Save time and money with (C ontinued from page 6) { tors up front can help you save [ time and money, f and put your proâ€" E ject on the right track â€" get ballâ€" F park estimates, suggestions for improving your plans, and advice on the need for design work, working drawâ€" ings, and permits. Do _ provide renovators with the same inforâ€" mation when you ask for bids. The bids prepared by different contracâ€" tors should be based on the same clear and consistent inforâ€" mation, otherâ€" wise you will not â€"‘be able to comâ€" > pare bids and decide who offers the greatâ€" est value and quality for the price. Do pay attenâ€" tion to your "gut hunch" when you hire a renovator. Personal fit between you and the renovator is a vital ingredient in your renovation â€" you need to hire â€" someone _»who understands your needs and lifestyle. Do check refâ€" erences before you sign a conâ€" tract. â€" Talking with renovators‘ + past and current clients, banks and suppliers will let you know if you are dealing with a profesâ€" sional renovator. Also, check with the Greater Toronto Home Bui1lld e rs.:"‘ Ass ociatio n (GTHBA) to verâ€" ify that the renoâ€" vators are memâ€" bers and that there are no outâ€" standing comâ€" plaints registered against them. Do plan how " you will live durâ€" ing the renovaâ€" tion. Don‘t get taken by surprise once the work begins, and your home turns into a beehive of activiâ€" ty. Sit down in advance _ with your renovator and discuss your expectations of the crew,. the rules> =ofâ€" the , _ house, the renoâ€" 4 L me d (access to faciliâ€" ties, temporary storage space, uncluttered work environment) and your needs (the ability to carry on with your daily routine.) Do bring your concerns _ and questions to your renovator‘s attenâ€" tion immediately. Open communiâ€" cation is key to the successful completion of your renovation. Don‘t hold back misgivings and doubts about the job â€" ask quesâ€" tions as they arise and air your concerns freely. Do accept the unpredictable. Even the bestâ€" laid plans can go off course. Bad weather, materiâ€" als that are sudâ€" denly not availâ€" able, surprises and challenges uncovered â€" in your home as w o r k begins...these things do happen, and your renovaâ€" tor will do their very best to keep your renovation on track. Don‘ts Don‘t autoâ€" matically take the lowest bid. The consumer adage that "you get what you pay for" also tends to hold true for renâ€" ow a‘ti1‘o‘nâ€". Sometimes, a bid that is considerâ€" ably lower than the rest is an indication that the â€" renovator may not have understood what you want, or simâ€" ply doesn‘t have | Presticious the experience needed to quote on your job. If you are tempted by a low bid, check it out careâ€" fully, compare it with the other bids, and don‘t hesitate to ask the other renovaâ€" tors who submitâ€" ted ~. _bids â€"to explain why theirs are higher. Wi WNHOI_JSE CT Don‘t hire a "flyâ€"byâ€"night" or "underâ€"theâ€"table" renovator. Don‘t leave yourself vulnerable _ to financial loss and personal liability. Avoid a "renovaâ€" tor" who has no business cards or addresses, who knocks on your door offering you a "special cash "'n'!v?flfli‘f!fl““fliï¬ifl e ballpark estimates deal" or who canâ€" not, or will not give you any refâ€" erences. Don‘t â€" ever work without a contract, even for the simplest job. With a contract, you have a legalâ€" ly binding agreeâ€" ment describing the nature of the job, the materials to be used, the permits needed and the responsiâ€" bilities ‘of you and the renovator (including access to facilities and storage). Without a conâ€" tract, you have little recourse if the job goes offâ€" track, and you may end up back at the beginning, with a depleted budget, looking for a professional renovator who will do the job right. For a‘ free copy of Professional R e n o v a t i 0 n Magazine and a list of GTHBA professional renâ€" ovator members, call (416) 391â€" HOME. ow under construction. Located in the heart of Olde Oakyville. Traditionally designed homes overlooking the Sixteen Mile Creek. Priced from $449,900 to $499,900. Available in Spring 1995. For further information please call: Ruth Anne Winter, Remax Aboutowne Realty Corp. (905) 338â€"9000 .SUPERIOR BUNGALOW â€"HOHON HEIGHIS â€"â€"â€"â€"â€" ... .. * > $224,900; ‘Upgradetd to: perfection,; :3 ‘todrms, 2: baths: °* > > * **~*~*Réfinisheid hardwood floors,‘ skylight,‘ stone firsplace.Fin. ‘*~*~~ * * * basement, * inground ‘pool; MAGDA ‘ LADANYT : ©~~> ; :. . 2909000033014 .: 9c iss s‘ .............. L.OCATION!STYtE!VA.LUE! 11 [ [ $270,000. Classy 2 storey, 4 bdrm. Cenitre haill pfan, strip] | [ [ [ _ [ ; ; ogk floors, new ‘kifchen, main floor room, fireâ€"] [ [ [ [ _ . . .. blace, covered patio. landscaping, pool, fin.. igr_l vator‘s _ _Vnc?a._: C basement. MAGDA LADANYL â€" Ee i i e e e e e e e e e e e t +338â€"9000/338â€"3424. M REALTY CORP. 67 Lakeshore Rd. W. 338â€"9000 f= Chiého]m’s Doin“é ........ AlTENTION......". â€"â€"â€" BARGAIN HUNTERS â€" â€" : §204,000. Power of sate.: Must SOLD:. 4 large bedrooms,: tbright eatâ€"im kitchen.: Huge family room w/FP. ‘Inground: pook, : completely mear ‘schools :and: shopping. -IV:;AGDAZ ;‘LADA-NYr ©338â€"9000 > SHORT ON CASH?: : SMALL DOWN .PAYMENT $137,000..Assume the.existin . mortgage .6.5% . until .1927, . carries like.rent. Enjoy .careâ€". . free. living. in this .3 bedraam. corner . unit. in .the. cente .of. .town. . . MAGDA. . .LADANYIT. 338â€"9000/338â€"3424. . . ... . ... ...... OLD . OAKVILLE: : [ ----- LUXURY â€"LIVING . â€" . : â€"$2,800. .PER MONTH. Elegant . formal. living. in. the centre .of. « town. For details.call MAGDA. LADANYT 338â€"9000/338â€"3424. . .$314,000.; Sprawling ‘ raised, ranch, upto . 5 bedrooms.. . @uality broadloom, updated, . kitchen, bath.. On .1/3. acre, . private . treed lot, inground, concrete . pool. AGDA "LADANYT 338â€"9000 /338â€"3424. p66L ‘ge Aepsaupay ‘1enrog ‘ollmieo oy1 ‘0121S3 29M â€" 1L im en ts ul m e on PR en ie