on » vam i wp 36 -- Scugog Citizen - Tuesday, October 35, 1994 - How to get a contractor's estimate to judge from a proposal like this This is where you narrow down your choice of a contractor. Each will present a proposal that includes some rough sketches and an estimate of how much the project will cost. Normally, there is no charge for this service. The one thing that is difficult is the overall quality of workmanship. The best way of telling if a contractor can do 'Beware of cash deals Oftentimes, people associate renovation projects with cash deals expecting that they will negotiate the bargain of the century. More often than not, this turns out to be the mistake of a lifetime. The most obvious reason for hiring for cash is to avoid paying taxes. Aside from being illegal, avoiding taxes, contracts and permits can put you at enormous financial risk. For example, did you know that when you pay cash with no contract or permits you may lose out on some critical services and "safety nets?" Workers Compensation: Many contractors working for cash will not be paying WCB fees. This means that if a worker gets hurt while working on your project, you may be legally responsible. Warranties: If the contractor gives you the warranty cards, the products you purchased will still be warranted by the KEN RANKIN PLUMBING ® New Installations @ Renovations ® Repairs .@ Whirlpool Tubs Free Estimates For Prompt Service Call 38 CALEB ST. port PERRY 985-3608 Nero J All at Guaranteed Low Prices! UNITED CARPET OVER 2000 SAMPLES Largest Carpet Selection In Scugog Township and a member of the largest carpet buying group in Canada. HOMESTEAD by Ballard & Carnegie HWY. 7A EAST - PORT PERRY 985-2451 or 985-2157 2. Free Delivery B Installation B Easy Credit Terms " OVER 6000 SQ.FT, of SHOWROOM Furniture, Appliances, TV, VCR and more! FAMOUS Levolor® kk BLINDS VERTICALS * VENETIANS PLEATED SHADES Lv perl Mo? mint FANTASY | o FINISH SEMINAR Enter the World of Fantasy Finish! Give your home a personal touch as individual as yourself. SEMINAR - 7:00 to 9:00 PM TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1st Registration Fee : $10.00 Pre-registration Only / Limited Seating L1ZYLOU DECOR CENTRE iid Queen St., Port Perry ois 3 manufacturer, however, don't expect great after sales services from the contractor (if any). Legal Action: No one wants a renovation project to end in court, but should this happen, and you don't have proper documentation (ie: written contracts, receipts, permits, letters, etc.) you will have great difficulty proving your case. Quality: When working without a contract, one of the first things to suffer is the quality of the job. If you try to argue this issue, you may never see the contractor again. Some people will always feel that the price is the greatest issue. If these are risks you are willing to take just to save some money, then you should at least be informed so you can make an educated decision Introducing anew way Lo heat your home or cottage. The Envirotec Grain Burning Healer ENVIROTEC Model 2775 Envirotec grain buming heaters re a safe, clean burning and economical way to provide supplemental heating. SAFE « zero clearance » UL/ULC approved . CLEAN + no pollution * no creosote EFFICIENT + 98.4% combustion efficiency + lower fugl cost KAWARTHA CONSUMERS CO-OP INC. £590) ~~ 1-705-324-7761 Harnessing the energy of the sun. «4 opens vaderman of Enecn Conprantn. USE OUR L what he promises is to check his references. However, having a list of references is of little use if you don't go out and look at the projects and talk with the homeowners. Some people skip this step because they figure contractors will only give them positive references. But some contractors may feel poor references are better than no references. And some contractors may even try to bluff with false references -- so be sure to check. Customer's Responsibilities: check contractor's references before the second meeting; make specific comments about what you like and dislike in the proposal; let contractors know where they stand, don't keep them on the hook. Contractor's Responsibilities: make sure proposal reflects what the customer wants; provide an estimate that is as accurate as possible; get any additional information necessary to produce a firm, final quote. Work of Native artist on display . A collection of the art of Rick Beaver is currently on display and for sale at Native Perspectives, Port Perry. This remarkable artist, of Ahnishnabe descent, was born on -the Alderville Indian Reservation on Rice Lake, south of Peterborough The artist's heritage, combined with subsequent formal training as a wildlife biologist, are expressed in much of his art. Painting primarily in gouache, his creations combine flowing line and a strong sense of drama, design and colour. A career studying endangered bird species for the Canadian Wildlife Service has been a childhood dream come true for Rick. "Children of the Sun, Moon and Earth" (Wildlife, landscape and colour) is how the artist describes hig subjects. Painting® full time since 1981, Rick still calls himszif a student of the environment. His studies have involved him in a number of issues, assisting diverse groups including t. Villagers for African Famine Relief, Horizons of Friendship, Earth Day Committees, the Canadian Native Arts Foundation and the Western Canada Wilderness Committee. His commissions come from many quarters, including the federal government, corporate groups and several private individuals. Last year, in recognition of his exemplary contributions to community living, Rick was awarded the Governor General's commemorative medal for Canada's 125th anniversary. Customers and visitors were delighted to meet the artist and view a collection of his art at Native Perspective's second anniversary recently. Although the store carries the artist's work throughout the year, the remainder of Rick's special collection for the store's second anniversary will be in the store for another two weeks. R Aan Carpentry & Woodworking ADDITIONS & RENOVATIONS SHOP CUSTOM MADE CUPBOARDS & VANITIES 985-3943 REPLACEMENT WINDOWS & SIDING MOBILE Serving Port Perry & area for over 20 Years 434-0830 All Work Guaranteed for 3 Years Plus RESIDENCE Fly tos 985-3974 277 SHANLY STREET, PORT PERRY, ONTARIO painting needs." You can depend on wl 'FREE' CONSULTING SERVICE from CASHWAY "If you're thinking about changing your home decor, come into Cashway and see me for friendly advice, estimates and product information for your kitchen, bathroom, floor wyerng and CASHWAY...... Scugog St., Hwy 7A E. PORT PERRY 985-7334 Monday to Friday 7:30 AM to 6 PM Saturday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM VISA ® MASTER CARD ® AMERICAN EXPRESS BM CASHWAY