FAQ
Renovation timelines vary greatly depending on the scope of work, finish selection, and lead times of various materials, suppliers, and services. We work hard with you to make all of the important decisions prior to beginning construction so that we can push things along efficiently once started. Large full-home renovations can range from 6-8 months (or longer!), a main floor could be 2-3 months, and a single bathroom could be done as quickly as 3-5 weeks! We would be happy to give you a ballpark timeline during our initial on-site visit.
We are pleased to offer high-quality custom millwork designs and renderings of the space with the help of our millwork team. You will have the opportunity to review and revise these designs to make sure the final results are exactly what you are looking for! We also provide detailed layout drawings of your current and proposed space, so that you can see the possibilities. We do not however offer interior design services at this time (i.e., paint colour, tile, plumbing fixture, and light fixture selection). These services can be costly, and we find that many homeowners have a good sense of what they would like because of apps like Pinterest and Instagram. If you would like a professionally curated, magazine ready space, we would be happy to connect you with one of our incredible design partners.
At Bakerhill, we are proud to perform much of the work on site with in-house, Bakerhill employees. In addition to helping create a healthy team culture, this allows us to have great control over the budget, scheduling, and our craftsmanship! All of our licensed trade work is performed by fully insured, trusted trade partners. We’ve developed long-lasting relationships with these partners, whom we work with day-in and day-out, so you can rest easy knowing your home is in good hands!
This really depends on the renovation you are tackling. If it’s a simple bathroom remodel, and you have another bathroom you can use in the interim, of course you can stay (though please note it may be a noisy few weeks!). If you are taking on a larger project, such as your kitchen/main floor, or underpinning your basement, we strongly recommend being out of the home for the project. This is as much for your sake as it is for ours! Larger projects often involve inconsistent access to utilities such as power, water, and gas, or to spaces you need to be able to cook. Being home for the work can add to the overall duration and/or cost of the project too, as we have to work around one another. To help make this more feasible, we typically offer a vacancy discount, which represents the efficiency savings we experience when working in the vacant home. Our hope is that it can help cover some living costs for you during that time
No! We are pleased to offer free consultations and quotes. We understand that trying to coordinate a renovation can be a time consuming and costly process - we want to do what we can to make it easy for you. As a first step we would typically arrange a short phone call to discuss your plans, timeline, and rough budget. If you feel Bakerhill might be a good fit for you after that call, we would be happy to schedule a free site visit to further consult on the project, take measurements, pictures, and prepare a detailed proposal.
Once a proposal has been approved, we will provide you with a payment schedule which consists of regular progress payments as the project unfolds. These payments can be made via post-dated cheques or e-transfers, however, please consider daily transfer limits. Our payment schedules do not include allowances, which give you the flexibility to purchase finish materials/fixtures directly from suppliers (only if you’d like to!) in order to take advantage of credit card rewards.
To be fair to everyone, we schedule projects on a first-come-first-serve basis, recognized by a signed contract. While the scope of work and project size impact how quickly we can start, there is typically a minimum 2-4 month lead time for us to be able to start a project. If you require significant permits, such as a minor variance, this can take as long as 4-6 months to procure. The time leading up to construction is used to plan, schedule, and procure materials and services, so that once we get started, we can keep moving forward without avoidable delays. If not already made, we will also use this time to obtain the necessary drawings, and submit/procure/manage the required permits.
Bakerhill is not equipped to help move or store personal belongings. If necessary for your renovation, we recommend connecting with a trusted moving/storage company to assist with transporting and storing your belongings during the renovation.
We ask that all personal belongings are removed from work areas for the duration of the project. This will allow us to work faster, and ensure we don’t damage any of your things! You are welcome to store these belongings elsewhere in the home, such as the basement, or bedrooms where we are not working, though it is important for us to maintain access to the electrical panel, water shut-off, and mechanical equipment. We can discuss your storage plans to ensure your belongings are stored and protected properly.
Bakerhill is fully-insured with $5,000,000.00 in General Commercial Liability coverage. Your insurance needs may vary based on your provider, current coverage, and the scope of work. We advise you to speak with your insurance broker about the project to determine if you require additional coverage during the renovation. Bakerhill can provide a Certificate of Insurance upon request.
Yes! As per Ontario law, continual Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage is provided. A clearance certificate is available upon request.
It depends on the work you are looking to do. Through the consultation process we will unpack if permits are required and help you obtain them as directed! We can manage the entire process from drawings and engineering to inspection and closing of the permit. If you have them already, that’s even better!