The Dark Side of Renovation - Avoid 'Fly-By-Night’ Contractors
By Lisa Clifford
The dark side of renovation. It sounds like a bad horror movie. But for many Nova Scotians a leaky roof or a cracked foundation is the all too real result of a bad renovation experience.
The recession drove many would-be renovators into a business they weren’t particularly qualified for and homeowners into hiring these companies to save money.
Professional renovators like Gordon Smith, a partner at G&I Smith Home Improvements, call these shoddy renovators “fly-by-night” contractors. He says they give the whole industry a bad name, because they’re usually here today and gone tomorrow.
“Some people think this underground economy in Canada is almost as big as the industry itself,” says Smith. “And fly-by-nighters aren’t paying taxes either.”
Smith says legitimate construction firms are at 30 to 40 per cent disadvantage against fly-by-nighters on the job site. Moonlighters can afford to offer lower bids because they pay lower wages and contribute no money to Canada Pension or Unemployment Insurance, says Smith.
But a lower bid from a moonlighter can end up costing more in the long run. Shoddy work means a big headache for the customer and an even bigger bill to fix the damage.
Smith says it’s up to the customer to do their homework before hiring a contractor for a job. There are ways to avoid getting taken, he says. His best suggestion: “Hire an experienced and reputable professional.”
The Nova Scotia Home Builders’ Association, the provincial arm of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, is a voluntary and non-profit organization that bills itself as the voice of construction and renovation in Canada. It has a certain standard for membership and a list of reputable contractors that abide by the association’s code of ethics.
Smith also suggests checking with the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints on file about the contractor you’re considering.
He says get at least two or three quotes for any potential renovation. Ask for references. Then check those references carefully. Trade references with stores such as Beaver Lumber can also be useful in ascertaining the reliability of a potential contractor.
A reputable renovator should have liability insurance and be in good standing with the Workers’ Compensation Board, says Smith. If they’re not, the homeowner could be liable for any injuries or damage on the job site.
Many contractors use subtraders to do work like wiring or carpentry. Smith says find out who’ll be working on your project and make sure the sub-contractor can be trusted to do a good job as well.
Get everything in writing, advises Smith. There should be a one year written warranty for labour and materials as well as a contract derailing what’s included in the job and the payment terms. A reasonable deposit is expected, hut Smith says stay away from contractors who want half the cash up front.
“Ask for a written estimate with details explaining what’s going to he done,” says Smith. “Anything extra should be negotiated and agreed on before work starts.”
“People should look for professionalism,” Smith says. “Don’t entrust your $50,000 home to an incompetant.”
The Nova Scotia Home Builders’ Association, in business for 36 years in this province, has declared October to be Renovation Month. Ann Janega, executive officer of the association that has 12,000 members across Canada, hopes to educate the public about hiring a good contractor.
“Our contractors are working smarter, longer and harder for less,” says Janega. “It’s tough in this industry. There’s competition from many fronts. Some unskilled people are offering low quality product for less money.”
During Renovation Month, Janega will promote the renovators who participate in the Nova Scotia Home Builders’ Association as well as several new programmes. One, a renovation for seniors programme, encourages senior citizens to hire professional renovators. Another, a sustainable housing project. promotes homes that meet certain requirements for landscape, design and material sustainability.
By Lisa Clifford
The dark side of renovation. It sounds like a bad horror movie. But for many Nova Scotians a leaky roof or a cracked foundation is the all too real result of a bad renovation experience.
The recession drove many would-be renovators into a business they weren’t particularly qualified for and homeowners into hiring these companies to save money.
Professional renovators like Gordon Smith, a partner at G&I Smith Home Improvements, call these shoddy renovators “fly-by-night” contractors. He says they give the whole industry a bad name, because they’re usually here today and gone tomorrow.
“Some people think this underground economy in Canada is almost as big as the industry itself,” says Smith. “And fly-by-nighters aren’t paying taxes either.”
Smith says legitimate construction firms are at 30 to 40 per cent disadvantage against fly-by-nighters on the job site. Moonlighters can afford to offer lower bids because they pay lower wages and contribute no money to Canada Pension or Unemployment Insurance, says Smith.
But a lower bid from a moonlighter can end up costing more in the long run. Shoddy work means a big headache for the customer and an even bigger bill to fix the damage.
Smith says it’s up to the customer to do their homework before hiring a contractor for a job. There are ways to avoid getting taken, he says. His best suggestion: “Hire an experienced and reputable professional.”
The Nova Scotia Home Builders’ Association, the provincial arm of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, is a voluntary and non-profit organization that bills itself as the voice of construction and renovation in Canada. It has a certain standard for membership and a list of reputable contractors that abide by the association’s code of ethics.
Smith also suggests checking with the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints on file about the contractor you’re considering.
He says get at least two or three quotes for any potential renovation. Ask for references. Then check those references carefully. Trade references with stores such as Beaver Lumber can also be useful in ascertaining the reliability of a potential contractor.
A reputable renovator should have liability insurance and be in good standing with the Workers’ Compensation Board, says Smith. If they’re not, the homeowner could be liable for any injuries or damage on the job site.
Many contractors use subtraders to do work like wiring or carpentry. Smith says find out who’ll be working on your project and make sure the sub-contractor can be trusted to do a good job as well.
Get everything in writing, advises Smith. There should be a one year written warranty for labour and materials as well as a contract derailing what’s included in the job and the payment terms. A reasonable deposit is expected, hut Smith says stay away from contractors who want half the cash up front.
“Ask for a written estimate with details explaining what’s going to he done,” says Smith. “Anything extra should be negotiated and agreed on before work starts.”
“People should look for professionalism,” Smith says. “Don’t entrust your $50,000 home to an incompetant.”
The Nova Scotia Home Builders’ Association, in business for 36 years in this province, has declared October to be Renovation Month. Ann Janega, executive officer of the association that has 12,000 members across Canada, hopes to educate the public about hiring a good contractor.
“Our contractors are working smarter, longer and harder for less,” says Janega. “It’s tough in this industry. There’s competition from many fronts. Some unskilled people are offering low quality product for less money.”
During Renovation Month, Janega will promote the renovators who participate in the Nova Scotia Home Builders’ Association as well as several new programmes. One, a renovation for seniors programme, encourages senior citizens to hire professional renovators. Another, a sustainable housing project. promotes homes that meet certain requirements for landscape, design and material sustainability.
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