This summer, it seems almost everyone has had a story to share around the BBQ party, about how difficult it is to secure the services of a reliable tradesperson, whether it is to renovate a kitchen or do some landscaping around the house.

Good workers and good companies are in great demand for their services as more Canadians are investing in sprucing up their homes rather than take expensive vacations or splurge on other luxury items.

Unfortunately, the insatiable consumer appetite for tradespeople has resulted in more and more complaints about higher prices, questionable workmanship and, in some cases, hefty deposits paid with little, if any, concrete results after weeks of waiting by impatient homeowners.

Allan McLellan, owner of Renovations by Rodgers, an Oro-Medonte company founded in 1982, says it’s important not to cluster all tradespeople together when you experience difficulty.

Frankly, the onus is on the person seeking work to check out the record of the company they plan on entrusting their money. With that in mind, McLellan suggests anyone considering hiring a firm for any projects follow a strict protocol.

“Anyone planning a renovation should be asking for references,” McLellan says. “If you’ve narrowed it down to three contractors, call some of their suppliers, such as lumberyards. Before deposits are paid, get a detailed estimate – what is being supplied and who is supplying it. Once an estimate is agreed upon, a contract has to be formed.”

The contract should show both parties, include a payment schedule, who is obtaining permits, if necessary, and the start and finishing dates. The contractor must have adequate insurance, he noted.

McLellan says, in terms of handing over a deposit, it should be “reasonably between 10 and 20 per cent of the job, then progress draws based on completion. And have a 10 per cent holdback, which is mandatory under the Construction Liens Act.”

One should not undertake any project on the spur of the moment, for a couple of good reasons.

“When people are thinking of any renovations, or work around the house, they need to do planning – what they need, the types of materials required so the quotes will be apples to apples,” he says.

The best companies, or individuals, usually have work lined up well into the future.

“Right now, we are booked three to four months in advance,” he says.

Therefore, patience must be a virtue.

“If you’re planning a second-storey addition, go out and see one. The same for a kitchen renovation and go see the project in the midst of it being done. Find out was it on time and on budget? Check the tidiness of the site when the job is finished.”

And be a little wary of the contractor who can tell you he can start work right away.

McLellan advises to “Watch out for a ‘bottom line price’. Someone will come along and offer to work for cash. But there’s no warranty. Once they’re gone, they are gone. Look at whether they have overhead, such as an office location. You can’t always look at price. Look at customer service, do they have insurance and make sure the estimate is detailed. I’d be wary if someone is available to start ‘tomorrow’.

“Look at the amount of research people do when buying a car, or planning a wedding. Then look at how little people put into spending $50,000 on a renovation or a new kitchen.”

There’s some good news on the horizon though.

This autumn, the Greater Barrie Home Builders Association is launching the Renomark program.
Started by the Greater Toronto Homebuilders Association, companies can register with the Renomark program only after they fulfill a stringent list of requirements, including a code of conduct and ethics, McLellan says. Consumer can call in and check to see if companies they are considering for a job are members.

“With books, TV and the Internet, the more information you bring to a contractor, the better the chance you have to get the job you want,” McLellan says. “Customers have to protect themselves.”

However, “In the end, it comes down to trust.”