As I’ve said many times in this column, Winnipeg is the renovation capital of Canada. More Winnipeggers (a staggering 58 per cent) have indicated they have a renovation project planned for the coming year than any other city in Canada.
We have the third-oldest housing stock in Canada, behind only Halifax and Montreal, proving we build homes to last. However, we also recognize we need to change over time, especially as it pertains to energy efficiency, technology and, of course, kitchens and bathrooms.
We love to renovate, whether it involves utilizing the services of a professional renovator or just doing a little DIY fixup. There always seems to be something to do around the house.
However, as has been said here before, we don’t always follow the best advice in going about our renovations. Some renovations, mainly larger jobs or ones needing licensed trades, require a permit from the city’s Planning Property and Development Department.
Being the frugal people we are, we often fail to obtain that necessary permit, choosing to save a few dollars because, "I know a guy." However, we’re not really saving money; we’re actually putting ourselves at great financial risk.
People purporting to be renovators who don’t sign contracts and don’t take out permits can also walk away from an unfinished job with your money. If there’s no permit, then the job was done illegally and, if something goes horribly wrong, there’s no obligation for the insurance company to cover it. No contract and no permit also means no record of work ever being done.
However, we seem to be getting the message and doing things in the right way.
For the first 10 months of 2016, renovation permits are well ahead of last year.
In 2015, there were 729 permit applications filed over the first 10 months. To date in 2016, there have been 1,385, a whopping 90 per cent increase. Similarly, issued permits for renovations have increased by 52 per cent.
I wouldn’t be so bold as to say the number of renovations being done in the City of Winnipeg has increased by that significant of a percentage; however, I will say the people of Winnipeg have gotten the message that a renovation done right pays off many times over in the end.
Peace of mind, increased resale value of your home and current improved lifestyle are just three of the reasons people are now taking out permits more than before.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders’ Association.
