46 — Friday, April 3, 1992 - North Shore News

Renovating home is serious business

TODAY, MORE people are repairing, remodeling and
improving their present home rather than moving. But be-
fore you jump in with both feet, be clear about’ what you
want, whether it can be done and how you’re going to pay

for the work.

Whether vou hope to add value
to your home or have to do
repairs to keep things in good
shape, careful planning now will
save you time and money iater.
This includes developing plans aiid
specifications and deciding who
wili do the work.

First, write down a description
of the work to be done. Check
your list against ideas from home
improvement magazines, books
and pamphlets from material sup-
pliers. For more complex jobs,
you may need an architect or con-
tractor to work out plans and
specifications in line with local
building codes. With plans in
hand, you can then decide
whether you will do the work
yourself or invite contractors to
bid.

_Responsibility for the Job

{f you have the skills, you can
probably do a fot of the work
yourself. But you'll need to con-
sider how many evenings and
weekends you're willing to spend
on it.

By Garry Boder
Contributing Writer

You could hire the expertise and
act as your own general contrac-
tor. If vou do, you'll have to
make sure the job is described
completely and correctly, permits
are applied for, proper insurance
coverage arranged, materials pur-
chased, delivered and stored, and
debzis hauled away.

With large, complex or hazard-
ous jobs such as roofing, chimney
repairs or new windows, you
might be better off contracting the
work. A contractor hires and
supervises workers and makes sure
all the work described in the writ-
ten agreement is carried out. Even
if you use a contractor, you have
to make sure the contract is
adhered to and let the contractor
know if things are not done to
your satisfaction.

Paying for the Work
You can pay cash, use your
credit card, take out a home im-
provement or personal loan, or, if

Home buiiders sound

alarm over

US. tariffs

on softwood lumber

NEW U.S. tariffs on Cana-
_dian softwood lumber ex-
ports are “unfortunate and
discriminatory,’? Canadian
‘Home Builders’ Association
(CHBA) president John
Bassel said recently.
Calling the U.S. Department of
_Commerce action unfair, Mr.
Bassel said the CHBA fully sup-
ports the federal government’s
. stand and will closely monitor de-
velopments in the weeks ahead.
Mr. Sassel noted that the U.S.
National Association of Home
Builders has made representations
that the recently announced in-
terim tariffs would add at least
$1,500 to the price of a new home
in the United States. Artificial in-
terventions of this kind by any
“ government reduces the efficiency

of the industry and this is in-
evitably reflected in higher con-
sumer costs. ‘‘Anybody who
thinks that these higher costs
won't also find their way into the
price of lumber sold in Canada
should think again,’’ said Mr,
Bassel.

He also noted that ‘‘anyone
who ‘examines the history of this
dispute would conclude that
Canada’s lumber industry is being
harassed.’* This means fewer jobs
for Canadians through no fault of
the Canadian industry.

Mr. Bassel emphasized the need
for a commitment to the spirit
and substance of the Free Trade
Agreement. Mr. Bassel warned
that ‘‘without this, the value of
the whole Free Trade Agreement
may be irreparably damaged in
the public eye.’’

Feature to profile local
people making difference

THE NORTH Shore News is
tooking for People Who Make a
Difference.

A June 21 News feaiure will
profile people who live or work
on the North Shore and have done
something to make a difference.

That difference could be a bank
teller who was very helpful pro-
viding you with the information
you needed to open an account or
someone who volunteers their time

to help others.

If someone has done anything
— big or small — that made a
difference to you, write a letter to
describe that person and what
they did.

Please send your letters, by May
15, to Pamela Lang, Editorial
Department, North Shore News,
1139 Lonsdale Ave., North Van-
couver, V7M 2H4. Or fax to
Pamela Lang at 985-3227 or
985-1435.

RLet us treat your windows

with loving care.
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valences, hard window coverings (mini, micro,

vertical & pleated blinds)

Bedspreads and drapery tracks.

Free in-home estimates
Competitive prices

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you have enough equity in your
home, you may increase your
mortgage.

With smaller jobs, payment is
usually made when the work is
completed. If special appliances or
custom cabinet work must be
ordered, a deposit in advance will
likely be requested.

For really big jobs, interim
payments may be required based
on work completed. Avoid mak-
ing payments at specific times,
regardless of the amount of work
done. Always hold back enough
funds to get the work completed if
the contractor can’t finish the job.

In any event, don’t make the

final payment or sign an acknowl-
edgement of completion until
everything promised has been
done. If the contractor tries to
assure you that workers will be
“back in a few days to finish
everything off,” say that the che-
que will be ready then, too.

A well-done renovation project
takes time, study and patience
from the moment your first
remodeling idea springs forth until
you make the final payment.

For more information, pick up
a free copy of Your Money Mat-
ters boeklet on “Renovating your
Home’’ from any Royal Bank
branch,

Give free estimates in your home for your Drapery, Bed-

spreads and Upholstery Needs. We will bring samples to

your home and will pick up and deliver your furniture.
COOKS UPHOLSTERY LTD.

Since 1916
On Oak Street between 21st and 22nd Avenue

3750 Oak St., Vancouver, V6H 2Ni3
733-3610

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