MYTH:
We don't need a permit for interior or electrical work or for minor renovation work.
FACT:
As a homeowner, you can legally perform your own electrical work, but this is an area where amateurs can cause disastrous results. You cannot get an electrical permit for your contractor to do the work; it is a building code infraction. A reputable contractor hires licensed electricians to do your wiring. Illegal wiring has caused too many fires.
Any structural, heating, plumbing, or electrical changes require a building permit from the City of Toronto. Avoid any contractors or designers who tell you otherwise. They must have a Building Code Identification Number (BCIN) to apply for a building permit. A permit is for your protection. Permits are based on building codes to promote health and safety, fire protection and structural integrity. Some minor cosmetic changes may not require a permit. Contact the Toronto Building Department to get the facts.
MYTH:
My Contractor MUST be qualified; he's been in business for years.
FACT:
Unfortunately, anyone can call himself a contractor. Many renovation nightmares have occurred where a contractor got in over his head. He may have been unqualified, poor at estimating costs, under-capitalized or inexperienced. Look for a contractor who has a Toronto Municipal Licensing and Standards Building Renovator business license; this ensures that your contractor has a certificate of qualification from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. Dennis Bryant of Bryant Renovations has had this designation since 1986.
MYTH:
A 50% deposit is normal.
FACT:
Being asked to provide a contractor's operating capital should tell you something about his financial responsibility. A reasonable good-faith deposit of between 10% and 15% is typically stipulated and explained in the contract you negotiate with a reputable contractor. You may be asked to pay ahead of time for a special order or custom made item you want as the manufacturer won't take it back.
MYTH:
It's always cheaper, to pay cash.
FACT:
Contractors, who offer you a cheaper deal if you pay cash, can cause you big problems. They may act dishonestly with you as they do with the government. They often don't have an Ontario business licence or liability insurance, and they are unlikely to qualify to apply for building permits. A reputable contractor signs a contract with you that stipulates the work to be done, the price and the warranty. Just think how much it would cost you when the building inspector discovered that the cash renovation was illegal and ordered it taken apart. Paying cash can be very expensive.
MYTH:
Self-employed contractors don't require Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage.
FACT:
WSIB protects Ontario workers, in the event of injury on the job. If the contractor does not have WSIB coverage, and someone working on the project in your home is injured, you could be liable for the cost related to the worker's injury. Before anyone works on your home, ask the contractor to show you a WSIB clearance certificate, dated within the last 60 days. You may check the WSIB website www.wsib.on.ca for more information.
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