As featured in the Toronto Star
March 23, 2021
By Jack Torossian
When BILD established RenoMark in 2001 its purpose was to identify professional contractors who agreed to abide by a renovator specific Code of Conduct. Twenty years later we want to exceed your expectations of the RenoMark program by introducing a mandatory Professional Renovator Education Program (PREP) for all member renovators. We’re looking to renovate your expectations one course at a time.
Why is it important to you as a consumer that your renovator participate in continuing education? Much has changed in the renovation industry since 2001. We have seen updates to building codes, advances in building science, construction materials and new design trends.
With all these changes RenoMark renovators need to adapt and continue to learn. Our members must keep up-to-date of changing practices and stay educated if they want to remain relevant. That’s why continuing education and lifelong learning is important for everyone in the industry and it should be important to you as a consumer when choosing a renovator.
RenoMark has introduced an eight course Professional Renovator Education Program (PREP). The program begins with a refresher course on the RenoMark Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct course is the pillar of the program and is written with the consumer in mind. All RenoMark renovators must provide their clients with a written contract, offer a minimum one-year warranty, carry $2 million in liability insurance, carry all licences and permits, return client phone calls within two business days and have workplace liability insurance (WSIB).
The other courses included Customer Service, Dispute Resolution, Finance, Documentation, Insurance, Risk Management and Contracts.
How does renovator continuing education affect you as a consumer? For starters, the contracts course places an emphasis on providing a written contract for every job. The importance of getting a written contract from your renovator cannot be overstated. A contract protects you by setting out clearly what you are getting, when you are getting it and how much you will pay for it. The customer service module lets contractors see the renovation from the consumer’s point of view. The consumer wants a quality renovation that is on time and on budget with minimal corrections and minimal call-backs. Consumers want protection and peace of mind by ensuring that their renovator has all the necessary permits, licences and insurance.
If this column has generated any thoughts or questions regarding a past or future renovation, please send your questions to RenoMark@bildgta.ca and look for our answers to your questions in the next Ask a RenoMark Renovator column. I look forward to hearing from you.
Jack Torossian is the President of Golden Bee Homes, Past Chair of BILD’s Renovator Executive Committee and the 2018 Home Builder of the Year award winner.