The Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-04-22, Page 33Page 8
Research renovation work before hiring
Homeowners planning renovations can
get started on the right footing by resear-
ching the work involved, in the job before
hiring a company to carry it out.
- There are many sources of information on
-renovations. Explanations of construction
techniques could be as handy as the local
library, although advice on certaintopics
such as new building materials, may prove
elusive without a bit of detective work.
"But dust off your Sherlock Holmes cap
and you'll find it was worth the effort," says
Roberta Allan of the Ontario Ministry of
Consumer and Commercial Relations
( MCCR ). • *Too many people think only do -it-
, yougselfers need to know how renovations
. are done. Then they find themselves unable
to deal effectively with contractors or
tradespeople because they don't understand
what's going on.
'This frustrates everyone, can cause ex-
pensive misunderstandings and also makes
the consumer a prime target for unethical
contractors."
In addition to identifying the major steps
involved in the job, homeowners should be
sure they understand all their legal respon-
sibilities in terms of contracts, permits,
payment schedules, insurance and other
issues, Allan says.
All Ontario residents have access to the
following sources of information on home
renovations. If these people can't help, they
probably know who can:
*municipal government building depart-
ments — Your local municipality's building
inspectors can advise you about building,
plumbing, fire and electrical code regula-
tions. They are the people to see about such
important legal details as permit re-
quirements, zoning and how much space to
leave between the lot line and that new
'porch. Building department staff can usual-
ly provide free general advice on common
construction concerns.
' CONTACT - Numbers are listed in the
blue pages;
*Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Com-
-mercial Relations — The ministry's
brochure, A Practical Guide to Home
Repairs, looks at this topic from the con--
sumer
on-sumer purchase angle and should be re-
-quired reading for anyone setting up
renovation contracts. The free booklet lists
pertinent things to include in the contract,
discusses common complaints, problem
solving and gives specifics about siding and
insulation projects. MCCR also produces
brochures on the'Consumer Protection Act,
the Business Practices Act, driveway pav-
ing contracts and many other topics.
Consumer who feel unfairly treated by a
company can ask a Consumer Services
Bureau of MCCR to mediate.
CONTACT — Consumer Services Bureaus
are listed in the phone book. Address ques-
tions or publication requests to the Con-
sumer Information Centre, 555 Yonge St.,
Toronto, Ontario. M7A 2H6 — ( 416) 963-1111,
area code 807 call collect, ( toll free from an
other area codes) 1-800-268-1142, TTY/TDD
(416) 963-0808;
*Ontario Ministry of Housing — The Plans
Permits and Payments publication produc-
ed by this ministry is another invaluable
aid. It discusses everything from site plans
to the duties of architects and general con-
tractors. The ministry is planning to release
a number of new brochures on renovations
shortly.
Staff can, also answer questions on •
specific issues. CONTACT The Ontario
Renovation Information Centre, 16 Howland
Rd., Toronto, Ontario M4K 2Z6 — (416)
461-7577.
*Ontario Ministry of Energy. General in-
quiries about energy. conservation in the'
home can be directed to this ministry at
(
416)965-3246 or Zenith 80420;
*Energy, Mines and Resources Canada —
Additional information on energy usage in.
homes can be obtained from this federal
ministry. Publications on insulation and
other topics are available.
CALL — l 613 1 995-1801 or ' toll free}
1-800-267-9563;
*Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corpora-
tion - Best known for its mortgage in-
surance activities, the CMHC also runs the
Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Pro-
gram. This project provides loans to eligible
Ontario residents wishing to fix structural
faults in their homes,, particularly those pos-
• ing safety or health risks. RRAP also offers -
help with residential conversions for the
handicapped- and rented property
upgrading.
Many publications and videos are
available through CIVIHC: The Corporation
also employs architects, house inspectors•
and other experts who may be able to help
with specific concern's. CALL ,- 4161
781-2451.
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