Vancouver Courier November 14 2012 by Glacier Digital

THE VANCOUVER COURIER WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2012

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Start with a plan and end with a successful makeover

Since 1989

Hiring a renovator or repair person means you’re trusting every aspect of your home’s renewal to a stranger. In which case a positive referral is mandatory. Kurt Gust, owner/operator and his staff at Mr. Build can provide a complimentary estimate for any project or repair needed usually within 48 hrs. With 50% of his business coming from referrals and repeat customers, Kurt knows the importance of getting it right the first time. Below are nine critical steps a homeowner needs to take for a successful renovation. 1. Do your homework Whether you are making modest changes in one or two rooms, or you are transforming the entire house into a dream of a lifetime, the renovation process can be pleasant and smooth – if you take the time to plan your project carefully. Advance research is the key to getting what you want. Review magazines, books and websites to get an idea of the look you want. Visit friends, family members and colleagues who have renovated recently. Consider your lifestyle and the needs of your family, both in the short and long term. 2. Find out how much you can afford If you are thinking about using outside funds, discuss your borrowing needs and options with your lending institution. Many ﬁnancing possibilities are available - from personal loans and lines of credit - to home equity loans and homeowner’s mortgages. 3. Look for a professional renovator For appropriate service and high-quality results, hire a professional renovator. Click on “Find a Member” on the GVHBA website for a list of member renovators in the Greater Vancouver area. Ask family, friends and neighbours for recommendations. 4. Choose your contractor Once you have acquired names of a couple of professional renovators, interview them. If you have plans and speciﬁcations, have the chosen renovators provide you with a proposal. If you do not have plans already, ask the renovators to provide you with a proposal and a budget for a design/build project.

❏✔ All Renovations ❏✔ All Home Repairs ❏✔ All Painting

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604-732-8453

9129 Shaughnessy St., Vancouver

5. Check references Don’t omit this step just because you are too busy or “they seem like the right person for the job.” Ask the contractor for a reference list and a recommended list of suppliers. Call the Greater Vancouver Home Builder’s Association as well.

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6.Work out a contract Don’t automatically take the lowest bid. Sometimes low bids turn out to be the most expensive in the end. Even the simplest of jobs should be outlined in writing, because the contract is the basis of understanding between you and your renovator. Before signing a contract, read it carefully. Are you satisﬁed with the description of the work to be done?

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7. Plan how you will live during the renovation Careful planning can greatly minimize the inconvenience of living in the midst of a renovation. Talk to your renovator about the schedule of work to be done and how your daily routine might be affected. Discuss your expectations of the work crew and determine the work environment. Does the crew need access to washroom facilities, water or electricity? Decide which areas of your home are off limits. It is a good idea to let your neighbours know you are going to be renovating.

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8. Establish a good relationship with contractors A good working relationship is a vital ingredient in successful renovation projects. Mutual trust is essential. Keep lines of communication open at all times. Expect a brief report on the progress of your job at regular intervals. Be available to make decisions when they are needed so work is not held up, perhaps costing you more money. Don’t hesitate to bring your concerns to the attention of the renovator. 9. Try to stick with your first choices Once work is underway, changes should be kept to a minimum. The details of your project, described in the contract, down to the finishing touches, form the basis of both the price and the schedule of your job. Changes could affect both significantly. Your GVHBA member renovator will attempt to accommodate any alteration in plans, as long as you accept a possible delay in completion and/or a change in price.

BUILDING HOMES. BUILDING TRUST. Visit us online or in our showroom for full selection of home renovation products, ﬁxtures and monthly promotions.

Call Kurt Gust at Mr. Build at 604-732-8453.

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