BASEMENT RENOVATIONS Whether you need basement finishing, an in-law suite or a home theatre, you can count on the home improvement experts at Premier Group Contractors to take care of your needs for basement renovations. Since 1998, we’ve been committed to exceeding our customers’ expectations by providing top-notch customer service and impeccable craftsmanship. OUR WARRANTY This is only one of many reasons that we’ve become one of  Ontario’s most trusted home improvement companies. Our customer service commitment is beyond comparison in this industry. We stand behind all our work with 5-year warranties. Our goal is 110% customer satisfaction and we strive for perfection on every project we do. PROFESSIONAL SERVICE Premier Group Contractors will come to your home to discuss your remodeling needs. We will help you decide on the styles and options you want, and we’ll provide a free, no-obligation estimate based on the measurements we take. Once your project is completed, you can enjoy it with complete confidence and peace of mind. LET US HELP Contact us today for a free in-home estimate. Request a free quote The Ultimate Guide to Basement Renovations One of the sure-fire ways you can boost your home value is through basement renovations. It can seem like a daunting project though, especially for those who have always thought of their basements as that “dark storage area with the rickety stairs”. That’s why we’ve put together this ultimate guide to answer the biggest questions people frequently ask about basement renovations:   How much should basement renovations cost? Depending on the basement size and construction materials, basement renovation costs can range from $55 – $105 per square foot. This would include the costs of design, labor, and materials for the whole basement renovation. If you want to partition the basement into specific purpose-built rooms (such as with a guest or in-law suite), those would be extra tacked on to the overall cost. For example, you can expect to add $7,000 – $9,000 for a bathroom and $18,000 – $40,000 for a kitchen. The renovation costs will also increase with additional special features. A larger staircase will cost about an extra $3,000 while a fireplace will cost at least $5,000 – $6,000. For a bespoke wet bar, you’re looking at an increased cost of around $15,000. At the end of the day, everything hinges on what you’re looking for in your finished basement. Exploring all the options and costs with you is something we’re glad to do. Contact us to request a free basement renovation quote!   How do I plan a basement renovation?   Budgeting plan First of all, you need to come up with a budgeting plan. Even though you know how much a basement renovation roughly costs, expect the final costs to fluctuate based on the project circumstances and your personal preferences. Because of this, make sure you know exactly what you want. It’s a great idea to write down your renovation goals and group them into a “Top-Priority Features” list and a “Nice-to-Have Features” list. That way, you can make decisions in a snap if you have to adjust your budget. Once you have a sense of how much your basement renovation project will cost you, review your financial situation. See if you have enough in your savings to cover the renovation costs plus a contingency fund. If not, figure out how much you need to make up the difference. Most people have two options when it comes to making up the difference in renovation costs: borrowing or saving up. Borrowing ranges from asking family or friends for help to financing from the bank. For bank financing, you can often take advantage of a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or a traditional loan. You have to be careful though when you borrow money that you can realistically repay the debt plus interest. Remember that these payments would be on top of your major house and food expenses as well as savings contributions. Before you finalize a loan, you have to ask yourself if your current and future income can really take on the additional debt repayment expense. Saving up money is a better option to make up the difference if you’re not comfortable with borrowing. All it takes is some extra time, patience, and diligence. To find out how many months you need before you have enough money, divide the renovation cost difference by your monthly savings contribution amount. If the result is too many months for your liking, look for creative ways to either cut back your expenses or boost your income. Whatever you do, make sure you use foolproof ways like automatic monthly transfers to consistently contribute to your savings. Keep in mind that budgeting doesn’t stop after your renovation project has started. During the renovations, make sure you regularly keep track of how much of your budget is spent so far. You’ll be able to see whether the renovation will go over-budget long before it actually happens. That will give you enough time to decide if you need to sacrifice some of the secondary “Nice-to-Have Features” you originally wanted.   Preparing for the renovation The best seasons to complete basement renovations are in the summer and the fall. You avoid the mad construction scramble of spring and get to enjoy the cozy finished basement when the cold of winter rolls around. To make sure the work gets done in those seasons, make sure you book the general contractor you want for the job at least 3 to 6 months in advance. Confirm whether the general contractor will look after getting the permit for the renovation. If not, start the process yourself right away. For Toronto and Mississauga residents, check out the bottom of this guide on what it takes to obtain permits for your basement renovation. After the permit application is under way, notify your home insurance company about the upcoming renovation. Ask them whether the renovation will affect your insurance policy as well as what you should do before and after the renovation. As you get closer to the renovation start date, make sure everything is in order with your permit and your home insurance company. Completely empty out your basement of everything, both large and small items. Use padded material to wrap up any fragile items you’ve carried out of your basement. It helps if you have a spare room to temporarily store the basement items. If not, try storing the items around low-traffic areas that won’t get in the way of the renovation crew. You may even want to think about renting a temporary storage unit, if necessary. Sweep out all the debris in the basement so that the renovation crew can start their work on a clean slate. Make sure you clear away a direct path from the entrance to the basement for the renovation crew. If there’s anywhere in the house you don’t want anyone to go through, run some tape across those areas and stick an “Off-Limits” sign to the tapes. At this point, you should bring up the upcoming renovations with anyone who will be affected by it. For instance, discuss with your family how the renovation will affect everyone’s daily routines and think of workarounds to the disruptions. This should cover your bases as you’re planning your basement renovations. Contact us so we can help you come up with a custom basement renovation plan!   What basement renovation design tips do you recommend?   Practical space For your own convenience and better future resale value of your home, you should transform your basement into a practical space. Here are some ideas: Guest or in-law suite Provides privacy for guests and relatives or rental income potential for homeowners. Den or home theatre Allows for TV screen to be the main focus of the room for a full cinematic experience. Home office Dedicated working space for side business at home. Home gym Personalized fitness centre without the commute and membership fees. Playroom Entertainment haven filled with toys and games for everyone from the kids to the grownups. Multi-activity room For large basement spaces, combine two or more of the above ideas.   Extra storage space However you decide to design your finished basement, don’t forget to add extra storage space. There are a lot of clever ways you can do that in a basement: Deep shelving Sturdy framing of 2-by-4s to stack large bins on. Floor-to-ceiling cabinets Neatly hide away miscellaneous items within pull-out drawers. Cubby-hole shelving units Display collectibles and memorabilia without sacrificing storage space. Under-stairs storage closet Making full use of an often neglected space as extra storage. Partitioned storage room Custom-designed storage that can be closed off when entertaining guests. Wall storage Wall-mounted organizers for hobby items and supplies. Locker row Safe and secure way to store expensive or delicate tools that you can lock up with peace of mind. Furniture built-in storage Furniture with built-in drawers or chests to maximize storage options. The sky is the limit when it comes to basements because it’s an extra room that doesn’t have to be reserved for a specific purpose like the other rooms in the house. Contact us for our creative team to draw up your dream basement renovation design!   What common issues should be on a basement renovation checklist? Turning your basement into a functional living area presents challenges since it’s below ground level. From humidity to safety to climate control, there’s a lot to think about as you balance all that with comfort. That’s why a basement renovation checklist is handy for making sure common issues in the basement are well taken care of. Here’s a good start to the checklist: Drainage Sump pump Waterproofing Correctly installed vapour barriers and impervious subfloors Proper egress Exit window dimensions at least 18 inches each. Sill height should not be higher than 3 feet above the floor Exit door dimensions at least 80x32 inches Insulation Rigid foam or spray foam behind walls Spray foam behind ceiling (especially around rim joists) Generous lighting Both for functional and accent lights Ceiling, walls, and flooring At least 6’5” of ceiling clearance Solid foundation support for main floor Even and level flooring Moisture-resistant and mould-resistant material only Soundproofing Sound absorption panels Your particular basement may also have unique issues that need to be added to the checklist. You should always consider the effects stemming from the age, materials, and environment of your house. Contact us for expert advice on major basement renovation issues to check on!   How do I get a basement renovation permit in Ontario? In general, it’s best to let your general contracting company handle the basement renovation permit application for you. As a professional general contractor, they’ve done it countless of times and know the system well enough to streamline the process. If you’re curious about the basement renovation permit requirements though, here are some general guidelines for Ontario: In Ontario finished basement renovations are classified as “Interior Alterations” and these projects definitely require permits. Contact us and we’ll walk you through how we navigate through the basement renovation permit process!

KITCHEN RENOVATIONS On the aesthetic side, your kitchen’s appearance and feel makes a lasting mark on everyone who visits your home. And as a place where you spend a lot of time, you need to feel comfortable there. At Premier Group, we’ve helped homeowners across Mississauga and the Greater Toronto Area build the kitchen of their dreams. We design custom-built cabinets, granite, quartz, tile or laminate countertops and islands for all your needs in kitchen renovations. OUR SERVICES Renovation – Your old kitchen may be in need of a fresh, new look and our expert team of designers and construction professionals are just the right group to make it happen. Remodeling – Perhaps you’d like a better layout for your kitchen. Maybe you need more space, or maybe the pantry isn’t in the right place, or the stove is too close to the bathroom. We can recast the room to make it more functional and visually appealing. PROFESSIONAL SERVICE With your vision and budget, our master designer will work with you to create a plan for building your new kitchen. We can put in new floors, walls, cabinets, and countertops. On top of improving the kitchen’s existing structure, we can make additions as well. It’s your vision, and we’re here to make it a reality. LET US HELP Let us bring your dream kitchen to life – contact us today and we’ll work directly with you on the best combination of kitchen renovations that complement your specific needs and budget. Request a free quote

BATHROOM RENOVATIONS Our Premier Group team of bathroom professionals is a leader in the industry bringing a higher standard in bathroom renovations. A well-designed and well-equipped bathroom can improve your daily routine and add exceptional value to your home. PROFESSIONAL SERVICE With an extensive background in successful turn-key services, Premier Group creates affordable and unique interior spaces for our clients spanning Mississauga, the Greater Toronto Area, and Southern Ontario. Our licensed team will obtain permits, carry out installation, plumbing, electrical, and all the elements of a successfully completed remodeling project from start to finish. QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP Premier Group is a one-stop boutique experience for all your renovation needs. Interior spaces are designed to fit the needs of the client and reflect unique lifestyles. Once your project is completed, you can enjoy it with complete confidence and peace of mind. LET US HELP Contact us today for a free in-home estimate. Request a free quote