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How To Hire a Home Renovation Professional

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The points in this and following articles can be used as appropriate to the task to negotiate or contract with any home renovation professional.

Step 1: Plan, plan and plan 

• Determine what you want to change in your home and why you want these changes
• For your renovator and others, write a clear goal for what you want your renovation to achieve (for instance, your goal might be more comfort and home entertainment for your family or accommodation for a disabled person)
• Also write a clear description of the changes you want to make
• Look into the future to see if any of your distant plans might affect today’s renovation (for instance, you might plan to have a parent move into your home at a later date)
• Write out a wish list setting must have priorities and nice to have options if you can afford them

Step 2: be clear on why you are hiring professionals to handle your renovation and, if your chosen contractor can’t deliver on all counts, find someone else:

• for help in ideas, design, product selection, plans and construction
• to find the best ways to do the work
• for technical understanding of the process, challenges, problems
• to rally sub trades and other suppliers behind your project
• to get accurate pricing
• to create a written contract
• to ensure your workers have liability insurance and workers compensation coverage
• to get a warranty on labour and avoid voiding manufacturers’ warranties

 Step 3: determine a rough budget

• Do your homework to determine what your project might cost – realistically
• decide or discuss with your lender how much money you can raise for renovations with suitable financing and reasonable payments. Include all appliance, furnishings and decorations you want to go with the renovation to the building.

 Step 4: get estimates from professionals

• Using the services of Goldhawk.com, describe your project on our submission form and obtain estimates, anonymously, from the professionals to whom we supply details of your project. Check these estimates with other resources if desired.
• Assess estimates and view the profile of the quoting professionals on our web site. Choose the professional you feel will give you the best job at the fairest price but don’t go just for the lowest quote. Consider all factors including the pro’s understanding of the job and what you want, the pro’s experience with similar jobs, the pro’s years in the same business and the pro’s warranties for the work. Keep an open mind until you sign on the dotted line with a particular contractor.
• Contact the professional you choose and discuss your goals, plans and budget openly with the pro. If satisfied with the initial discussion, have the professional conduct a thorough inspection of your home to verify the original estimate.

 Step 5: arrange timing with the professional

• Arrange timing as to when the job will begin and an estimate of when it will end. Set the sequence of the job components.

 Step 6: determine the quality of the job

• Work with the pro to choose the materials and products to be used on the project. Go for the best you can afford without compromising on quality that will deliver what you want in performance, looks and durability.

 Step 7: protect, protect, protect

• Verify the pro’s Workers Compensation coverage, liability insurance and licenses required by the province and municipality by obtaining numbers and copies of documents from the pro and by checking if necessary with issuing bodies. Check your provincial home warranty program to see what is covered, what is not covered, and the length of the warranty period. In general, if it isn’t rectified during the warranty period – for whatever reason, you may be out of luck.
• Check membership in self-regulating and professional organizations such as the Home Builders’ Association by verifying the pro’s claims with the organizations. Check your Better Business Bureau and organizations to determine if there are or have been complaints against the pro from other customers and if past complaints were resolved.
• Determine from your municipality or province if licenses and permits are needed and make certain you and your pro have all that are necessary. Municipality contacts usually are listed by the provincial association of municipalities – Google the association for details.
• Extend your home insurance coverage to cover risks associated with the project if all risks are not covered in your standard policy. Talk to your insurer before work begins. 

Create a written contract with the pro describing the renovation in detail. A sample contract is available from Canadian Mortgage and Housing Company (CMHC) so you can see the basics of what to include in a contract. Other information is available at the Get It in Writing! (national campaign of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association) web site at http://www.hiringacontractor.com and various municipal, provincial and federal government web sites dealing with housing renovation and new home building. If your project is a major one, it’s likely better to hire a lawyer to contract the pros who will work on the job. Remember to get everything in writing including:

• description of work in detail
• materials to be used
• work schedule
• charges to you
• payment dates
• working drawings and specification lists and …

Proof you are protected by:

• business liability insurance for damages to the home, an accident or theft from the work site ( million is common with many pros carrying million) Ask for a copy of “Certificate of Insurance”. Additional insurance may be required if you are moving out of your home during renovation
• workers’ compensation coverage or equivalent private disability coverage
• designation of who obtains required permits and inspections
• pro’s business number or gst/hst number
• valid license, if required by your municipality
• lien holdback arrangements as per provincial regulation to limit homeowner responsibility for debt incurred by the pro on the project coverage from warranty provider (new home)

Step 8: change plans with caution

If you want changes (change type of flooring, doors… enlarge space…) after work has begun, speak to your professional before making a final decision. Each decision can affect cost, timing, materials and process.

• Document all changes and additions or subtractions in written change orders signed by both you and the pro. Note in writing how you will pay – as a separate item, part of the job and when payment is expected for each change.
• Expect a change in your home insurance premiums depending on the improvements to the home: premiums can go up but they may come down if you reduce risks associated with old wiring, etc.

 Step 9: follow up

• Within the period specified in your contractor’s or new home warranties or manufacturer and retailer warranties on products and materials, follow up on all minor and major problems including such things as nail pops, drywall cracks, loose shingles, grout or tile cracks, plumbing leaks, electrical problems, failure of thermal window seals and other problems with appliances, heating and cooling equipment, roofing, siding and so on.
• Document your project so you will have proof of the work done and improvements made to disclose to future purchasers of your home. 

Note: if you act as your own general contractor, you may be liable for all the responsibilities of the professional.

Note: the steps described here are basic ones that will help your project go smoothly and help to protect you; however there are other resources on the Internet, at your municipal, provincial and federal government offices, from renovator and building organizations and other sources that will assist you in any renovation or home building project. Do your homework until you are satisfied you will meet your goals and that you and your family are fully protected.