Picking upgrades in our condo.

[davecanada]

We are pickiung our colours and upgrades this Friday. Any advice from those that have done this in the past?

Anything we should def. upgrade?

Anything we should stay away from?

We were originally looking at a jacuzzi tub but for $1600 I know I won't use it more that 2-3 time a year. (I am a shower kind of guy, not a bath)

Also if anyone else can give me an idea of how much things cost to upgrade, that would be great.

Dave

[TrevorK]

My friends have always gone by the logic of, if you can (And want to) do it yourself then don't pay the builder to do it.

So for stuff like a jacuzzi, if you want it, but don't want to install yourself, might as well get the builder to do it.

[rdarkman68]

It depends on what you have got, what is available at what price. A lot of it is personal preferences.

Hardwood flooring is a must for me. But others can't live without carpet. Counter top are nice, but usually expensive. Extra lighting/mirrors are worth considering.

A lot of these things are hard to upgrade once you moved in. Others are easier, so that's my starting point.

Have fun.

[gman]

It depends on what you have got, what is available at what price. A lot of it is personal preferences.

Hardwood flooring is a must for me. But others can't live without carpet. Counter top are nice, but usually expensive. Extra lighting/mirrors are worth considering.

A lot of these things are hard to upgrade once you moved in. Others are easier, so that's my starting point.

Have fun.

I think if you want hardwood flooring, you can do it better and cheaper using outside contractor. You can pick the material you like instead of whatever the builder throws to you. Even if they give you some choices to choose, it will be limited. Just my $0.02.

[mroosman]

Get the jacuzzi too much hassle to do it after as requires different plumbing line. Get a credit for the appliances and private message me to understand how to get that at builder prices, as we must upgrade appliances!!!!, but not through builder. Granite is a must, and take the upgraded one. Get connections for central vac as it is a huge seller. Also make sure you tell them not to put in the toilet roll and towel holder as they put the cheapest one. P. msg me if you need more help.

[davecanada]

It depends on what you have got, what is available at what price. A lot of it is personal preferences.

Hardwood flooring is a must for me. But others can't live without carpet. Counter top are nice, but usually expensive. Extra lighting/mirrors are worth considering.

A lot of these things are hard to upgrade once you moved in. Others are easier, so that's my starting point.

Have fun.

We may actually be looking at polished concrete floor.

[Venusia]

If you're talking about acid etching the slab, check your condo rules for that first. Some condos require a sound dampening layer below hardwood or tile, and so finishing the slab itself would be out of the question.

I would upgrade any builder-grade plumbing fixtures, especially the toilet and faucets.

[davecanada]

If you're talking about acid etching the slab, check your condo rules for that first. Some condos require a sound dampening layer below hardwood or tile, and so finishing the slab itself would be out of the question.

I would upgrade any builder-grade plumbing fixtures, especially the toilet and faucets.

Thanks, the builder would be the one finishing the concrete so hopefully it will be ok.

we probably will upgrade the faucets for sure.. this may be a dumb question, but how can you upgrade the toilet?

[Keigotw]

Get the jacuzzi too much hassle to do it after as requires different plumbing line. Get a credit for the appliances and private message me to understand how to get that at builder prices, as we must upgrade appliances!!!!, but not through builder. Granite is a must, and take the upgraded one. Get connections for central vac as it is a huge seller. Also make sure you tell them not to put in the toilet roll and towel holder as they put the cheapest one. P. msg me if you need more help.

So if I want to upgrade a fridge and the builder doesn't have what i like
I can get credit for the appliances?? and buy it somewhere else???
how???

thanks

[thelefteyeguy]

just did the upgrades for condo at Monarch

$$$$ for counter top
$$$$$$ for engineer flooring
$ extra lighting above counter top
-$ credit for appliance (the appliance are through the supplier at Home Show)

[davecanada]

just did the upgrades for condo at Monarch

$$$$ for counter top
$$$$$$ for engineer flooring
$ extra lighting above counter top
-$ credit for appliance (the appliance are through the supplier at Home Show)

Well luckily our countertops are marble in all areas..whew.

Our flooring comes with laminate and as stated earlier polished concrete may be an option.

Will be interesting to see the appliance credit.

Dave

[Venusia]

we probably will upgrade the faucets for sure.. this may be a dumb question, but how can you upgrade the toilet?

Not sure I understand your question. Do you mean that you think all toilets are the same quality, or you don't know if the builder would give you a credit for a fancier toilet?

Example, if you just get builder grade Crane or American Standard, I would definitely upgrade, my personal preference is Toto, with insulated bowl (no condensation), elongated seat (for comfort), etc.

[thelefteyeguy]

Well luckily our countertops are marble in all areas..whew.

Our flooring comes with laminate and as stated earlier polished concrete may be an option.

Will be interesting to see the appliance credit.

Dave

let me guess DNA?

[Keigotw]

just did the upgrades for condo at Monarch

$$$$ for counter top
$$$$$$ for engineer flooring
$ extra lighting above counter top
-$ credit for appliance (the appliance are through the supplier at Home Show)

that much for $$$$$$ for engineer flooring???
what was the sq ft?

how much would to upgrade 180 SQ. FT. to hard wood floor ? (I mean what do they usually charge for upgrade)

[thelefteyeguy]

well the home design lady scared the hell out of me...plus i didnt want to spend like 2 days of laying down laminate (the quality stuff 12mm thick)

scare tactic used: you have to rip out the side boards; you have to get a contractor / installer to talk to the site super before you install; etc
plus laying down laminate through out the suite scared me since there are lots of doors and corners and closets.

anyways monarch had 3 grades of engineered flooring to choose I got their highest grade for just about 300 sqft (only living/dining area)...and is costing me in the area of $5K...so like about 16$/sqtf...

if i laid laminate it would have cost me at most 5$/sqft...but i did check engineered flooring...it would have cost me a good 10+$/sqft...


the marble counter top killed me too....they charge you like crazy on top of the countertop...different sink, underlay, cutting, etc...but it was a little less than the flooring.