Assessing Your Renovation Project - Plan your way to a successful renovation

	sigla1984@yahoo.ca
Subject:	Assessing Your Renovation Project - Plan your way to a successful renovation

Assessing Your Renovation Project - Plan your way to a successful renovation

Whether it's upgrading old systems, repairing problems or just adapting your home to suit
changes in your family's lifestyle, most homeowners will eventually need to carry out a
renovation. With a little careful planning, you can make sure your renovation is a success,
and make your home look better, work better, last longer - and be more comfortable.

If you're thinking about renovating your home, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
(CMHC) has a variety of questions you should ask yourself before you start work, such as:

- Are there any significant underlying problems in the condition of your home that
  need to be addressed before or during your renovation project?
- How will changing a particular part or component of your home affect the
  performance of the house as a whole?
- For your foundation, are there any cracks, damage, damp spots, white or chalky
  stains, or blistered paint on the concrete, finished walls or floors?
- Are there any signs of moisture problems in the basement or attic, such as high
  humidity, water stains and dampness, mold or rot?
- Are your heating or cooling bills unusually high, or do you find your house too dry,
  too humid - or simply uncomfortable?
- Are the mechanical and electrical systems sufficient for both your current and future
  needs?
- Is there any water seepage around kitchen or bathroom fixtures, windows or toilets,
  or leaks from pipes, taps, toilets or the water heater?
- Are your floors or stairs springy, sagging, warped, squeaky or damaged?
- Do your walls or ceilings have any cracks, holes, bulges, water stains or peeling
  finishes?
- Are any doors or windows drafty, broken, operating poorly or sticking?
- Does the roof have any curled or cracked shingles, bare patches, leaks, moss or
  damaged flashing?
- Finally, is there any blistered paint, rotted wood, buckled siding, stained or crumbled
  brick or damaged stucco on the exterior walls?

For more information or a free copy of the "About Your House" fact sheet on Assessing the
Renovation Project or other fact sheets on virtually every facet of owning, maintaining or
renovating your home, ask CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit our Web site at www.cmhc.ca,
where you can also view a "How To" video on planning your renovation. CMHC is Canada’s
national housing agency and a source of objective, reliable housing expertise.