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TOTAL HOME MAGAZINE
SPRING 2014
FEATURE
RENOVATION
Improving With Age
Renovations keep this 33-year old
house looking better than ever
W
endy and David are the original
owners of their Kitchener home built
in 1981. Although from the street you
might not realize their house is over 30 years old.
David says “we have replaced everything except
the studs, bricks and the wall board. This home
is something that we work at constantly. We
want to keep improving it and we want to keep
it current. It’s where we live. We want it to be
comfortable and to reflect our priorities.”
In 2012, the couple hired a fencing contractor to
build a new composite fence and deck in their
backyard. They also required a roof over the deck
so they looked extensively for another contractor.
Based on a referral from a close friend, David
called Way-Mar. Their project manager, Trevor
Martin, assured David that he could work with
the other contractor and stage the project as
requested by the homeowners.
Trevor came to their home to talk about the
project and get measurements.Then he contacted
the fencing contractor to coordinate the work on
the deck and roof. Trevor quickly noted that they
could save some money by pouring sonotube
concrete forms to support the deck and also
carry the vertical load of the columns for the roof.
He also made suggestions about lighting
and even made the necessary preparations
for a future ceiling fan.
When asked about the Way-Mar personnel
that worked at their home, Wendy says
“they were all very nice. They kept their
construction debris to a minimum. It was
all good.”
In 2013, Wendy and David decided to
complete more exterior work including
new vertical vinyl siding at the back,
adding columns in the front entryway,
replacing soffits and fascia and updating
the two upstairs dormer windows. Again,
they called Way-Mar.
The couple did a lot of research beforehand
and already had a good idea of what theywere
looking for but they really appreciated Way-
Mar’s ability to bring options to the table.
One such idea was proposed after work
began on the upstairs windows that were
being refinished with stucco. The crew
discovered that the original semi-circle
dormers were only cosmetic. Trevor said
they could remove the dormers completely
but his recommendation was to frame the
windows out with new peaked tops that
would make it look like part of the original
design of the house.
The couple agreed and were really impressed
with the end result. “It’s a completely new
look to the house. A more classic look
that doesn’t appear dated. For the first few
weeks, people regularly stopped their cars
in front of our house to see the change.”
Today, Wendy and David are already
looking forward to their next home
improvement project - replacing their pool
cabana. David says, “We’re not calling
anyone else. I don’t think it cost us a
premium price to get a premium contractor.
The real key is whether you are going to get
value out of it. I can look at this house and
be extremely pleased. In 30 years, Way-Mar
is the best contractor we have ever worked
with. Period. End of story.”
“Trevor doesn’t force ideas on
you but he opens up the range
of choices and explains the good,
the bad, and the indifferent. He
always gave us the option and
the choice to do the better thing.
Often it didn’t cost us a nickel
more. But it takes the contractor’s
time to think about these things
and say ‘How about doing this?’”