RENOVATIONS

Don’t wait to renovate – this is the new normal

By Steve Barkhouse

The COVID-19 pandemic has turned many things in our world upside down, and the renovation industry is no exception. Almost two years in, we are experiencing a new normal that leaves many homeowners wondering whether they should proceed with a renovation or addition now or hold off.

It’s a question I get a lot. The short answer is: Don’t wait. Things will not go back to the way they were.

But, of course, there’s also a longer answer.

The upheaval in the early days of the pandemic has subsided, to a degree. The worldwide shutdown that led to crippling shortages, soaring prices and a mad scramble by homeowners to create better spaces in homes they were confined to much more has eased. And the most recent round of COVID restrictions has had minimal effect on the ability of the renovation industry to operate, particularly for those already following strong safety protocols.

But things have changed. Prices have stabilized but at a higher level; manufacturing is slowly getting caught up, but there are still delays; continued demand means renovators remain busy; and timelines to complete projects have also stabilized but are longer than they were. Cabinets, for instance, once took four to six weeks to be delivered; they are now taking twice that time.

Several indicators and forecasts predict a renovation trend that remains high for the foreseeable future. In a quarterly survey from Harvard University, for instance, a 9 per cent growth in annual home improvement and repair spending in each quarter is expected until the end of the year.

That means if you’re looking to renovate, there is no benefit in waiting. The new normal means you need to look for a renovator who has a track record of planning and being organized so they can order ahead, stockpile materials and keep your project from dragging on unnecessarily.

Is it realistic to hope to get a renovation done this year?

Yes, depending on what the reno is. If you’re looking at a whole-home remodel that would take eight months, don’t expect it to get started in the next three months. But if you want to do a small to medium-sized project, it could certainly be done by the end of the year. The key is to start looking for your renovator right away.

A caution: when there’s high demand, people take risks that they should not. Don’t panic and think you have to compromise on who you choose, jumping on the first contractor who calls you back. Do your due diligence. All good renovators won’t be scared away by you asking questions and qualifying them. And if it means delaying your start to get your ideal renovator, so be it.

Key tips for Glebe homeowners

Glebe homes are a special breed, typically built as one-offs with varying levels of quality. It’s crucial to

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work with a renovator who has experience with Glebe homes – and there are several in Ottawa. A good place to start is with the RenoMark renovators listed at gohba.ca/renovators. • Look for someone who has experience with your type of project. Don’t hire a basement contractor if you want to add a third floor. • If you are doing a basement, find a contractor who understands Glebe foundations, water tables, moisture and mould. • You want someone familiar with the homes and the homeowners. Many

Glebites prefer companies they’ve already seen in the neighbourhood who preserve the community. The

Glebe really is like a small village.

Coming from rural Ottawa, I was shocked when I lived in the Glebe at how comfortable I felt. • Find someone with experience in the crooked and unplumbed finishing that will be required for the new work to match the old. • And it’s invaluable working with someone who has a deep knowledge of area zoning, setbacks, height restrictions and what might be grandfathered in the Glebe.

All of that lends itself to design-build, which takes a project from concept to completion seamlessly and efficiently, particularly in a neighbourhood like the Glebe, where unexpected issues are common. But whatever option you choose, be thorough in your research to find the right renovator for you. And don’t wait – the new normal will be with us for some time.

Steve Barkhouse is the owner of Amsted Design-Build, a renovation and custom home building company serving Ottawa residents for 30 years, and the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association’s Renovator of the Year. Its Glebe office is at 681 Bronson Avenue.

Among the most popular renovations to Glebe homes are ones that open up the main floor and add a mudroom.

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Glebe Collegiate 100th POSTPONED

The Glebe 100 Organizing Committee announced on January 26 that the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Glebe Collegiate Institute, originally planned for the weekend of May 13-15, 2022, has been postponed in light of COVID-19.

The new date is October 14 – 16, 2022.

Tickets for the event that have already been purchased are valid for the new date. The Organizing Committee will be in touch with purchasers by email or may be contacted at glebecollegiate100@gmail.com.

A Norway maple remembers

A Norway maple was planted on Les and Derele’s front lawn in 1963. Here it is in 1964. PHOTOS: D SCHARFE Disruption of the street in 2007 due to sewer replacement was a dangerous time for the maple, but it managed to survive with some help.

By Derele and Les Scharfe

Let me introduce myself. I’m a Norway maple tree, quite tall now, and I live on the front lawn of Derele and Les’s home on Fourth Avenue. Been there for about 60 years, and what a fascinating journey it’s been. There are a few stories I could tell you.

My life began as a misdirected seed that fell into the flower garden among the peonies and poppies. I don’t know who my parents were, so I guess that qualifies me as a Love Tree. I grew quickly, hiding among the blooms until the day I was discovered by Les. “Oh, oh, the jig is up,” I thought, but he exclaimed “What a lovely little tree! This fellow is moving to the front lawn.” So here I am.

It was 1963, and I must tell you that growing up was not easy. My new home was close to the sidewalk, and I was just a wee sapling. Naturally I became a “pee stop” for all my furry friends walking their owners around the avenues. School kids on their way to Mutchmor and Corpus Christi giggled and gleefully swung round and round my tiny trunk. Fun for them, but…

In winter, snow blowers howled and clattered their way along the street disgorging snow, ice, salt and slush – a nourishing mixture for little trees? It was a cold and nasty ordeal. The winter of 1970 was a humdinger, as it never stopped snowing; snow piled up to my ying-yang. Les and Derele received a “certificate of survival” from the City of Ottawa – why them? It was me who stood in 171.4 inches of snow that winter! Satisfaction came when Les had to shovel that long laneway almost every evening. Learned a few new words that winter!

The ice storm cometh

But the worst was yet to come. The big ice storm of 1998 was horrendous. My limbs were covered with thick ice and bent dangerously. “Snap! Oh, oh, there goes another one.” One of my longest limbs succumbed to the weight and crashed to the ground just a few minutes after the Jeep parked in the laneway was moved. What a sight – live power lines on Fourth Avenue, a very dangerous situation until the lines were quickly disabled by Ottawa Hydro. Throughout the ice storm, I was terrified. Thinking back, people were helping each other, trying to find normal again. It was a heart-warming scene.

Fourth Avenue torn apart

One Sunday morning in 2007, I woke to the calm sounds of a cardinal singing among my branches. Suddenly a large flatbed appeared from around the corner, followed by a troupe of heavy equipment ready to do battle. The cardinal wanted none of this and flew away. Les and Derele the lawn was conducted with more care than usual. If you walk past me, you will notice a slight indentation in the sidewalk, which was done to protect my main supporting and feeder root. Happy to say that the cardinal soon returned.

The future beckons

Many years have passed, it is now 2022, and I have been given this opportunity to recall the circle of time on our street. Hey, stop the press! I’ve just learned that we have new little trees on our street. Thanks to a kind neighbour and the City of Ottawa, we have nine saplings recently planted next to the Mutchmor playing field. They are likely quite bewildered and frightened in their new environment, so please welcome them and make them feel at home. Try to give them the protection that they will need until they’re established.

I, as their elder, will do my best to provide comfort and advice as they become a welcome part of our neighbourhood. Just like Les and Derele took care of me!

appeared on the front veranda with an unsettled look. “It’s the City,” he said as he walked across the lawn towards me and patted my trunk. “Good luck ol’ friend.”

A major project was about to begin: removal and replacement of water and sewer pipes, restoration of the street and sidewalks. This would be a long and disruptive exercise, particularly for trees with long and shallow roots. That was me! But thanks to Les and the city supervisor, trenching on

The Norway maple survived the great Ice Storm of 1998 that destroyed so many trees. Derele and Les Scharfe are long-time residents of Fourth Avenue in the Glebe.

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