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D12 GoorgetownActon April 25 SPRING IS 95 15 95 COME IN AND SEE DynaSf Turf I Brick NEW FROM OZITE Polypropylene Wear Stain Static Resistant YEAR FADE RESISTANT WARRANTY Indoors and Out MAIN ST NORTH ACTON CASSELMAN FUELS PROPANE REFILLING STATION naphtha gas TAJIKS RR GEORGETOWN 8775104 Get Your Garden Growing SPECIALS Potting Soil BLACK 10AM COMPOST GARDEN MIX -ALSOAVAILABLE- Potatoes Orion Sals Mujupfiera Vegetables imaka Kashn Kitchens Make that dream kitchen a reality Custom designed to suit your needs J at prices well within your budget Quality workmanshipcabinetry by some of Canadas top manufacturers WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD Showroom And Office CENTRE 170 Hwy West BRAMPTON nnAt Just West of Hwy 10 40D3tO Renovation without tears To renovate your house or move to one that better suits your needs thats the choice facing many homeowners A number of economic factors in todays marketplace such as interest rates on mortgages the soaring cost of land and fewer new housing starts mean that people are choosing to renovate older homes more than ever beore How does the homeowner facing the task of a renovation prepare for the project and reduce the possibility of running into problems Builders who specialize in home renova tions stress that careful planning fa the first essential step Whether the job Involves the kitchen the bathroom an addition or simply upgrading insulation the key to success starts with the core you put into your decisions Jot down your ideas and be specific as possible It can be costly to alter plans after work has begun so know exactly what you want before work is started Decide early just how much money you want to spend on the project That way builders can advise you of alternatives your plans and your pocket book arent In agreement The kitchen is the first choice of most likely renovation area in the home New cupboards rearranging the appliances and adding new ones moving the sink and putting in modern energy efficient windows are among the changes most often made A simple kitchen renovation includes new cupboards in the same location as the old ones minimal new wiring new sinks and a basic tap with the old plumbing valance lighting and venting a stove hood But kit chen jobs can involve much more It could include amp electric service removing walla and installing drywall removing old radiators and installing baseboard heaters dropping the celling adding valance and pot lighting vented hood fan and oven cutting new door opening and adding new windows Visiting some kichen specialists will help you decide on what you want Using the dimensions of your room they will design a working area for you based on the cup boards and appliances you want Some kitchen specialists sell appliances and floor coverings others refer you to different outlets for these things Shifting the location of appliances not costly but moving the sink as It requires one to two days work for a plumber The job also may require a plumbing permit and means that the work must be Inspected twice during the project to Insure that It meets building standards and is properly vented Many older homes have 60amp electrical service When renovations are underway particularly In the kitchen upgrading to service Is often done because the most energy is used here New appliances such as cooktops and overs microwave ovens dishwashers and garbage compactors may be added and make the existing wiring inadequate Upgrading the service involves Installing a breaker panel with a main switch instead of fuses new wiring and split plugs so that each one la Independently wired That way if each plug has a high energy using appliance each one is Inde pendent and will not be overloaded Builders say that electrical upgrading Is difficult to sell perhaps because the Im provement isnt highly visible but the added safety makes it worthwhile Bathroom renovations involve mostly plumbing and tile work Fixture prices vary widely So shop around to decide what you want Some fixtures require unusual fit tings such as sinks and tubs which use special taps Because the high humidity bath room can play havoc with tiles causing them to fall off it Is vital to have a qualified person install them Thlslsnotaplacetocut corners Bathroom renovations dont Involve much electrical work except perhaps new lighting fixtures Before consulting a builder make sket ches of your plans so the contractor can have a precise idea on which to base his estimate Substantial additions probably warrant hiring an architect to do the drawings An architect has the full respon sibility for the job and hires end supervises the contractors and subcontractors and pays them when the work is completed Finding a reputable contractor can be done in many ways For a major job such as an addition or an involved kitchen renova tion you may want to visit houses that have been renovated and inspect the work care fully Look at the drywall and the trim the quality or material and note if the walls are straight Other good sources to tap for the names of reliable builders are friends who have had home improvements the Better Business Bureau the Chamber of Commerce municipal building inspectors and licencing commissions or your local lumber yard where builders deal regularly Find out the reputation of firms you are considering Ask contractors for a certificate of qualification which shows they are skilled tradesmen Obtain three written estimates based on identical specifications A signed estimate becomes a contract so dont sign an estimate or make a deposit until you have carefully reviewed each one youve obtained warns Roberta Allan chief consumer services officer for the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations Estimates can vary because of hidden costs such as the amount of Insurance and compensation carried by the builder as well as obvious differences in the job such as materials used a builder told us Under stand the estimate before making your choice Payment procedures should be outlines in the contract Usually a contractor asks for a deposit Initially with the balance due on completion of the work You may want to hold back IS per cent of the total for 37 days after completion plus any amount claimed In a written notice as owed to the subcontractor or employees by the contractor Full payment should be made after this period if no notices have been received This requirement under the Mechanics Lien Act protects you against possible suits against you if the contractor fails to pay his workers or suppliers You should advise the contractor before you sign the agreement if you plan to follow this action The most common complaint handled by the consumer services branch regarding contractors involves delays in completion of work Make sure the date is in the contract to back your case If problems occur Many home Improvements require a building permit under municipal law and the responsibility for obtaining It usually rests with the consumer f problems occur In spite of all precau tions legislation exists to protect the con sumer Sweet Treat Nothing tastes better first thing in the morning than fresh juicy strawberries you have grown yourself strawberries in the flower garden or in hanging baskets to decorate your patio