Hiring a contractor

When you hire a contractor make sure you can trust and you are comfortable with. This is crucial to a good renovation experience. You need to check out the renovator thoroughly. Ask lots of questions when you meet. Talk with previous customers. Visit past or current projects-you want to feel that "if the renovator did something like that in my home, I'd be very happy". You also need to be confident that the company is financially stable and will be around in the future. And while it may be hard to define a comfortable personal fit, you need to feel "in your gut" that you can trust and work well with this person.

Get written estimate from three or more contractor to choose one. Don't choose a renovator on price alone. While it is always tempting to go for the lowest price, you need to consider the implications of doing so. Does the renovator understand what's involved in your project and have the necessary experience? Will the renovator offer a warranty on the work? Will the renovator provide the quality product and good work? Will the renovator still be in business if you need to call back?

Protect yourself and don't buy from a door-to-door salesperson or telemarketer without carefully checking out the company. Before you signing any kind of agreement, make sure written all description clearly. Talk with previous customers. Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if anyone has lodged a complaint against the company and is the company a member. Contact your local related Association to see if the company is a member. Membership is an indication of professionalism. Make sure that everyone in your home participates or let them know.

Dealing with a known professional renovator is your greatest protection against an incompetent or unfinished job. A written contract spells out the arrangements between you and your renovator and describes your renovation in detail including type of all materials and work he going to do. So you don’t need to lie awake at night worrying what the final costs/finishing would be. Professional renovators also carry Workers' Compensation, liability insurance and any licenses required by your province or state.

Don't get caught by the unexpected. Even the most experienced renovator cannot always predict the hidden challenges in your project. Dangerous electrical wiring from a previous renovation, rotten wood due to old leaks, lead flashing under the old roof shingles…these are just some of the problems that your renovator may uncover once the work gets underway.

Unpredictable problems can mean additional cost beyond the contract price. It may be a good idea to set aside a small portion of your budget as a contingency fund. Also talk with your renovator-what are their recommendations

Deciding Who to Hire, once you have interviewed renovators, checked their references and received written price quotes from those you are interested in hiring, it's time to decide who will be doing your job.

Renovators should be allowed adequate time to prepare a bid for your project. And you must ensure that each renovator is working with the same plans and specifications. For all but the simplest projects, you should expect the renovator to present their bid in person, so that they can discuss each aspect with you and answer any question you may have.

Once you have met with the renovators who are bidding on your job, you should review each set of bid documents carefully before deciding who to hire.

You should compare every aspect of their bids - the description of the work, specifications (materials and products), price and allowances, deposit and payment milestones, project schedule and any additional recommendations or ideas for your project. You should also review the information you collected during and after your initial round of renovator interviews-your initial impressions of each renovator, and what their previous customers had to say about them.

You must decide the importance of each aspect of your evaluation. While overall price is important, it is only one factor. Many homeowners who have successfully completed major home renovations speak about the importance of "peace of mind"-working with a renovator they trusted and felt confident in.

If you have a particularly strong sense of confidence in one of the renovators, they are probably your best choice, even if their price is not the lowest. In the end, you should choose the renovator based on your sense of the overall value they can provide to you.

Specialty renovation contractor is a professional renovator who specializes in a particular aspect of home renovation, such as Windows and doors, kitchens and sunrooms replacement. Some contractors focus on renovations for special audiences, such as homeowners with environmental sensitivities.

Design/building renovator. Large renovation projects often require design work and drawings upfront before costs can be worked out and construction can begin. The design/build renovator provides both professional design and construction services and so is able to see your job through from start to finish.

Trade contractor. Trade contractors, such as plumbers, electricians, roofers or HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) installers offer highly specialized services. Trade contractors work closely with professional renovators, who include them as part of their team as required by each project. Homeowners can also hire them directly when, for instance, you only want to replace your roofing or install a new furnace.

Kitchen and bathroom retailers. Due to the tremendous popularity of kitchen and bathroom renovations, many manufacturers have set up storefront outlets or showrooms where homeowners can enjoy a first-hand look at product offerings such as cabinets, counters and fixtures. Renovation contractors often work closely with these retailers to provide integrated customer service.

Designers and architects. If your renovator does not provide design services, you can hire a designer or architect to assist you with plans and to prepare working drawings and specifications. Choose someone who is familiar with the special demands of renovations. Ideally, plans should be developed with input from the renovator who will be doing the work.

Home energy advisor. A home energy assessment by a licensed independent home energy advisor can help you save money and improve your home's comfort by including energy upgrades in your renovation project. Energy advisors, licensed by the Government of Canada, carry out a thorough inspection of all energy-related aspects of your home, and use computer modeling to identify the most cost-effective improvements. You get a written report listing possible improvements and potential energy savings. You and your renovator can use this report when developing your home renovation plans.

Home inspectors. A third-party inspection of your home before you begin planning your renovation may provide you with important information about its condition and possible needs for repairs and replacement. Before you hire an inspector, be sure to ask about qualifications, references and warranty.