Proper planning is the key to successfully turning your dream into reality.

I have over 35 years of experience and success in the construction industry and I have helped others just like you achieve their renovation dreams on time and on budget. If you're just getting going, I'll help you choose your team of designers, contractors and trades. If your project is underway and you're having trouble, I will get your project back on track, smooth over relationships with your contractor and defuse tensions with your spouse/partner. (Yes, renovations are stressful!)

Common Renovation Pitfalls

I will help you avoid each of these potentially expensive pitfalls. Regardless of the stage you're at, here is how I will help:

 

How I Help...

Common Pitfall

 

At the Design Stage

  • It's a different language. I understand that. I will make sure the drawings accurately represent your vision of the project.

  • You don't always know if the drawings and specifications reflect your wishes for the project.

  • I will ease the selection process by giving you the pros and cons of the various options, enabling you to make informed decisions.

  • Fixtures, materials and finishes selections can be a daunting task, but not having them in the project description can lead to unpleasant surprises for you at the end of the project.

  • I will put all the drawings and specifications into a standard tender package to ensure all bidding contractors are quoting the same scope of work.

  • Unfortunately, contractors often get differing scopes of work for the project, leading to confusion.

 

At the Pricing Stage

  • I will help "translate" the technical jargon that you may or may not understand into plain English and make sure that you are making informed decisions.

  • Contractors often ask questions you aren't qualified answer.

 

  • I will identify when contractors seem to be making assumptions and make sure that everyone is on the same page, literally. Minor adjustments along the way will be meticulously documented.

  • Contractors sometimes make guesses at what you want..

 

  • I will ensure that all quotes are based on the same scope of work, and will ask non-compliant contractors to adjust their quotes accordingly.

  • Different contractors will include some things but not others. Evaluating the quotes you get becomes the proverbial ‘comparing apples and oranges’.

 

At the Contract Stage

  • I will prepare a legally binding contract that is fair and equitable to both parties, based on the documents that the contractors bid on.

  • Some contractors are quite content scribbling a contract on a napkin or the back of an envelope. That is a recipe for disaster.

  • I will structure the contract in such a way that the contractor will not be able to charge you exorbitant amounts for 'extra' work.

  • Changes during the course of construction will happen, but it doesn't mean your cheque book is open for the contractor.

 

At the Construction Stage

  • I will ensure that the contractor uses materials appropriate for the project and that meet the project specifications.

  • Some contractors cut corners and you don't get the quality of materials you are entitled to.

  • I will make sure the contractor follows the project drawings and specs to a 'T'. This is where all that careful pre-planning comes into play.

  • All too often, you don't get the features you want, expected and are entitled to.

 

  • Before the start of construction, I will ask the contractor for a detailed schedule for the work, and during the construction, make sure it is adhered to.

  • We have all heard the horror story about the project that takes much longer than expected.

  • I will work with the contractor on a fair payment schedule and make sure it is strictly adhered to every step of the way. This prevents the contractor from asking for too much progress money at any stage of the project.

  • The contractor has been overpaid for the amount of work that has been completed on your project.

 

At the Completion Stage

  • I will work with the contractor to develop a List of Items to Complete and establish a reasonable time frame for the completion of those items.

  • The completion of the last few items drags on forever. And your house is in a shambles because you can't put anything away yet.

  • I will make sure the contractor provides all proper warranties, instruction manuals and maintenance instructions prior to the release of the final payment.

  • The contractor leaves and doesn't provide warranty and maintenance information for the equipment that was installed.

  • I will work with you and the contractor and recommend final payment only when you are 100% satisfied with the final product.

  • The contractor disappears before the project has been finished and has no interest in returning.

My job is to make sure that your contractor does the best work possible on your project. I work for you and ensure that your interests are represented and adhered to.

I will never make any ‘behind the scenes’ deals with subcontractors, nor take kickbacks from my ‘friends’ who I recommended to you. That way, you can be absolutely certain that I am working for you, looking out for your best interest, making sure that you get the best bang for your renovation buck.

I remain impartial, working only for you.