Ensure your home reno goes just as planned
Fall is a great time to start planning next year’s renovation. While updating your home can be exciting, it also takes careful preparation.
The GTA’s housing supply shortage has many homeowners opting to renovate their homes rather than trying to buy something to suit their needs. That means it could be a challenge to find a renovator if you wait too long.
A great renovation always starts with a solid plan and it is essential to do your homework before you start to renovate. What is the scale of your project? How do you establish a budget? What permits do you need? Where do you find professionals to help? It may seem intimidating, especially if you’re considering taking on your first reno.
To help you get started, the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) and RenoMark are holding a special seminar: “Five Steps to a Successful Renovation.” The talk was a popular feature at the recent Fall Home Show and this is the first time that we are presenting it as a stand-alone event. The free educational session takes place on Wednesday, Nov. 2, from 7 to 9 p.m. at BILD’s offices at 20 Upjohn Rd., in Toronto.
Whether you are looking to renovate your home or condominium, the seminar will be a great resource, led by expert renovators who are both BILD and RenoMark members. Jon-Carlos Tsilfidis, of Fairside Homes, who is also chair of BILD’s Renovator and Custom Builder Council, will speak about renovating houses. Everything you need to know about renovating condos will be addressed by Samuel Lapidus, of Keystone Ridge Developments, the vice-chair of our Renovator and Custom Builder Council.
Jon-Carlos and Sam will guide you through the early planning stages, outline what you should know about permits, discuss the most effective ways to communicate with your renovator and answer your questions.
The seminar will also be a great way to learn about what to look for when hiring a renovator. You’ll learn how to find a professional contractor, what to find out when interviewing candidates and how to ensure the person you hire is really a professional.
Your contractor is your partner in realizing your vision for your dream home, so it’s critical that you work with someone you can trust. Space is limited so email renomark@bildgta.ca in advance to register.
The RenoMark program was created by BILD in 2001to help homeowners differentiate professional renovators from underground con- tractors. What sets RenoMark apart is its code of conduct that all of members agree to abide by. The code mandates they provide written contracts for all jobs, have at least $2 million in liability insurance and offer a minimum of two years’ warranty on all work, among other renovation-specific requirements that homeowners can expect from a professional.
The program has been well received and is now in more than 40 markets in nine provinces. It has also been endorsed by the Canadian Home Builders Association and the Ontario Home Builders Association.
To find the right RenoMark expert for your project, visit renomark.ca — it features a database of professional renovators, trade contractors and custom builders that you can search through by region and project. Bryan Tuckey is president and CEO of the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) and is a land-use planner who has worked for municipal, regional and provincial governments. Find him at twitter.com/ bildgta, facebook.com/bildgta and bildblogs.ca.
A successful renovation always starts with a solid plan. It’s critical that you do your homework before embarking on your project