Avoid a Home Renovation Nightmare

I wish I had read this story before we bought our house. We might not have bought it.

"Renovations are notorious for growing and changing as the project keeps moving along," renovator and Kelrek Services boss Alvin Epp told those at the seminar.

"There's always something in a renovation that doesn't seem to work quite the way you want."

Looking to turn hiccups into screwups? Here's some guidance from professionals at the seminar.

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Cash deals that lack liability insurance and WorkSafe B.C. coverage put homeowners at enormous risk, home builders association CEO Peter Simpson said.

"Without a building permit and the requisite inspections, you're really exposing yourself," Simpson said. "If anything goes to court, you, as the homeowner, are deemed to be the contractor."