ERGIL

& JACKSON
APPRAISALS LTD
2010 HOME RENOVATION
GUIDE
2010 Renovation
Costs and Returns
Why to Get Your
Home Appraised

Do's and Donts of

Home Renovations
Going Green

2010HOMERENOVATIONGUIDE

Onceagain,theErgil&JacksonAppraisalsLtd.(formerlyHenderson&ButtAppraisalConsultantsLtd.)
2010HOMERENOVATIONGUIDEexplainsthereturnoninvestmentthatyoucanexpectfordifferenttypes
ofrenovations.Usingthisinformation,youcanplanthemosteffectiveuseofyourrenovationdollar.

The Guide explains the cost and return on investment that you can expect for different types of
renovations.Italsohasalistofimportantcontactsthatmosthomeownerswillneed.Thisisespecially
usefulforpeoplewhoarenewtoEdmonton.Thisissupplementedbytheadvertisingwhichhighlights
thebusinessesontheListofImportantContactsforHomeowners.

Allpricesandvaluecontributionsarebasedonanaverage1,200ft2bungalowwithfullbasementona
6,000ft2lot.Allcostrangesincludeinstallationandarebasedonaverageorbetterqualitymaterialsand
services.WehopethatthisGuideservesasausefulreferencetogetyoustarted.

Sincerely,

SheyN.Ergil,MBA,AACI,P.App,CRP
CEO

ColinJackson,CRA,CRP
President

ERGIL & JACKSON APPRAISALS LTD your one-stop shop

Our Services:

Certified Home Inspections

Residential Appraisals
Appraisals of Commercial Properties of all types
Insurance Appraisals
Reserve Fund Studies for residential and commercial condos, and not for profit organizations
We serve the greater Edmonton area, as well as rural areas
Approved by all major banks and lenders
Members of the Appraisal Institute of Canada and the Real Estate Institute of Canada
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Email: admin@ejappraisals.com
online: www.ejappraisals.com

RENOVATIONGUIDE2010ERGIL&JACKSONAPPRAISALSLTD

GETTINGTHEMOSTOUTOFYOURRENOVATIONS

AccordingtotheAppraisalInstituteofCanadaand
various professionals weve consulted, the
following are a few things to keep in mind before
yougetstarted:

Investinyourkitchen!
About 1015% of the overall value of the home
shouldbespentonthekitchen.Ifyoudontplanon
sellingforanother5years,spending1525%more
on it today will give you about a 44% higher
recapture depending on the quality of the
renovations. For example, buyers need a
functionally designed, spacious, low maintenance
kitchen. Scratchresistant, durable materials such
as granite countertops and highquality appliances
addtremendousvalueandhavetimelessappeal.

Thebathroomisnext!
Youcanexpectuptoa6080%(andinsomecases
up to 100%) contribution to value on a well
designed bathroom even if that requires a
completerelocationoffixturesorwalls.Fromfloor
toceiling,newtiles,lightfixturesandcabinetryto
create ones own personal spa is especially
appealing. Luxury fixtures to enhance pampering
may include water jets, soaker tubs and double
sinksintheensuitebathroom.

Dontforgetthefloorsandwalls!
Thebuyerwantsahomethatsreadytomoveinto.
Smoothwallswithquality,neutralpaintswillmake
spaces seem larger and will give you an 80110%
recapture. Carpeting should be limited to
bedrooms, if at all. Hardwood and tiles not only
benefit in allergen reduction but add elegance as
well. Good flooring that flows from room to room
andtiesinwithbaseboards,cabinetry,wallsandso

RENOVATIONGUIDE2010ERGIL&JACKSONAPPRAISALSLTD

on, can provide a 5075% better contribution to

valuethanlowcost,mediocreflooring.

Spendthemoney!
As the saying goes You get what you pay for.
Over the past year the cost of materials may not
haveincreaseddramaticallybutthecostoflabour
is certainly rising. Quality craftsmanship and
insuring a job well done is key. Nothing is more
costlythanhavingtodoittwiceorreplaceitearly.
The importance of using the highest quality
materialscannotbestressedenough.

Remember: Highquality, easy maintenance,

environmentally conscious products and timeless
designs are all essential to ensuring valueadded
appreciation with the best contribution to value
possible.

2010RENOVATIONGUIDE

HOWTOCONTACTUS:

Call:(780)4865158
Fax:(780)4866226
www.ejappraisals.com

Publisher:SheyErgil
shey@ejappraisals.com

MagazineAdvertising:SheyErgil
shey@ejappraisals.com

WHYYOUSHOULDGETANAPPRAISALWHETHERYOUARE
BUYINGORSELLING

If you are buying a home Buying a home is

probably the largest investment you will ever
make. Having it appraised before you buy will
giveyoupeaceofmindthatthepriceisfairand
reasonable.Inaddition,yourrealtorcanusethe
appraisal as a tool in negotiations with the
vendor.Armedwithanappraisal,youandyour
realtorbecomeamuchmoredynamicteamand
teamworktendstoproducebetterresults.
IfyouaresellingyourhomeAnappraisalis
an independent, certified document. Thus, your
realtor can use the appraisal to satisfy
prospectivepurchasersandpossiblycloseadeal
morequickly,andatanacceptablepricetoyou.
Potential Cost Savings Dont forget that the
relatively small cost of a home appraisal could
easilysaveyouthousands!
PickyourownmortgagelenderArmedwith
a certified appraisal, you are no longer
dependantonanyonemortgagelender.Instead,

RENOVATIONGUIDE2010ERGIL&JACKSONAPPRAISALSLTD

youcanlettheappraisalspeakforitselfandsend
ittoasmanypotentialmortgagesourcesasyou
want.Afterall,theappraisalbelongstoyou!
Needpropertyinsurance?Yourappraisalcan
be easily tailored to include a provision for
ReplacementCostNewthatyoucangivetoyour
home insurance provider. Be sure you arent
paying too much or too little for your policy.
Replacement Cost New means replacing
something with comparable materials; it does
notmeancreatinganexactreplicaoftheoriginal.
It is comforting to know that all appraisers carry
Errors & Omissions Insurance. So, in the unlikely
event that something goes wrong, you will be
protected.
Peace of mind is important when dealing in real
estate. Take some of the worry out of the process
and let Ergil & Jackson Appraisals Ltd help to give
you the assurance you need.

HOMEEXTERIOR

RENOVATION

1. SIDING
a) Exteriorpaintacrylicoverstucco
b) Exteriorpaintforwoodsiding&trim
c) Vinyl
d) Aluminum/Metal
e) Woodsiding
f) ArtificialMasonryBrick

2. SHINGLES
a) Asphalt(2530yrs.)
b) Rubber(50years)
c) CedarShakes
d) Metal

3. DOORS
(Standard)
a) Exterior
b) Interior
(Deluxe)
a) Exterior
b) Interior

4. REPLACEWINDOWS
(includingonebaypicturewindowandthebalanceof
allvinylcasement&energyefficientwindows)

5. SKYLIGHT(withopeningcapacity)
a)DaylightingSystems

COST RANGE

PERCENTAGE RETURN

$2,500$5,000
$4$5.50/sq.ft.
$3$6/sq.ft.
$5$11/sq.ft.
$12$18/linearft.
$15$20/sq.ft.

$5,000$6,000
$10,000$12,000
$8,000$15,000
$8,000$10,000

$500$1,500
$250$650

$2,000$12,000
$500$1,200

$8,000$15,000

75100%
7590%
5575%
4565%
4060%
7090%

7090%
6090%
5070%
6590%

4575%
5075%

5075%
5075%

6085%

$1,200$5,500
$575$1500

030%
030%

HOME INTERIOR

RENOVATION

COST RANGE

PERCENTAGE RETURN

6. INTERIORPAINTING

$3,000$5,000

80115%

7. NEWFLOORING

a) Hardwood
$9,000$12,500
1) Standard
$15,000$20,000
2) Premium
b) Laminate
$4,800$6,000
c) Ceramictile
$10$18/sq.ft.
d) Porcelaintile
$12$18/sq.ft.
e) Slate
$16$22/sq.ft.
f) Carpet

1) Averagequality
$5,000$10,000
2) Highquality
$10,000andup
g) Shockabsorptionfloor(cork,rubbertile)
$3$10/sq.ft.

8. REMODELBATHROOM
$6,000$10,000
(newfixtures,flooringandceramictile4piece
andup
standardquality)

9. REMODELKITCHEN

(cabinets,flooring,countertop)
a) Averagequality
$6,000$15,000
b) Highquality
$15,000andup

10. BASEMENTDEVELOPMENT
$60,000$90,000
(drywallfinish,paint,3piecebathroom,carpet,
$50$75/sq.ft.
linoleum)

11. WETBAR(withplumbing)
$4,000andup

$22,000$60,000and
12. MEDIAROOM/HOMETHEATRE
up
(includescabinetry,carpet,seatingfor12,101screen,
projector,receiver,speakers,BluRaysystem,
soundproofing,bath)

13. GASFIREPLACE

a) Averagequality
$2,200$4,500
b) Highquality
$3,000andup

14. WOODSTOVE
$1,650$6,000

15. GARBURATOR
$400$900

6080%
6080%
6080%
6075%
6075%
6075%

4060%
3060%
2545%

5085%

6085%
4075%

5070%

1025%

2060%

4570%
4570%

5060%

020%

MECHANICAL, PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL

RENOVATION

COST RANGE

PERCENTAGE RETURN

16. CENTRALVACUUM

$1,300$2,500

$200$1,000
$25andup

$1,000$1,200

$1,200$1,500

$750$1,200

$3,000$5,000

$1,000$1,500

$1,000$4,500

$3,000$7,000

$2,500$5,000

3060%

010%

3565%

3565%

2050%

2050%

2050%

5090%

050%

95100%

$5000$6,000

90%+

17. ALARMSYSTEM
a) Installation
b) Monthlymonitoring

18. HOTWATERTANK
a) 40gal.tank(33Imperialgallons)

b) 50gal.tank(38Imperialgallons)

19. WATERSOFTENER
30100grain/galloncapacity

20. WATERDISTILLER

21. REVERSEOSMOSISDRINKINGSYSTEM

22. NEWFURNACE
MediumHighefficiency

23. AIRCONDITIONING

24. CONDOMINIUM
Addaninsuitelaundry

25. ELECTRICALSERVICEUPGRADE
60Ampereto100Ampere

BABY BOOMER SPECIALS

ACCESSIBILITY

RENOVATION
a)
b)
c)

d)
e)

Ramps(4steps)

3to5Stepspecializedwheelchairlift

Specialverticalstraightwheelchairlift
(Basement)

3StopElevator

Remodelbathroomwithwalkintub

COST RANGE

PERCENTAGE RETURN

$3,000andup

$5,000

$9,500

1030%

5075%

1030%

$50,000

$15,000

5075%

5070%

LANDSCAPING & YARD

RENOVATION

26. PONDS&FOUNTAINS

27. LENGTHEN/WIDENCONCRETEDRIVEWAY
(Acreage)

28. PATIODECK
(raised12x20)treatedcedartop

29. VINYLDECKING(vinylcoveringoverexisting12x
20structure)

30. GAZEBO
a) Contractor
b) Package

31. UNDERGROUNDSPRINKLERSYSTEM

32. FENCING
a) Cedar
b) Spruce
c) Wroughtiron
d) Chainlink

33. SUNROOM(3season16x10)

34. OUTDOORHOTTUBJACUZZI

35. SAUNA

36. SWIMMINGPOOL(16X30)
a) Outdoor
b) Indoor

37. RVPARKINGPADCONCRETE

COST RANGE

PERCENTAGE RETURN

$10,000$12,000

$9.80$15/sq.ft.

1030%

2050%

$4,000$5,500

4060%

$4,000$5,000

3050%

$2,900andup
$1,000$2,000

$4,200$4,800

$18$27/linearft.
$9$16/linearft.
$33andup/linearft.
$15$20/linearft.

$16,000$25,000
($100/sq.ft.)

$7,000$28,000

$4,500$8,500

$39,000$75,000
$86,000$155,000+

$5,400$8,400

1040%
1040%

2050%

6075%
6075%
2540%
4075%

5070%

040%*

020%*

025%**
525%*

4560%

DOSANDDONTSOFHOMERENOVATIONS

DO:

Yourhomework.Geteducatedbydiscussingyourprojectswithhomeimprovementspecialists.
Getreferralsandcheckreferencesforcontractors.(www.chba.ca)Dontjusttakesomeonesword
forit.
Savemoneyandpurchasefinishingmaterialsyourself.
Prebookyourcontractorwellinadvance.Winteristheoffseasonsotheremaybemore
availabilityofgoodcontractorsthen.
Hireaprojectmanageronlargejobstoensurequalityworkmanshipandtimelinesarebeingmet.
Takeadvantageofnaturallightwherepossibleandusetimelessdesignpatternsthatmakepeople
feelgood.
Considerbuildinga3Dscalemodeltobettervisualizeanaddonornewconstruction.
Protectagainstmoldandinsistontheverybestvapourbarrierinstallationlikestructural
insulatedpanels(SIPs),insulatedconcreteforms(ICFs)oranexteriorlayerofrigidfoam.
Choosetheverybestroofingmaterial.Itwillbetheleastcostlyinthelongrunasalargeportionof
thecostinvolvedisinthelabour.
Ventilatetheareabehindsiding,brickandstoneaswellastall,vaultedceilingstoprevent
condensation.
ConsiderCanadasadvancedtechnologyinradiantinfloorheatingsystems.Theseeither
distributehotliquidthroughfloorframesorusehighresistanceelectricheatingpads.

DONT:

- Dontagreetopaybythehourplusmaterials.Theresnoguaranteeofcostorworkefficiency
withoutadetailedcontractandasetprice.Bewareofanychangesthatyoumakelateron.Itmay
requirealotofextramoneyandpatience.
- Dontassumethatagreatjobisbeingdone.Checkupperiodicallywhilebringingcoffeeforthe
crew.
- Dontbeafraidtocancelthejobifyoudontfeelthatyoucantrustyourcontractor.
- Donthesitatetoofferyourinputandideastothecontractor.Ofcourse,youshouldbeclearand
respectful.
- Dontlimityourthinkingtojustmonetarypayoffs.Byusingenergyefficientmaterialsand
techniques,yourhomewillbethatmuchmorevaluable.

GOINGGREEN

These days home renovations arent just about

putting green back into your wallet. More than
ever, homeowners and potential buyers are
lookingtoreducetheirenvironmentalfootprints
and will opt to pay more initially for longterm
gain.Evenduringtherecentslowdownoftodays
market,homeownerswhomaynotbeintending
tosellimmediatelyareseekingoutmaterialsand
building techniques designed to be ecofriendly
andminimizetheirimpactontheenvironment.

Here are the 5 top ways to Go Green while

doinghomerenovationsassuggestedbyvarious
professionalsweveconsulted.

1. Use energy efficient fixtures and

appliances and be sure that they are
Energy Star rated. Install things such as
dual/low flush toilets and high
performance showerheads. Ondemand
hot water tanks are extremely efficient
taking only seconds to heat water as
needed but cost about $4500.
Homeownersmustalsokeepinmindthat

highefficiency furnaces are only efficient

if the home has proper insulation and
windows.
2. Make the most of natural and solar
lighting and tailor lighting for individual
needs. Consider implementing solar
energyheatinginyourdesigns.

3. Recycle/salvage
previous
building
materialsandusematerialsmanufactured
with
recycled
content.
Consider
construction techniques that minimize
wasteanddebris.
4. Use waterbased paints, varnishes and
adhesives free of volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) that will not give off
toxicgases.

5. Haveanenergyauditdoneonthehometo
determine the best ways to make the
mostofyourgreenrenovations.

BIGGESTMISTAKESHOMEOWNERSMAKE

1. Nothavingawellplanneddesignandareasonabletimeframe.

2. Notbudgetingforunforeseencostsorchangestotheplan.Makingfrequentormajorchangesafter
therenovationhasbeguncanaddhugecoststotheproject.

3. Notgettingacompletequoteinwritingorhavingafullunderstandingofthequotegiven.Getat
leastthreequotesbeforecommittingtoonecontractor.

4. Not hiring a professional for jobs that require the expertise. Poor craftsmanship and/or
incomplete projects result in huge wastes of time, money and energy. This could also lead to
hazardousconditionsand/oranunhealthylivingenvironment,becominganinsuranceliability.

5. Notplanningrenovationsintermsofresale.Althoughoneofthemajorperksofowningyourown
homeisthatyouarefreetodowhatyouwanttoit,whenitcomestimetoputitonthemarket,
youdontwantyourhousetobethewhiteelephantoftheneighborhood.Permanentlychanging
thefunctionoftherooms,notkeepingwiththeaverage/appropriatestyleoftheneighborhoodor
goingoverboardandcreatingahousewellabovetheaveragelistingpriceofotherhomesinthe
areawillmakeitdifficulttosell.

RENOVATIONGUIDE2010ERGIL&JACKSONAPPRAISALSLTD

11

IMPORTANTCONTACTS

REALESTATEAGENT

REALESTATEAPPRAISER

HOMEINSPECTIONSERVICE

GENERALCONTRACTOR

PLUMBING

FURNACECLEANING&REPAIR

ROOFREPAIR

ELECTRICIAN

LIFEINSURANCEBROKER

HOME/AUTOINSURANCEBROKER

LOCKSMITH

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RENOVATIONGUIDE2010ERGIL&JACKSONAPPRAISALSLTD

12

Now available:

EJ HOME INSPECTION SERVICES

Our Services:
Pre-listing/ Pre-purchase Residential Home Inspections by Qualified Professionals
Warranty Inspections
Certified Mold and Indoor Air Quality Inspectors
Ozone Specialists
Certified by INTERNACHI (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors)
Certified by CANACHI (Canadian Association of Certified Home Inspectors)
We serve the greater Edmonton area, as well as rural areas

Contact Us:
Contact Us:

Online: www.ejappraisals.com
Phone: 780.486.5158

Email: admin@ejappraisals.com
Fax 780.486.6226