Make a list of EVERYTHING you want done and highlight your MUST HAVES. Have your potential contractor cost out both lists and you’ll know what you can afford to undertake based on the budget you set out. *Be sure to set aside an amount as a contingency fund just in case something doesn’t go as planned.  

  

Whether your project is interior or exterior, you may need to obtain a permit to ensure that health, fire, structural, and general safety standards are met. If not, you may be subject to financial or legal consequences. Just a little bit of due diligence can go a long way! 

  

Shop around and get a few quotes for your project but keep in mind, the lowest estimate doesn’t always mean the best estimate. The lowball bid may indicate that the contractor is cutting corners OR desperate for work. The most important factor here is how well you communicate with each other. It’s better to spend a bit more, and get someone you’re comfortable with, especially when things don’t go as planned. 

  

Make sure your contractor has their credentials in order. A great place to start is to ask family, friends, and neighbours who have had positive experiences with a contractor. Or check our list of preferred contractors/vendors that we have vetted and can confidently recommend, and work in the Dufferin and Peel areas. 

If you hire workers who are not insured or who don’t have safety certification, you could be held responsible if they are injured on your property.  

  

Work out a payment schedule ahead of time. For large projects, a schedule usually starts with 10% at contract signing, three payments of 25% evenly spaced over the duration of the project and the final 15% once the job is done—and done right! 

  

Draw up a contract that details every step of the project: payment schedule; proof of liability insurance and worker's compensation payments; a start date and projected completion date; specific materials and products to be used; and a requirement that the contractor obtain lien releases (which protect you if he doesn't pay his bills) from all subcontractors and suppliers. Once the contract is completed it is a legal document that binds both parties once fully signed. 

  

Renovating can be trying for even the most patient person so remember to follow these steps from the beginning of your project so you can relax and enjoy the improvements to your home! 

Making sure that you find a skilled and reputable contractor is vital to stay on budget and keep your stress levels down. Most importantly, once you’ve chosen a contractor to work with, maintain productive and positive communication to ensure everything gets done.