Get the Information You Need

Home renovation is a multi-billion dollar industry in Canada that includes public and private organizations, professional and industry associations, manufacturers and suppliers, financial institutions, and dedicated renovation professionals from coast to coast.

If you are thinking about renovating your home, there is a wealth of information and assistance available from many different sources. It can help you to decide what you want and how to get it, and ensure a successful renovation that you will enjoy for years to come. Most of this information is free of charge or available at a modest price.

• Contact your local Home Builders' Association and ask for a list of renovator members and information on the renovation process. Many local Home Builders' Associations organize special consumer activities such as renovation seminars, open house parades of renovations and displays. Take advantage of these opportunities to get to know the professional renovators in your community and learn about the latest trends, products and financing options.
  
  
• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) offers a wealth of information on renovation, from hiring a contractor to dealing with moisture problems in older homes. Visit their web site or call 1-800-668-CMHC.
  
  
• Natural Resources Canada is the primary source of information on opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of your home through renovation. Browse around on their web site or call 1-800-387-2000 to order various publications on renovation.
  
  
• Your municipal government can provide information about building codes and regulations, and the permits and inspections needed for your renovation project.
  
  
• Provincial government departments dealing with consumer and commercial relations may have publications and other information on hiring and working with renovators. Also ask about the Contractors' Lien Act and the holdback requirements in your province.
  
  
• Ask banks, trust companies and other financial institutions for information on renovation financing.
  
  
• Visit building material and product suppliers and browse through their display areas to get ideas for your renovation project. The vast majority of manufacturers and suppliers of building components, products and materials also have websites with extensive photos, listings and descriptions of their products.
  
  
• Many local libraries have a wide selection of books, magazines and videotapes or CDs on home renovation.