30 - Wednesday, February 17, 1993 - North Shore News HOME AND GARDEN _ Planning is the main key to successiul renovation project ABOUT 85% of Canadian home- owners undertake some form of renovation each year, and they are srcading unprecedented amounts of money on these repairs and improvements. : In the face of this booming ac- tivity, industry experts suggest that careful planning is the key to a successful project. The first step in the planning process is to make sure you know your home’s strengths, weaknesses ‘and overall condition. By. making this kind of assessment, you may generate a number of good ideas for improvements in several areas. For example, virtually every renovation job presents oppor- tunities for energy conservation measures. that will help the project pay for itself over the course of a few years. Even simple, low-cost initiatives such as caulking and weather- stripping will provide a significant benefit. Depending on the scale of the praject, you may be able to im- prove insulation levels in exterior walls, upgrade your doors and windows or even install a new, high-efficiency heating system. To clarify the job in your mind (and to help you describe it to others), put your renovation ideas on paper. In designing the project, con- sider your long-term plans for the house. Then ask yourself hard questions about the impact of the proposed changes on the house, whether your plans make financial sense, and whether they comply with local building code require- ments. Costing the project and deciding whether or not you can afford it is the next step. . You can ask contractors for a quote or, if ‘you are a do-it- yourselfer, you can visit your building supply dealer with a copy of your plans and a comprehen- sive list of the material required. Once you have an idea of the costs involved, add a 10 to 15% contingency for unexpected occur- rences. Before deciding to undertake renovations yourself, consider how much time you have to con- tribute to the project. ’ Renovations that stretch out over several months can affect your family life and peace of mind, It is also important to be experienced in the skills required and to have access to all the tools you will ned, You. can often save money by doing it yourself, but some jobs, such as wiring, plumbing and 4& Even simple, low- cost initiatives such as caulking and weather- strinping will provide a significant benefit. 99 heating systems, are better left to professionals. In fact, some jurisdictions re- quire that certain work be done by certified tradespeople. In the end, many homeowners find that a combination of under- taking the work they are familiar with and contracting out more specialized tasks is the best route to a quality job that is also af- fordable. You can start your search for a coutractor by asking for recom- mendations from friends, neighbors, building supply and hardware stores or your local home builders’ association. It is wise to invite more than one contractor to submit a written bid on the job, but keep in mind that the lowest bid is not always the best. Check the details of each bid to make sure the contractors have quoted on the same basis. Once you've mad: a selection, ask for a written contract detail- ing, among cther things, the work ad ee wee wee, Un ane caceuat seat Sipe mee Seer att et eend em ae ae eet eng oe sags eo oe an cree RETAINING WALLS to be done {including sketches), the materials ta be used, the type of work to be subcontracted, con- templated start and conipletion dates, the contracted price and a payment schedule. The contract should also in- dicate that the contractor has adequate insurance coverage and is properly licensed. 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