"How much does it cost?" It is the first question people ask us, and it is a great question. The honest answer is that it depends, and not as a way to dodge it. Two projects that look identical on paper can cost very different amounts once we see the building. Here is what makes the price of a renovation vary, and how to get an estimate you can rely on.
The real condition of the building
This is the biggest factor, and the one you do not always see at first glance. Redoing a floor on a sound structure is nothing like redoing a floor whose joists need reinforcing. Replacing siding on walls in good condition is different from a project where we discover moisture or missing insulation. That is why we start with an assessment: the better we understand the building before starting, the fewer surprises during the work, and the more reliable the estimate.
The size and complexity of the project
Square footage matters, but complexity matters just as much. A straight staircase versus one with a landing, a ground-level deck versus a raised deck on a sloped lot, a rectangular room versus one full of corners: every detail adds time, materials and precision. In the Laurentians, sloped lots and access to lakeside properties are often part of the equation.
Choice of materials
Treated wood, aluminum or glass for a railing; laminate, hardwood or large-format tile for a floor; vinyl, fibre cement or aluminum for siding: the gaps between options can be significant. The right choice is not always the most expensive one. It is the one that suits the use, the building and your budget. We present the options with their advantages so you can decide with full knowledge.
What we find once it is open
Even with a good assessment, some things only show up once the wall or floor is open. A good quote accounts for that: it explains what is included, what could change and how you will be informed. What you want to avoid is the very low quote that plans for nothing, then climbs with every discovery.
Timing and the order of the work
The order in which work is done has a direct effect on the total cost. Insulating the walls when you change the siding avoids opening them twice. Fixing the structure before laying a new floor avoids redoing it in a few years. Good planning is often the simplest way to save, and that is the whole point of project management: deciding at the right time, in the right order, with an overall view of the budget.
Requirements and permits
Some work requires a municipal permit, and each municipality has its own rules, so it is best to check before starting. Construction work must also be done by a contractor holding the right licence from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ). That is a protection for you.
How to get a reliable estimate
To compare quotes, they have to describe the same work. Ask what is included and excluded, which materials are planned, how surprises are handled and what guarantee covers the work. Check the contractor's RBQ licence and insurance.
At Vanguard Construction Solution, every project starts with an assessment of the building. Then, depending on the case, we put together a package suited to your situation. We hold RBQ licence 5885-3425-01, are members of the APCHQ, and our work is guaranteed. The quote is free, in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts and throughout the Laurentians.
Have a project in mind? See our service assessment, estimating and calculations or request a free quote.
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