Hiring a Renovator

Dupuis: Renovation takes time, talent and tools
August 7, 2010 Stephen Dupuis

During these dog days of summer, I doubt that renovation is a top of mind priority for homeowners throughout the GTA but if you’re looking to get started in the fall, keep in mind that the best contractors are booked well ahead and beware of the contractor that can start tomorrow – there could be a good reason for that.
The reasons for renovating generally fall into three groups. There are those “fixing to sell,” sprucing up their homes to add value prior to listing it for sale. Then there are those who are “renovating to suit,” in other words they have bought a home on the resale market and are making changes to suit their lifestyle and taste. The final group is homeowners who want to stay put but their home has become outdated or they need more space or a different look.
Question number one is whether to do-it-yourself or hire a contractor. My answer to that is that unless you have the time, talent and tools, and in this case two out of three isn’t good enough, you should hire a contractor. If you are fixing to sell, you want your house to look professionally done, and if you are planning to stay, you want that professional look even more.
That begs the next question: How one goes about finding a professional renovation contractor. The one word short answer is RenoMark, a program launched nine years ago by the Greater Toronto Home Builders’ Association (now the Building Industry and Land Development Association), which is rapidly becoming a widely recognized national brand offered by 29 home builders’ associations ranging as far west as Vancouver and as far east as Moncton, N.B., with many stops in between including 15 in Ontario.
All RenoMark contractors across Canada, including nearly 200 in the Greater Toronto Area, have committed to the building industry Code of Ethics, which applies to all Canadian Home Builders’ Association members, as well as a renovation-specific Code of Conduct which applies to contractors wishing to participate in the RenoMark program.
Under the Code of Conduct, RenoMark contractors commit to, among other things, offering a minimum two-year warranty (excluding minor home repairs), carrying a minimum $2 million in liability insurance and carrying all applicable licences and permits. The most important provision of the Code of Conduct is the requirement for a detailed, written contract (including scope of work) for all jobs.
Visit www.renomark.ca for more details on the program as well as links to participating locals throughout the Golden Horseshoe including Niagara, Waterloo, Hamilton, Dufferin, Barrie, Durham, Peterborough and the Kawarthas and, of course, the GTA.
There’s a local contractor listing for each participating association. The GTA portal features a searchable database where you can plug in your area and project type to get a shortlist of contractors. From there, you can peruse their web-sites, look at their portfolios, and call them in if you like what you see.
Since not all homeowners are looking for a general contractor, a more specific search feature links directly to trade contractors. Many homeowners are in need of one specific solution, be it a new roof, a new furnace or air conditioner, hardwood floors, a deck, painting, window/door replacement, etc.
While different renovators have different specialties, they are all equal under the RenoMark Code of Conduct. Check us out at renomark.ca or make a note to visit us at Destination Renovation at the Fall Home Show, Thursday, Sept. 30 to Sunday, Oct. 3 at the Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place.
Stephen Dupuis is president and CEO of the Building Industry and Land Development Association. The views expressed are those of the president. Email: president@bildgta.ca.