Experts predict renovations will be among the strongest
growth areas of the housing industry in the new Millennium.
(Greater Toronto Home Builders' Association).
The most valuable and often neglected aspect
in the design of a renovation is the overall appearance
of the neighborhood. This lack of attention could ultimately
not only lower the homeowner's house value, but the value
of the surrounding homes on the street.
"When planning a renovation,"
Scott McCague of McCague
Construction reports, "Landscape and large trees
must also play a mayor role". The destruction of large trees
in established neighborhoods can have a devastating effect.
Dedication to environmental concerns led to
the preservation of a large tree only three feet from the
proposed rear wall of the addition to the home in the photo
on the right. To save root damage, the foundation was excavated
by hand and a V-shaped foundation wall was built. A small
deck, bench and steps were designed around the old Oak tree.
In addition, McCague's team
managed to preserve all the perennials, cedar bushes and
other various trees on the property.
McCague Construction
was profiled in an Etobicoke report on the highly regarded
"Nations in Bloom Competition". Toronto received the First
Place Award, which was presented at a ceremony in Osaka
Japan.
