FROM HANDYMAN SERVICES & REPAIRS TO RENOVATIONS AND DESIGN
WHERE TO BEGIN
Be it something as simple as a repair, replacing the flooring or counter top, to a full design and renovation.
I can help with that.
Turning your idea into reality.
Remodelling that old suite from the 70s into something that can maximize your rental income. Adding a new suite by figuring out how to fit a kitchen, living room and dining room into a small space.
From floor to ceiling.
Design and colour palate.
Permits to installation.
It all starts with a consultation.
ONE PROJECT AT A TIME
Here at Working the Wood Design Studio, I only take on one project at a time. I do not jump between multiple projects. Meaning, I will not disappear for days at a time leaving you wondering when things will progress.
All of my consultations take place after regular hours. Often as it is easier for my clients due to their own work schedule. Or on weekends. Design and estimate work also happens after regular hours.
When I'm on your project; be it small or large, a simple repair or full renovation, it receives all my attention.
ESTIMATE, EXPLAIN AND EDUCATE
What ever project being undertaken there are many factors to consider and hidden costs unknown to many clients possibly venturing into their first project.
I take the time to explain and educate potential clients on estimates so they can make a fully informed choice. There is more to a framed wall than just lumber. More to a new floor than just the planks.
As you browse the sections below, I highlight some hidden costs overlooked with projects when you're at the home stores falling in love with products. And of course, I take my potential clients through estimates.
BUTCHER BLOCK AND HARDWOOD COUNTER TOPS
The natural beauty of wood at its best.
From an inch to over two inches thick. Butcher Block and Hardwood counter tops can be made to your desire. The most common woods being Maple, Black Walnut and Cherry with an edge grain design.
DUSTLESS RESURFACING & REFINISHING
Aside from building countertops, I also offer virtually dust free, onsite, resurfacing of your existing counter using Festool dust extraction at the sander, Most islands can be refreshed from $250. Full counters from $400.
Edge Grain vs Face Grain
The most common wood counter tops are made using the edge grain.
Planks of wood are milled, cut, turn on edge and then adhered together before finishing. As pictured in the above photo, which is Maple.
This type of build allows the natural beauty of the wood to shine. I finish this type of counter with OSMO all natural, plant based oils and waxes. Being plant based it doesn't get much food safer than this. As such, you can actually use the surface as a cutting board if desired. Allowing for easy maintenance and resurfacing if becoming marred for life time of use.
Face grain builds use the flat surface of the wood. Providing a much different appearance than the common wood counter top; as pictured above and left. Most commonly used are Acacia hardwood panels. These can be milled, cut and shaped for various applications from full counters, kitchen islands, pantry shelves and more.
They also have the advantage of lower cost than traditional wood counter tops and can be stained a multitude of colours or left in a natural state. This type of counter, if stained, is top coated with polyurethane for a matte, satin or gloss finish. While food safe once cured it is not recommended as a cutting surface as it would damage the finish and the 'face' of wood is hard on the edge of knives.
FLOORING
FLOORING INSTALLTION - $2.75 sqft
Be it laminate plank or luxury vinyl plank (LVP). I offer installtion services on both. My rate of $2.75 sqft also includes pick up and delivery from the store to your home if needed.
Ironically, I do not offer installation of hardwood flooring at the moment as flooring is not the sole service of Working the Wood Design Studio. There are two reasons for this.
Most hardwood floors require specialized tools for installation, while laminate and LVP only require normal wood working tools.
There is also a practical reason. Hardwood flooring tends to not be as durable as laminate and LVP with todays on the go lifestyle. Many clients have replaced existing hardwood floors due to this when the time came due to durability and nearly indistinguishable appearance from hardwood.
HIDDEN COSTS OF FLOORING
Prep costs. What is happening with the old floor? In most cases it will need to be removed and disposed of. Baseboards. Can they be safely removed and reused or will they need to be replaced? Preparation of most sites costs between $250 to $400 for the removal of old flooring; carpet or plank and baseboards PLUS the cost of recycling/disposal. Recycling/disposal fees are billed by weight at those facilities that accept it. The more flooring to be disposed, the higher the cost. And baseboards will need to be put back on. Varying in price based on reusability or replacement.
Now that the subfloor is visible, does it need to be levelled? This mostly occurs on concrete. Carpet is a great hider of this as it goes unnoticeable as carpet contours the floor. With plank flooring these uneven surfaces will be felt when walking over them and can even cause plank flooring to separate on the seems if not dealt with prior to installation.
Then there is the flooring itself. While lower cost flooring can be attractive; generally the lower the cost, the less it includes. I strongly recommend picking a floor with the underlayment built in. This saves having to purchase the underlayment separately and pay additional installation fees. Also most built in underlayment flooring address moisture barrier concerns, sound decibel ratings, cushioning and sometimes adds 'R' value for additional warmth.
And while a small expense in the overall project; don't forget about threshold strips. Those strips were different flooring materials meet or change direction. Are they available to match the flooring you've selected? How many will you need?
SUBFLOORING - DriCore, Barricade, etc
Are you installing your new flooring on a concrete subfloor? This mostly applies to those refinishing a basement or ground floor suite. While it is the clients choice and with the right quality of flooring selection can be done, a DriCore or Barricade wood and foam panel subfloor has many advantages.
The insulated panel provides an 'R' value of plus 3 to 5, removing that cold and chilly feeling from the floor.
Both the non-insulated and insulated panels also provide a great moisture and water barrier. Lifting the floor off the concrete by 5/8 to a full inch. With a channelled design that provides air circulation for moisture to properly evaporate, preventing mold growth. In extreme circumstances areas for water to flow protecting the flooring investment during minor floods or leaks.
$2.00 per sqft installation plus panel cost
TILE WORK
TILE INSTALLATION - $250 and up
Tile pricing is subject to many factors beyond the cost of the tiles.
Is it wall or flooring tile? Large or small tiles, individual tiles or mosaic sheets? Basic layout or patterned? How many intrusions are there in regards to electrical outlets or plumbing fixtures?
A basic behind the stove back splash is approx.$250, a small kitchen back splash approx.$600, full kitchen $1000 to $1500. Bathroom tub surround approx.$1200, Shower surround aprrox. $1500. I offer installation of porcelain, glass and natural stone tiles. Specializing in slate. On site consultation is the best way to get an accurate estimate.
HIDDEN COSTS OF TILING
Is it a blank canvas to apply tiles to? Do old tiles need to be removed and disposed of? This will change costs considerably. Removing old tiles in a kitchen, slightly damaging the drywall behind is very different from a bathroom.
Typical kitchen tile removal and disposal in terms of prep work costs approximately $200 to $600 between labour and disposal fees combined depending on square footage.
A bathroom on the other hand can become much more costly as any damaged drywall will need to be replaced after striping old tiles. And there should not be drywall behind your shower or tub tiles to begin with. Done properly, it should be at a minimum a cement board or fibreglass/resin coated drywall panel specially for wet area installs. Many older homes are simply drywall as these products didn't exist when the home was built and the dangers of mold unknown. Think 60s, 70s, 80s, even some early 90s built homes.
Removal of old tiles and drywall, replacement of drywall with cement board or fibre/resin panels will generally add $1200 to $1600 to a project for removal, disposal and prep costs. And can reach into the thousands if adding higher end water proof membranes. Though membranes are generally only used for bathrooms without a tub or shower stall using the structure instead, such as a walkout shower were the shower and floor are one.
GROUT AND SEALERS
While the approximate pricing above includes adhesives (thin set or acrylic), edge banding and applying the grout; it does not include the cost; though small in the overall project, of the grout and sealers.
While I am happy to use bagged, powder grout, mix on site; I prefer to use premixed, ready to use grout. While ease of use is a factor; along with a much truer or more varied colour selection, its not the main reason. Premixed grouts come with the mold, mildew and bacteria prevention added.
By the time you've added in the costs of sealers, protectors and the labour, you've lost any cost savings by using the bagged, powder grouts. I only apply additional sealers when using natural stone tiles.
Expect grout and/or sealers to add $80 to $240 to the cost of your project.