For the lucky ones, summertime means taking a vacation away from home for a week or two for some well-deserved R&R—actually, make mine a G&T. Weeks before a trip, pet owners call up their neighbour for feeding and walking duties; others hire house-sitters to come and water plants. Obvious stuff, really.

But why stop with plants and pets? The fine folks over at Charles & Hudson recently wrote about having your hardwood floors refinished while away on vacation. Instead of living through the messy, five-day refinishing process, why not have it done when you’re not around? Same goes with any type of flooring, whether it’s hardwood or you’re having wall-to-wall carpeting installed, putting down laminate.

Of course, you’d have to trust the contractors working while you’re away, so make sure you hire a reliable company.

Now that I think about it, many home-renovation projects suit this while-we’re-away timetable. Is your driveway looking tired? Have it repaved, resealed or bricked when you’re gone. Same goes with any exterior paths and patios.

What about your deck, does it need refinishing? No use having this done while you’re home barbecuing and entertaining guests. Speaking of backyard parties, who wants up a big whiff of paint fumes? Nobody, so if you’re home’s in need of an exterior paint job, get it done while you’re gone.

Of course, there’s something to be said for DIY projects or even keeping an eye on the contractors at work, but there’s a big difference between being watching and “living through” the job.

You spend an entire month sourcing out a qualified, professional contractor to build and install new kitchen cabinets in your house. Finally you’ve found your guy: impeccable references, stunning portfolio, reasonable pricing—time to get building.

He pulls into your driveway in his Sprinter van bearing his company logo. Wearing Carhartt overalls and sporting a pencil behind his ear, he’s all class, baby. And then something happens that you weren’t expecting. While pulling out his tools—the usual heavy-duty suspects—out springs a Hello Kitty Power Sander.

If you’ve somehow managed to avoid Hello Kitty thus far, she’s that iconic Japanese character you see fixed onto everything from clothing to backpacks to jewelry, electronics …

Yes, literally everything. So why not construction equipment? Well, the obvious question is, how safe could a pink-hued, animated character-enhanced sander be? Unfortunately, exhaustive Internet searches led to zero product reviews, neither from amateurs nor professional builders. While we can’t provide a review, we can give these words of advice: if your contractor pulls out this device, kindly ask him to put it back into his Hello Kitty tool box; playtime is over.

Has anyone used this sander? Or can possibly suggest a reason for its existence?

Put down the paint brush, sit on the couch and talk to me…

In the 1989 movie When Harry Met Sally, Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby play Mary and Jess (the side story to the title characters’ drama), your typical young couple struggling with cohabitation. At issue: a wagon wheel coffee table that Jess can’t live without and Carrie can’t live with. She even goes so far as to call it “this stupid, Roy Rogers, garage-sale coffee table!” Ouch … sounds like somebody needs some design therapy.

Wait a minute, design therapy? I can live with TV reno shows weaning me off wallpaper, and glossy magazines zoning in on what’s trendy. I can even handle the idea of color therapy (how certain colors resonate with our bodies and affect mood, health, emotions, etc.—it’s actually kind of cool). Hey, I like psychedelic music. But design therapy?

I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, but it exists. But before anyone (me) writes it off as New Agey renovation excess, perhaps there’s some merit to it. After all, if feng shui has earned a place in home renovations, then maybe design therapy can, too.

We all know how stressful a home renovation can be, especially when there are two head chefs: the couple, the Mary and Jess. Disagreements and blowups can happen over light fixtures, let alone overall design. Design therapists, or “coaches” as they’re known in the biz, help clients work through the decision-making process, negotiate with contractors and architects, set a budget and timeline and mediate conflicts, between the clients themselves and the people they hire.

Former This Old House TV show executive producer-turned-therapist Bruce Irving helped a Boston couple negotiate changes with their architect, something they were struggling with. After all, who were they to argue with years of architectural education? Dealing with experts can be terrifying, and if help is available these days for everything from walking your dog to personal shopping, why not hire a professional to mediate your home’s future?

But design therapists don’t just help with conflicts; they also guide overall design so that it’s in line with your personality, which is especially critical when it comes to wagon wheel tables, beer can collections and (ladies, you’re not exempt here) a drift toward floral and (gasp!) mauve.

Design therapy: it’s only a matter of time before Woody discovers it.

Every week there’s another story—or reality TV episode—about a homeowner getting ripped off by a lazy, incompetent contractor; or worse, a contractor who cashes the homeowner’s deposit but never actually does the work. According to the Federal Trade Commission, home reno fraud is a growing problem in North America, especially with seniors. These cases typically involve door-to-door salespeople who “happen to be doing work in the area,” and sell the naive homeowner on their scam. The stories are disheartening, not just for homeowners but also for the thousands of legitimate, qualified, legal contractors in North America. Luckily, protecting yourself from shoddy work or fraud is easy with a few safeguards.

Step 1: Shop Around
You don’t walk into a store and buy the first TV you see, and the same holds true for contractors. Once you’ve figured out the basic dimensions of your reno, get at least three written, detailed cost estimates. Don’t assume the low-ball is the smartest buy; the cheapest deal isn’t necessarily the best over the long term, especially in the case of home repair. If one contractor’s price is higher than the rest, find out why. Often it’s because all costs are included in the estimate, rather than hitting you with add-ons once the job is underway.

Step 2: Check References
Hiring a contractor is like hiring any employee; they’re working for you, so before committing to pay, check their references. Any legitimate contractor will gladly hand over a half-dozen references because they know they’ll receive praise. If a contractor balks when asked for references, move on. Besides references, ask to see photos of recent work or even visit the jobsite of a current customer. Finally, check with your local Better Business Bureau to see if the contractor has received any grievance complaints.

Step 3: Get it in Writing
You’ve shopped around and are keen to move ahead with the project. But before hammers start swinging and cheques get cashing, draw up a detailed contract that includes everything from cost breakdowns (materials and labour) to start and end dates, and warranty information. For big jobs—home additions, for example—consider hiring a lawyer to do a final check through.

Step 4: Paying Up
The next step is, you guessed it, money. Typically, contractors ask for about 20 per cent up-front and the rest upon completion. If they’re asking for more, this should send up some warning signals. Remember, it’s never too late to move onto another contractor, although it may cost you your initial deposit. The second caveat, no matter how tempting, is to avoid cash deals. Cash deals can leave you unprotected if things go wrong.
Avoiding home renovation scams is easy so long as you follow these basic guidelines. And don’t worry about feeling like you’re annoying the contractor with these issues; the good ones will encourage questions and do their best to answer them fully.

Some useful links:
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, on hiring a contractor

Get it in Writing, a site devoted to hiring contractors

Canadian Better Business Bureau association, and the American equivalent

Finding a good contractor need not be an impossible challenge, here are some great tips to help locate a great contractor, the questions to ask, and other valuable information.

How to Locate a Great Contractor
If you are thinking about renovating your home, you may have a style that prefer. Drive around a few neighbourhoods to see what you like, you may seen several signs for contractors in the area.
The HomeRenovationGuide can provide you with great contractors that service your area, and you can see their portfolios online.
If you know a reliable trades person such as a plumber, or electrician, ask them if they have worked with someone they would recommend.

Questions to Ask
Are they bonded, licensed, insured, and covered by workers’ compensation insurance?
What is the time line of your project. Start dates, completion dates, any pauses between phases if the project is large?
Have them provide you with a quote that is detailed so you can review and inquire about charges that you are not clear on.

Money / Payment
What is the rate? (smaller projects)
What is the total cost (larger projects) and what is included. Some companies bill only for hours and you pay the material costs direct, others will build in the materials cost. Be sure you know what you are getting so you can accurately compare.
What is the payment schedule? Some require a deposit so make sure you are informed before you agree.

Other Tips to Remember
Trust your instincts. Personal fit is important; depending on the size of your project you can be face to face with this person for several months.
A good contractor will ask you as many questions as you ask them. This is a great indication that they care about your project and want to ensure you are happy, so be open and let them know your bottom line and what you must have and what you dislike.

Sooner or later we all need to call a plumber. A plumber is expensive and there’s no way around that. But there are a variety of ways to get the most value for your money. This guide will highlight the most effective ways to save money on plumbing.

Compare Hourly Rates

The first, and often only thing, that consumers zero in on when comparing plumbers is their hourly rate. People figure that they should hire the “reputable firm” with the lowest rate. Sounds simple and direct but it doesn’t always work.

The first concern is with the concept of “reputable.” For most people, if they have heard the name many times over the years, they feel that the firm must have an established reputation. Unfortunately, this is often untrue. In the plumbing field, in particular, several of the most highly promoted companies have the worst track records.

The second problem with the hourly rate is that it is difficult to compare rates because of the many ways plumbers count the hours. Travel time is a factor that should be considered. Plumbers spend a good part of their day driving from job to job. They must be compensated for this time.

The bottom line is that it is very difficult to make objective comparisons between two plumbers’ hourly rates. But there is an even bigger problem with focusing on hourly rates. The issue of quality should be considered.

The best way to select a plumber is on his overall ability to deliver customer satisfaction consistently. Costumer satisfaction takes into account all of these issues and constitutes an accurate indication of value received.

Minimize Need

An entirely different approach to saving money on plumbing is to reduce the need to call them at all. The most common plumbing calls have to do with drains. Many homes have one or two problem drains and several that never need any attention at all.

Grease tends to build up over time. You can counteract this by doing things to reduce the grease buildup. There are several products available designed to reduce grease build up. Experiment with these and you may find you can stay one step ahead of a clogged drain indefinitely. Some people have found success with just pouring boiling sudsy water down the drain periodically to reduce grease buildup.

In most cases, hair can be trapped in some sort of screen or drain cover. Talk to your plumber next time he’s there and ask about suggested ways to prevent the hair from getting in the drain. It’s much easier to gather hair off the screen periodically than it is to deal with a clogged pipe.

Another costly, but preventable, problem is frozen pipes. Make sure that all your pipes are in heated spaces. If any are not, make sure they are well insulated. Each fall, when the weather turns colder, disconnect and drain your garden hoses, turn-off the indoor cut-off valve located near the faucet, and open the outdoor faucet. If there is no cut-off valve, consider installing one. Any water left in pipes exposed to below-zero temperatures will freeze.

Buy Your Own Fixtures

A popular and effective way to save money is to buy your own fixtures. Traditionally, plumbers sell you the toilets, sinks, faucets etc. that they install. Typically they’ll get the items at a discount and charge you full price. In part, this is to make money and in part this is to cover the costs of dealing with purchases, returns, storage etc. In recent years, however, some of the home center stores now charge you prices that are even lower than the contractor prices that plumbers pay their suppliers. One result is that plumbers are shopping more and more at the same stores you are. There are many instances where you will do better buying your own fixtures, providing you have the time to invest in shopping around.

While this approach can save you big bucks, there are three caveats to keep in mind. First, many fixtures that appear to be great buys are poorly made or are missing adapters, installing kits or other components that normally come with similar products. Shop carefully.

Second, if you supply the fixture and the plumber installs it and something goes wrong, there is likely to be some confusion as to whose responsibility it is. One way to get around this is to check with the plumber up front about what brands or lines he recommends and then buy those brands.

Checking with the plumber up front also gets you around the third problem. Every product or line of products has its own installation quirks. Choosing a fixture that is familiar to your plumber assures that you will get the full advantage of his expertise and experience. If instead, you choose something he’s never worked with, expect that you’ll be paying for some on-the-job learning mistakes.

cpaulsen@homerenovationguide.com

Whether building a new home or renovating an old one, choose your contractor carefully. Start by writing your project down, including a floor-plan sketch. Ask friends, family and neighbours about good and bad contractors. Select several contractors and arrange to meet with them. During the meeting, ask each of them:

* How long have they been in business

* What experience have they with projects such as yours

* Their registration numbers for trade associations, the Better Business Bureau, Workers’ Compensation and private liability insurance

Reputable contractors will gladly answer these questions. Avoid those who balk.

Have the contractor supply at least three references. Ask these former clients about their experiences and, if possible, visit their projects for a first-hand look. Ask your local Better Business Bureau if there have been complaints and how the contractor handled them. Stay away from websites that use a user review ranking system or bidding systems, they can’t guarantee review legitimacy and no contractor can bid on a job without seeing your home.

A major project may require professionally drawn plans. Instead of hiring an expensive architect, pay one prospective contractor to draw them. Then you’ll own the plans outright and can show them to other bidders. Welcome suggestions. An experienced contractor may have good ideas you never thought of.

Each estimate should state prices for labour, materials (including brand and model names where applicable), and all other expenses. It should also describe the warranty. Don’t necessarily choose the lowest bid. Ensure that yours includes:

* The contractor’s name, address and telephone number, along with registration numbers of the firm’s operating license, memberships in trade associations or the Better Business Bureau and Workers’ Compensation. Also include details of private liability insurance coverage. You could be held liable if insurance doesn’t cover an injured worker. If subcontractors are involved, the contract should list similar information for them.

* A detailed listing of the work to be done and all products to be used. The contract could specify either a set price, to which the contractor is committed regardless of unforeseen complications, or a cost price, which allows the contractor to charge extra for such problems.

* An hourly rate for labour. This is most important in a cost-price contract, but is also necessary in a set-price contract, in case you decide to change the plan after work has begun.

* A schedule for payments. Pay only a nominal deposit before work has begun. Then, arrange for payments as work progresses. Avoid scheduling payments for predetermined calendar dates. Instead, pay as each stage is completed.

Never sign a partial or blank contract. Any later changes should be added in writing and signed by both parties. During the project, deal directly with the contractor rather than the tradespeople. Handle problems as they arise and be reasonable. Be considerate of the contractor’s needs, such as parking space for work vehicles.

While homeowners choose to undertake many kinds of home renovations, installation and/or repair of heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment is usually considered an exceptional measure. Yet the heating and cooling system in any structure is a critical factor in occupant comfort and quality of life. The purchase of a furnace, air conditioner or ventilation system is a major investment and deserves careful consideration. Most provinces require the hiring of a licensed or qualified HVAC tradesperson to perform the work because of the safety concerns and consequences involved. However, homeowners frequently do not distinguish among contractors on anything other than price. Consumers should be aware that the lowest price is not always the best value!

There are some obvious red flags to look for when you are shopping around for a contractor. For example, reputable contractors will not quote prices without seeing the job. Reputable contractors will not request large cash advances prior to the delivery of any equipment or materials. And any reputable contractor will readily provide a full business address as well as a telephone number where they can be reached. Apart from these more obvious tip-offs, there are a number of guidelines that a homeowner should keep in mind in order to get the best value when hiring a heating and air conditioning contractor.

1. Finding Reputable Contractors

You may wish to contact neighbours, friends, relatives and co-workers for opinions on work done recently by an HVAC contractor. You can also use the business directory for your area, or newspaper, radio and television ads to identify contractors. In most cases you will be better off selecting contractors that promote the quality of their service and equipment at a reasonable rate, rather than just low prices. It may be best to select experienced firms. If possible, try to visit their offices.

You will want to determine whether the contractor has appropriately certified personnel on staff (sheet metal, refrigeration and air conditioning or electrician journeymen, gas fitters, etc.), whether 24-hour emergency service is available, and whether the contractor offers maintenance and service agreements after the installation and warranty. The warranty policy should be clearly stated for equipment, materials and labour and should indicate who is responsible for honouring the warranty.

2. Getting Estimates

Arrange for the contractor to come and inspect the job site. Some small jobs may be priced out and an estimate written immediately, but larger jobs may require additional time to price properly and to prepare a heat loss and gain calculation for proper sizing of the equipment.

Make sure that each estimate is written on a proper form that is easily read and understood. When comparing the estimates received, the statements about the work to be performed and the materials used should be of comparable quality, or the estimates should make proper allowances for any differences. Be sure that the estimate includes the proper permits and licenses. The warranty policy should be clearly stated for equipment, materials and labour. If the contractor uses sub-contractors for some of the actual work, these should be listed on the proposal and in the contract.

3. The Contract

The contract is the agreement between the homeowner and the contractor that specifies what work will be performed and gives a firm dollar value on that work. It is a legal, binding document when signed by both parties, so be sure you understand and agree with the contents before signing. Any changes or additions in the work to be done should never be made without those alterations being written into the contract and initialed by both parties. If extra billing is to occur, it must be clearly stated and initialled by both parties.

In addition to the name, address and telephone number of the consumer and the contractor, the contract should clearly state the following items:

* required licenses and permits to be purchased by the contractor
* responsibility for removal of old equipment and materials
* warranties and guarantees on materials and labour
* approximate start and completion dates unless specific dates and times are agreed upon
* price and terms of payment

The contractor should also provide orientation regarding operation and maintenance of the equipment, and should leave an operations and maintenance manual with the consumer.

4. Payment Methods

There is no standard method of payment, so the payment schedule will vary from company to company. In any case, the payment schedule should be easy to understand and clearly stated if interest charges are applicable. A nominal deposit may be requested. Get a receipt for your deposit or have the amount shown on the contract and get the salesman to initial it. All payments should be made directly to the company named in the contract.

5. Insurance

It is important that the contractor and any sub-contractors each have public liability and property damage insurance, and be able to produce a certificate of good standing from the Workers Compensation Board. You may wish to ask who the policy is with and follow up to verify that it is current.

6. References

Reputable contractors will be more than willing to give you the names and addresses of customers they’ve done work for in your area. You may wish to contact the Better Business Bureau, which maintains records of consumer complaints about its members. You should also ask whether the contractor is a member of the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors of Canada (HRAC-Canada), the industry association for heating and air conditioning contractors in Canada. HRAC requires its members to carry relevant trade, fuel safety and municipal licenses as well as workers compensation. A companies membership in HRAC tells you that the company is properly licensed and that they are committed to continuous improvement through education and training.

Reprinted with permission from the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors of Canada. www.hrac.ca

**Courtesy of Sears Home Central - Home Central

Note: For American contractors, please visit the Air Conditioning Contractors of America at www.acca.org.

Here are a few quick tips to help have a successful renovation!

1. Hire an experienced contractor. Ask for addresses of homes they have worked on, and take a drive by to see if they fit with what you are looking for. Ask for before and after photos of previous work. Most are happy to show off their portfolio.

2. Know that price is not everything. Just because someone is the most expensive doesn’t mean they are the best for your project. The same for the cheapest. Get detailed quotes which outline the materials they are planning to use. Then you can accurately compare the value.

3. Some contractors may offer warranties, and come back every so often to ensure that things are still perfect. This is a great feature for major renovations, and adds to their credibility.

4. Get dates that are to start and finish, then assume a few added days due to weather or uncontrollable situations which can arise.

5. Build a good relationship with your contractor. The more they know your needs, the better they can meet them.

Renovations don’t have to be stressful. Set out a game plan with the contractor you choose and that will make things much smoother.

nrollins@homerenovationguide.com

Don’t Assume That All Contractors Are “Pretty Much The Same”

The most important part of shopping for a new indoor comfort system is to pick the right contractor. Choose the wrong one and you risk getting a new system that will not keep you comfortable and will not save you much, if anything, on you monthly utility bills.

In order to get the efficiency and comfort you deserve, you must find a contractor who will:

1. select the right size of equipment for your home
2. install the equipment properly
3. uncover and solve any pre-existing problems with your duct systems or house insulation.
4. ask you a lot of questions
5. NOT provide a quote before doing a diagnostic testing - a good contractor will mention this, a bad one won’t.
6. NOT force you to make a rush buying decision - steer clear of pushy sales people
7. explain everything and suggest several options available to you
8. NOT try to sell you a system over the phone

All contractors are certainly not the same. Sad to say, a small minority are downright dishonest. Both NBC’s Dateline and CBS’s 48 Hours recently aired hidden camera sting operations exposing fraudulent heating and cooling contractors. A number of these companies that they called out either bent the facts, or commited outright fraud on national television. The Better Business Bureau ranks heating and cooling as one of the highest complaint generating industries.

Fortunately, the great majority of contractors are honest. They work hard and mean well. They are ethical, at the leading edge technically and have business and customer service systems in place that ensure high levels of client satisfaction. Invest the time to identify a good contractor, it will be time well spent.

cpaulsen@homerenovationguide.com