Designing a Home Renovation in Victoria

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There are many reasons to consider a home renovation in Victoria – you might be looking for new space to accommodate a growing family; updating your home after the kids have left the nest; building the kitchen of your dreams; or maybe you’re just ready for a change, but really love your current address. Whatever the reason, planning a home renovation is usually an exciting part of the project.

Working with a renovation company that specializes in design-build is a smart way to ensure you’re happy with the design whenever you use your new space. At MAC Renovations, we have a fantastic group of qualified, talented designers ready to bring your dreams to life. We’ve asked them to share some of their thoughts about planning a home renovation here in Victoria.

Inspiration

“The first thing you should do,” shared Alexis Solomon, an experienced and educated design professional, “is build an idea book. Assemble ideas from Houzz, Pinterest, or Instagram, so you have a good selection of the features you’d like to see in your renovation. This will help us understand your tastes and preferences, so we can incorporate your style throughout the design.”

“As a designer,” said Alexis, “We’re aware of trends and fashion, but we look at the overall concept to develop ways to bring your preferences into the design, creating the look and feel that’s right for you and your space, versus simply copying a design from a magazine.” 

Terri Willis is a project manager and designer for MAC Renovations, and she shared the process she uses to understand your needs, “I do a walkthrough with my clients to go over the changes they’re looking for. We look at all aspects – from the hinges on the doors to the structure of the walls. Once I have a good sense of what they’re looking for, I’ll go back to the design centre and put it all together.”  

Design

As you start planning your renovation, think about how you’ll be using the space in the future. If you’re planning on staying in your current home into your golden years, there are some design concepts, such as Aging in Place, that can be used to ensure you are comfortable in your home as long as possible. If you’re not in your forever home yet, you might want to explore features that will help when it’s time to sell.

Designing a Home Renovation in Victoria | MAC Renovations - Victoria's Trusted Renovation Team

Working with a design professional can lead to creative solutions to interesting challenges. “We recently completed a kitchen renovation in Oak Bay, where the existing layout was cramped and had minimal work areas,” said designer Azu Saavedra. “By moving the fridge to a different spot in the room, we were able to add a pantry on each side, giving the spot a built-in look while freeing up space to add more counter space and room. The client uses a walker, so the added space made it easier to work in their new kitchen.”

A skilled designer can also help keep project costs on-budget. “At MAC, we tend to spend more time with the client in the early stages, so we can develop a comprehensive design that everyone can refer to quickly during the construction process,” explained Azu. “Drawing from our experience and education, we can prevent some of the challenges that are common when design is done on-the-fly.”

Budget

“Sometimes, people are hesitant to discuss the budget they have in mind for their renovation project,” shared Alexis. “They’re worried we’ll take advantage of them. MAC Renovations has been in business for over 40 years, and that wouldn’t happen if we didn’t treat our clients right. We ask about your budget because some people need to let the budget influence the design, while others prefer to have the design influence the budget. We’re here to help you get the design that works best for you and your home.”

Azu explained, “By choosing quality components and building them strategically into the design, we can make projects with a modest budget look fantastic, and through our connections to the finest retailers and craftspeople, we can deliver design elements that perfectly match your style and taste.”

The MAC Renovation Design process

1.      Initial consultation

Our first meeting is to get to know you and your home. What you like, what you’re thinking of, and what’s right for your space.

2.      Develop a colour palette and material list

A thorough material list includes finishes, appliances, cabinet types, hardware, and all of the components that will eventually become part of your new home, with colours and styles that work well together.

3.      Draft preliminary space plans and scope of work

This stage is where we put our measurements to work, so the carpenters and tradespeople will know what needs to be done.

4.      Refine final drawings, material specifications

After reviewing the design with the construction crew to identify potential challenges, we’ll complete the final design and put together a comprehensive list of materials required; above and beyond the components you’ll see and use.

5.      Shopping

We’ll join you to pick out the design components we’ve selected for your renovation, or we can give you the shopping list so you can take care of it yourself.

6.      Devise a work schedule

Once we have a complete design, we can work backwards, beginning with the end to ensure every step leads to the final design. You will know when construction will take place, which trades will be on site, and when everything will be finished.

7.      Inspect and review the work in progress

We will be on site regularly, checking in with the construction crew and answering any questions they might have about your build.

8.      Final reveal

Once the job site is cleaned up and the last screw is in place, we’ll walk through your home with you to see how everything has come together.

Designing a Home Renovation in Victoria | MAC Renovations - Victoria's Trusted Renovation TeamDesigning a home renovation in Victoria should be fun, and we’re here to help you create a comprehensive plan that will improve the look, function, and value of your home. When it’s time to update your space, give us a call so we can show you the benefits of smart design.

Join us for the grand opening of The Ranch – our new location on West Saanich Road – to meet the talented team behind MAC Renovations. Follow us on Facebook to be invited to our upcoming open house.

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