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Renovations Versus Building a Custom Home

Does it make more sense to renovate your existing home or should you build a new custom home to get exactly what you want? While home renovations seem to be the more economical choice on the surface, they are not always the best option. Here are some of the benefits and trade-offs of both new custom homes and remodeling.

Home Renovation Versus Custom-Homes

Benefits of Building a Custom Home

The biggest reason to build a custom home is that you get to choose exactly what you want. You get to choose the location, layout, finishes, appliances, everything. Of course, everything will also all be brand new. It’s nice to move into a 100% new home. While the total cost of a new custom home is likely going to be more expensive than renovating, it’s also important to factor in the resale value of your current home. Often, total renovation costs for a major upgrade to an old home won’t be recouped in the increase in value of your home. You may be able to save money by selling your current home and putting the proceeds and your home renovation budget towards building a new house.

If you are just going to paint or replace the carpet then it makes sense to renovate. If you plan on major remodeling like moving walls, ripping out the old kitchen or adding new rooms, costs can add up quickly. On older homes, opening walls and ceilings often expose many serious problems. Older homes will have old plumbing and electrical that will need to be brought up to code. There may be lead paint, asbestos or serious mold issues that need to be safely before renovation contractors can start on new construction. Problems with supporting beams or the foundation can easily add tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars to the cost of the renovation. Few of these problems are detectable the before the renovation starts, so you may be in for a big surprise when the estimated quote is drastically increased.

Why Renovate?

If you love your current home and neighborhood, then you probably don’t want to uproot for a new home, regardless of how beautiful it may be. There is comfort in the old and that shouldn’t be taken for granted. If you are going to stay in your home, try to keep renovations to more cosmetic of surface improvements. Repainting, putting in hardwood floors, changing cabinets and replacing appliances are all great improvements that will keep your costs down. If you can avoid it, don’t tear down walls or ceilings because you may not like what you find.

Renovations Versus Building New?

Only you know how attached you are to your old home. If you are sick of the neighbors and ready for a change, a new custom home will not disappoint. However, if budget is the main consideration, staying put and making minor renovations makes a lot of sense.

White Water River Rafting Canada

Want to explore the Canadian wilderness and get up and close with wildlife and all the natural beauty that Canada has to offer? There is no better way to way to experience pristine natural environments than white water rafting. Western Canada, in particular, offers some of the best white water rafting trips in the world.  Canadian Rafting Adventures offers tours on the Tatshenshini River rafting, Nass, Babine, Ram and Highwood Rivers.

 

white water rafting Alberta

 

White Water Rafting Alberta

Highwood River Rafting

For Calgary white water rafting, the Highwood River starting in Kananaskis country is the perfect day trip. Only one hour south of Calgary, you can experience some great class III and IV rapids, take in the beautiful scenery of Kananaskis, enjoy a delicious after-rafting barbecue and make it back to Calgary later in the evening.

For the more adventurous rafters, CRA offers an amazing four day white water rafting trip on the Ram River north of Banff Provincial Park. You’ll experience tight canyons, rappeling next to a 100 foot water fall, maneuvering through boulder gardens, and a helicopter trip back upstream at the end of the journey.

white water rafting BC

White Water Rafting BC

Remote rivers take you far away from highways and populated areas. You’ll experience a wild, natural environment that few will ever have the opportunity to enjoy. Quietly, floating along the cleanest and purest water in the world, you’ll have a chance to witness wildlife and nature untouched by the modern world. No cars, factories, no cities, nothing will interrupt your connection with the Canadian wilderness.

Babine River Rafting

The Babine River, also known as “the river of the grizzlies” is one of the last remote and unspoiled rafting rivers in British Columbia. Let CRA take you on this 6 day rafting journey through an exotic wilderness few will experience. The Babine is teaming with salmon, which then attracts grizzlies and even bald eagles.

Tatshenshini River Rafting

Northern Canada is home to one of the most beautiful and unspoiled natural environments in the world. Tatshenshini River rafting is a once in a lifetime chance to get up close to wildlife and an untouched wilderness. From the Yukon, through northern British Columbia to southern Alaska, a trip on the Tatshenshini river is an exploration into natural wonders, millions of years in the making.

The Tatshenshini offers an opportunity to see icebergs, grizzly bears, black bears, moose, wolves, mountain goats, wild flora and everything else the Canadian wilderness has to offer. Every rafting tour is a unique chance to experience the unexpected natural world.

Rafting in Luxury

You’ll be in the heart of the untamed wilderness, but with Canadian Rafting Adventures, you won’t be lacking. All of your state-of-the-art expedition equipment will be provided. Enjoy restful nights, sleeping in an all-season tent with a top quality sleeping bag and air mattress. All the safety equipment, water proof bags and other necessities will be provided. Let CRA handle all the preparations so you can focus on the experience.

Of course, all your on-trip meals and drinks, including wine, beer, cocktails and fresh water will be supplied to make your rafting trip as pleasurable as possible. There is no better way to finish a day of rafting than sitting down with a glass of wine with friends.

Canadian Rafting Adventures

White water rafting in northern Canada offers some of the most pristine natural wilderness left in the world. Experience the best white water rafting BC, the Yukon and Alberta have to offer with expert guides and get up close and personal with the best natural environments in Canada.

How to Find The Best Roofing Contractors

Replacing your roof is a major investment. You want to make sure you take time to research and find the best roofing company that you can trust to do the job right. Unfortunately, roofing is also one of the most often complained about industries, so finding a good roofer is not always that easy. Here are some steps you can take to make sure you find a quality roofing company.

Choosing Calgary Roofing Companies

Check Online Reviews of Roofers

Homestars.com is one of the best places to find reviews of Calgary roofing companies. Look most closely at the negative reviews. It is possible to fake reviews so if they look too good to be true, they just might be. Roofing companies that respond to criticisms and solve customer problems online are likely take care of you well when they are working on your roof. Other sites like GuildQuality,  Yelp.ca and even Google and be good sources of reviews as well.

Personal Recommendations

First hand experience from a friend that has recently had a roof replaced will always be one of the best ways to find a reputable roofing company. Make sure you ask a lot of questions to make sure your friend is happy with the roof and the service received.

Roofing Supplier Reviews

If you know the type  of roof you’d like to have installed, getting a recommendation from the supplier is also a good bet. Roofing companies like GAF, Malarkey and Euroshield will often have certified roofing partners or can recommend a good roofing contractor.

Narrowing Down the List of Roofers

Once you’ve got about 5 or 6 promising roofing companies that you might want to hire, do some more research to make sure they look reputable.

  1. Visit their websites. Do they have a professional and updated website? Having a pretty website doesn’t mean your going to get a perfect roof, but it is an indication of the quality of the company you are dealing with.
  2. What’s their address? While their are plenty of reputable independent roofing contractors running businesses out of their trucks, you should probably stick to a roofer with a physical address that you can visit in case anything goes wrong.
  3. How big is the company? Visit the About page of the roofer to see how many employees, vehicles, etc. they have. Bigger is not always better, but it’s good to go with someone that looks like they have the experience and people to do the job right.
  4. What are they like to deal with? Was the salesperson you talked to helpful and trustworthy? Do they answer their phones promptly when you call? Were they professional and punctual? Look for all the little cues that will give you an indication of the quality of service you would get if you hired them.
  5. Do they give a written quote? Don’t give any money or deposits until you’ve gotten a written quote that you are happy with. Don’t go with the first company you meet with either. Compare some prices and evaluate different roofers.

Getting a new roof on your home is a major purchase so don’t rush into anything. If you feel you are being pressured by the roofing salesperson, that is a very good indication that you should go with another company. Spend lots of time talking to the salesperson to make sure that you get the roof most suited for your situation. The cheapest roof is rarely a good purchase, you don’t want to break the bank either. With some due diligence, you can find a quality roofing company.

How to Research Calgary Window Companies Online

Calgary Window Companies

When it comes to replacing the windows in your Calgary home, there are many important things to consider before choosing the right window replacement company. With so many new technologies arising, it only makes sense to conduct research in the easiest way, first – the internet. It’s easy (and natural) to be sceptical about researching windows when you can’t see or touch them, but here are a few tips to make it easier:

Calgary Window Companies on Review Websites

Review websites can prove to be extremely useful when it comes to completing upgrades in your home. Websites like these allow homeowners to rate companies that provide services for home renovations. This includes services for window replacement, installation and more.

For the Calgary area, try looking into Homestars. For example, a company like Old West Windows & Doors Calgary has over 100 reviews with a 9.9 out of 10 rating.  Homestars is a great review website that showcases many different companies and have reviews from real customers. The website is not run by the companies themselves, and the various companies have no control over what content is published about them. This means you can get a true read on what their service is like.

 

When visiting these types of sites, be sure to look for any negative reviews on companies. This will give you some guidance as to which companies are reputable and which ones to stay away from. This being said, remember to take into account your own judgement as well; be sure that any negative reviews are presented in a fair way.

Another resource that can prove to be useful is the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Similar to Homestars, you can leverage the Calgary-area BBB to target window replacement companies. You can look at reviews, complaints, praises and more.

One thing to keep in mind is to not read too much into complaints you may see. After all, everyone’s idea of “good service” may differ. Also, irate customers can sometimes stretch the truth.

Get a Feel for the Window Company Yourself

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, more specific research is required. This will ultimately help you to decide which company to go with. Explore the company’s website, is it:

  • Informative? Does is provide you with necessary information up front, or do you have to request a quote?
  • User-friendly? Is the website easy to navigate with clear pages and sub-pages, or are you left to your own devices of searching every page?
  • Appealing to the eye? A company that pays attention to and updates their website regularly is more likely to go out of their way to make their customers happy

In addition to the website, take time to call the company and speak with them. Do they answer the phone when you call? Do they use a respectful tone? Do they go above and beyond to answer your questions and provide you the help you need? Will they offer you a free, no-obligation quote?These are all valid things to consider when it comes to choosing a window replacement company.

When it comes to choosing a company to do the job of replacing your homes’ windows, be sure to do all your research and choose the company that’s right for you.

How to start earning from investments online

With the sting of the global recession still fresh, people have begun to look for different ways to use their money. Investing has always been a great way to supplement your income, given the right mindset and some due diligence. The opportunity to make a living off your investment portfolio is worth considering, especially since you can now do it easily online, and therefore from the comfort of your own home. Here are some tips and information to help navigate through the risks and thrills of living through investments.

What to invest in

When people say investments, they usually mean one of three things:

Stock A piece of ownership into a corporation that represents a claim on part of that corporation’s assets and earnings (Historical rate of return at 7-10%)

Bond An investor loans money to an entity at a fixed interest rate to be repaid at a later date (Current rate of return at 1.38)

Mutual Fund A portfolio consisting of stocks, bonds and other assets operated by a money manager who invests on behalf of the fund’s investors.

Along with these types of investments, there are a multitude of other online investment opportunities to add to your portfolio. Crowdfunding, for instance, has become popular due to higher rates of return while contributing to an entrepreneurial cause.

Where to invest

Before you look into how to buy shares with brokers like Interactive Investor, you need to understand the basics of the stock market. When people talk about the market, they are really referring to an index. An index is an imaginary portfolio, consisting of various securities and stocks that indicate how well a particular market is doing. The three most common stock indexes in the U.S. are the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and the Nasdaq composite.

The DJIA represents around a quarter of the value of the U.S. stock market and includes around 30 of the world’s largest companies. It is a price weighted index, meaning it’s computed by adding up the per-share price of the stocks of each company and dividing this by the number of companies.

The S&P 500 is a larger and more diverse index than the Dow. Like its namesake, it holds 500 of America’s most widely traded stocks. As opposed to the Dow, the S&P 500 holds around 70% of the total value of U.S. stock markets. It is a market weighted index, meaning every stock in the index is represented in proportion to it’s market cap. This allows changes to be measured in percentage amounts, rather than dollars.

The Nasdaq is best-known for its technology trading. While having most of the technology stock, it also includes speculative stocks as well.

Start trading

In order to begin trading, you will need a stock brokerage account. There are now many options online, and it’s a constantly shifting sector but you can check broker websites for user reviews before you make a decision.

Start by choosing a small mixture of stocks. While diversifying means that the opportunity for high rates of return goes down, you are not as susceptible to the volatility of the market. By spreading the weight of your money between different companies, you are putting together a mutual fund of your own and exercising more caution with regards to your money.

If you’re new to the game, it’s often a good idea to stick to a number of company names you know and/or trust. Moreover, mix shares with fixed-income options, such as bonds, and this allows you to lessen the ‘unknown’ factor and guarantee yourself some sort of return, albeit at a lower rate.

As with anything else worth doing, time and effort are key in making a living off your investment portfolio. If you are willing to take some chances with the marketplace, as well as safeguard yourself, then the opportunity to live off your investments could well be waiting for you.