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The-Mortgage-Gal

Golden rules of renovation

The Canadian Renovator’s Council of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association offers a number of golden rules to help renovating homeowners achieve their goals.

Know what you want. Take the time you need to explore the possibilities for your home and develop a firm plan. Begins with the fundamentals-what do you need and how you want your “new” home to look, feel and work for you and your family.

Set a realistic budget. Decide as early as possible how much money you want to spend-this allows you and your renovator to focus on the work that is doable within that budget. Experienced renovators can provide sound cost advice.

Plan for the long term. Thinking ahead avoids short-term renovations that may need to be redone in the future. Discuss
your short- and long-term goals openly with your renovator. Professional renovators can conduct a thorough inspection of your home and offer suggestions for the most effective sequencing of work over a period of time.

Don’t jeopardize the quality of your renovation by compromising on the quality of products or materials. If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well, and that means using products that offer the right combination of performance, durability and aesthetics.

Don’t choose a renovator on price alone. While it is always tempting to go for the lowest price, you need to consider the
implications of doing so. Does the renovator understand what’s involved in your project and have the necessary experience? Will the renovator offer a warranty on the work? Will the renovator still be in business if you need to call back?

Protect yourself. Dealing with a professional renovator is your greatest protection against an incompetent or unfinished
job. A written contract spells out the arrangements between you and your renovator and describes your renovation in
detail. Professional renovators also carry Worker’s Compensation, liability insurance and any licenses required by
your province.

And don’t buy from a door to door salesperson without carefully checking out the company. Before you enter into any kind of agreement, talk with friends and family. Contact your local Home Builders’ Association to see if the company is a
member. Also check with the Better Business Bureau to see if anyone has lodged a complaint against the company. 

If you would like to set up a strategy meeting or know more please contact us (250) 862 1806.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.



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About the Author

Tracy Head helps busy families get a head start on home ownership.

With today’s increasingly complicated mortgage rules, Tracy spends time getting to know her clients and helps them to better understand the mortgage process. She supports her clients before, during, and after their mortgage is in place.

Tracy works closely with her clients, offering advice and options. With access to more than 40 different lenders. She is able to assist with residential, commercial, and reverse mortgages in order to match the needs of her clients with the right mortgage package.

Tracy works hard to find the right fit for her clients and provide support for years down the road.

Call Tracy at 250-826-5857 or reach out by email [email protected]

Visit her website at www.headstartmortgages.com

Download her app: Headstart Mortgage Architects

 

 



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The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet does not warrant the contents.

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