The concept of ‘reality TV’ has changed a lot since its inception many years ago. Sometimes problems are essentially created to add drama; and sometimes real problems are edited out to keep the show moving smoothly.
Home renovation television has made remodeling look exciting, fast, and surprisingly simple. In a single episode, walls come down, kitchens transform, and entire homes appear completely rebuilt in a matter of days. Budgets seem manageable, problems are solved in minutes, and every project ends with smiling homeowners standing in a perfectly staged room.
But what you don’t always see is the true reality of renovating a home, and the hundreds of details and decisions that are part of the process.
Renovations involve planning, permits, weather delays, hidden structural issues, budget adjustments, and unexpected discoveries behind walls and under floors.
The good news? All Canadian Renovations (ACR) will go over every element of your planned renovation, letting you know where and when unexpected issues may arise – and more importantly, how we’ll tackle these issues with our experienced team of professionals to minimize any impacts on your project.
Permit Delays Are a Real Part of Renovation Projects
One of the things you almost never see on renovation shows is the permit process.
Many renovation projects require permits, particularly when structural, plumbing, electrical, or major basement work is involved. Removing walls, adding bathrooms, finishing basements, changing layouts, or upgrading mechanical systems can all trigger the need for inspections and permits.
The inspections typically can’t happen all at once either. Each time a critical change is made at specific stages of your project, it may require approval. If issues are identified during these inspections, corrections may need to be completed before more work can continue. And while the permit and inspection processes typically go smoothly, sometimes there are factors beyond our control that affect the renovation schedule.
At the outset of your renovation, ACR will let you know which permits are necessary, how long they typically take to acquire, and when mid-reno inspections will happen.
Hidden Structural Problems Are Uncovered
One thing renovation shows often simplify is demolition. On tv, contractors remove drywall and instantly move into rebuilding. In reality, opening walls in homes often reveals unexpected structural or safety concerns.
Older homes throughout Winnipeg frequently contain aging plumbing, outdated electrical systems, water damage, foundation movement, poor insulation, or previous DIY repairs that were never completed properly. Some homes may also contain asbestos materials, old knob-and-tube wiring, or improperly altered load-bearing walls.
Our extreme climate definitely plays a role. Decades of freeze-thaw cycles, shifting clay soil, harsh winters and blistering hot summers can place significant stress on foundations and structural systems over time.
Unfortunately, there’s usually no way to know about these issues until we start your renovation. But again, what tv rarely shows is that reputable renovation companies – like All Canadian Renovations – spend significant time assessing homes before and during construction.
Years of experience has taught us how to identify warning signs early, explain risks clearly, and describe how we’ll tackle these unexpected issues to minimize how they’ll affect your renovation.
Winnipeg’s Construction Season Creates Real Challenges
Exterior projects like roofing, siding, deck construction, window installation, and house additions are influenced by temperature, snow, rain, and freezing conditions. In turn, this means there is a rush of planned home renovations in the spring and summer, creating high demand during a relatively short construction season; and that can lead to scheduling delays for specialist tradespeople, and the previously noted inspections.
Fortunately, we’ve been at this for a while, and understand how to schedule projects (and adapt) around Manitoba’s climate conditions. Our experience has taught us how to build realistic timelines, coordinate trades carefully, and let you know from the start of your project how weather might affect different phases of construction.
Material Shortages and Product Delays Happen
Modern renovations depend heavily on product availability, another truth that usually doesn’t make it into the shows. The production timelines don’t allow for weeks or months of delays – but in real life, they happen.
Cabinets, windows, flooring, appliances, specialty fixtures, and custom materials can all experience manufacturing or shipping delays, and supply chain disruptions over recent years have made timelines less predictable across the building industry.
ACR is committed to identifying potential delays right from the start. We have great relationships with some of the best suppliers in the industry, who keep us in the loop on the products they carry.
We’ll check on the status of all the materials we’ll need for your project, let you know as quickly as possible if there will be delays, and explore alternative products with you if necessary. So even if you’ve fallen in love with a floor tile that won’t be available for 3 months, we’ll work with you and our suppliers to find something equally lovable!
The Reality Behind Great Renovations
We can’t finish your renovation in an hour like they do on tv (about 43 minutes when you take out commercials), but we will give you the most accurate timeline we can, and let you know about any foreseeable delays that may arise.
Importantly, the team at ACR is right beside you throughout your project, with the promise of open, honest communication, and a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
There may be a few bumps along the way, but nothing we can’t handle (and no annoying commercials).
Give us a call at (204) 779-6900, or email us through our online form and let’s start the conversation!