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HOME RENOVATION TIPS

In order to help you manage your renovation project we have assemblked this short guide.

Planning
  • Create a list of everything that needs to be done
  • Determine the exact nature of your project by ltaking a close look at your current and future needs
  • Make sure to preserve any unique architectural elements that contribute to the value of your property
  • Create a file with photos, flyers, brochures, magazines to help you make decisions.
Speak with an architect
  • Architects and inspectors can help you assess the impact of your renovations on your home systems, such as heating, ventilation, electrical and plumbing for example.
Determine a Global Budget
  • Keep in mind the value of your home when setting a budget. You are renovating to meet current and future needs, not to make your bungalow become a 2 million dollar estate.
  • Once you have determined your budget, add 10-20% to cover things you could not plan.
  • You may want to consider a bank loand, or renegociate your mortgage.
  • You may be eligible for renovation grants
Prioritize the work according to priorities
  • Plan every step of the project and write down the conditions that need to be considered.
Keep your documents well organized
  • Contracts
  • Job descriptions
  • Plans
  • Permits
  • Financing
Verifications Check with the city:
  • Zoning
  • Permits required
Check with your insurance company:
  • Do they cover damage to your property caused by the contractors
  • Do they cover injuries to the workers
Make sure your project respects laws on heritage buildings

Picking the right contractor
  • Make sure they are registered with APCHQ
  • Request at least 2 written estimates from different contractors
  • Talk about how they will communicate daily on the progress they are making.
  • Check their references, or visit one of their sites
  • Compare them thoroughly
Sign a contract with the contractor you hire
  • This document will detail the work that needs to be done and will indicate the price, payment methods, the work calendar, etc. Be sure you forget nothing and that you understand each clause.
  • Keep between 10 and 20% of the total sum as an emergency fund for problems which may happen.
  • Pick quality materials to make your investment pay off on the long term.
  • Ask for the renovation warranty offered exclusively by APCHQ contractors.
Keep track of the renovation site
  • Prepare the site
  • Free rooms that need renovations
  • Prepar a survival kit for yourself
  • Find a place where you can clean yourself or determin where you will move, depending on what needs to be done.
  • Workers will need access to a bathroom, water, and a telephone
Make sure one family member is always available
  • Many decisions need to be taken as the work evolves. At teh end of each day, talk to your contractor to keep track of what the next steps are and what will need to be decided for the next day.
Follow progress closely, make sure it is on track with the calendar you planned before the start of the work.
  • In a scrapbook keep track of the progress that is made, with comments, questions, requests for modifications, and the contractors answers. For major renovation sites, you may use Microsoft Project.
Write modification orders
  • If things that could not be planned need to be done, the contractor cannot just do them for free. A modification order needs to be done. You must then stop the work and come to an agreement. After talking things through with the contractor, write down the modifications in a document, as well as how much money needs to be paid, and have the contractor cosign the document.
Final Verifications
  • Make sure that the work that was done respects the contract
  • Before making the final payment and signing the release form, make sure that all the things that did not respect the contract have been corrected.
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