Most new-build owners in Kanata and Orleans start with the basement, the kitchen, or the primary bathroom. Do the basement before you fill it with storage, add flood protection while the space is still open, and plan interior work for any season, but exterior work for spring and summer.
The usual order of upgrades
Builder-grade finishes are built to a price. Which upgrade comes first depends on how you live, but the pattern we see is consistent:
- Finish the basement. It adds the most usable space, and it is easiest before years of boxes move in.
- Upgrade the kitchen. Cabinets, counters, backsplash, and lighting.
- Redo the primary bathroom. Larger shower, better vanity, better tile.
- Add the outdoor pieces. Deck, fence, and patio, in the warmer months.
The basement: protect it before you finish it
Many of the flooded basements we were called to after the July 1 storm were in the west end, including Kanata.
If you are finishing a basement, the walls are open, and the floor is bare. That is the cheapest moment you will ever have to add flood protection, such as a backwater valve, and the City of Ottawa offers subsidies for protective plumbing. A standard basement finish takes us about two months, and the City requires a building permit for it.
Kitchen and bathroom: what to expect
- Kitchen (average size): $18,000 to $45,000, about one month once materials are in
- Bathroom: $15,000 to $55,000, about two weeks
- Basement finish: $35,000 to $95,000, about two months
These quotes are averages provided by Ottawa Renovation Specialists. To get your own free quote, please feel free to give them a call.
New builds often make kitchens and bathrooms simpler than in older homes. Walls are straight, wiring is current and you are unlikely to find the asbestos that turns up in homes from the 1960s and 1970s. The cost differences come mostly from finishes and from whether the layout stays the same.
Seasons matter for some work, not all
Interior work can happen any time of year. Exterior work like decks, fences, and interlock is done in spring and summer. If a project mixes both, such as a kitchen that includes a new window, many homeowners wait for spring so the house is not opened up in an Ottawa winter.
Before you start
- Check your new home warranty. Find out how changes could affect coverage before you alter anything the builder installed.
- Get the builder’s drawings if you can. They save time when planning electrical and plumbing changes.
- Plan the whole house, even if you upgrade one room at a time, so finishes match later.
- Ask how the contractor keeps you updated. On our projects, homeowners hear about anything unexpected the day we find it.
We work in both communities. A Kanata renovation contractor or a team doing renovations in Orleans should walk the house with you before quoting, not price it from photos.
FAQ
Should I finish my basement right after moving in? It is easier before storage piles up, and it is the best time to add flood protection.
How long does a kitchen upgrade take in a new build? About a month of work once materials are on site, for a standard kitchen.
Can I renovate in winter? Yes, for interior work. Decks, fences, and interlock wait for spring.
Ottawa Renovation Specialists is a family-run renovation company working in Kanata, Orleans, and across Ottawa since 1999.