Cottage Renovators Bruce Peninsula

Nothing transforms your cottage like a large renovation.

But a large renovation must be done right or it could turn into a nightmare.

Because of that you need a contractor that is not only good at renovating cottages, they are also good at designing, organizing and planning.

Your contractor doesn't have to be an interior designer but they should know the latest trends, how they are completed and what will make your cottage function and feel better and more family friendly.

Older cottages were built for function more then comfort and fashion, but as times change so does the need for what cottages have become.

Cottages now are used 12 months of the year and are considered a second home not just a place to go on the weekend to enjoy swimming in the lake. People want to be comfortable when they go to the cottage, they want to be able to feel like they are at their own home, they don't want to wake up feeling cold and dirty and dreaming of sunday afternoon when they can drive home.

The need to hire a contractor that can sit with you as the homeowner and re-design the interior of your cottage, the exterior of it, change the bathrooms, the kitchen or even the basement into something that makes you feel like you never left home is at a premium.

Great Lakes Custom Homes is that kind of contractor.

Building and renovating cottages on the Bruce Peninsula is something that we take pride in, something that we are exceedingly good at.

If you are thinking about renovating your cottage send us an email at greatlakescustomhomes@gmail.com

Let us make your cottage more your home and less like the 70's era camp that it looks like.

Rob Abbott
Great Lakes Custom Homes Inc.

Easter Is The Start Of Cottage Renovation Season

As the thanksgiving long weekend approaches a lot of people will be heading up to their cottage to open them up for the start of COTTAGE SEASON!

What some of them will find will be damage from the winter that will need to be repaired.
While others once they are there will look around and realize that the place is really in need of some major repairs/renovations if they plan to keep using it.

This is the start of the spring cottage renovation season, were my phone and email start going off like crazy in the next month and an a half.

This is the nature of being a contractor that services cottage country, it's very quiet until its not...

If you are thinking about renovating your cottage this spring then the sooner you start calling around to find a contractor the better your odds are that you will actually find one that isn't completely booked for the entire spring and summer.

It doesn't matter if you are thinking about doing a bathroom renovation, a basement conversion, an addition, a major face lift to the outside of the cottage, building decks or docks, mostly the same contractors do most if not all of it. And once that long weekend comes they not only start getting really busy working on peoples cottages but also pricing a lot more work for later in the year.

Remember that there are only so many good quality contractors up in cottage contractors, so if you really want work done this spring/summer you need to get a hold of them soon, they will need sometime to get you a proper quote, pricing and schedule you in for the actual work.

If you are looking to renovate your cottage on the Bruce Peninsula email me at greatlakescustomhomes@gmail.com

Rob Abbott
Great Lakes Custom Homes Inc.

Never Hire A Contractor On Price For Your Cottage Renovation

What's more important when hiring a contractor, their price?or the confidence in them to work in your cottage when you are not around for long periods of time and still give you what you want and do it in an appropriate way?

If you said the price then you really are setting yourself up for disappointment as the job will most likely turn into a renovation nightmare.

What I have found in the renovation end of the construction industry is that there is a reason for some companies to be a lot cheaper then others and its not because one company is making a lot more money then the other, here are some of the main reasons;

1. They Simply Don't Know How To Estimate. Estimating takes time, energy and a lot of thought, those are 3 things that a lot of contractors do not have or want to have. A lot of contractors want to return you a quote quickly because they believe that is the way to win a job. So they put some numbers together and send you a price. This means that they actually don't know what the cost of doing your renovation actually is, they are guessing that they are putting enough money in it to do the job and to make a profit.
2. Omission. This is one of the classic things that low bidders do,they omit things on the estimate. You ask for a bathroom renovation and they price you a new bathroom. What they don't include is any of the bathroom fixtures like the toilet, sink, vanity or tub. When you ask about it later they say that it is up to you to supply them.
3. No detail on the estimate. Your estimate is short, it doesn't have any detail other then a rough outline on what you are getting in your estimate. It doesn't tell you what fixtures your getting or what your tile allowance is. This is how they can give you bill for extra's later or force you to settle for something that you don't want.
4. A verbal estimate with a full cash option. There's a reason that things are written down in an estimate, its so everyone knows what everyone gets, because of this you pay tax, to avoid tax you don't write anything down and all transactions are in cash. Sounds great until your realize that your tax avoidance plan also leaves you with no way to prove what you paid for or if you ever had hired the contractor at all. In fact engaging in an all cash deal to avoid paying tax is illegal.
5. Being A Legal Contractor Costs Money. Being properly insured, paying your taxes, paying your employees, paying your suppliers, paying your WSIB, giving warranties on your work, creating proper estimates cost money. That means that the best companies will be more expensive, it doesn't mean that they are making more money, it means they are doing everything legally and properly.

So when you are calling contractors to come and look at the work you want to be completed at your cottage (while you are not there) don't just look for the best price. Look past the price and find the contractor that you can trust to do the job right, legal and provide you with a warranty for the work that they do.

Pick security and a job done right over the bargain basement price.

Rob Abbott

Great Lakes Custom Homes Inc.

What Parts Of Your Cottage You Really Need To Renovate

Renovating whether it is in your home or at your cottage is expensive, the cost of material and labour has steadily risen every year, especially the last couple of years. Because of that you need to be smart with your renovations, no matter how much money you have everyone has limits to their budgets. The best thing you can do is prioritize what you want to get out of your cottage and what you need to have repaired or remodeled. This will help you get the most out of your renovation budget no matter how big or how small it is.

Cottages are different then the home you live in, they are not used all the time, that means that they are closed up for long periods of time. The way you use your cottage will determine what you need to focus on. If you don't use it in the winter then the heating system isn't as important as other parts of the cottage.

Roof

The roof is one of the most important parts of the cottage and is usually the one thing that is neglected until its to late and the rain is coming in.
There's no reason to finish anything inside your cottage if there's a chance that it could be ruined by an old leaky roof.
If you don't want to re-roof then you can opt for a steel roof which will last as long as you own the cottage.

Electrical

Old cottages have old electrical. Fuses are not only annoying to change when they blow but they can also be dangerous as people will keep upsizing them so that they don't blow them as often. This can lead to electrical fires.
Updating electrical panels and wiring will help when you go to renovate, if you plan to add lighting, heaters and plugs then you need more room in your panel and maybe a bigger panel overall.

Plumbing

Old plumbing can be just as damaging as a leaky roof when they fail. Re-do the plumbing, especially if you are planning a bathroom or kitchen renovation. The cost isn't great but the new plumbing will last a life time.

Bathrooms and Kitchens

No matter if its your home or the cottage kitchen and bathrooms are always worth the renovation. Kitchen and bathrooms are used more then any other room in the cottage and renovating them always adds more value to the resale value so you never lose money if you invest in them.

Outdoor Space

4 season rooms, screened in porches and decks. These are the places that are going to be used the most and also where your going to make the most memories. Done right and they can make the cottage experience memorable.

There are always other things that you can fix or renovate in a cottage. You can renovate the entire thing if you really want too, but everyone usually has a budget, that means that you should prioritize what you want to fix. Start with the above mentioned and then if you have money left in your budget move on to some of the other rooms in the cottage that aren't used nearly as much.

Rob Abbott
Great Lakes Custom Homes Inc.

Buying Or Building A Cottage Part 1

Now that spring is here in the Bruce Peninsula people are coming up and looking to buy themselves a cottage. The Bruce Peninsula has never been so busy as it is in the last couple of years and the actual real estate market for cottage's and especially for waterfront property has never been more hot and expensive.

One of the main reasons for the rising prices is not just that people want a cottage up the Bruce Peninsula its that there is a lack of cottages for sale as people are not selling their cottages like they were 4 or 5 years ago. This is driving the price of waterfront or near waterfront cottages to ever new heights. There's a saying; they don't make new waterfront, meaning that there is a finite amount of cottages that can be bought or sold that are on the water.

In these kind of market conditions if you really want a waterfront cottage you have two choices;

1. You buy a cottage that you don't really want but is in the right location;
2. You buy a vacant lot and build yourself a brand new cottage.

Those two options are not ideal, the 3rd option of buying exactly what you want really doesn't exist, not even if you have an unlimited budget, even the higher end priced waterfront cottages have their flaws and problems. 

Let's talk about the Pro's and Con's of 1. You buy a cottage that you don't really want but is in the right location;

There are a lot of older cottages that are in need of repair or updating but are in the area that you want or are on waterfront that everyone wants. Some of the pro's to buying an older cottage;

Pro's

• You can move right in and start enjoying cottage country right away without waiting.
• Using the cottage before making major changes allows you the ability to get used to the cottage and help bring your vision of what you want out of the cottage to life.
• Buying and renovating a cottage is cheaper then building a brand new cottage from a vacant piece of property.
• When your ready to renovate or ad an addition to your cottage most of the work can be completed in the off season when you are not using the cottage.
• With modern technology your contractor can keep you updated on the progress of your renovations when your home at work.
• Some older cottages are in area's that you are not allowed to build on anymore or are closer to the water then what is allowed today. A lot of times that means that you have a better view of the water then your newer built neighbours, its great fro resale.
• Older cottages usually come with all the furnishing when they are sold, yes a lot of stuff will go to the dump but a lot of the stuff can be used at least for the first couple of years, this allows you to enjoy the cottage right away without having to shell out a lot of money on furniture and other stuff.
• Older cottages are usually easy to carry financially as the taxes are low.
• New cottages never give you that old cottage feeling that a lot of people dream about when they want a cottage, some unique and rustic, not a new modern home.
• An older cottage has usually been around longer then the last time the water in the great lakes has been at its peak in the 80's/90's. That means that even at its highest point the cottage was positioned in a place that it wasn't affected or at least survived. That means that your cottage should be fine in the future from the rising water.
• Older cottages have an established flora/fiona, this means that you will see lots of animals because they are use too the cottage being there and are comfortable around humans.
• Older cottages have neighbours, which means you will have friends as soon as you move in.

Con's

• Buying an older cottage you could be getting yourself into something that needs a lot more renovating then you ever thought.
• If you don't want to hire someone to do the repairs and renovations then you could be buying yourself a second job (renovating the cottage) instead of a place to get away from your job.
• Be careful that you don't have to replace the septic or the well as these are two big ticket items.
• When buying an older cottage don't fool yourself, you are buying an older cottage, they come with a lot more interesting flaws then older homes built in town. Usually older cottages are built to be used only in the warmer months, thinking your going to use them in the winter will probably be a mistake.
• Older cottages will have higher utility bills then you are used too, electricity is more expensive in cottage country then in town.
• Get used to fixing things or having things fixed, older cottages are always in need of repair.
• Older cottages can have unwanted guests (bugs and rodents). Its something you might have to get use too dealing with.
• Most older cottages have room to sleep a lot of people but are usually short on bathrooms, usually just a single one, learn to share.
• Most older cottages are sold because the owners do not use them like they use too, this means that the outside maintenance of cutting back the tree's and vegetation has not been kept up. Unlike the city you will have to get used to cutting trees. If you want to be able to see the water from your waterfront cottage then tree cutting and tree removal will be essential.
• Old cottages can have foundation problems if they haven't been constructed correctly or haven't been maintained.
• One thing its hard to do up on the Bruce Peninsula is grow a lawn, you probably will have to give up the dream of having a nice lawn at the cottage unless you really want to put in the effort.
• With older cottages there are perceived ownership of things, like waterfront, lot lines, fences. Sometimes it can be trouble figuring out what they are at first without offending your neighbours.

The one thing that you have to remember when you are buying an older existing cottage on the Bruce Peninsula is that you are buying someone else's idea of what a cottage is and over the years they have become comfortable in that space. That means that they become blind to obvious problems in and around the cottage, some of these problems are easy to fix and some are more of a financial commitment. These issues don't mean that the cottage wasn't taken care of its just means that they didn't bother the owner enough for them to do anything about.

Remember to always talk to your neighbours when you are planning to do major construction or tree cutting then you won't be surprised if they have objections to what you are doing, you don't need their permission but everyone likes to be kept informed.

Pro's and Con's of building a new cottage....in part two

Rob Abbott

Great Lakes Custom Homes Inc.

Its Time For The Cottage Spring Inspection

The snow has finally melted!

It might not be bikini weather yet up at the cottage but it is time to head up to the cottage and do your spring inspection.

What is a spring inspection you ask? Its the time that you drive up to the cottage to make sure that its still there, especially after this long drawn out winter!

The usual suspects that you find are damage to roofs, windows and siding/facia.

Now these area minor repairs a lot of the time that you can hire someone to do or you can try and handle on your own. But maybe its time that you take a serious look at that old cottage of yours and decide whether its time to do a larger renovation then just a constant minor repair every spring.

I'm talking about biting the bullet and springing for new windows, siding, soffit/facia. You don't have to get all of them, but if your getting tired of the constant repainting of the old siding or the windows that leak water and don't open, then maybe its worth the investment.

Not only will new windows/siding free up your time in the spring, it will also help your enjoyment of your cottage. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to see the lake, the trees and the animals outside through nice new energy efficient windows.

If your changing your windows/siding then you can for a little bit extra add some much needed foam insulation to the outside of your cottage. This insulation could give you an extra month at the cottage in the fall and a couple extra weeks in the spring, allowing you to be more comfortable and also lowering your energy costs throughout the cottage season.

So when you go up to your cottage for your spring inspection take a serious look at your cottage and decide if a larger upgrade is needed, something that will not only raise the value of your cottage but also raise the enjoyment of it.

Drop me an email if you would like to talk about some cottage repairs.

Rob Abbott
Great Lakes Custom Homes Inc.

Government Rebates-Now's The Time To Renovate Your Cottage

Right now in Ontario there are very healthy rebates for renovating your home or cottage. There are rebates that are applied to the following;

• New windows
• Updating the heating system
• Increasing the insulation (the walls, ceilings)

The rebates are very healthy with thousands of dollars available for each area of the home or cottage.

Heating systems range from $2000.00 (for ductless heat pumps) to almost $20,000.00 (if you want to install geothermal heat pumps). That cuts the cost of a lot of those new heating systems almost in half.

There are rebates for window replacements and insulation upgrades as well.

If you have been waiting for the right time to renovate your cottage this it, it won't get any better then money wise then this!

These rebates might not last past the next provincial election so if you are thinking about fixing your old cottage up then you should start looking into it.

With these rebates you could take that old, poorly insulated, drafty cottage and turn it into something that is not only comfortable but well insulated and easily heated. This can also give you more time at your cottage as those cold spring days and those late fall ones are a lot more comfortable and easier to keep warm.

One of the big positives is that with the cottage real estate market being so hot you will get all the money back that you spend on it. So even as an investment renovating your cottage is a good idea.

If your thinking about renovating your cottage email me at greatlakescustomhomes@gmail.com and we can talk about what you need.

Rob Abbott
Great Lakes Custom Homes Inc.