Home renovations continue to be a popular topic in Winnipeg and across the country. Our city has the third-oldest housing stock in all of Canada, which generally translates into the need for renovations.
More Manitobans indicated their intent to renovate their homes in the coming year than any other province. Perhaps it's in our nature to see something absolutely fabulous at the Kitchen Bath and Renovation Show, Home Expressions or the Parade of Homes and want to introduce that concept into our current home.
Some look at renovating as an exciting new adventure; others see it as a headache. If you take the necessary steps to avoid certain pitfalls, it can be both exciting and rewarding.
The cheapest deal is not necessarily the best deal. This is a close-knit community, so everyone knows someone who knows someone who is handy with a hammer. That someone may also be willing to do the job on the side for cash, no questions asked. Just think of the money you can save by not paying PST and GST. You'll save even more by not taking out permits, fiddling with cumbersome contracts or worrying about insurance. Bad ideas all around.
Why would you trust your home to someone who does this type of work on the side or in their spare time? The RenoMark logo is your sign of professionalism and confidence. A RenoMark renovator is your insurance and assurance of quality. The RenoMark program is nationally recognized by the Canadian Home Builders' Association and is currently operating in six provinces. Manitoba was the first province to adopt RenoMark.
A RenoMark renovator provides a detailed written contract for all jobs. If you don't have a contract, you don't have any control over the scope of work to be done. Furthermore, when the job is finished, you don't have any proof the job was done. If there's a problem with materials or labour, you're left holding the bag; your "contractor" never officially existed.
A RenoMark renovator takes out all applicable licenses and permits and carries $2 million in liability insurance. If you don't take out the necessary permits, the job never legally happened. In the event of an accident, fire, flood or some other problem, you may find you are not insured for any damage to or resultant from this work. Whoever takes out the permits is the prime contractor.
If someone tries to talk you into putting the permits in your name to save money, you become liable for all liability insurance, workers' compensation and other expenses you are probably not prepared to handle.
Consult the RenoMark and Manitoba Home Builders' Association websites for more information.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
