Our first property, we kept all the original features. We painted the cabinets and replaced the handles for an updated look. We purchased tile from a reuse center to tie in the existing countertops and white cabinets.

Waiting on final photos.

This property was our first flip. To minimize our waste, if a fixture or material was in good shape, we refurbished it and refinished it to give it an updated look while still keeping in character of the house. By doing this we kept the house at an affordable price point for the next buyer.

Our second property. Most of the demolition occurred in the kitchen. We updated the layout and took out a pantry. By saving, refurbishing, and refinishing all the original cabinets, we were able to update the kitchen at an affordable cost and produce minimal waste. We were able to save the 2x4s from the pantry and donate them to a local handyman. Paint can go along way, instead of replacing the fireplace wall, we whitewashed the brick to brighten it up and highlight the wood mantelpiece.

Since we planned some major renovation work, we needed to work with contractors. In any scope of work, there is usually a haul away fee. This is where owners can save money by understanding what the contractors will be taking to the landfill. For us, we saved the extra hardwood to create a focal point for the fireplace, we saved the 2x4s in the wall surrounding the kitchen to use for other various projects. Many of the materials being hauled away can be reused in some way. We’ve saved thousands of dollars through deconstruction.

Going into the renovation at Le Cercle House, our strategy was based on a long-term flip. We would only keep the house for 2-3 years and or we were going to turn it into a single-family property. By keeping majority of the fixtures and refurbishing them, such as the hardwood floors and kitchen cabinets, and installing butcher block countertops verse stone, we set ourselves up to be able to combine materials from both floors or reuse in a cohesive way somewhere else.

The first-floor unit was a rinse and repeat of the unit upstairs, minus the secondhand furnishings. By taking our zero-waste learnings on the second floor, we were able to renovate the first floor with half the budget we had for the second floor. The secondhand furnishings really give these spaces a unique look for guests; creating a niche market for our units and helping us maintain 85% occupancy.