5 Questions With A RenoMark Renovator
Getting ready for your next home project or renovation? It’s best to check out the GTA Home & Reno Show. There will be lots to learn about when looking to update any part of your home. We got to sit down with Sam Lapidus from Keystone Ridge Developments Ltd. who usually makes an appearance at the show.
Sam is focused on providing the best customer service experience to all of his clients. Keeping the home owner satisfied means he’s doing his job. Keystone Ridge is the place you want to go if looking for large renovation projects. They even specialize in condos, since Sam is a condo owner himself, and sits on the condo board. He understands condo living as a lifestyle which helps when providing clients with the best renovation advice. Here are our 5 questions with a RenoMark renovator.
1. What are the top 3 pieces of advice you provide clients with before starting a renovation?
a. Know your budget and stick to it. A renovation starts with a dream and focuses itself towards what is possible by the time the first hammer walks in the door. Working with professionals will make the dream a reality while staying within the confines of what is affordable. Professionals will bring ingenuity to help maximize the scope of work within the budget.
b. Have the right contract for the job. Not only will a professional renovator put a written contract forward but it’s the law. Every project is different and the contract should be tailored for the specific scope of work. This will include what is being renovated, the materials that will be used and who will be supplying them. Payment terms should also be detailed.
c. It’s a team sport. You have engaged a professional renovator and maybe even a designer but it doesn’t end with shaking hands over the written contract. Great service providers will be just as excited to work with the homeowner through the entire renovation process as the homeowner is for the end product. Working together means strong communication channels, regular site visits, trust and comfort. Your renovator will be living in your home from 9 to 5 so all of these are vital.
2. How likely is it that you will need a permit in order to complete a renovation?
There are hundreds of different aspects that can be renovated in a home. If you check with your local municipality you will find that they will have a list of about fifteen or so items that don’t need a permit. So chances are a renovation will require them. A professional renovator will know when a permit is required and take a homeowner through the process of acquiring the proper ones.
3. Why is it important to hire a professional?
You have heard it before; you wouldn’t tackle your own dental work, you go to a dentist. Houses are living, breathing creatures and need their own type of health care to keep them going. Professional renovators and the qualified service providers they work with are specialists at what they do. These are the experts and know how to deliver on time and on budget.
4. What’s the best way to build a strong relationship with your hired contractor?
It starts with a good feeling that a working relationship will not only go smoothly but will keep its energy till the very end. So if it starts with trust it must continue with communication. It’s great to share ideas, suggestions and requests in person or over the phone but remember this is still business. A good renovator will put everything down in writing throughout the entire project for their records and yours.
5. How do I know which contractor to choose for a project?
A professional contractor will have numerous renovation experiences similar to the scope of work that you are undertaking. They will be more then happy to put you in touch directly with a few of their past clients for references. You may also request to see some of their work in person. Remember everyone has a website with photos and testimonials. Make sure you can authenticate the renovator’s work. RenoMark.ca is a great resource for homeowners to find the pro’s in their area. Contractors found on this database carry proper insurance, licenses and always provide a two-year craftsmanship warranty.
