Condo Plumbing Renovations

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The Basics of Your Condo Plumbing Renovation

Renovations of condos in Toronto are more common. The increase is happening for a couple of reasons. The construction of condos in the city actually began in the 70s and really picked up pace a decade later in the 80s. Many units today are getting older fast, with some as many as four decades old or more. Basically, the older condos are in dire need of some upgrades to modernize their offerings and to ensure that they are up to par and code. Older condos are coveted because they are often big and spacious, so renovations are the option that will help keep these condos available.

Make no mistake about it when you are renovating a condo it is not like renovating a house and there are some obstacles one will have to deal with: Keep in mind that renovations will require strategic planning. Below are some of the important things to think about:

1. Corporate Regulations

Condo corporations design regulations regarding how condos can be renovated. These regulations can be quite strict and define the number of hours of renovation to be completed, the kinds of materials one can use during the renovation, and before anything can be renovated, these things will have to go through an approval process involving the board of directors and management. The time and day renovations can happen are often predefined and are typically during normal eight or 9 to 5 working hours Monday through Friday only. There are some places that allow work to be on a Saturday though.

The materials you can use to fix or renovate the condominium are decided by the corporation. Some regulations have to do with the flooring surface, and this is because of the noise that can pass through one floor to another condo. Further, for visual reasons, window coverings may also have regulations associated with them. Before acting on a desire to renovate, check out the corporate rules that serve as guidelines of what is allowed. When hiring a contractor make sure that they are also informed about the rules.

2. Getting Access

In high-rise condos you will need access to get into the location to have renovations performed and for contractors to get materials into the location: That access is often a public elevator. The access to this elevator will have to be arranged in advance.  The size of the materials may be limited due to elevator access and size, hallway size, and the distance the materials must be moved to get to a location under renovation. Material trucks and workers looking for parking nearby may also face another challenge.

3. Electrical and Plumbing Relocation

Can you move plumbing and elecrical in a condo? Surely, yes! Moving plumbing and electrical components is hard when you are dealing with a condo, but it can be done. Strategic planning will help get the job done a lot easier. Get familiar with renovation rules, and you will find that condominium renovations can be quite exciting if the remodel is well planned for and discussed with the appropriate professionals such as those at Dr. Pipe Drain and Plumbing Services.

Condo Renovation Cost Toronto

Renovations in condos are diverse and hence the variation in their charges. Condo plumbing renovation prices primarily depend on the area that requires work. For example, what a plumber may need for condo kitchen renovations is entirely different from the requirements for condo toilet renovation. Other than this, the plumber might consider other parameters as discussed in the following sections.

Condo Bathroom Renovation Cost

It isn’t easy to provide an accurate cost estimate for condo bathroom renovation in Toronto due to the many varying aspects.

A unit may have leaks, poor piping, the material, or the entire scope of the repair, all of which may increase the cost issue and make it more challenging to evaluate the overall cost.

Condo Kitchen Renovation Cost

The cost of a Toronto condo kitchen renovation can be incredibly diverse depending on the size of the room, the layout, and the quality of the materials and appliances used. Taking all of this into consideration makes it difficult to estimate the cost of renovating a condo kitchen accurately. The price range is from $15,000 to $45,000, with an approximate average of $30,000. The price of remodeling a kitchen might go as high as $50,000.

There is a wide variety of prices for plumbing work associated with restoring a kitchen in a condo in Canada, from $135 to $31,500. The typical price tag for work of this nature is $2,649.

Condo Renovation Rules Toronto

You need to know the specific rules regarding Toronto condo renovations to have a successful experience. If you do not comply with these rules and regulations or act out of ignorance, you could risk paying fines or legal action.

Looking at these guidelines will also help in settling the question: can you do renovations in a condo?

1. Permits

When you are remodeling a condo in Toronto, one of the great things is that you usually do not need to obtain a building permit. On the other hand, you will typically have to get clearance from your condo board since whatever you do in your unit might affect other occupants within the building. Be aware, however, that in most cases, you may not have the permit to make any changes or renovations to the building’s common areas.

You could pay fines or have to modify or discard your condo remodel modifications if you don’t consult the condo board on your condo renovation plans. Before renovating a condo, talk to the condominium organization about your plans to prevent any hassles and unnecessary expenses. The board members will know precisely what you’re doing to your unit if you offer a clear and concise renovation plan to them.

There could be a limit in electrical and plumbing options within your condo as they may affect other units within the building. In addition, there could be a restriction of the materials to those authorized by the board.

2. Inspection

It is most likely that your condo’s management or super will do a pre-inspection of any renovation work, regardless of how extensive or minor it may be. They will also conduct a post-work completion inspection. Again, every condo board has its one-of-a-kind set of regulations to follow.

3. Cleanliness

There are regulations regarding getting demo materials out and bringing in new materials. The lobbies and elevators need to be kept spotless and undamaged. You might have to pay a fine, for instance, if the crew messes up the carpets in the hallways or destroys the marble in the elevator or lobby, which could be pretty costly.

4. Damage Deposit

You may own your condo, but you do not possess the entire building. As a result, the condo association may require you to obtain insurance or submit a damage deposit to cover the cost of any possible damages that may occur in communal facilities such as elevators and corridors. The insurance is for your coverage should you get into an accident during the renovation period.

Note that if you finish the renovations without causing any damage to the building, the condo board will refund you the deposit paid.

5. Day and Time Restrictions

The Toronto Noise Bylaw prohibits sounds associated with construction between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., Monday through Friday. On Saturdays, the hours change from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. Additionally, the law does not permit noise from construction at any time on Sundays or official holidays.

In many condominium communities, the hours of the day between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. are the only ones during which construction and remodeling work can occur without fear of disturbing neighbors.

6. Parking Rules

In Toronto, most property management businesses have stringent parking requirements that need enforcement, including specific parking areas for contractors. These frequently get full quickly or are explicitly reserved for people who have received permission to renovate, which means that the periods you have available for your contractors to labor could be restricted. 

In most cases, the parking area reserved for contractors is near the building’s entrance for ease of transporting the construction materials. A parking space reservation might also include an elevator reservation to prevent your workers from colliding with other condominium owners.

Give us a call today: 416 663 4777 for a free upfront estimate!