Key Contacts and Associations:

Finding the right advice can sometimes be a challenge. As in Section 3 we helped you identify several ideas on where to find products you may want to use and in Section 4 how to choose a contractor. Here is a list of helpful resources and information. Ancient wisdom says, “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise”. The best and safest places to get advice are the home builder associations. The associations are there to assist the consumer, define regulations within the building industry. They have links to suppliers, searches for contractors and much much more.

There are two main builder associations in North America one in Canada and one in the USA. Below is their website and mailing address. From there you can be directed to the association in your city.

In Canada;

Canadian Home Builders Association

Suite 500, 150 Laurier Avenue West

Ottawa, ON K1P 5J4

(613) 230-3060 Phone, (613) 232-8214 Fax

Web site: http://www.chba.ca

In the United States;

National Association of Home Builders

1201 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005.

(800) 368-5242 or (202) 822-0200

Web site: http://www.nahb.com/

The link Remodel on theiwebsite will take you directly to Remodel.com which is the only website exclusively endorsed by the two leading associations of the remodeling industry. National Association of Home Builders Remodelors Council & National Association of the Remodeling Industry.
In Canada you may also want to check out the Canadian Housing and Mortgage Company (CMHC). Canadian Housing Information Centre. 700 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0P7. Telephone:1-800-668-2642, Fax: (613) 748-4069, http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/cmhc.html

And don’t forget the Better Business ureau. (http://www.bbb.org) There are over 130 Better Business Bureaus located throughout the United States. Complaints and inquiries about a specific company should be addressed to the BBB where the company is located. Canada is serviced by 20 Better Business Bureaus. Use the Directory of Canadian BBB’s (http://www.bbb.org/bureaus/canadian.asp) for a listing of the offices serving each province.

 

Licensing and permits:
Licensing and permits departments are found at the city hall of the city where the project is located. The processing of a Building Permit is generally the same in each city. An application is made; plans are reviewed and approved; fees are paid; the permit is issued; and the project inspected for compliance with the plans.

What requires a building permit in regards to renovations is a little undefined. Basically you require a permit for any structural changes like, bearing walls, major plumbing or electrical, roofing, siding, foundation work. You do not need a permit for cosmetic changes like, paint, flooring, cabinets, replacing existing windows, doors, basic plumbing (faucets, sinks, etc.) or electrical (lights, switches, plugs). What is allowed and what is not is generally not strictly enforced though it is good to know the rules in case of a problem. In B.C. a permit is required to install a dishwasher in a kitchen where there was not one before. Check with your building permit department at the local city hall and talk with the inspector if necessary to get the proper details.

If you have hired a renovator be clear on who is to obtain permits and what for. A good renovator should be completely familiar with what needs to be permitted and what doesn¡¯t and the process to obtain one but I sugest that you be an informed consumer and do a bit of home work. At least call the permit department and ask them about what you plan to do.

 

Builders Lien Act in BC:
In B.C. Canada the new “Builders Lien Act” was proclaimed January 8 and went into effect on February 1st, 1998. All contractors and suppliers will be affected by the changes! Its purpose is to assist participants in British Columbia’s construction industry and their legal advisors to understand the operation of this important piece of legislation. The act can be found at [http://www.ei.gov.bc.ca/ConstructionSecretariat/buildl] or just type in Builders Lien Act into a search engine and follow the result To order a copy of the Builders Lien Act in British Columbia call: Crown Publications (250) 386-4636. They also have a book available called; “Questions and Answers on the New Builders Lien Act”
If you are not in B.C. then check with your local association or government body where you can find the details of the various laws and acts that protect the consumer in relation to your home improvement project.