Adding a “secondary suite” or “basement apartment” is an excellent way to supplement your income, provide additional living space for grandparents and increase the resale value of your home.

  1. The vacancy rate in Peterborough hovers around 1%, one of the lowest in Ontario. So, why not renovate your basement to include a legally conforming apartment to provide income to you and your family. The City of Peterborough has established building site and building code requirements to assist home owners create a safe living space for a tenant.

    Based on information provided by RentBoard.ca, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Peterborough is $1,185 and $1,284 for a two-bedroom apartment. Imagine the impact that added income would have on your monthly budget.

  2. There is a growing trend toward multi-generational homes across the Country. Families want to be together and to save money on housing for elderly members. By building a legally conforming secondary suite, senior parents can maintain their independence, post-pone the need for assisted-living facilities and build a strong, healthy family bond.
  3. According to various real estate market studies, having a legally conforming secondary suite increases the resale value of your home. Homes with “in-law apartments” “granny suites” “basement apartments” or whatever you choose to call them are attractive to homebuyers either looking to supplement their household income or have added space for parents/grandparents within the home.
  4. With interest rates as low as they are these days, it may also be profitable to borrow to create a basement apartment. Once again, our design team will help by providing a renovation estimate that you can take to your financial institution to determine the best course of action for you.

Doyle Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning offers a one-stop-shop for all your renovation needs. We have a designer on staff to design and create the building plans to acquire the necessary building permits. Our interior designer will also assist with choices in cabinetry, fixtures, paint and flooring to create an apartment that feels warm, comfortable and inviting making it highly desirable and attracting quality tenants.

Our licensed carpenters, electricians, plumbers and HVAC trades people will create a safe basement apartment that meets all the building code requirements and is attractively finished. Our designer will co-ordinate, communicate and ensure your vision becomes your reality. During the process, we manage all aspects of your renovation, saving you time, money and stress.

Call our office today 705-740-0505 for a free consultation with our designer. Let us take care of all your renovation projects.

It’s no secret that when it comes to improving your home’s value, the bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the house.  According to the Appraisal Institute of Canada, the ROI of a bathroom renovation is between 75% to 100%. However, an entire renovation isn’t always required. Modern updates to your bathroom will not only increase your home’s value, they can provide greater comfort, appeal, and lower your energy bills.

We asked a few of the bathroom renovation experts at Doyle Plumbing for their insider tips on how to update and remodel a bathroom.

 

Think twice about ripping out that bathtub!

A lack of bathing options for small children and babies make a home unappealing to young families. Instead of completely replacing the bathtub, you can update the tub itself or convert it into a bath/shower combo.

Consider using glass doors.

As a building material, glass is relatively cheap, but since it needs to be custom ordered most homeowners skip past it during bathroom renovations. Have a glass door installed on your shower to give your bathroom a higher-end look and feel. Yes, it’ll cost more than a shower curtain, but it’s the smartest way to achieve a spa-like atmosphere and looks great for resale.

Choose long-lasting tile.

If you are considering new tile, here’s how to keep your budget in check while adding some luxury to your bathroom. Consider using porcelain tile for a glass tile mosaic without the high price tag of marble. You can also spend less by using high-end tile for just the shower or bathtub and painting the rest of room using a soothing colour palette.

Save more with energy-efficient upgrades.

Whether it’s a new toilet, shower, or sink faucet, water-efficient models now have modern designs that offer improved performance. Leading manufacturers such as American Standard have responded to consumer demand for energy-efficient products by offering a wide range of spa-like colours and finishes. According to real estate experts, these improvements will help sell your home faster, too!

 

If you’ve been thinking about updating or renovating your bathroom, there’s no need to feel overwhelmed – consult with the experts at Doyle Plumbing. As a team of fully licensed plumbers and contractors, they can supply and install a full selection of bathroom products.

Doyle Plumbing also offers complete bathroom remodelling services, right down to the paint colour or tile of your choice. Simply fill in the form below to get the advice and expertise you need to do your project right!