Key Considerations

Do it yourself or Hire a Professional?

Some people choose to do their own renovations. Before you start knocking down walls and playing with wiring, ask yourself a few key questions:

Do you have the time and tools required to do this renovation yourself?

If you are the handyperson type, keep in mind that any renovation you attempt yourself will probably be done in the evenings after your workday, and/or weekends. Determine how much you’re saving but also what you’re sacrificing by using your leisure time to complete this work. Do you have all the tools you will need? Do you have the necessary skills for this project?

Do you have the technical skills to do this renovation yourself?

Everyone has his or her limitations. Will you need assistance with this project? If so, who will assist you? Do they have the time and skills required for this project? Are you familiar with the architecture and structural makeup of your home (for example how knocking down one wall will affect the rest of the structure)? Have you considered the hidden costs associated with doing it yourself - time, tools, and the possibility that you may actually decrease the value of your house if the result isn't up to professional standards?

If you are comfortable and confident taking on a certain part of your renovation, we are happy to provide guidance and also partner with you on other aspects of the remodeling to help achieve your goal.

Are you able to do some of the work but not all of it?

Total Home will work with you on helping you stay within your budget and will provide the people that can handle the part of the renovation that you are not familiar with, such as plumbing, wiring, dry walling, etc.

What is your objective?

What is it that you would like to achieve? It may be a larger family room or a brighter and more spacious kitchen. Define your renovation goals first and the "how to" will fall into place afterwards.

What is your budget?

It is easy to look at the cost of hiring a professional and think only about the labour and materials you receive. But remember that a professional offers you other important benefits - years of experience, the right tools, a network of suppliers and subcontractors, and an in-depth understanding of legal regulations, cost estimating, scheduling, and the latest construction techniques. Be honest and open about your budget. Total Home Design will be able to make suggestions that will help you stay within your budget or provide alternative ideas to stretch your dollars.

Next Steps

When you contact Total Home Design we will arrange an appointment to go over the scope of your project and your budget. Whether it’s painting a room or an entire renovation, we would be pleased to discuss it with you.

After finalizing the work to be done, Total Home Design will set up a project schedule. And we go over every detail with you - to ensure that you are comfortable with how your project will be developed, and so there are no surprises.

Living with a Renovation Project

Regardless of who you hire for your renovation, having your home renovated is different from having a new home built. You live with the project from start to finish. Once construction begins, you may long for simple pleasures like a dust-free home or a fully functioning kitchen or bath. But the end result will be well worth these inconveniences. The rest of this section is designed to ensure that you arrive there with your sanity intact.

Communication

Consistent and open communication between you and your renovator will enhance your understanding of the project, provide an opportunity to exchange ideas, and ultimately help to make the experience a positive one for everyone involved.

To facilitate this process, you need to:

1. Determine who you and your renovator should contact for daily decisions or an after-hours emergency.
2. Create a place in your house where the contact persons can leave messages for each other (a securely anchored notebook is a good idea since it is less likely to get lost).
3. Speak up. If you are uncertain about any aspect of the project, be sure to let the contact person know.

Preparation and Planning

The best renovation experience comes from good planning and knowing what to expect. Your renovation may involve some mess and disruption to your home. But a professional renovator knows how to keep it to a minimum, by isolating the work area and doing daily clean-ups. Discuss these details with your renovator before your contract is signed, so that you both know what to expect.

In order to be comfortable in your decision:

• get it in writing
• get recommendations
• get customer references
• get risk protection

Get References!

You also need to check references. Don't omit this step just because you are too busy or "they seem like the right person for the job". And don't automatically take the lowest bid, unless you are certain that the renovator has properly understood what you want. Sometimes the low bid turns out to be the most expensive one in the end.

Protect Yourself

When you invite someone to work on your home, you should consider two key aspects to protect your investment and your family. First – does the renovator have the necessary skills, experience and references for renovations like yours? Second, does the renovator conduct business properly and ethically through the use of written contracts, permits, insurance, workplace compensation, taxes etc.?

Insurance

You could have personal financial liability in case of accidents or during the project if the people you hire do not have proper insurance. It is your responsibility to be sure that everyone who works for you is insured. Ask to see WSIB papers. A professional will have no problem showing these to you.

At Total Home Design, we take safety seriously. That’s why each trade professional working with us is fully licensed with the appropriate regulatory association and/or government body. We also carry full liability insurance.

Contracts

No matter what the size or scope of the job, it is important to have a written contract. A written contract is a binding legal agreement and should detail what is expected between you and your contractor. A professional contractor knows that a written contract is essential in running a proper business. Don’t be afraid to push for a contract, so you know all the details of what work is to be done, how it will be done and when, and how payments will be structured.

Total Home Design requires a contract for each project. This provides you with a proposal along with a payment schedule, details of insurance coverage, and warranty on the work and materials provided. This contract is for your protection.

Warranty Coverage

Total Home is committed to long-term satisfaction beyond the formal warranty period. After all, our reputation is our single most important asset. We will clearly state the terms of your warranty coverage in our contract with you. We offer a standard one year warranty on most of our work, as well as additional coverage where appropriate.