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WEUTBPUÉ*E PRESS, WEDNESDAY, , 1D9, PAGE'17 -HITYFEPRS How to hire*a contract-or* NC .IH t-TOCK BB.. MQa w.'S &STORAGE SHEDS WVHILE SUPPLIES LAST ess will. pay off in the long ruri. Manyý a homeowner has been Ieft with poor, workmanship or an unfinished job be- cause thé contractor ran oui of money,. materials or trne. Make sure the- person or company you hire can fulfilI the termis of the bid. Once you choose a contractor, you sign a contract for the work to be done. Don't sign if you are flot satisfied that the contract describcs exactly what you want and contains everything prom- ised by the contractor. Remember, contracts are legally binding on both parties. If changes need 10 be made 10 the contract, gel theni in writing. Have the contract rewritten if you are flot completely happy with il. In general, a contraci should include the following: - . The names and addresses of the homeowner and the contractor. Make sure the tirni you are dealing with is the one named in the contract and that the -firrn's full naine, address, teléphone number,afld e àn fi5-ersna" tive are shown. Beware of-the- firmn whose only address is a post office box, téléphone number or answering serv- ice. - A detailed description, with sketches, if needed, of the work to be donc, and materials t0 be used' This includes ail sub-contracted work, such as plumbing and wiring. This is the area where most misunderstandings ýurse. Neyer accept verbal assurances. Theyare flot bind- ing. .: ý * . ý e . - Written assurance that ail necessary permits will be obtained by the contrac-» tor and ihat work will adhere b t local building codes. - Acceptance of responsibility by the contractor for removing. aIl debris as soon as construction is compleîted... -A statement of ail warranties, ex-. planing exactly what is covered'anil for how long. A Astaternent of thecontractor's public liability and propcrty daniÙage insur- ance.. This is important., If someéone is injurcd in your homie wile work is in- progress, you could be held ijable f the contractor doesnfot have proper insur- ance. - Firin starting- and completion dates. - Price and ternis of payment. Contra cts take many formns covering speciaL situations, but al should.con- tain'these -provisions. The contractor may also include a contingency clause allowing additional charges in case of unexpccîed probleins during the work period. Make sure that your written ap- proval is required before the contractor can go ahead if changes to the original work describcd in the contract are necded, or extra charges are incurred. Once work has started, resist the urge to move to a hotel, oui of the way of workmcn and inconvenience. 'four careful inspection of each stage of the work in progress will go a long way towards achieving a successful out- corne. (NC)-Sooner or later, your home is going to need repairs or renovations that you. cannot or don't want to do yourself. But just because someone else is going to Jo the work does flot mean you can sit back and relax. If you want your home repaired *properly, promptly, and ai a reasonable cost, you have to find the right contrac- tor to do the work. How you select a contractor and who you. select can make the difference between a reward- ing and a harrowing.experience. Canada and Mortgage Corporation has prepared a short and simple guide to finding the right contractor. Called How to Hire a Conractor, the bookiet is available froin Publications, CMHC., 682 Montreal Road. Ottawa, Ontario KlA OP7. Finding a contractor is the first step. If you know people -who have had re- pair work donc on their home recently, consuit them. Satisfied customers are a contractor's best recommendation..- Local building spply and hardware stores,ý or 1ocal bÃŽsuilding associations may.be able to sug"gest a contractor. Once you've assembled a, few *naines, your final selectioni should bc based on a thorough check of the con- tractor's previous work. Reputable *contractors do not mmnd if you ask for their business license number or the naines of previouscustomners. Check out the "tioo-good-to-be-true" contractors - for example, thosé who promise a discount if you allow them to use .your home "10 advertise their work", or who knock on the door and say they just happen to be working in the neighbourhood and can give you a 66special price". After you've narrowed your list down to three or four, the-nexi step is 10 ask the contractors to bid on your proj- - ect. Get ai least two, and preferably three, bids to ensure a fair price. The contractors should corne 10 your home to inspect the work to be donc and to discuss your requirements. The contractors who will not do this should bc crossed off your lisi. Do lot sin or pay for nything on this initial visi. The contractor should provide a written estimate giving coin- plete specifications.of the work to be donc, price and ternis-of payment, and a realistic starting date. Compare bids to0 make sure materi- als and work specifications match, or that differences are explained. If most of the bids are similar but one is very much lower, treat the lowest bid with caution. A low bid may mean that the contractor has made a mistake or. doesn't know enough about the work to estimate it properly. Your attention to the bidding proc- Chosefom hundtrd Furnitur For Sale! L - M SoveSle Sve $5 Th, e Federall Convection' Heaters by Consolidated Dutchwest HIeptem ber 13-43 .Heating eff iciency at extraordinary value. 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