If you’re planning a bathroom or kitchen renovation in the GTA, chances are that you’re using natural stone slabs for the project. Before you pour thousands into your new granite countertop or lay a single natural stone tile, make sure that you take the time to ensure that your project is covered by your insurance and is done right.

 

 

Given that labour can be half the cost of installing natural stone countertops, you may be tempted to try to do the installation yourself. When you’re dealing with tiles, this may be an option. Many big box stores have classes to teach you how to properly install tiles and grout. Given the expense of the natural stone, you may want to hire an experienced professional to ensure that the tiles are installed properly in order to increase the value of your home.

 

Your brand new natural stone countertop is a completely different kind of job. Natural stone is heavy, making it difficult to maneuver into place. Even if you invited some of your handier friends, it will still be difficult to get it into place without damaging the cabinetry, wall or other surfaces. The money you save by doing it yourself may be spent on repairing related damage.

 

Also consider that installing some types of natural stone countertops yourself voids the warranty. You will need a professional to install the countertop to ensure that your warranty remains in effect.

 

 

Before you pick out the natural stone slabs for your GTA home, you need to call your insurance company. Your insurance policy may not cover your renovations, so you need to ask what is covered during the planned renovation time. If you’ll be living away from home during the renovations, you may need a temporary policy change. After all, if a pipe bursts or a sewer backs up and no one is home to notice, there could be significant damage. It’s important to ensure that you’ll be covered.

 

Ask your contractor if they have an updated Certificate of Insurance. It should have your address on it. This certificate shows that your contractor has insured the job site and has insurance to cover any workers injured while on the job.

 

 

Everyone knows that adding gorgeous natural stone, like granite, can dramatically increase your home’s value. Those beautiful natural stone slabs used as countertops in the kitchen or vanities in the bathroom make your GTA home more desirable to potential buyers.

 

It’s important to call your insurance company after you’ve finished your renovation. Your policy needs to be updated. If you make a claim, you will want to replace your granite countertops or limestone floor. If you don’t update your policy, you won’t be able to include such upgrades in the rebuilding of your home. Remember that expensive and elegant touches, like natural stone, can raise your insurance rate as they raise the value of your home.

 

When you add the beauty of natural stone slabs to your GTA home, you can dramatically increase your home’s value –just remember to consult your insurance company before and after renovating with natural stone slabs in the GTA so that there are no surprises later.