).
For further information see:
Saunas & Steam Rooms
When you get your basement finished, add the luxury and comfort of a Custom-Built Sauna right in the privacy of your own home.
Sauna rooms can be built to accommodate your entire family and friends, from 1-2 persons to larger units comfortably seating up to 10 adults.
Need a Permit?
If you purchase your drawings and permit processing through a member-architectural specialist, you will receive a $1500 reduction in the cost of your renovations (if performed by a member-contractor).
For further information see:
Private Steam Rooms
Canadian winters can take their toll on people who are more susceptible to colds and bronchial problems.
A professionally-built Steam Room will provide a healthy answer to the long, Canadian winter weather.
Need a Permit?
If you purchase your drawings and permit processing through a member-architectural specialist, you will receive a $1500 reduction in the cost of your renovations (if performed by a member-contractor
For further information see:
Renovation Management Platform
To help its member-contractors and architects submit quick, yet accurate estimates to homeowners, The Renovation Co-op has developed a proprietary Renovation Management Platform that incorporates cutting-edge technology with sensible, step-by-step procedures that streamline and simplify the entire process for both member-services and homeowners alike. In addition, the system is designed to work with all types and levels of projects.
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 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.
Partial Sample:
All bid requests sent to the selected group of member-contractors or member architects indicate a date 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 his/her 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 are completed.
Step 5: Subsidy Funding Request
Upon the completion of the bidding process, an automatic request is submitted to The Canadian Renovation Funding Program to request any subsidy funds or rebates that may be available for the project.
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 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:
