Don’t be tempted to cut corners with your renovation
Now that you’ve decided to renovate your home, the first step is to do your homework and determine what building permits you might need.
Most construction, renovations, alterations and demolitions require a building permit. For instance, in many municipalities, you need a permit for constructing separate rooms in your basement, but you probably don’t need one if you are building a fence — unless it is one that will enclose a pool.
Too often people question the importance of permits and sometimes they are tempted to undertake projects without having required permits in place. However, that is very short-sighted. Permits help protect you, your home and your community by making sure your project is structurally sound and follows all regulations.
Unprofessional renovators may be willing to do work without obtaining permits. Forgoing them may seem like a way to speed up your renovation and save money, but it could result in renovation deficiencies and added costs down the road. You could be faced with substantial fines and having to redo the work. Lack of required permits may affect your home’s insurance coverage and you could also run into problems when you sell your home.
Permits are issued by local municipalities. Application processes and the rules governing building permits can vary, depending on where you live. Getting a building permit can take several weeks or even months to obtain — and may seem a bit overwhelming — so a good approach is to work with a professional renovator who is experienced with these applications.
RenoMark professional renovators are knowledgeable about permits and they will guide you through the process. They will assess your project, explain whether a permit is needed, what it will take to get one and they will work on your behalf to acquire them.
A critical step in obtaining your permit is ensuring that your project complies with the Ontario Building Code, municipal zoning and other applicable laws. With your renovator as project manager, he/she will bring in the right people — architects or engineers — to get the necessary inspections and drawings for the permit application process.
Make sure that the costs for additional professional services are discussed up front and included in your renovation contract.
After you’ve obtained your permit and started construction, your renovator will arrange for all inspections required under the permit.
BILD created the RenoMark program in 2001, to help homeowners distinguish professional renovators from underground contractors. A key feature is the RenoMark Code of Conduct, which mandates that all members 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. Find a RenoMark professional at renomark.ca.
To help homeowners with more insight and information, be sure to attend one of our “Five Steps to a Successful Renovation” seminars.
Each session will feature two experienced RenoMark renovators to walk you through the essential steps, offer helpful tips and answer questions.
The free educational sessions take place May 16, and again June 20, 7-9 p.m., at BILD’s offices at 20 Upjohn Rd., Toronto. For more information, or to register, email us at renomark@bildgta.ca. 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.