PAGE A2, WHM~Y FREE PRESS, NTERIORS, WEÉDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10#,<1988 Do research-.before starting renovations., THIS IS NOTAN IKEA AD But wc, do sell lw(,di.týi furniture. Come see, conie save. NOW 'OP EN SUNDAYS 10 A.M,.- - 4:30 P.M. 1-li(JIISI)AYS ýO A.M. - 9 P U 717 WILSON M. S., U-7 (2 blocks south of Bloor) Bring thls ad and we will pay the tax LARRY DUPUIS Oshawa Furniture factory 436-1330 Homeowners planning- renovations can get started on the right footing by researching the work, lnvolved in the job' before hiring a company to carry it out. There* are many- sources of i- formation on renovations., Ex- planations -of - c-onstruction Itechuqiques could be as handy as the local library, although advice on certain topica such as new building materials,.- may prove elusive without a bit of detective, work. -"But dust off your Sherlock Holmes cap and you'il find it was worth the effort," says Roberta Ailan of- the Ontario Ministry of Consumer and . Commercial Relations .(MCCR).' "To. many people think onlydo-it-yourselfers need to know how renovations are done. Then they find themselves. unable to deal effectively with con- tractors or tradespeople because they don't understand what's going on. *"Thlis frustrates everyone, can cause expensive misunderstan- dings and also makes the consumer a prime target for unethical con- tractors." In addition to identifying the major steps involved in the job, homeowners should be suré they understand Ail their legal respon-' sibiities in' terms of contracts, permits, payment, schedules, mn- surance and other issu-es, Allan says. Ail Ontario residents have access to the foilowing sources of infor- mation on home' renovations. If these people cafi't help,- they probably know who can: *municipal government building departments -Your local municipality's building inspectors can advise you about' building, plumbing, fire and electrical code regulations. They are the people to * ee about such lmportant legal' detail as permit requirements, ~zoning- and ..ho* much space to leave between the lot ine and that, new porch. Building department staff cani usualy provide free general advice- on common con- struction concerns. CONTACT -numbers are listed i the blue pages; *Ontario Minlstry of Consumer and Commercial Relations -The minlstry's brochure, a Practical Guide to Home Repairs, looks at this topic from the consumer pur- chase angle and should be required readlng fôr anyone setting up renovation ýcontracta. The free boet s pertinent things to i-' clude in the contract; discusses common complaints,' problem solving and gives specifîcs 'about siding and insulation projecta. MC- CR also produces brochures on the Consumer Protection Act, the Businiess 'Practices Act, driveway paving contrficts and many other *topics. Consumers who feel unfairly treated by a company can ask a Consumer Services Bureau of MC- CR to mediate. CONTACT -Consumer Services Bureaus are listed in the phone book. Address questions or publication requesta. to the' Con- sumer Information, Centre, 555 Yonge St., Toronto, ontarlo. M7A 2H6 (416) 993-111, area code 807 cail coilect, (toll free from ail other area codes) 1-800-268-1142, TTY/.T- DD (416) 963-080. * Ontario Ministry of Housing -The Plans Permita and Paymen. ta publicationà produced by this minîstry is another invaluable aid. It discusses everything from site IT WLLPAPER CENT :1 2 2pce SOFA & LOVESEAT Eeg. $999 Sale $599 With Coupon, $519- iSAVE $80 ON ANY *SOFA& ILOVESEAT. I. I~ FINAL -WEE.,..'. USE YOUR COUPON AND SAVE EVEN MOREL, 2PC SOFA& CHAIR R3eg. $999 Sale $699 With Couponi $ 6291 BED SOFA Contemporary Design Reg. $999 Sale $749 With $ ' Coupon $724 :SAVE $70 SAVE $25 * SAVEý $50 SAVE $20* SAVE $20 I ON ANY I ON ANY I ON ANY I ON ANY I ON ANY SOFA & CHAIR BED SOFA I I I BEDROOM SUITE WING CHAIR I. I. I C oup n pyf t* Cm9ouponaspoiesto floor *a Coupon apisto floor CouponOIO toua soo* coupon pi» lno Mo iimRcustom orm oure *a NO<mtv m « id* wfjtt, cuoti ordurtnsO iiiwth custoni ordur *wpons muet Moe veed =%% custom o=ure * Mt vi mfcustom ordue opn Mb »flcuo-me epe e Couonsmubu unsi eCouosmu upuueud - Coupons moisi bu pruuuntud *~ ~O5JfS u -* *Cuosaotb renu uttofo=a but mufusliie t fsie 5et flOOfSU"W 1 oupon pur cussoairr leu * * f MM u len * e1 coupon pur cuiomur per Ituem * 1ocoupon pur Cu@tomur pur RitemIcupnprcutmrpu i -~~~~~~~~~ ~ -oiw per---- - --- -- - - ------ - - - --- ---M " NtZZoi wt u IIwn 0 1 coupon pur cusiomur pur lism plà is to the duties of archltects and general contractors. The mnsr is planning to release' a number of new brochures on renovations shor- Staff can also answer que stions on spectfic issues., CONTACT' -The Ontario *RenoVà 'tioný Information Centre, 16 Howland Rd.,! Toronto, Ontario 'MRK26<(416) 461'-7677. *Ouitario, Min istry of Energy -General, inquiries about « energy conservation inthe home can be directed 40 this ministry at (416) 965-3246 or Zenith 80420.« * Effergy, Mines'and Resources Canada -Additional information on. energy usage in homes can be obtalned from, this* federal ministry..Pbiatoson i- sulation and other topies are available. available. Cail (613) 995-1801 or toil, free180 267-9563. * Canadian_ Mortgage and Housing Corporation -Besltknown for its mortgage insurance ac- tivities, the -CMHC also runs thé Residential Rehabilitation. Assistance Program. This projeet provides loans to eligîble'Ontario residents wishing to fix structural faults i their homes, particularly those posing- safety or health risks. RRAP also offers. help with residential. conversions for the handicapped ýand rentai' prooerty upgrâding. Many publications'and videos are available through CMHMC. The Corporation also ernploys. *ar- chitects, house inspectors and other experts who may be able to.-help with specific concerns. Calil (416)' 781-2451. e-e-même NO~~e PAeE c De *- -. a 'TILMAY 988» eonPamn ,geeeeeee qpCgCiAtre li il