Home Renovation

[pyar__deewane]

hello, I was wondering if I was going to get my home renovated...by a contractor...what precautions should I take make sure he does not turn out to be a fraud who runs away with my money

[hussein]

Watch a couple episodes of Holmes on Homes, I think it's called.

[pyar__deewane]

no idea where to watch it..maybe googe it...?

[TrevorK]

HGTV has Holmes on Holmes.


One way to help prevent (Again, it's not 100%) is to stick with the large companies (Sears, Home Depot, etc...).

Now, there is no guarentee that the contractor you're going to get is competant. However, they have a better guarentee than almost any other contractor and are more likely to make a settlement to avoid bad publicity.

I would advise going this route if you are unable to find a contractor you feel comfortable with.


My grandmother had poor work done with Sears (siding), to the point they sent out another contractor to fix it. You pay a bit more, but sometimes that's worth it for piece of mind.

[n00bit]

Write up a contract and make progress payments for the work.

[hussein]

Hey, what are you getting done anyway? Maybe do it as a project for your parents? Get a couple friends over and feed them well.

[Mixalot27]

Ask for references from jobs the contractor has previously done. Get recommendations from ppl who have had work done and been happy with it. Don't pay a large sum up front, most contractors will want some $$ up front for materials though.

edit. Make sure they get all necessary permits.

[black_radiation]

^ my dad renovates houses, and all what he agrees on with the customer is taht all materials are paid up front, and then his labour at the end of it, or throughout the job depending on the length of it that way both parties are safe. if my dad was to ever flake off, they would still have the materials, and if the customer ever decided to hoop my dad he would just be out time, instead of money for materials.

[Lex350]

make sure they have a business license and are bonded.

[pyar__deewane]

^^bonded

[izzoblitzo]

Get everything in writing, and get a couple quotes. They no longer are competitive.. the price range is so far apart, because contractors are in high demand.

Call 268-5311 (that's the City Licence department), and ask if the contractor is licenced. If the contractor is taking progress/deposit payments up front, they needed to be bonded by the province. It's a protection program of sorts for instance, so that we dont have trades come from out of province, take your hard earned money, dont finish the job, and ditch, you're not completely out of the blue.

There's lots of mini-contractors out there that are doing this without getting bonded... so be forewarned.

Make sure you get the proper building permits as well to get your inspections. (your insurance company is probably the one that's most interested in that)... if anything happens, at least your basement was done legally, and with permits for coverage.

Get references, and check with the BBB.

[Lex350]

Originally posted by pyar__deewane
^^bonded

it means they are insurable

[Kona9]

Post what it is you want done. Perhaps a member or two on here can lead you in the right direction for reliable people.

[pyar__deewane]

basement reno...bathroom...

[Kona9]

Originally posted by pyar__deewane
basement reno...bathroom...

You need to be more specific. It's easy for a dud contractor to work you over if you don't stay ontop of the game.

so for the bathroom...Plumbing? Toilet, Sink, do want a custom shower with new shower head/s, Are you wanting granite? tile work?

What else is getting done in the basement? Lighting? Paint? walls taken out / put in? Flooring? theatre wiring?


You came on here with a question of what to do. What renos are you doing?

just thought it might give some Beyonders a chance to get some business or refer you to the right people. That's all

[pyar__deewane]

kk makes sense...i wanna get the basement renovated...and add in a bathroom

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by TrevorK
HGTV has Holmes on Holmes.

Sounds like gay porn to me... Holmes on HOMES is a good show though.

[Kona9]

Originally posted by Tik-Tok



Sounds like gay porn to me... Holmes on HOMES is a good show though.

[TrevorK]

Originally posted by Tik-Tok



Sounds like gay porn to me... Holmes on HOMES is a good show though.

Hahaha - can't believe I made that mistake.

To make it even funnier, there is a famous porn star named John Holmes:
http://www.samsloan.com/holmes.htm

[pyar__deewane]

^^ and how would happen to know the name of a male pornstar...thats just gross dude...not that there is anything wrong with being gay