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by
Allan Britnell
illustrations by Jason Schneider |
ZEN AND THE ART OF HOME RENOVATION (part
3) |
Reno
Rebates
Although the federal government has cancelled the national EnerGuide
for Houses Retrofit Incentive program that provided rebates
to Canadians who improved the energy efficiency of their homes
(see “Feds Pull the Plug,” CHW, September 2006,
page 74), there are still numerous programs offering cash for
energy-efficient upgrades.
Enbridge Gas in New Brunswick is offering up to $2,700 off the
cost of converting to natural-gas heating and hot-water systems—plus
Natural Resources Canada (NRC) kicks in an additional $400 for
the water tank. On the other side of the country, BC Hydro gives
customers a $1 per sq. ft. rebate for installing Energy Star-labelled
windows. And, in countless communities in between, you can get
a price break on everything from water-conserving toilets and
washing machines to energy-efficient kitchen appliances. Contractors
and retailers should know which programs are available in your
area. There’s also a list of programs on the NRC Office
of Energy Efficiency website at www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca.
Prep Work
Before you
start calling contractors to get estimates, you should have
a pretty clear idea of what exactly you want done. As the saying
goes, time is money.
“The more information you give me about what you want
to do with the space, the less time I have to spend coming up
with a design that’s going to suit you,” says Todd
Mounsey, a deck builder and regular Canadian Home Workshop contributor.
“The less time I have to spend designing it, the more
you’ll save.”
Price Check
Here’s a sampling of estimated renovation costs for a
professional contractor, compiled from the website, ontariocontractors.com.
Of course, prices will vary by province and even from one city
to the next. But they can help you judge if an estimate seems
fair. You’ll find a more thorough list on the website. |
Project
|
Estimated fees
including materials |
Replace asphalt shingles
|
$1.50-$1.75/sq. ft. |
Replace aluminum or vinyl siding
|
$1.50-$6/sq. ft. |
Install a wood deck
|
$15/sq. ft. and up |
Install a bow or bay window
|
$1,200 and up |
Install a skylight
|
$1,000 and up |
Replace kitchen cabinets
|
$150/linear foot and up |
Replace kitchen counter
|
$20/linear foot and up |
Replace a toilet
|
$225 and up |
Upgrade electrical to 100 amp with new breakers
|
$650-$900 |
| Install light switches |
$10-$20 |
|
1.
Contractor shopping | 2.
Finding the right materials
3. Other renovation costs |
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