LOOK for the logo.
That's the soundest advice I can give people who are looking for a builder, renovator or supplier. It's far from the last thing they will have to do in their quest for selection, but it's a great starting point.
Look for the logo -- the logo of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
Membership does make a difference. The difference is that industry professionals representing the entire industry have already done the preliminary work for you. They have screened the membership application and determined if the applicant has met certain industry qualifications. They have already done some of your homework.
Case in point; although coming soon, new home warranty has not been mandatory in Manitoba. However, in order for a builder to be a member of the MHBA, he must have been offering a recognized third-party warranty for a minimum of two years. That's not to say that there are not builders offering a proper warranty who are not members, it's just that your search can be narrowed down that much quicker when you look for the MHBA logo.
Many new home developments will only feature MHBA member builders. All Parade of Homes entries are from MHBA builders. Look for the logo.
Manitoba has developed the reputation as the renovation capital of Canada. How do you differentiate one renovator from another? Look for the RenoMark logo. A RenoMark renovator pledges to adhere to a nationally recognized, elevated set of standards and ethics. Become familiar with these and insist that your renovator operates at the same level.
Again, no one is telling you who to hire, but the informed consumer should be able to benefit from homework done by the professionals regarding their industry.
The same logic can be applied to suppliers. If the most qualified new home builders and renovators are purchasing their building supplies from companies they have thoroughly researched, why shouldn't the consumer benefit from this knowledge?
In conclusion, although there is never a simple answer regarding what and where to buy, there are sources to help you. One is professional industry associations such as the MHBA. Look for the logo.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
