The renovation fraud incident involving Fort McMurray residents has definitely been an eye-opening incident for many homeowners. After the wildfire, Kunal Nagpal, the developer, had promised to rebuild the homes of those who lost them in the fire, but Nagpal never actually delivered on his promise and the residents only “faced a slew of delays, liens and failed inspections” while they waited for their homes to be built.

©CBC News: The National: The National for Monday, Oct. 28 — California fires; School violence and homophobia
*The report starts at 24:23.

The lesson learned from this incident is crucial, and homeowners’ fears regarding renovation companies are justified. The only solution to avoid renovation fraud is to know what you are getting yourself into when you opt for a home renovation company. You can find yourself in need of a complete house remodeling after sudden crisis situations – including a house fire, wildlife fire that crosses over to nearby residential areas, an earthquake, a flood, etc. In such unfortunate cases, your whole house can be destroyed, and you will need instant help from a reliable house remodeling contractor.

So, how do you choose a trustworthy home renovation company that won’t rip you off with fake promises of renovating your wrecked house? Well, for starters, you need to be aware of what the home renovation process entails.

Here are some simple steps that are a part of every home renovation process:

• Planning
Planning involves planning every aspect of renovation, from budgeting to deciding on a reliable contractor, etc.

• Demolition
This step involves demolishing the previously established, damaged structure of the house.

• HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing
This step involves everything that is done beneath the floors and behind the walls, such as setting up new plumbing, electrical systems and ductwork for central air conditioning and heating.

• Framing and Drywall
This step is pretty self-explanatory; it involves adding and fixing the framing of your home, constructing and moving walls, adding support frames and beams, adding door and window openings. It also involves hanging drywall sheets and applying drywall compound to your walls and sanding your house walls.

• Painting
Even though this is something you can do yourself, you can ask your contractor to do it since they will do a professional and smooth job.

• Cabinet and Fixtures
This step involves installing lighting, cabinets, showers, bathtubs, sinks, toilets, etc., in your home.

• Windows and doors
This step involves hanging doors and installing windows in your home.

• Flooring
This step must be done at the end to avoid scraping or damaging the floors.

• Trim and Finish Work
This step involves adding final trims and finishes such as doorframes and baseboards to your home.

That’s all it takes for a complete house remodeling!

Now that you know what home renovation entails, let’s look at some important questions that you need to ask yourself before opting for home renovation or house remodeling.

Here are some questions that you need to address before renovating your home.

What are My Renovation Expectations and Goals?
You need to have a clear idea as to what you want from your home renovation. You must have some changes in mind for your house remodeling, such as alterations to the kitchen wall or increasing your bathroom space. Also, make sure to clearly and effectively communicate your home renovation goals and expectations to your contractor.

What Is My Home Renovation Budget?
You need to have a clear renovation budget before you jump into home renovation. You need to at least have an estimated budget with a proper baseline, which will help you know exactly how much money you can afford to spend on your home renovation.

Will I Need a Renovation Permit?
You need to take care of all the permissions and permits before starting the renovation. Home renovation permits costs can be quite high, so make sure you have that amount saved up in addition to your home renovation budget.

Is the Company I am Choosing to Renovate My Home Reliable?
Renovation Fraud is real and a lot of people, unfortunately, keep falling victim to it. So, you need to take certain measures that will help you avoid scams by renovating companies. Make sure to thoroughly research the company that you want to choose to renovate your house.

Here are 5 solid tips that will help you choose a reliable home renovation company:

1. Do a Background Check
Before hiring a contractor to remodel your home, Google the company you want to sign with and search for reviews of their work. Social media is a solid place to start your search; simply look the company up on social media platforms and go through the comments on their post to get a clear idea of whether they are trustworthy or not.

2. Ask For a Cost Breakdown
Don’t make the mistake of simply asking your home renovation company for an estimate renovation cost. Always ask for a complete cost breakdown – at the very least, your contractor should provide you with a transparent and clear budget estimate and answer all of your budget-related questions. If they don’t, it’s better to look for another option.

3. Always Check for References
Never shy away from asking your potential contractor if you can speak to some of their previous customers. Once you get in touch with them, make sure to ask them whether the contractor met their deadlines and cost estimations or not. However, if the contractor hesitates to connect you with them, then that’s your sign to look elsewhere!

4. Demand a Proper Timeline
Work with your contractor to set a proper timeline for your home’s renovation. Don’t accept the throwaway timeline that they give you. Be clear about your own expectations and ask them to give you proper start and end dates for the project – a bonus would be to get them in writing. Be wary of contractors that give unrealistic end dates.

5. Have It All In Writing
The best way to avoid scams or renovation fraud is to have a written contract that both parties sign before the exchange of money takes place. Every vital detail should be included in this contract – such as a layout of the timetable, payment schedules, materials to be purchased, etc.

These 5 tips will surely help you figure out if you can trust your house remodeling contractor.

If you happen to be looking for house renovation in Vancouver, Canada, put your trust in us for a complete home renovation. We pride ourselves on being one of the leading carpenters in Vancouver.

With Tiger Ring Construction, you don’t have to worry about anything. We care about customer satisfaction and offer a 100% refund guarantee! So, hit us up if you want to remodel your house.