Posted by Linda Braendel on Oct 11, 2016
Your home is your castle, but when you decide to renovate it, you need to do your homework! So says Paul Napolitano, owner of Royal Home Improvements. In his address to Rotary Toronto West members on September 22nd, he gave us insight into today’s trends and what prospective clients should consider before signing a contract.
 
 
The home renovation industry in Ontario creates $9.6 billion in wages per year and employs 174,500 workers; it is the fastest growing industry in Ontario and is the single largest investment in wealth collection in families living in our province.
 
We have all heard the horror stories of poor workmanship and customer service hassles encountered with unreliable contractors.   Paul cautions anyone contemplating a renovation project on their home to thoroughly research the prospective contractor. Ask about their association memberships – for instance, is it a RenoMark member?.  Is it a member of the Better Business Bureau? Get references and check them out; request proof of liability insurance of at least $2 million; obtain a Certificate of Clearance from the WSIB; ensure the company has a Metro Building License and acquires a Building Permit for the project. 
 
The contract should be written in specific language and include an itemized Scope of Work with a schedule of purchase allowances for fixtures, flooring, etc.   Payment terms and warranty periods should be clearly stated.  The Building Industry & Land Development Association (BILD) website has many tips on how to go about choosing a contractor and gaining an understanding of the ins and outs of the process.
 
Paul’s company is an Aging-in Place renovator.  Aging-in Place renovation is concerned with making a home safe for generational living.  There is a lot going on in the renovation industry today to accommodate the trend towards “sandwiching” - older people moving in with adult children and adult children returning home.  This trend requires homes to be safe from grandchildren to grandparents.
 
A challenge for renovators and the construction industry at large is the lack of skilled labour.  The skilled tradesmen who came from Europe many years ago and have been the mainstay of the labour force until now are retiring.  Unlike Europe, Canada has not encouraged its young people to enter the trades.  Fortunately there has been a reversal in this thinking and construction associations along with government agencies have set up information and recruitment programs in many schools and campuses across the country.  If these efforts are successful, both the industry and young people will benefit.
 
With a reputable contractor, one that cares about your wishes and requirements, renovating your home can be exciting, challenging and rewarding.