When Hiring any contractor for any job, it is essential to have a written contract agreement. This prevents any complications and misunderstandings from occurring whether legally or otherwise.  For further details please contact the Canadian Home Builders’ Association website www.HiringAContractor.com
 

Here are some examples of what should be included in your contract:

• The name and address and phone numbers of both the contractor and client.
• A complete description of the work agreed upon including drawings and attachments if necessary.
• The contractor’s Business number or GST number.
• Start and finish dates.
• A detailed payment schedule of when the contractor expects payments.
• The amount the customer should hold back as per lein regulations to ensure the contactor has paid all sub-trades and suppliers and your property cannot be liened by them.
• The contractor’s warranty.
• The contractor’s business liscence (where required by the municipality)

 

 

Most renovation jobs will require permits of some kind.  The homeowner / customer should never be responsible for either obtaining the required permits or for the subsequent approvals at the required stages. It is your contactors’ responsibility.

 

 

 

It is to the benefit of both the contactor and  the homeowner to insist on having permits for any work that is to be done at your home. In obtaining Building Permits, you have peace of mind in knowing that the work being performed is inspected by your local building inspector and that it conforms to the Ontario and local building codes The contactor has the  the building inspector’s  O.K. to continue his work to the next stage with his approval. The cost for a contractor to obtain permits is minimal and any good contractor is used to dealing with the building inspectors on a regular basis. Remember; the majority of work that should be inspected is covered up by the end of the job. You may not know whether the work has been done properly until problems arise. There is no good reason for a contractor to not want to obtain a permit. Any contractor that does not want to obtain permit is more than likely trying to perform work for which they are not liscensed or qualified to do or they cannot organize their work  to accomodate the inspection process. In either case, is this somebody you want working in your home?

 

 

 

Depending on the job, usually only two permits are required. Your municipality generally requires only one permit that is inspected at several different stages. These inspection stages include: Footings and foundations,  Plumbing, Framing , Hvac and Insulation and pre-occupancy and completion inspections.  A separate inspection is obtained form the Electrical Safety Authority for all electrical work performed. . Some or all of these permits and inspections may be required.

 

 

 

6. What does MDL Designs do? 

Along with the designing and organizing of your project, MDL Designs for the most part does the carpentry portion of your renovation including: Layout and framing, finish carpentry and detail work. Our in-house cabinet shop completes most of the mill working, cabinetmaking and custom woodworking for your project.

 

7. Does MDL Designs use sub-contractors?

MDL Designs has spent several years choosing sub-contractors that meet our stringent criteria which include: quality workmanship, cleanliness customer courtesy.  We have developed relationships with them whereby we can pull them together into a team to complete any job.