58 - Friday, January 15, 1999 - North Shore News Ten steps fc WITH the new year, comes 3 new set of reso- lutions —— and perhaps this year you really are going to tackle those home renovation pro- jects you've been think- ing about. Renovating vour home can be an exciting and rewarding process, Whether vou are mak- ing modest changes i one or pve rooms, or you are trans forming the entire house inte a dream of a lifetime, the process can be pleasant: aad) 2a smoothly, — if you take the tie to plan sour praject care: iilly. The Renovation Couneil of the Greater Vancouver Home Builders* Association (GVEBA), suger that homeowners can ensure a suc cess renovation if they tol- low these steps. Do your homework. Advance research is the key to getting what vou want. Study magazines and bocks to get an idea of the look vou want. Visit friends, family members and colleagies who have renovated — recently. Consider vour titestyle and the needs of your family, both in the short and long term. Find aut how niuch you can afford. Once vou have a firm idea of the kind of renovaiion you would like to undertake, it is time to decide how vou are going to pay for ie, Ifyou are thinking about using outside funds, discuss your borrowing feeds and ophoms wath vonr fender You wall probably tind thar there are man finan posstbiliaes ta canader, trary penonal foans atid dines ot credit, to heme equity jeans and homeew ner’s mMertegecs, Look for a professional reno- Vator, For appropriate service and Tieh quality results, hire a pro fessional renovator, Call the GVHBA at 590 5256 for a list of member renovators in the Greater Vancouver trea. Ask family ard tnends tor recom- mendanions. Drive around your ngighbourhood to wee who is renovating, then (alk to the homeowners about their project. Most people are delighted to share their rene- sation experienyes. Get estimates, Obtain two or three difter- ent bids; more are usuaily not required. Make sure that you provide all the renovators with the same detailed information. itis important that they bid ca the same job, or vou will not be able ro. compare estimates. This information could o¢ 4 description of the job inchud- ing skaches, drawings, pho- tograpls and measurcments, For estimates invelving maior steuctural changes such as additions or moving interior walls, renovators may also need aosee of plans. An architect could be a great help here. The set of plans includes sire and Noor plans, clevations and derail drawings. The plan forms the basis for the estimart- ing process and will also be used to obtain building per- if pF wats. Be honest and open about vour budger. The ren vator wall be able to make su gesuans thar will help sou stay sour budget or provide alternative ideas to stretch your dollars. Check references. Don't omit dis step) just because vou are tog busy or “ther seem tthe the right per son tor che jab. Call) the GVHBA, the ae eenatan's pre- views cHents, the bank and the building supply store to ensure yeu are making the rieht choices. Vork out a coniract, Don't automatically take the lowest bid. unless vou are certain that the renavator has properly understood what vou want. Somenmes low bids turn out to be the nest expensive in the end. If vou accept the renova- tor’s offer, it’s time to write up the contract. Even the simplest of jobs should be outlines? in writing because the contract is the basis of understanding berween vou and your renova: tor. Before sy ting a contract, read it carefully. Are you satis tied with the description of the work wa be dene? Does the pavinnt schedule inchude holdbacks? Are the responsibil- ities of the renovator clearly spelled our? Remember that if something is not in the con- tract, then it’s cour responsibil- ity. Have a lawyer examine the contract before vou sign it Pisa how you will live dur- ing the renovation. Careful planning can great ES — beget 900 ON THE NORTH SHORE EE 7 GSt FROM $1000* DOWN WHY RENT WHEN YOU CAN OWN YOUR OWN HOME AND STILL ENJOY * Quality construction including tradi- iional weatherproofing techniques (sloped roofs and gener- h mimumize the INCOM CHEN or living im the midst of a rer. ovation, “Talk to veur renowator about the schedule of work ie be done and how your -fiiiv routine might be atteeted. ror wstance, will the water be turned off for any ume? Do vou need te set up a temporary kitchen elewhere in the home? Can major work be done in stages ser veut always have livable space? Discuss vour the work crew and determine sone length of expectations uf anning your renovatt the work environment. The q cds access to Washroom fies, telephones, warer and clectrivity. Decide which areas of voar home are off limits, [tis a good idea to ter your neizhbours kaw thac vou are going to be renovating. Show them your plans and capiain how Jong the work will be going on. Establish a good working relationship with your reno- vator. Renovaiors aad homeown- er agree thats good working re lationship i isasiral ingredient iy Miccesstad rene ation pra: jects. Mutual trust & essential. Keep lines ef communication open at all times. Expecr a brie! report. on the progress of your job at resular intervals, perhaps every evening. Be available to make decisions when they are needed so work is not held up, perhaps costing you more See recipe page 72 NEWS photo Terry Peters Raise the roof RENOVATIONS at St. Agnes Anglican Church hall are well under way. 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