Setting a budget. Sewer, water supply and sprinklers.
A good way to start a budget review is to consider what you are trying to achieve. Some would say a bathroom, perhaps a kitchen, an addition etc. Todays world has other challenges beyond your requirements. Vancouver has Marshal Swift valuations which determine whether the dollar value of a renovation will require you to redo sewer and water supply or even the possibility of sprinklers. There is a magic number of $95,000 which is the threshold commonly thought to be, if exceeded, will trigger the above. We have a customer who received a new property assessment which lowered the value of their house in Kitsilano to a point where virtually anything done to the house will trigger upgrades under the new valuation. The point to consider is if you are looking to do a reno, do some of your own homework. Nothing is more surprising than thinking you have $35k to work with only to find out you will have to sprinkle and redo sewers. There is an enquiry line at City Hall that can help you with your questions. At the very least ask a contractor and ask them to explain it. It is confusing but, a necessary path on the road to your reno. If the contractor does not know about these issues ask them to find out.
