Renovation Question and Answers: How Do I Choose My Contractor?

Collage: How Do I Choose My Contractor?
The Most Common Question during the National Home Show 2010
2010 @ wobuilt.com

During the National Home Show I volunteered at the Bild booth (Building Industry and Land Developer Association), trying to be a good member. The purpose was to help people visiting the show with renovation questions. Interestingly one of the most common question was: how do I choose my contractor.

Here is the advice:

[1] Look at the Bild directory for contractors. We are all following the Renomark Code of Ethics.

[2] Choose three to five contractors and start interviewing them.

[3] Most important: Do you like the contractor, do you have a good feeling about them, do you have a rapport. Renovations can be lengthy and are like a marriage: lots of up and downs. If you don’t have a rapport your renovation might become a nightmare for all parties.

[4] Look at the estimates – are they detailed and comprehensive, can you compare them.

[5] Ask questions about the estimates, clarify details, lowest cost is not always the best, make sure you compare apples with apples.

[6] Ask for construction processes and have them explained to you.

[7] Look at the contracts – are they fair and equitable? Both parties have to have a win/win situation.

[8] Payment schedules – are they fair?

[9] Have several interviews – If the contractor asks a lot of question about you, this is also a good sign. They need to be comfortable with you as well.

[10] Ask to see the people who will be in charge of your project. Do you like them.

[11] Ask for references only for the ones you have shortlisted.

I cannot stress enough the importance of liking your contractor, and vice versa. In any renovation will be issues, problems and set-backs as much as great successes and highs. It is a roller coaster which can be much better endured when you and your contractor are a good team and work on the issues together.

This can bring out the most amazing design and construction solutions.

Martina Ernst
CEO
Wo-Built Inc.

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national home show
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Kitchen Designs – Are We Missing the Boat?

Collage: Where Is Innovation in Kitchen Design?

I was asked recently to write another piece for the Wo-Built forum about kitchens. But as soon as I sat down to write it – bang – writer’s block! What to write? In the past we have written about kitchens, kitchen renovations and kitchen design ideas (see previous articles) and in general the topics have not changed. There are still the same styles, design principles and overall colour schemes than before. There is a need for appliances, sinks, countertop areas and storage. Colours are generally personal choice and styles can be mixed and matched.

I was not happy to revisit any of these topics without sounding boring. Then it struck me what had been bothering me for months about contemporary kitchens: the lack of innovation on a large scale. We have innovation in appliances and in new materials, but not in the fundamentals: the way we store things and the way we consider work and counter space. Storage is mainly achieved via wall hung and floor mounted kitchen cabinets, with limiting factors of height and available wall space. Counter space is the space generally in between or by the side of the stove, sink and other appliances. Maybe there is an island with extra counter space.

I believe we need new ideas. Why not look at storage solutions that use rack technology, hence giving the opportunity to double up. If there is the height why not use lift technology. Why not have the storage unit act as a wall between the rooms, hence saving space. Why not have counter tops that are retractable, or foldable to increase working surface. Why not bring surfaces down from the ceiling when required. All this is possible and not new, but somehow not explored.

What I feel is missing is the spirit of design that was prevalent in the 60s. This era was a period of design exploration and experimentation and some wonderful ideas still survive until today or were the basis for a lot of design. Everything was possible and often tried out, the bad with the good. I am not advocating retro design, but what I would like to see is much more design experimentation.

Hence I believe until we do look at the fundamentals again we are missing the boat in kitchen design.

Martina Ernst
CEO
Wo-Built Inc.

technorati tags:
kitchen renovation
kitchen design tips
design trends

Affirmation of a Vision

Collage: Affirmation of a Vision:
"To be the leading quality building company that is sought after for its innovative design and construction and is recognized for using the projects as a means to helping women, the community and the environment"
or in short
"To be the best (builder) while doing good"
2010 @ wobuilt.com

After three years in business it was time to look at what the company now stands for since Wo-Built evolved since we first founded it and especially its social mission was diversified. It was time to revisit the vision statement again and to see if the company’s vision had indeed changed and what its heart and soul had become.

The heart of the company always was helping women and it started with training and mentoring them to succeed in the building trades and by using our construction services as a means to achieve this. We always aspired to be an excellent design and building company and we loved being innovative, thinking outside the box and producing quality work. Over the years the wish to help the community and be environmentally responsible was added to the mix.

In short: we want to be the best in what we do and we want to achieve this while doing good.

"To be the best (builder) while doing good"

Or for anyone who likes a longer statement

"To be the leading quality building company that is sought after for its innovative design and construction and is recognized for using the projects as a means to helping women, the community and the environment"

For us it was nice to see that the vision never changed, it has just been rephrased.

Martina Ernst
CEO
Wo-Built Inc.

link:
Wo-Built: A Renovation Company‘s Rites of Passage – Our Evolving Missions and Commitments

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vision statement
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building

Green Retrofitting – How Much More Is It Than the Old Energy Retrofitting in the 90s?

Collage: ecoENERGY Retrofit with WO-BUILT

I did an interesting Google search the other day (“what is the difference between green retrofitting and energy efficient retrofitting”) and the obvious conclusion is that energy efficiency is part of green retrofitting. Not really surprising.

But it did not answer the question how it differs.

My first job in Canada in 1993 was working for an Energy Services Company; essentially we went into buildings and retrofitted the lighting, heating/air-conditioning, water consumption and some other systems to make them more energy efficient so that the project could be paid back from the savings. In today’s world this would be considered "green".

Is "green" retrofitting than just a new word for the same thing or does it have another dimension to it?

One aspect is the multitude of new systems which are impacted by new green technologies, solar, green roofs, wind turbines etc. Of course these technologies had been around a long time, but were too expensive or too rare to be used on a larger scale.

But the more interesting aspect is the emotional level that is different. Going green is about quality of life, saving the environment and our planet, about comfort in the home and work place and many more emotional feelings. Energy efficiency on the other hand was mainly about saving money; it is hard to get really excited about this and to be emotionally involved.

So, even though we were on our "green" ways 20 years ago, we have finally created the buzz that was needed to get everyone involved. That’s the difference.

This my take on "green" - What’s yours? We would love to know.

Martina Ernst
CEO
Wo-Built Inc.

links:
Wo-Built: Being Green in Toronto – Everyone Can Participate!
Wo-Built: Going Green in the City: Building and Renovating with "Being Green" in Mind:
Part 1 - Eco-Friendly Home Improvements
Part 2 - Going Green Is Becoming Mainstream
Part 3 - Living Rooftops - An Environmental Alternative for "Green" Building
Wo-Built: Our Green and Eco Tweets to Follow

technorati tags:
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green
google search
canada
energy efficiency

Time for the National Home Show!

Screenshot: The National Home Show, presented by RE/MAX,
February 19 - 28, 2010 at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place
How's that little project coming along?
Home Renovation Guide: Find a Home Solution + Renovation of the Month (Before & After)
Credit: nationalhomeshow.com

The National Home Show, presented by RE/MAX

How's that little project coming along?

DATES | HOURS
Friday, February 19 – Sunday, February 28, 2009
Monday, February 22 - Mommies Day!
Thursday, February 25 - Girls Night Out!
Weekdays: 11 am - 9 pm
Saturdays: 10 am - 9 pm
Sundays: 10 am - 6 pm
www.nationalhomeshow.com

LOCATION
Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place
100 Princes' Blvd.
Toronto, ON
416-263-3000
www.ntc.on.ca

February 19 marks the start of the National Home Show. Whether you’re looking for a major "lift" for your home or just for some fresh new ideas to update your space, you’ll come across them here, all under one roof. You’ll find lots of new trends and new ideas to update your home, as well as practical solutions for decorating and/or renovating dilemmas.

Look for gardening and landscaping tips as well from the many experts there. And, as an added bonus, special guest, Ty Pennington of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will be making a guest appearance on February 19th. If you’re thinking of sprucing up your home, there’s much to inspire you at the National Home Show.

As a design and build company that always strives to exceed our customers’ expectations, we like to keep on top of the trends in the industry, so Wo-Built Inc. will be making the rounds to see what’s new. Hope to see you there!

Lonya is the staff writer for Wo-Built Inc.

links:
Wo-Built: Impressions of the Toronto Fall Home Show
Wo-Built: Home Renovation and Custom Building Awards: Wo-Built Comes Out On Top!!!
Wo-Built: Canada's HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo Begins Tomorrow

technorati tags:
renovation
home renovation
kitchen renovation

Do You Have Toronto's Next Great Green Idea? Apply for Funding through the 2010 Green Innovation Awards

Screenshot: 2010 Green Innovation Awards
Credit: toronto.ca

Being environmentally conscious, we at Wo-Built always strive to minimize the ecological footprint in all our projects, and our passion is energy conservation and green building design.
We like to tell everybody about the 2010 Green Innovation Awards – the City of Toronto and the Toronto Community Foundation's new grant program to advance the development of new and innovative solutions to address the environmental challenges.

2010 Green Innovation Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2010 Green Innovation Awards - a new award that offers up to $50,000 in seed money to help develop and bring new and innovative green products and solutions to the Toronto marketplace.

Are you an aspiring entrepreneur, inventor, student or environmentally-minded individual or group?
Do you have Toronto’s next great green idea?

Here is your chance to make your great green ideas come true. Through the generous support of the Toronto Community Foundation donors, up to $50,000 is available to be invested as seed money to help you get your green idea off the ground.

Green ideas may include any new technology, product and/or service that helps make Toronto a greener and more liveable city.

Successful applicants will be invited to present their green ideas and funding requests to our panel of experts. Award recipients will be announced at the Green Toronto Awards ceremony in April.

The deadline for submissions is March 12, 2010.

We've tweeted "#Toronto Community Foundation - Green Innovation Awards. http://www.tcf.ca/vitalinitiatives/greeninnovationawards.html - Deadline March 12"

Are You an Internationally Trained Professional Woman? Apply for the Business Edge Program

Poster: Business Edge: For Internationally Trained Women Professionals
March 26-May 29, 2010, PDF brochure
Credit: rotman.utoronto.ca

We like to support many training initiatives for women, and we found this one hosted by the Rotman School of Management, U of T.

Business Edge:
A Program for Internationally
Trained Women Professionals

March 26 to May 29, 2010

• Workplace Effectiveness
• Language Fluency
• Development and Managing Critical Relationships
• Career Action Planning
• Post program Support
• Coaching
• Influencing
• Negotiation Skills

Apply today for this free program.

Application deadline: Wed. Feb 17, 2010
For more information call: 416-978-7066
Apply online at: www.rotmanexecutive.com/businessedge

Initiative for Women in Business
This intensive program is designed to support internationally trained women professionals as they navigate their careers in the Canadian workplace. It will help them build professional confidence and acquire relevant business skills in order to advance within their firms. The program will bring out a better understanding of the subtleties of the Canadian workplace and help them adopt ways that could make a positive difference to their professional work experience.
Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto