- Not checking recommendations
Since your contractor provided you with a whole list of recommendations, he must be in good standing, right? Not necessarily, counters Vladeta Jericevic, president and CEO of Modular Home Additions in Toronto. You need to call all those owners who have recommended the contractor and ask them the right questions, from price to ability to complete the job on time to customer service and quality of work. “You invest a lot of money in your renovations, so you shouldn’t take it lightly,” he continues.
If all the clients mentioned are happy, but you still feel uncomfortable dealing with a contractor, trust your intuition, advises Jericevic. He reminds us that it is essential that you feel comfortable with the entrepreneur and even that you like him.
- Not having a detailed contract
Your deal with the contractor shouldn’t be just a few numbers scribbled on a piece of paper, says Jericevic. “Ideally, all costs should be in the contract. You will know the price of the work on the electrical system, plumbing, exterior, and so on. It is also essential to understand what accessories or results are not included. - Not having all the permits
Most people know that building permits are required for major renovations. But licenses are also necessary for constructing a garage or a terrace or for the demolition of a wall in the house. Also, you should have your property surveyed if the existing survey isn’t up to date, says Carl Seier, stockbroker at Simple Winnipeg Real Estate. He has seen cases where homeowners have built a garage without a permit. When they wanted to sell their property, and a new survey was done, they realized that the garage was too close to the property line, leading to a lot of hate with the neighbour. - Not buying insurance
If you are expanding your home, you will need to apply for more insurance for two reasons. First, the value of your home will increase and, second, if something, such as a fire, occurs during the work, you would want to be insured, recalls Seier. “The cost of insurance is minimal, but you must inform your insurer and have construction insurance added to your contract,” he explains. Also, make sure your contractor’s workers are insured under provincial occupational health, and safety legislation, adds Jericevic. Otherwise, you could be held responsible if a worker is injured on your site. - Not planning small details in your budget
You’ve set aside money for granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and custom cabinetry. But have you thought about the cost of the little things, like the hardware for the cabinets? Do some research to plan for all the expenses.
To find out where to start, check out our Bright Start tool.
