Home Renovation Recommendations
- Thread starter tokugawa
- Start date
I don't have a specific reference, but having just been through a reno where a contractor screwed the pooch at every turn (I didn't hire him, my mortgage holder did) I have a suggestion or two...
Do your research. Get quotes. Read reviews. For your own sake & safety, do your homework as carefully with a contractor as you would with a provider! My contractor was a nightmare to work with. I wouldn't recommend him to anyone. He cheaped out & cut corners everywhere he could: after only 6 weeks, I have had to spend $500 to fix the brand new improperly installed toilet in my downstairs bathroom, & discovered that the OSB under my kitchen tap is completely rotted out...
Good luck!
Do your research. Get quotes. Read reviews. For your own sake & safety, do your homework as carefully with a contractor as you would with a provider! My contractor was a nightmare to work with. I wouldn't recommend him to anyone. He cheaped out & cut corners everywhere he could: after only 6 weeks, I have had to spend $500 to fix the brand new improperly installed toilet in my downstairs bathroom, & discovered that the OSB under my kitchen tap is completely rotted out...
Good luck!
The industry is filled with nightmares. Every unemployed guy that owns a hammer is a contractor/ GC. They really need to have mandatory courses and strict licensing for this industry. Even new home builders don't require any training. As long as the critical things pass inspection (electrical, plumbing, etc) anyone can build houses.
Yup!.....hire very carefully.
Compare material costs on the projects.....good example is OSB versus plywood, they are practically the same price now, so why wouldn't you use the superior plywood?
A shitty contractor will use the OSB now because it's easier to work around fittings....I used to build years ago....get references from past clients.
You can also go to the BC home builders assoc. and look at a list of accredited contractors/builders by region.
I believe anyone on that list has some sort of warranty on their work.....but check that out carefully.
Remember a good contractor is only slightly more by the hour or project...sometimes the cheaper guy, in the end will cost you more.
One rule of thumb I keep in the back of my mind always is....."built to code" is a minimum.
I think you're Island based, no? Would you mind if I shoot you a quick PM regarding this hack I hired?
Did a full renovation of a small bungalow, after being stalled in the design phase a couple of times, I hired a designer to develop a couple of options, picked one and she blueprinted it and she sent it out to 3 contractors for quotes, each was then bidding apples for apples as it were. Picked one and it worked out pretty well though reno's are rarely on time or on budget. During demo and once you get behind the walls, one might find the odd surprise here and there.
Paid the designer $2500.00 and it was well worth it.
Paid the designer $2500.00 and it was well worth it.
That is disturbing, a toilet is pretty simple to install. Two bolts, wax ring and a hose.
New ones are 200-300, and installing takes half an hour tops. The hardest part is carrying the new one in and the old one out.
I hope the second repairman isn't ripping you off as well.
To the OP: I recommend Home Depot. They use legit subcontractors and are insured.
I know people who have had work done by them, and I know contractors who work for them.
They did two jobs for me. First a replacement of my soffit/fascia/eavetroughs. Second a roof replacement. I am happy with both, good work and good price.
If you get electrical be sure to have a real journeyman do the work and have it properly inspected and signed off.
Appliances should have CSA approval.
Both of these can void your insurance if you have a fire.
Last edited:
I am not a contractor, but if you want to ask me for some advice just PM me your phone number, as I have practical experience from doing extensive renovations on 7 houses, and been my own general contractor on the building of 3 new homes. My current home, I was again my own general contractor and did approximately 60% of the work myself.
All above are excellent suggestions.
One important thing to know is math... A 6ft tub will not fit into a 5 ft space,,,,
Electrical and plumbing- qualified tradesmen make sure there are inspections, be there for inspections too if you can. Ask questions.
Do research on contracting, contractors, how electrical works (from power panel to end usage), how plumbing works (from supply to drainage). Best place is internet. Utube to see how things are done. Home depot/other home centers to see materials and to ask questions of people in plumbing, electrical sections.
know who is responsible for what.
If you are new to contracting and have several jobs, do it in stages, contract 1st job (bathroom), then contract 2nd job (kitchen). If you have a general contractor, ask for his tradesmen qualifications or who he subcontracts to. Sometime these change. If your have a contractor and he is working on your place, make sure there is a permit raised.
Phone up the local city government office that does planing/issues permits ask about inspectors etc.
If you have to open up wall/floors, be prepared for extras... just in case.
go to local library and look up books on contracting, building, etc.
The main issue you will have to deal with is organization. Your time, the order of specific timings for things to be done (schedule of events) and access for the contractor. I would suggest, is to be their yourself or have someone you trust there all all times....
During the work, take before, and after pictures. If a wall is opened up take a pic, you never know when you need to know exactly where that drain pipe is going through that wall etc.
One important thing to know is math... A 6ft tub will not fit into a 5 ft space,,,,
Electrical and plumbing- qualified tradesmen make sure there are inspections, be there for inspections too if you can. Ask questions.
Do research on contracting, contractors, how electrical works (from power panel to end usage), how plumbing works (from supply to drainage). Best place is internet. Utube to see how things are done. Home depot/other home centers to see materials and to ask questions of people in plumbing, electrical sections.
know who is responsible for what.
If you are new to contracting and have several jobs, do it in stages, contract 1st job (bathroom), then contract 2nd job (kitchen). If you have a general contractor, ask for his tradesmen qualifications or who he subcontracts to. Sometime these change. If your have a contractor and he is working on your place, make sure there is a permit raised.
Phone up the local city government office that does planing/issues permits ask about inspectors etc.
If you have to open up wall/floors, be prepared for extras... just in case.
go to local library and look up books on contracting, building, etc.
The main issue you will have to deal with is organization. Your time, the order of specific timings for things to be done (schedule of events) and access for the contractor. I would suggest, is to be their yourself or have someone you trust there all all times....
During the work, take before, and after pictures. If a wall is opened up take a pic, you never know when you need to know exactly where that drain pipe is going through that wall etc.
FYI- a contractor being insured means nothing to their competence. Home Depot may do decent due diligence up front but having insurace means nothing. If you hire a contractor make sure they take full on responsibluty for job snd all subs as if something goes wrong most provincial laws will put the homeowner as liable in the event of workers comp claims if somethign goes wrong. That’s when the contractoe needs insurance.
If you become the contractor and source subs etc- ask about workers comp and make sure you twll your insurance broker you are doing a oroject to extend covergae on portion of your home as a course of construction endorsement. The. Start asking more questions.
Trust me.
If you become the contractor and source subs etc- ask about workers comp and make sure you twll your insurance broker you are doing a oroject to extend covergae on portion of your home as a course of construction endorsement. The. Start asking more questions.
Trust me.
I thought by going through the Vancouver Better Business Bureau might be a good safe option but then I read somewhere that businesses pay to get accredited there so a business having an A+ rating might not necessarily be that great.
I have thought about going through a supplier (store that sells flooring, kitchen and bathroom furnishings and having them do all the organizing. Would that be a better option than me doing it all on your own i.e., hiring the flooring guy, hiring the painter, hiring the kitchen guy, bathroom guy, etc.
I have thought about going through a supplier (store that sells flooring, kitchen and bathroom furnishings and having them do all the organizing. Would that be a better option than me doing it all on your own i.e., hiring the flooring guy, hiring the painter, hiring the kitchen guy, bathroom guy, etc.
Was this in Vancouver? Who was your supplier? Were the contractors through the supplier?
Also...make sure your Contractor has a business license, Liability and Property Damage Insurance, and Worksafe coverage. If you get bids, do not take the lowest one, they have to cut corners somewhere to save money. A designer is usually money well spent, it gives us plans to go by, and drawings are needed for Building Permits. We always recommend Permits, but many people don't want them. If your Contractor tries to steer you away from them, he is not the guy you want.
Make sure all Subcontractors are paid before you make your final payment to the GC, as you are liable if he does not pay them.
Make sure all Subcontractors are paid before you make your final payment to the GC, as you are liable if he does not pay them.
Some Observations
We have had some good fortune using workmen recommended by suppliers - probably because the supplier wants their product to be highly regarded, and if the item is properly installed, the product will be more satisfying.
A point that has been missed throughout this discussion is the legally required holdback on construction. It is mandated by the provincial government, and hated by irresponsible contractors. It protects the owner from suppliers and subs not being paid. Google for detailed information (make sure you are looking at BC information because the rules are different in each jurisdiction). I have had a contractor refuse to quote when I indicated I planned on using the legally required holdback. Unfortunately, our provincial governments (past and present) and not been forthcoming in making the public aware of this regulation.
We have had some good fortune using workmen recommended by suppliers - probably because the supplier wants their product to be highly regarded, and if the item is properly installed, the product will be more satisfying.
A point that has been missed throughout this discussion is the legally required holdback on construction. It is mandated by the provincial government, and hated by irresponsible contractors. It protects the owner from suppliers and subs not being paid. Google for detailed information (make sure you are looking at BC information because the rules are different in each jurisdiction). I have had a contractor refuse to quote when I indicated I planned on using the legally required holdback. Unfortunately, our provincial governments (past and present) and not been forthcoming in making the public aware of this regulation.
The Process is a bit more complex than just making sure subcontractors are paid. The oft ignored Builders Lien Act (Google it) is quite specific about obligations and protection for the owner IF HE FOLLOWS THE ACT. There are also executive summaries that show up when you Google the topic, which helps reduce the legalese.
