Brian White

Repairs And Upgrades: How Much Will They Cost?

During the process of buying or selling a home, clients often learn about recommended or required repairs and upgrades. This can happen as a result of your Realtors' expert knowledge of the market and comparable homes as well as a pre-listing home inspection. Of course, the first thing clients want to know is, "How much will that cost?"

After 26 years in the Real Estate industry and more in construction experience, I have compiled Residential Construction and Remodeling Estimatescost guide, which provides estimated cost ranges for repair and/or replacement of the major systems and components in a home. It also includes general guidelines for the life expectancies of those systems. This information can help your clients make informed decisions when they're considering home repairs or improvements, and is valued by buyers and sellers alike.

When entering a home the first thing most people notice is the flooring, you want to make an impression cleanliness and quality.

Floors

Refinishing Hardwood                                                                    $3 - $6 / sq. ft

Carpet Cleaning                                                                             $125 / room

Ceramic Tile                                                                                   $6 - $20 / sq. ft

The heart of the home should show clean and be efficient.

Kitchen

Cabinet re-finishing                                                                        $30 - $60 per door

Cabinets                                                                                         $3,500 plus

Kitchen counter - laminate                                                             $45.00 / Ln ft

Kitchen counter - Marble/Granite                                                   $80 - $300 Ln ft

New and fresh paint should be in neutral or earth tone colours

Paint

Inside                                                                                             $125 per room

Outside                                                                                          $3,200 plus

Decks are an extension of your living space, they should be cleaned or pressure washed and repaired as required.

Exterior Decks

Pressure Treated                                                                          $15 - $30 sq ft

Custom Designed & Built                                                              $55 - $100 sq ft

Windows should be cleaned inside and out. If any seals have been broken replace the pains or if need be the entire window.

Windows

Skylight                                                                                          $800 and up

Casement - replace                                                                       $50 - $100 sq ft

Above is just a sampling of the list of estimated costs for hundreds of repairs/upgrades I have compiled. If you have a question regarding any repair or replacement inside or out, I can help. I also have a number of qualified bonded contractors, skilled trades and landscapers I have worked with over the years.

These estimates reflect the average basic costs for supplies and installation of building materials in Canada. Costs may vary depending on regions, upgrades, complexity, and disposal fees inn your area.

February 8, 2017

Canadian housing starts began the year on a high note, edging up from a strong December to 207,400 total units at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) in January. The six-month trend in Canadian housing starts was also higher at 199,900 units, which is slightly above average annual growth in Canadian households. 

Housing starts in BC slowed to begin the year from a torrid pace is 2016. Starts were down 33 per cent on a monthly basis and 13 per cent year-over-year,  though unseasonably high snowfall in December and January likely played a role in limiting construction activity. Single detached starts were down 36 per cent while multiple unit starts were down 5 per cent year-over-year. 

Looking at census metropolitan areas (CMA) in BC, total starts in the Vancouver CMA were down 24 per cent year-over-year in January, with a sharp decline in single detached starts compared to last year. In the Victoria CMA, housing starts were up 28 per cent year-over-year due to strong growth in new multiple unit starts. New home construction in the Kelowna CMA fell 6 per cent compared to last year as fewer multiple unit projects got underway. Housing starts in the Abbotsford-Mission CMA were 87 per cent higher compared to January 2016 as several multiple unit projects broke ground, leading to a doubling of multiple unit starts compared to last year.

Thinking of buying or selling in 2017? I am celebrating 26 years in realestate & construction practises. I will get the home or property you really want. My clients call me innovative, insightful, diligent and direct. All of my clients enjoy my competitive knowledge base an advantage they won’t get from anyone else. I treat my clients like family, so they are comfortable moving forward, and have complete confidence they have made the right decision.

I'm never too busy for any of your referrals.

Your Realtor for Life

Brian

Surrey RCMP search warrants and arrests yield street drugs and cash:

Last week Surrey RCMP arrested three individuals and seized thousands of dosages of street level drugs, including fentanyl, and approximately $16,000 in Canadian currency as a result of a two month long drug investigation.
In November 2016, Surrey RCMP launched a strategic drug investigation as a result of the high number of overdose related deaths. The investigation focused on drug traffickers who were believed to be supplying drugs to the 135A Street area in north Surrey.
As a result of this complex investigation, a search warrant was executed on January 13, 2017, in the 10100 block of 127th Street in Surrey. This search resulted in the seizure of approximately 240 doses of suspected heroin/fentanyl, 21 doses of methamphetamine packaged for sale, and approximately $13,000 in Canadian currency. A 30 year old Surrey man was arrested.
A subsequent search warrant was executed on January 26, 2017, in the 9500 block of 127th Street. The search warrant resulted in the seizure of 3,600 doses of suspected heroin/fentanyl, 500 doses of methamphetamine, and 410 doses of crack cocaine all packaged for street level sale. Also seized was approximately $3,000 in Canadian currency. Lee Roy BRAATEN, 54 years old from Surrey, has been charged with three counts of Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.
Also arrested and charged with drug related offences is 47 year old Surrey resident Wanda STOPA. STOPA was arrested in the 10600 block of 135A Street as a result of this ongoing investigation. Her arrest and the subsequent seizure of suspected heroin/fentanyl prevented approximately 300 doses of the potentially fatal drug from reaching the streets. STOPA has been charged with two counts of Possession of a controlled substance for the purposes of trafficking and one count of Failing to comply with a recognizance.
“Surrey has had the second highest number of overdose deaths in BC, second only to Vancouver,” says Inspector Shawna Baher, Surrey RCMP Proactive Enforcement Officer. “The 135A Street area and the people that frequent that area have been significantly impacted by the ongoing fentanyl health crisis. These drug seizures, arrests, and charges were the result of the coordinated efforts of the Surrey RCMP Drug Section, our Crime Reduction Unit, and the Surrey Outreach Team. This investigation will have a significant impact on illegal drug activity in this area and has no doubt saved lives.”
“The Surrey Outreach Team has been working diligently to build relationships with the residents and businesses in and around 135A Street,“says Inspector Andy LeClair, Surrey RCMP’s Community Support and Safety Officer. “By being present and gaining an understanding of the needs of the residents and businesses, we are able to improve public safety. One of the goals of this team has always been to take any enforcement action necessary as it relates to those that prey upon the most vulnerable people in this area.”
For more information on the Surrey Outreach Team and how it is engaging the community please visit the Surrey RCMP website.