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Page 8 — Halton Hills This Week, Saturday, September 4, 1993 Taking oy He a Busines . LIFE, AUTO, HOME, RRSP DAVID R. WALSH 232A Guelph St., Suite 204 Toll Free 1-800-387-9974 Beware of renovation rip-off artists when refurbishing your home * You’ve decided you want a new kitchen and ensuite ithroom. Friends and neighbors who have had similar reno- vations done lately suggest a way you can save a few dol- lars on your renovation. Beware! The renovation business has a dark side — one that annoys and frus- trates everyone — especially the many professionals in the field, such as those belonging to the Greater Toronto Home Builders’ Association (GTHBA) Renayaiigg Redevelopment Council. According to the Winter 1992/93 Pulse Survey ‘con- ducted by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, Experience Ais excepti BUY LAR SOFA & LOVESEAT. GET. MATCHING CHAIR FREE! suite. This set features solid builders in Ontario believe that since the introduction_.of the GST in Canada in January, 1991, the amount of renovation work undertaken on the black market is roughly 45% — nearly half of all renovation activity. 19990 it was believed that 25% of renovation work was performed using cash-type transaction “Not ae is the federal government losing vast amounts of both GST sales and income tax revenue to black market activity, black market activity also presents many problems. for home- cash-type transactions might appear to offer big savings to the homeowner, there is typically no contract and no warranty between the cus- tomer and the renovator. This leaves the customer wide open to problems if the renovator does not perform properly or, worse, takes off with the money,” said Mills, a partner in Toronto-based Chizen & Mills, a renovation company. 4 Let's take an example: You’ ve contacted several recommended renovators to obtain quotes on the job. You've now come down to a short list of two renovators. Renovator A offers you a savings of a “few” dollars if you pay him in cash. He’ll Renovation Council. ey “On the surface, while mfort of this top grain leather f# The luxurious comfort fardwood frame, no-sag BUY IN-STOCK SOFA & LOVESEAT. GET MATCHING CHAIR FR EE! led by et el design. It panne top grain lather ihrouphont forget the permits, just pay him half now — in cash — and he will start tomorrow. Renovator B comes to you with complete references and gives you a written quote and contract including all permits, taxes and pay- ment schedule. Renovator B’s prices are a “little” higher than Renovator A’s. But do you want to choose Renovator A and find yourself in the fol- lowing predicament? You hire an unlicensed renovator who is not a mem- ber of the GTHBA. You contact him to do an addi- tion on the back of your home. Upon receiving a siz- able cash deposit from you, the renovator begins to rip rain suil out the back wall of the house, then disappears, never to return to complete the job. You not only lose your money, you must now begin the process of hiring another renovator to fix up the mes: Why trust an enormous investment of your hard- earned dollars to someone who will break rules to save a few dollars. At face value, the dollar difference entices a lot of people to do some- thing their better judgment would tell them to avoid. Be honest, would you hire a doctor this way? A lawyer? An investment counselor? Of course not. Consumers in the Greater Toronto area will spend almost $4 billion on renova- tions this year. You can drive down almost any street and see some work in progress on homes. Small renovation companies and moonlighting tradesmen comprise the vase are of this underground Clayton hese report, “The Effect of the GST on Black Market Renovations” concluded that “the GST makes it potential- ly even more profitable to undertake renovation work on the black market.” The report found ‘that for a $10,000 black market reno- vation before the introduc- tion of the GST, the gove ment would lose $2,400 it in tax revenue loss climbs to 2,820. In the meantime, hiring a their homework before hin. ing anyone. By becoming a member of the GTHBA, a renovator has shown a desire to, improve his skills as a renovator through GTHBA-sponsored education and training. They are committed to doing the job right. The GTHBA has also developed a standard reno- vation contract that beatae work to be done, permit be obtained, a Sorted of completion dates and price and payment terms. GTHBA members must also live up to a strict Code of Ethics administered by their peers. You can be sure that they will deal honestly and fairly with their cus- tomers. For helpful information on Housing Information Line 391-HOME. (ol Ko) Kore) V [Jt i(e) CLASS EN IRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT The Regional Menicipallty. of Halton has recently bb rt Class ron nt of Additional Waste runk Capacity to 3 sane Planned Development in Halton tine, (Georgetown). This project was completed under the Class Environmental Assessment for Municipal wage and Water springs and high density foam cushions: frame and no-sag sprin. SOFA, LOVESEAT AND FREE CHAIR 7 CORA asl Sa FREE CHAIR x] was, NOWSD798 aesr wns2698 ~ ce BUY IN-STOCK SOFA & LOVESEA ATCHING CHAIR IATCHING CHAIR FR This. top grain mT features high density foam re Solid hardwood frame and no-sag springs. ‘SOFA, LOVESEAT AND FREE CHAIR WAS Now$ 9 MADE IN [> BREEIY] ssoor NOWS3.AQ8 es 3 OFA, LOVESEAT AND FREE CHAIR Si oe ijggg fe CANADA $5697 + FAST DELIVERY - FREE LAYAWAYS - EASY PAYMENT PLANS - 100% SATISFACTION ONTARIO CHESTERFIELD WHOLESALERS 725 MAIN ST. E. MILTON (ACROSS FROM COPELAND LL 76-4488 + ERIE ST. STRATFORD (519) 271-4488 3 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU - GUELPH AUTO MALL (519) 763-4477 BUY IN- SM es SOFA & LOVESEAT.. This study identified that additional waste water trunk capacity is ‘ora communi Black Creek atey. eimninaing ata aoe, and Black ped ine! through future subdivision covelcement in Georgetown South to the existing wastewater trunk sews The Ruueoevental Study Rood ESR) Secimetlite this Class EA is now available for teview. Copies of this document have been on placed! in the Ten fon Hills Clerk's Office (1 Halton Hills Drive) and the Halton Hills Public Library (9 Church Street) for your convenience. There is a 30 day review Period for this ESR peainninig September 7, 1993 and ending October 6, 1993. You comments should be forwarded in writing on or EEicre October 6. If concems arise regarding this study which cannot be resolved In disci ment. lest Must be segelved by the Minister before the end of the 30 day review Subject to comments recelvad ¢ ea this review Period, the Region Figs i to peprocesd with design and construction of the new tru four eomments on ths feport are appreciated. For more information or to-send in your comments, please contact: Benson Leung, P. Eng or Public Works tment Regional Municipality of Halton P.O. Box 7000, 1151 Bronte Rd. ikville, Ontario Michael Provart, P. Eng ed M. Dillon Limited id Ave. E. by 1850, Station A ‘Willowdale, Ontario ‘El M2N 6K7 Fx (416) 827-3660 Fax; (416) 229-4692