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The OakWood Consumer’s Handbook

Your complete guide to choosing a professional Renovator. OakWood.ca

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<strong>The</strong> <strong>OakWood</strong><br />

<strong>Consumer’s</strong> <strong>Handbook</strong><br />

Your complete guide to choosing<br />

a professional Renovator


Your complete<br />

guide to choosing<br />

a professional<br />

Renovator<br />

Dear Homeowner,<br />

You are about to make an important decision: choosing what Renovator will design, plan, and build your<br />

renovation project. This is a big decision whether you are renovating a single room, adding an extension,<br />

or renovating your entire house from the basement up.<br />

Unfortunately, Renovation Contractors are consistently one of the most complained about businesses to the<br />

Ontario Minister of Consumer Services. One of the primary reasons is that almost anyone can claim to be a<br />

qualified Renovator. Yet there are few reliable guidelines available to help a Homeowner choose a Renovator<br />

wisely or objectively evaluate the credentials and qualifications of potential Renovators.<br />

That’s why <strong>OakWood</strong> has created this <strong>Consumer’s</strong> Guide. This gives you the information you need to make<br />

the best decision possible when it comes to hiring, evaluating and working with a professional Renovation<br />

Contractor to design and build your project.<br />

Why is this so important? Like many homeowners, you may not realize that at the start of any renovation,<br />

your home is temporarily depreciated once construction begins. Of course, if you engage the services<br />

of a professional Renovator, this will be a brief and quickly forgotten phase of your renovation: a minor<br />

blip on the way to great rewards and enjoyment.<br />

We live by our Guide and believe this sets the professional standard you need to choose a qualified<br />

Renovator. And ensure you get a worry free, high quality renovation that is completed on budget and<br />

on time with no surprises.<br />

This guide has the following sections:<br />

• Section 1: Qualifications and Stability of the Contractor<br />

• Section 2: Essential Requirements for Every Project Proposal<br />

• Section 3: Experience and Service<br />

• Section 4: Follow up and Guarantee<br />

Each section:<br />

• Provides the key questions we recommend you ask to ensure<br />

you make an “apples to apples” comparison<br />

• Explains why we think these are critically important questions<br />

• Provides proof of <strong>OakWood</strong>’s compliance and why we are qualified<br />

to be your Renovator of Choice<br />

We hope you find these guidelines useful as you set out to make an important decision:<br />

who will be your Renovator of Choice?<br />

Copyright © 2013 <strong>OakWood</strong>.<br />

All rights reserved. This document contains information intended for the exclusive use of <strong>OakWood</strong>s’ customers, personnel, Trade Partners and potential customers. <strong>The</strong><br />

information herein is restricted in use and is strictly confidential and subject to change without notice. No part of this document may be altered, reproduced, or transmitted<br />

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of <strong>OakWood</strong>.<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong> is a registered trademark of <strong>OakWood</strong> Inc., licensed for use by <strong>OakWood</strong>, Inc. All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective holders.<br />

Sincerely,<br />

John Liptak<br />

President and CEO, <strong>OakWood</strong>


Contents<br />

SECTION 1<br />

Qualifications and Stability of the Contractor<br />

Part 1 Key questions we recommend.....................................5<br />

Part 2 Why this is important....................................................7<br />

Part 3 <strong>OakWood</strong>’s compliance..............................................10<br />

SECTION 2<br />

Essential Requirements for Every Project Proposal<br />

Part 1 Key questions we recommend...................................29<br />

Part 2 Why this is important..................................................31<br />

Part 3 <strong>OakWood</strong>’s compliance..............................................34<br />

SECTION 3<br />

Experience and Service<br />

Part 1 Key questions we recommend...................................41<br />

Part 2 Why this is important..................................................44<br />

Part 3 <strong>OakWood</strong>’s experience & services..............................48<br />

SECTION 4<br />

Follow-up and Guarantee<br />

Part 1 Key questions we recommend...................................67<br />

Part 2 Why this is important..................................................69<br />

Part 3 <strong>OakWood</strong>’s compliance..............................................72


“<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are two areas that<br />

particularly impress us about<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong>: the quality of work<br />

and the exceptional work<br />

crew…We always felt confident<br />

that our home was in good<br />

hands. We wouldn’t hesitate<br />

to recommend Oakwood<br />

to friends and family. Thank<br />

you for a job well done.<br />

– Carolyn Turner<br />


SECTION 1<br />

Qualifications and Stability<br />

of the Renovator<br />

SECTION 1<br />

Qualifications and<br />

Stability of Contractor<br />

» Key questions we recommend<br />

Why this is important<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong>’s compliance<br />

PART 1 Key questions we recommend<br />

PART 2 Why this is important<br />

PART 3 <strong>OakWood</strong>’s compliance<br />

Part 1<br />

Top questions we<br />

recommend you ask<br />

to make an “Apples to<br />

Apples” comparison<br />

Category 1<br />

Qualifications and Stability of<br />

Contractor<br />

1 Has the Renovator ever been<br />

awarded the Ottawa Consumer<br />

Choice Award for<br />

Best Home Designer and/or<br />

Renovation Company?<br />

2 Has the Renovator ever won<br />

an Ontario Home builders<br />

Association or Ottawa Home<br />

Builders Association award?<br />

3 Is the Renovator a member<br />

of the Greater Ottawa Home<br />

Builders Association Renovator’s<br />

Council and does it abide<br />

by a strict members code of<br />

Ethics and Business Professionalism?<br />

4 Does the Renovator meet the<br />

elite standards of the Greater<br />

Ottawa Home Builders Association<br />

RenoMark program?<br />

5 Does the Renovator have<br />

a minimum of ten years of<br />

experience designing and<br />

building renovations in the City<br />

of Ottawa?<br />

place the homeowner at risk?<br />

– PPSA.ca Search Results<br />

9 Does the Renovator maintain<br />

the $5 Million of Liability,<br />

Commercial Auto and Workers<br />

Compensation Insurance and<br />

will their insurance agent send<br />

you their certificate directly?<br />

10 Does the Renovator require<br />

that all of their Trade Partners<br />

maintain the same levels of<br />

insurance and sign an SOP?<br />

11 Does the Renovator provide<br />

a statutory declaration of<br />

protection, the most important<br />

protection for homeowners?<br />

12 Does the Renovator maintain<br />

business accounts with local<br />

suppliers and are they in good<br />

standing?<br />

13 Does the Renovator have<br />

a list of client references for<br />

projects designed and built<br />

that you can call?<br />

SECTION 1<br />

6 Is the Renovator a member<br />

of the Ottawa Better Business<br />

Bureau with an A + rating and<br />

with zero complaints?<br />

14 Is the Renovator in good<br />

standing with the Ministry of<br />

Labour for Workplace Safety<br />

with zero claims?<br />

7 Does the Renovator have a<br />

letter of good standing from<br />

their business bank?<br />

8 Does the Renovator have any<br />

company Debt that could<br />

15 Does the Renovator have a<br />

Workplace Safety Manual,<br />

Ministry of Labour site registration<br />

and certified first aid<br />

workers?<br />

613 236.8001 oakwood.ca<br />

5


“<br />

<strong>The</strong> attention to detail<br />

that <strong>OakWood</strong> brought<br />

to the project… the results<br />

speak for themselves.<br />

”<br />

SECTION 1<br />

Qualifications and<br />

Stability of Contractor<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

» Why this is important<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong>’s compliance<br />

– Jennifer Spence + Pablo Sobrino<br />

Part 2<br />

Why qualifications<br />

and stability are<br />

important<br />

AWARDS<br />

• Awards are a good indication<br />

that a Renovator has been<br />

independently acknowledged<br />

for excellence in some<br />

category—and they will<br />

provide quality workmanship.<br />

• One of the most important<br />

awards in our industry is<br />

the Consumers’ Choice<br />

Awards (www.ccaward.com).<br />

We consider these awards<br />

particularly important because<br />

a Builder cannot enter these<br />

awards. It is done by an<br />

independent consulting<br />

company using telephone<br />

surveys to businesses and<br />

consumers. That’s why<br />

these awards are so much<br />

more meaningful and a good<br />

indication of the quality and<br />

professionalism of the Builder:<br />

they are based on the<br />

consumer experiences.<br />

Less than 7%<br />

of Renovators actually<br />

CREDENTIALS<br />

• Credentials provide proof<br />

that the Renovator is fairly,<br />

accurately, and honestly<br />

representing themselves<br />

to the customer.<br />

• At minimum we recommend<br />

looking for the RenoMark<br />

(www.renomark.ca/ottawa)<br />

and GOHBA designations.<br />

• <strong>The</strong> Renomark program<br />

is dedicated to raising the<br />

level of professionalism in<br />

the local building industry.<br />

You may be surprised<br />

to learn that currently out<br />

of over 430 so called<br />

Renovators in Ottawa, less<br />

than 7% actually meet the<br />

qualifications established by<br />

the RenoMark Program.<br />

• GOHBA represents recognized<br />

home building and renovation<br />

professionals in the Greater<br />

Ottawa region and supports<br />

the professionalism of its<br />

members.<br />

SECTION 1<br />

meet the qualifications<br />

established by the<br />

RenoMark program.<br />

• <strong>The</strong> GOHBA and Renomark<br />

logos are the marks of<br />

a professional: look for them<br />

on your Renovator’s website,<br />

proposal or promotional<br />

material.<br />

613 236.8001 oakwood.ca<br />

7


SECTION 1<br />

SECTION 1<br />

Qualifications and<br />

Stability of Contractor<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

» Why this is important<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong>’s compliance<br />

FINANCIAL STABILITY<br />

• A high debt Renovation<br />

company puts you at risk<br />

of not having your project<br />

completed because if the<br />

Renovator does not pay<br />

their Sub Trades and Trade<br />

Partners or Suppliers,<br />

a mechanics lien goes on<br />

your property to guarantee<br />

payment.<br />

• Until debts are paid, the<br />

homeowner does not own<br />

a clear title.<br />

• Few homeowners understand<br />

this and yet it unfortunately<br />

happens frequently.<br />

• Doing BBB and PPSA checks<br />

will give you confidence that<br />

the Renovator is a financially<br />

stable and well run business.<br />

• Use the BBB to find out<br />

if there are any complaints<br />

or warranty claims against<br />

a Renovator.<br />

• <strong>The</strong> PPSA tells you if the<br />

Renovator owes money<br />

to Subcontractors or material<br />

Suppliers or if there are any<br />

liens registered.<br />

Check the Better<br />

Business Bureau and<br />

PPSA websites.<br />

www.bbb.org/canada<br />

www.ppsa.ca<br />

• You can also check the<br />

Ministry of Labour website<br />

for Renovators who have<br />

been charged for health<br />

and safety violations. This is<br />

important because ultimately<br />

it is you, the homeowner,<br />

who is responsible for all<br />

health and safety issues<br />

on your project.<br />

• Doing these kinds of reference<br />

checks will tell you how<br />

respected the Renovator is<br />

in the City and most importantly<br />

whether you will feel<br />

comfortable and trust them<br />

in your home.<br />

• This is why we recommend<br />

choosing a Renovator that:<br />

» Maintains $5 Million of<br />

Liability, Commercial Auto<br />

and Workers Compensation<br />

Insurance.<br />

» Provides a statutory declaration,<br />

the most important<br />

protection for homeowners.<br />

YEARS IN BUSINESS<br />

• <strong>The</strong> number of years a Builder<br />

has been in business is a<br />

good indication of how long<br />

they will be in business.<br />

• <strong>The</strong> fact is, 93% of all<br />

construction companies do<br />

not stick around long enough<br />

to celebrate their 10th birthday.<br />

<strong>The</strong> majority of those go out<br />

of business within the first<br />

two years. That means a five<br />

year warranty may have<br />

little value.<br />

• Any Renovator can do good<br />

work for a couple of years.<br />

It’s much more difficult to do<br />

consistently good work for<br />

ten, thirty, fifty years or more.<br />

That’s why we recommend<br />

choosing a Renovator with<br />

a minimum of ten years<br />

business experience under<br />

the same name.<br />

• It’s also why we strongly<br />

recommend you check their<br />

credentials and ensure they<br />

have a professional address<br />

other than a truck or a<br />

PO box! A professional<br />

Renovator will provide you<br />

with professional results.<br />

<strong>The</strong>y will build it right!<br />

“<br />

Thank you for your excellent<br />

service and commitment<br />

to doing quality home<br />

renovation work for us over<br />

the past 10 years.<br />

”<br />

– Walter Wood<br />

8<br />

oakwood.ca 613 236.8001


SECTION 1<br />

Qualifications and<br />

Stability of Contractor<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

Why this is important<br />

» <strong>OakWood</strong>’s compliance<br />

SECTION 1<br />

Qualifications and<br />

Stability of Contractor<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

Why this is important<br />

» <strong>OakWood</strong>’s compliance<br />

SECTION 1<br />

Part 3<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong><br />

is compliant<br />

OAKWOOD IS AN AWARD<br />

WINNING DESIGN AND<br />

BUILD RENOVATOR<br />

• Oakwood has been<br />

awarded the Consumers’<br />

Choice Award every year<br />

since they were first<br />

introduced in 2008.<br />

“ We are very happy with the renovation<br />

work done on our home… We had no real<br />

surprises and all change orders but one<br />

were initiated by us so we ultimately had<br />

control of expenditures. Overall, the<br />

renovation was much less stressful than<br />

we anticipated. I should add, that we stayed<br />

in the house for the entire renovation…<br />

In the end, I would be more than happy<br />

to work with <strong>OakWood</strong> again. ”<br />

Dan Wayner<br />

• We are also the winner<br />

of many GOHBA (Greater<br />

Ottawa Home Builders’<br />

Association www.gohba.ca )<br />

Design and Safety Awards.<br />

OAKWOOD CREDENTIALS<br />

• Renomark<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong> is a founding<br />

member of the RenoMark<br />

program for Renovator<br />

excellence in Ottawa and<br />

is a proud member in good<br />

standing with the GOHBA<br />

(representing recognized<br />

home building and renovation<br />

professionals in the Greater<br />

Ottawa region.)<br />

• Renovators Council<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong> has two seats<br />

on the Ottawa Renovators<br />

Council. Typically there<br />

are 25 members at these<br />

meetings which have the<br />

purpose of discussing trends<br />

and suggesting solutions for<br />

challenges pertinent to the<br />

Ottawa Renovation industry.<br />

• Innovation and Green<br />

Committee<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong> has two seats<br />

out of typically eight active<br />

members. <strong>The</strong> purpose of<br />

the Green Committee is to<br />

make suggestions to building<br />

code authorities and further<br />

the advancement of green<br />

and innovation building in<br />

Ottawa.<br />

• National Kitchen and<br />

Bath Association (NKBA)<br />

advances the knowledge<br />

base of local companies<br />

involved in kitchen and bathroom<br />

design and building.<br />

• Canada Green<br />

Building Council<br />

we actively support the Green<br />

Building Council mission to<br />

lead and accelerate the transformation<br />

to high-performing,<br />

healthy green buildings,<br />

homes and communities<br />

throughout Canada.<br />

• Better Business Bureau<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong> is honoured to<br />

be an accredited member<br />

in the highest standing with<br />

the Better Business Bureau<br />

(BBB)—and not every<br />

company is eligible.<br />

SECTION 1<br />

10 oakwood.ca 613 236.8001<br />

613 236.8001 oakwood.ca<br />

11


SECTION 1<br />

SECTION 1<br />

OAKWOOD IS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE RENOMARK PROGRAM<br />

FOR BUILDER EXCELLENCE IN OTTAWA<br />

INSURANCE (LIABILITY, E&O, WORKERS COMPENSATION)<br />

12 oakwood.ca 613 236.8001<br />

613 236.8001 oakwood.ca<br />

13


SECTION 1<br />

Qualifications and<br />

Stability of Contractor<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

Why this is important<br />

» <strong>OakWood</strong>’s compliance<br />

SECTION 1<br />

OAKWOOD IS<br />

A FINANCIALLY<br />

STABLE COMPANY<br />

Better Business Bureau (BBB)<br />

• <strong>OakWood</strong> enjoys an A+<br />

Rating with the BBB<br />

(on a scale from A+ to F).<br />

• 0 complaints have ever been<br />

filed against <strong>OakWood</strong> and<br />

the BBB only reports the past<br />

36 months.<br />

A high debt Renovation<br />

Company can put you at risk<br />

of not having your project<br />

completed.<br />

• <strong>The</strong> PPSA tells you if the<br />

Renovator owes money to<br />

Subcontractors or material<br />

Suppliers or if there are any<br />

liens registered.<br />

OAKWOOD IS<br />

A RESPECTED MEMBER<br />

OF THE LOCAL BUILDING<br />

COMMUNITY<br />

• Suppliers and Trade Partners<br />

respect <strong>OakWood</strong>’s organizational<br />

skills and commitment<br />

to quality.<br />

• <strong>OakWood</strong> has earned a reputation<br />

for high professionalism<br />

and paying Contractors and<br />

Suppliers on time.<br />

SECTION 1<br />

• <strong>OakWood</strong> has been<br />

a BBB accredited business<br />

since March 1999 with<br />

zero complaints ever.<br />

• PPSA checks will give you<br />

confidence that the Renovator<br />

is a financially stable and<br />

well run business.<br />

• <strong>OakWood</strong> is a debt free<br />

company with 0 liens.<br />

LETTER OF REFERENCE FROM RONA HOME & GARDEN<br />

14<br />

oakwood.ca 613 236.8001<br />

613 236.8001 oakwood.ca<br />

15


SECTION 1<br />

SECTION 1<br />

LETTER OF REFERENCE FROM SCOTIABANK<br />

LETTER OF REFERENCE FROM McQUILLAN ELECTRIC<br />

16 oakwood.ca 613 236.8001<br />

613 236.8001 oakwood.ca<br />

17


SECTION 1<br />

Qualifications and<br />

Stability of Contractor<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

Why this is important<br />

» <strong>OakWood</strong>’s compliance<br />

<strong>The</strong> Cowans<br />

51 Woodhill Crescent<br />

Blackburn Hamlet<br />

Ottawa, Ontario<br />

K1B 3B7<br />

______________________________________________________________________________________<br />

SECTION 1<br />

OVER 57 YEARS<br />

OF EXPERIENCE AND<br />

DEEP ROOTS IN THE<br />

LOCAL CONSTRUCTION<br />

INDUSTRY<br />

In 2013 the Liptak family<br />

celebrated 57 years of building<br />

in the Ottawa community.<br />

Reaching the half century mark<br />

is a notable accomplishment<br />

in this industry. 90% off all<br />

construction company’s fail<br />

within the first 10 years<br />

of operation and 30% fail within<br />

the first 3 years. It is extremely<br />

rare to find a company with<br />

as much experience and<br />

a longstanding dedicated<br />

team as <strong>OakWood</strong>.<br />

CUSTOMER REFERENCES<br />

• It is one thing for a Renovator<br />

to claim they have satisfied<br />

clients and do work to a high<br />

quality standard. Can they<br />

back it up?<br />

• In the end, it is not what<br />

the Renovator says about<br />

their workmanship: it is what<br />

end customers say about<br />

their experience and the<br />

quality of the final product<br />

that counts.<br />

• <strong>OakWood</strong> has helped<br />

thousands of clients to<br />

beautify their homes and<br />

make their lives more<br />

comfortable. We can provide<br />

over 100 references from<br />

satisfied clients. Below is<br />

a very small sample of letters<br />

of referral from happy<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong> clients.<br />

Mr. John Liptak, President<br />

Oakwood Designers & Builders Inc.<br />

1200 Colonial Road, Navan (Ottawa)<br />

Ontario, Canada K4B 1J4<br />

Dear John,<br />

<strong>The</strong> purpose in writing to you is to express our extreme satisfaction with the recent work<br />

that Oakwood, and particularly Karl and Guillaume undertook at our house. As you are<br />

aware the original work was completed some six years ago and we are still so pleased<br />

with the “new” family room. I still say new because it still looks like new and every time<br />

we are in the room it brings us a great deal of pleasure.<br />

<strong>The</strong> fact that after six years you and your team returned to “fix-up” a problem that only<br />

just became evident speaks volumes in relation to the pride of workmanship of you and<br />

your staff. <strong>The</strong> repairs were done quickly, efficiently and to our satisfaction.<br />

John, I cannot speak too highly of Oakwood. I have passed along your name to a number<br />

of friends who are contemplating renovations in the next year or so. Furthermore, if you<br />

wish to use our name and house as a reference just let us know and we will be happy to<br />

assist.<br />

Again thank you very much for “looking-after” us.<br />

Both Betty Ann and I want to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a very Merry<br />

Christmas.<br />

SECTION 1<br />

• For more letters and<br />

testimonials please visit<br />

www.oakwood.ca<br />

Yours truly,<br />

Bert Cowan.<br />

CUSTOMER LETTER OF REFERENCE<br />

18<br />

oakwood.ca 613 236.8001<br />

613 236.8001 oakwood.ca<br />

19


SECTION 1<br />

SECTION 1<br />

CUSTOMER LETTER OF REFERENCE<br />

CUSTOMER LETTER OF REFERENCE<br />

20 oakwood.ca 613 236.8001<br />

613 236.8001 oakwood.ca<br />

21


SECTION 1<br />

SECTION 1<br />

CUSTOMER LETTER OF REFERENCE<br />

CUSTOMER LETTER OF REFERENCE<br />

22 oakwood.ca 613 236.8001<br />

613 236.8001 oakwood.ca<br />

23


SECTION 1<br />

CUSTOMER LETTER OF REFERENCE<br />

24<br />

oakwood.ca 613 236.8001


“<br />

We have never been surprised<br />

by invoices requesting more<br />

than we anticipated.<br />

”<br />

– Ruth + Malcolm Vant


SECTION 2<br />

Essential Requirements for<br />

Every Project Proposal<br />

SECTION 2<br />

Essential Requirements<br />

for Every Project Proposal<br />

» Key questions we recommend<br />

Why this is important<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong>’s compliance<br />

PART 1 Key questions we recommend<br />

PART 2 Why this is important<br />

PART 3 <strong>OakWood</strong>’s compliance<br />

Part 1<br />

Top questions<br />

we recommend<br />

you ask to make<br />

an apples-to-apples<br />

comparison AND<br />

avoid costly<br />

surprises<br />

1 Will the Renovator provide<br />

a written, fixed-price proposal<br />

with a detailed breakdown<br />

and a price guarantee for<br />

the work specified once your<br />

design is completed?<br />

2 Will the Renovator provide<br />

scaled drawings for work being<br />

done?<br />

4 Does the Renovator provide<br />

line item detail of all tasks<br />

associated with the project?<br />

5 Does the Renovator provide<br />

an easy to understand<br />

payment schedule based<br />

on project benchmarks<br />

and milestones?<br />

3 Does the Renovator specify<br />

materials by brand, model<br />

and finish?<br />

SECTION 2<br />

613 236.8001 oakwood.ca<br />

29


“<br />

We have been spreading the<br />

word about the outstanding<br />

reputation, professionalism,<br />

and customer service<br />

of <strong>OakWood</strong> Builders.<br />

– Walter Wood<br />

”<br />

Part 2<br />

Why a<br />

Detailed<br />

Proposal is<br />

Essential<br />

• Surprising fact: the average<br />

renovation project racks<br />

up 27% more in costs due<br />

to extras charged at the end<br />

of the project. <strong>The</strong> reason<br />

is that many Renovators<br />

purposefully bid the project<br />

low and come to you with an<br />

extra when the project<br />

is completed and demand<br />

payment without giving you<br />

any options.<br />

“We recommend you<br />

get a room-by-room<br />

description of your<br />

SECTION 2<br />

Essential Requirements<br />

for Every Project Proposal<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

» Why this is important<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong>’s compliance<br />

• Insisting on a detailed<br />

proposal is one of the easiest<br />

things you can do to avoid<br />

getting unpleasant surprises<br />

after your renovation<br />

is completed.<br />

• A detailed proposal also<br />

shows you that the Renovator<br />

knows what they’re doing.<br />

Many Renovators will give<br />

you a five to ten page proposal<br />

that is vague on details. You<br />

shouldn’t accept this because<br />

it is a recipe for extras and<br />

hidden costs once the<br />

renovation starts.<br />

SECTION 2<br />

renovation project<br />

to know what you are<br />

building—right down<br />

to the number<br />

of electrical outlets<br />

per room and their<br />

• We recommend you get<br />

a room-by-room description<br />

of your renovation project to<br />

know what you are building—<br />

right down to the number<br />

of electrical outlets per room<br />

and their specific location.<br />

specific location.”<br />

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SECTION 2<br />

SECTION 2<br />

Essential Requirements<br />

for Every Project Proposal<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

» Why this is important<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong>’s compliance<br />

• This kind of detail shows<br />

the Renovator knows what<br />

they are doing. If you are<br />

not getting this, you are not<br />

getting enough detail to<br />

know what you are actually<br />

buying.<br />

• A room-by-room proposal<br />

also enables you to fairly<br />

compare apples to apples:<br />

if one Renovator is significantly<br />

lower, there is a reason and<br />

there is definitely a different<br />

scope of work being priced.<br />

• Please remember: finishes<br />

and materials can vary greatly<br />

in price.<br />

• Make sure the proposal<br />

is based on using licensed<br />

Subcontractors and a qualified<br />

certified team: certified and<br />

experienced workers cost<br />

more than “handymen” but<br />

are always worth the money.<br />

• We also recommend getting<br />

a fixed price quote because<br />

this doesn’t allow the Renovator<br />

to deviate from the scope<br />

of work that was quoted<br />

and effectively eliminates<br />

wiggle room.<br />

“<br />

We have our friends and<br />

family over all the time<br />

to watch movies and it’s<br />

as if we are at the theatre,<br />

except we are in the comfort<br />

of our own home.<br />

”<br />

– Atul + Richa Aggarwal<br />

• Finally, we recommend you<br />

review the proposal with each<br />

Renovator thoroughly.<br />

32<br />

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SECTION 2<br />

Essential Requirements<br />

for Every Project Proposal<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

Why this is important<br />

» <strong>OakWood</strong>’s compliance<br />

SECTION 2<br />

Essential Requirements<br />

for Every Project Proposal<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

Why this is important<br />

» <strong>OakWood</strong>’s compliance<br />

Part 3<br />

What our proposal<br />

will include!<br />

WITH OVER 57 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE<br />

CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS, WE KNOW A THING<br />

OR TWO ABOUT WHAT TO PUT IN A PROPOSAL!<br />

<strong>The</strong> detailed proposal that you<br />

will get from <strong>OakWood</strong> will cover<br />

every facet of your renovation<br />

from start to finish. Our proposals<br />

often exceed 150 pages and<br />

ensure you get the detail you<br />

need for a worry-free, high<br />

quality renovation with no<br />

surprises. Below is a sample<br />

of a typical table of contents<br />

from an <strong>OakWood</strong> proposal.<br />

A KEY PART OF OAKWOOD’S PROPOSAL TO YOU:<br />

A ROOM-BY-ROOM PROJECT SUMMARY<br />

SECTION 2<br />

SECTION 2<br />

WHAT A DETAILED PROPOSAL SHOULD INCLUDE<br />

TO ENSURE NO COSTLY “SURPRISES”<br />

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SECTION 2<br />

Essential Requirements<br />

for Every Project Proposal<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

Why this is important<br />

» <strong>OakWood</strong>’s compliance<br />

SECTION 2<br />

Essential Requirements<br />

for Every Project Proposal<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

Why this is important<br />

» <strong>OakWood</strong>’s compliance<br />

OUR PROPOSAL WILL INCLUDE ALL MATERIALS,<br />

FINISHES AND COLOURS<br />

WE WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH A CONTRACT AGREEMENT<br />

THAT WE WILL HONOUR TO THE LETTER<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

SECTION 2<br />

<br />

<br />

0969000 Round<br />

321 - Frosted<br />

0113.404.020<br />

Bowl<br />

731100.400.02<br />

0 Leg<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

540-MPU-DST<br />

SGL HDL<br />

2521 LHP H25<br />

2540 – LHP<br />

H240<br />

frosted<br />

white<br />

chrome<br />

chrome<br />

chrome<br />

OAKWOOD’S AGREEMENT<br />

WILL INCLUDE<br />

• Conformity with standards<br />

and specifications<br />

• Delays and how these will<br />

be handled<br />

• Proof of Worker’s<br />

compensation insurance<br />

SECTION 2<br />

<br />

2530-LHP H24<br />

chrome<br />

• Insurance that will be<br />

provided by <strong>OakWood</strong><br />

<br />

2551 chrome<br />

<br />

585-V chrome<br />

<br />

• Contractor’s responsibility<br />

and protection of work<br />

and property<br />

• <strong>The</strong> total investment of your<br />

renovation (plus HST)<br />

• Schedule of payments<br />

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37


“<br />

When we go to parties<br />

and find ourselves listening<br />

to horror story after horror story<br />

about renovation disasters,<br />

we can only shake our heads<br />

and think: <strong>The</strong>y should have<br />

used <strong>OakWood</strong>.<br />

”<br />

– Guy + Meredith Charlebois


SECTION 3<br />

Experience and Service<br />

SECTION 3<br />

Experience and Service<br />

» Key questions we recommend<br />

Why this is important<br />

PART 1 Key questions we recommend<br />

PART 2 Why this is important<br />

PART 3 <strong>OakWood</strong>’s experience & services<br />

Part 1<br />

Top questions<br />

we recommend<br />

you ask to ensure<br />

you choose<br />

an experienced<br />

and qualified<br />

Renovator<br />

1 Does the Renovator offer<br />

an in-house design service<br />

with 3-D renderings so the<br />

customer can see what they<br />

are purchasing before committing?<br />

2 Can the renovator show examples<br />

of designs for relevant<br />

renovation projects with before<br />

and after photos of the actual<br />

completed renovation<br />

3 Does the Renovator have<br />

licenced Interior Designers &<br />

Architectural Technologists<br />

with BCIN & LEED certification<br />

on staff?<br />

4 Will the Renovator take care of<br />

required asbestos and hazardous<br />

waste testing to meet<br />

Ministry of Labour and Workplace<br />

Safety guidelines?<br />

5 Will the Renovator apply,<br />

purchase and be responsible<br />

for all Permits including; building,<br />

plumbing, and electrical<br />

permits?<br />

6 Does the Renovator have<br />

a company policy to return<br />

phone calls within two hours<br />

of receiving a message and<br />

maintain a 24/7 emergency<br />

service line?<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong>’s experience & services<br />

average of over 10 years of<br />

experience in the construction<br />

industry?<br />

8 Does the Renovator review a<br />

pre-construction checklist with<br />

the Homeowner in their home<br />

prior to the start of construction?<br />

9 Does the Renovator utilize<br />

a professional CRM Project<br />

Management System with<br />

Gantt Charts to control every<br />

phase of your projects?<br />

10 Does the Renovator assemble<br />

and maintain a Project Binder,<br />

complete with plans, material<br />

specifications, warranties,<br />

site safety policies and other<br />

relevant information for each<br />

trade?<br />

11 Does the Renovator conduct<br />

extensive daily site visits with<br />

weekly onsite project updates<br />

with the Homeowner?<br />

12 Does the Renovator provide,<br />

start and completion dates in<br />

writting, for your project?<br />

13 Does the Renovator have a<br />

strict written policy that prohibits<br />

smoking in your home<br />

as well as the use of alcohol or<br />

drugs by their crews?<br />

SECTION 3<br />

7 Do the renovation company’s<br />

Project Managers have an<br />

14 Does the Renovator provide a<br />

written Work Schedule showing<br />

start and finish dates as<br />

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SECTION 3<br />

Experience and Service<br />

» Key questions we recommend<br />

Why this is important<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong>’s experience & services<br />

well as all project milestone<br />

dates? Is it updated daily<br />

and provided at Homeowner<br />

request?<br />

15 Does the Renovator require<br />

all Trade Partners sign off on<br />

standard operating procedures<br />

and health and safety policies?<br />

18 Does the Renovator practice<br />

environmentally friendly<br />

construction methods and<br />

support the Canada Green<br />

Building Council mission, and<br />

are they LEED certified?<br />

“<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong> came through as<br />

advertised. <strong>The</strong>y kept their<br />

promises. <strong>The</strong> work was<br />

done well and on time<br />

and on budget.<br />

”<br />

– Linda Moran<br />

16 Does the Renovator’s work<br />

crew have written daily cleanup<br />

procedures?<br />

17 Does the Renovator provide;<br />

no-go zones in your home,<br />

home protection with zip-walls<br />

and safe areas for material?<br />

SECTION 3<br />

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SECTION 3<br />

Experience and Service<br />

SECTION 3<br />

Experience and Service<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

» Why this is important<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong>’s experience & services<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

» Why this is important<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong>’s experience & services<br />

SECTION 3<br />

Part 2<br />

Why this<br />

Experience<br />

is Critical<br />

3D CONCEPT DESIGN<br />

SERVICE<br />

• Many Clients have a hard<br />

time visualizing what their<br />

project will look like before<br />

it is built.<br />

• A 3D Concept Design Service<br />

enables you to brainstorm<br />

and see life-like renderings<br />

of your project and cost<br />

effectively make changes<br />

Be wary of free design:<br />

you’ll likely get what<br />

you pay for or the design<br />

costs will be buried!<br />

before construction begins.<br />

• A comprehensive Concept<br />

Design Service also establishes<br />

an accurate scope of work<br />

document and budget based<br />

on your final decisions.<br />

• Be wary of free design:<br />

if a Renovator offers to do<br />

free design, you’ll likely get<br />

what you pay for. Also, if a<br />

Renovator is offering “free<br />

design” it’s likely that the<br />

design fees are hidden<br />

somewhere in the overall<br />

cost of construction. No<br />

one works for free.<br />

QUALIFIED IN-HOUSE<br />

EXPERTISE<br />

• <strong>The</strong> success of your renovation<br />

hinges on having experienced,<br />

licensed professionals at each<br />

phase of your project including:<br />

architectural requirements,<br />

design elements, construction<br />

& scheduling, field and office<br />

project management, City<br />

permits & inspections.<br />

• Only qualified professionals<br />

can meet the requirements<br />

of each step in your project:<br />

Project Consultants, Architectural<br />

Technologists, Interior<br />

Designers, Materials Selection<br />

Coordinators, Estimators,<br />

Schedulers, Quantity Surveyors<br />

and Production as well as<br />

Project Managers.<br />

• Make sure any proposal you<br />

receive is based only on using<br />

licensed Sub-Contractors and<br />

a qualified certified team: certified<br />

and experienced workers<br />

cost more than “handymen”.<br />

• In-house design expertise also<br />

ensures tighter quality controls<br />

because everything is under<br />

“one roof” with a single point of<br />

accountability – you only have<br />

to deal with one firm.<br />

DESIGN + BUILD<br />

• Having the design done by<br />

one person and the building<br />

completed by someone else<br />

is a recipe for problems and<br />

cost overruns: this is why<br />

over 50% of projects that<br />

start with a Designer or<br />

Architect never get built.<br />

• <strong>The</strong> only way to avoid this<br />

disconnect is by going through<br />

a design process that links<br />

the design to a plan that<br />

drives a detailed scope<br />

of work that you can have<br />

confidence in. <strong>The</strong> design<br />

phase has to drive the plan<br />

and the detailed proposal<br />

that follows.<br />

• If you make changes to the<br />

design or materials selection,<br />

those changes must be<br />

reflected in both the plan<br />

and budget to avoid costly<br />

surprises: it is a dynamic,<br />

highly iterative process.<br />

Only a true Design + Build<br />

Renovator can ensure this<br />

linkage between design (and<br />

any changes) and the final<br />

plan and budget:<br />

• <strong>The</strong> cost of the project<br />

is constantly updated<br />

through changes made at<br />

the design stage to give<br />

you an updated total project<br />

cost at all times.<br />

• In our experience, an in-house<br />

Design + Build firm will greatly<br />

enhance the chances of<br />

identifying the true scope<br />

of work and ultimately giving<br />

you a successful renovation.<br />

Poor planning is the<br />

#1 reason project<br />

budgets and timelines<br />

go off the rails.<br />

PLANNING<br />

• For a detailed proposal to be<br />

worth its salt, it really needs<br />

to be part of an overall plan.<br />

You have to know what you<br />

are building; what materials<br />

you are using – right down<br />

to the number of electrical<br />

outlets per room and their<br />

specific location.<br />

• A plan forces a Renovator to<br />

nail down the project details<br />

before they start any work –<br />

and shows you they know<br />

what they are doing.<br />

• A good plan also provides<br />

you with a roadmap for<br />

your entire project with all<br />

milestones from start to finish.<br />

<strong>The</strong> plan you get should<br />

anticipate all costs and timelines.<br />

For example, <strong>OakWood</strong><br />

uses a detailed GANTT chart<br />

that gives you all milestones<br />

for your project from start<br />

to finish.<br />

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SECTION 3<br />

45


SECTION 3<br />

46<br />

SECTION 3<br />

Experience and Service<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

» Why this is important<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong>’s experience & services<br />

• Good planning goes<br />

hand in hand with project<br />

management: Renovators<br />

with good planning and<br />

project management skills<br />

will usually provide you with<br />

a single point of contact<br />

throughout your project. And<br />

they should provide you with<br />

a real person that you can call<br />

during working hours.<br />

• <strong>The</strong> most detailed plans can’t<br />

anticipate hidden structural<br />

issues or problems that are<br />

concealed behind a wall. <strong>The</strong><br />

question is this: how will your<br />

Renovator deal with problems<br />

or changes to ensure you don’t<br />

get any surprises at the end<br />

of your renovation project?<br />

CLEAN-UP AND RESPECT<br />

FOR YOUR HOME<br />

• Any renovation results in a<br />

certain amount of upheaval<br />

that can be stressful for some<br />

homeowners. A good Renovator<br />

will take specific steps<br />

to minimize the disruption while<br />

also protecting your home.<br />

oakwood.ca 613 236.8001<br />

ENVIRONMENTALLY<br />

FRIENDLY CONSTRUCTION<br />

METHODS<br />

• Green building or sustainable<br />

building practices are a fast<br />

changing part of our industry:<br />

new technologies and products<br />

are constantly being<br />

developed.<br />

• A good Renovator will<br />

not only incorporate green<br />

practices into their way<br />

of doing business but also<br />

provide you with expert<br />

advice on how to design<br />

and build your renovation<br />

in a way that reduces the<br />

impact on the environment.<br />

• Make sure your Renovator<br />

of Choice is up-to-date and<br />

can provide you with expert<br />

advice on green material and<br />

eco-friendly options.<br />

•<br />

Ask if your Renovator<br />

of choice supports the<br />

Canada Green Building<br />

Council mission.<br />

WHAT TO LOOK FOR?<br />

• Ensure your Renovator<br />

doesn’t just haul material<br />

to the landfill – especially<br />

asbestos products! Do<br />

they recycle materials?<br />

• Do they use sustainable<br />

materials and methods that<br />

use fewer resources to build,<br />

less energy to operate,<br />

have a reduced impact<br />

on the environment whenever<br />

possible, and when<br />

economically feasible?<br />

• Do they actively support<br />

the Canada Green Building<br />

Council mission to lead<br />

and generate the transformation<br />

to high-performing,<br />

healthy green buildings,<br />

homes, and communities<br />

throughout Canada?<br />

• Can your Renovator<br />

provide a wide range<br />

of energy saving and<br />

green material options<br />

in key product categories –<br />

such as dual flush toilets,<br />

LED light fixtures, flooring<br />

products that use natural,<br />

biodegradable materials,<br />

and many other new<br />

options?<br />

3D DRAWING<br />

Our state-of-the art 3D<br />

Concept and Design service<br />

is one more reason you<br />

can trust <strong>OakWood</strong> to do<br />

a high quality Renovation<br />

on time and on budget<br />

with no surprises.


SECTION 3<br />

Experience and Service<br />

SECTION 3<br />

Experience and Service<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

Why this is important<br />

» <strong>OakWood</strong>’s experience & services<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

Why this is important<br />

» <strong>OakWood</strong>’s experience & services<br />

SECTION 3<br />

Part 3<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong>’s<br />

Experience<br />

& Services<br />

OAKWOOD’S CONCEPT<br />

DESIGN SERVICE<br />

Your design options are bounded<br />

only by your imagination!<br />

We offer a comprehensive inhouse<br />

concept design service to<br />

help you get started, and quickly<br />

assess your options. This unique<br />

and engaging service:<br />

• Uses our proprietary software<br />

to help you visualize your<br />

finished renovation before<br />

any work is started. Is led by<br />

an experienced Architectural<br />

Technologist, and helped by<br />

Interior Designers, who ensure<br />

nothing is lost between<br />

your design, the final plan,<br />

and the build.<br />

• Includes brainstorming<br />

on different creative design<br />

options to help create or<br />

clarify your vision.<br />

• Enables you to visualize the<br />

finished project with unique<br />

and realistic 3D concept<br />

renderings.<br />

• Establishes an accurate<br />

scope of work document and<br />

budget based on your final<br />

decisions.<br />

• Allows you to be actively<br />

involved and in full control<br />

over the project design and<br />

cost prior to committing to<br />

the construction process.<br />

This service is a great way<br />

to jumpstart your project and<br />

it can include a number of<br />

“What If” scenarios to ensure<br />

a renovation that matches your<br />

vision and budget.<br />

QUALIFIED IN-HOUSE<br />

RESOURCES<br />

In-house Architectural<br />

Technologists and Interior<br />

Designers<br />

<strong>The</strong>re was a time when you had<br />

to hire an Architect to get this<br />

level of service – no longer:<br />

• <strong>OakWood</strong>’s Architectural<br />

Technologists work hand in<br />

glove with our Interior Design<br />

Team for all architectural elements<br />

and to ensure nothing<br />

is lost between the design<br />

concept, the final plan, and<br />

the build.<br />

• Architectural Technologists<br />

and Interior Designers are an<br />

integral part of our Design +<br />

Build process. <strong>The</strong>y can<br />

provide complete construction<br />

details required for permit<br />

plans – all at a reduced cost<br />

of commissioning an outside<br />

Architect or Design firm.<br />

Merchandise Selection<br />

One of the most highly valued<br />

services that our customers love<br />

is our ability to provide a detailed<br />

Material Selection process:<br />

• Covers everything required<br />

to create a coordinated look<br />

and includes all finish selections<br />

from handles, faucets,<br />

cabinets, and flooring to paint<br />

colours.<br />

• <strong>OakWood</strong> has a unique<br />

system in place where our<br />

Designers hold your hand<br />

and guide you through the<br />

finish selection process to<br />

ensure a trouble-free and<br />

smooth running Renovation<br />

project from start to finish.<br />

Project Management<br />

Good project management is an<br />

essential skill to ensure our ability<br />

to complete your project to your<br />

satisfaction, on-budget and<br />

on-time. Project management is<br />

much more than simply working<br />

with sticky notes attached to the<br />

dashboard of a truck:<br />

• <strong>OakWood</strong> uses a comprehensive<br />

project management<br />

software system that includes<br />

scheduling and detailed,<br />

up-to-date scope of work<br />

information.<br />

• Telephone calls and emails<br />

are logged in one place so<br />

that all team members have<br />

access to pertinent information<br />

about your project.<br />

• Our Project Managers and<br />

Production Managers are<br />

equipped with iPads, tablet<br />

and mini PCs that are wirelessly<br />

connected with the<br />

same office information.<br />

SECTION 3<br />

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SECTION 3<br />

Experience and Service<br />

SECTION 3<br />

Experience and Service<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

Why this is important<br />

» <strong>OakWood</strong>’s experience & services<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

Why this is important<br />

» <strong>OakWood</strong>’s experience & services<br />

SECTION 3<br />

<strong>The</strong>se advanced project management<br />

systems help ensure a<br />

smooth, on-time and worry-free<br />

renovation project. Here is what<br />

you can expect from <strong>OakWood</strong>:<br />

• Your project schedule will<br />

be updated every day;<br />

• We will assign a dedicated<br />

Production Manager to provide<br />

one point of contact;<br />

• Our Project Manager will<br />

meet with you once a week;<br />

• We will return all phone calls<br />

and emails the same day or<br />

by 9:00 am the next morning;<br />

• We will have a live person<br />

answering the phone, and;<br />

• We will provide you with<br />

a 24 hour emergency<br />

phone number.<br />

Client Portal – see the exact<br />

status of your renovation<br />

anytime, anywhere<br />

You’ll get secure access to our<br />

Client Portal to follow every step<br />

of your project from initial approval<br />

to final walk-about. Our<br />

portal can be viewed 24/7 on<br />

any Apple, PC, smartphone or<br />

tablet and it includes:<br />

• Permit plans<br />

• Contract documents<br />

• Engineering and inspection<br />

documents<br />

• Invoices, Change Orders and<br />

Credits<br />

• Client Statement of Accounts<br />

showing where every dollar is<br />

spent<br />

• Before, during and after pictures<br />

and videos<br />

• Project Notes<br />

• All Material Selections<br />

• Tasks board to leave<br />

reminders<br />

• Meeting Calendar<br />

• Document library for Owners<br />

Manuals<br />

• Project Schedule with Gantt<br />

Chart<br />

• Live Punch List showing<br />

outstanding items and<br />

progress of approved items<br />

• And lots more!<br />

Licensed Carpenters<br />

Mike Holmes said on CBC Dragons<br />

Den “I would only let a qualified<br />

person work in my house”:<br />

• Every person on the Oak-<br />

Wood Team is qualified to<br />

work in your home, including<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong>’s President, John<br />

Liptak, who is a qualified<br />

licensed carpenter.<br />

• We even have a Carpenter<br />

Apprenticeship program<br />

in place where we train the<br />

next generation of qualified<br />

licensed carpenters.<br />

• <strong>The</strong>re will come a time when<br />

all trades-people working on<br />

your home will be required to<br />

be licensed: with <strong>OakWood</strong>,<br />

you can take advantage of a<br />

qualified team right now.<br />

Resource Scheduling<br />

Few Renovators stick to or use<br />

schedules. Many simply showup<br />

on site and look around to<br />

figure out what they need to do<br />

next. <strong>OakWood</strong> is different and<br />

takes scheduling and time commitments<br />

very seriously:<br />

• We use state-of-the-art project<br />

scheduling software to<br />

build a detailed work schedule<br />

for every project before<br />

the job starts.<br />

• We use resource levelling<br />

to ensure your projects stay<br />

on-track.<br />

• Your schedule is fine-tuned<br />

and updated daily: that means<br />

we can have a Plan-B or even<br />

a Plan-C should flexibility be<br />

required, all the while keeping<br />

every trade supplier and you,<br />

the homeowner, updated and<br />

on the same page.<br />

This is the key to <strong>OakWood</strong>’s<br />

ability to keep your project<br />

on-time and on-budget.<br />

Qualified Office Support Staff<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong> has an in-house team<br />

of highly specialized and trained<br />

professional to support your<br />

project. <strong>The</strong>se professionals<br />

abide by the <strong>OakWood</strong> Code of<br />

Ethics, a commitment to a way<br />

of doing business and an explicit<br />

promise of how we will operate<br />

as a company. See our Code<br />

of Ethics at oakwood.ca under<br />

Why <strong>OakWood</strong>.<br />

Our talented “dream team”<br />

includes:<br />

• Qualified Project Consultants,<br />

Architectural Technologists,<br />

Interior Designers, Material<br />

Selection Coordinators,<br />

Quantity Surveyors, Resource<br />

Schedulers and in office<br />

Project Managers.<br />

• Rigorously trained and qualified<br />

to help you throughout<br />

the complete Design + Build<br />

process.<br />

SECTION 3<br />

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SECTION 3<br />

Experience and Service<br />

SECTION 3<br />

Experience and Service<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

Why this is important<br />

» <strong>OakWood</strong>’s experience & services<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

Why this is important<br />

» <strong>OakWood</strong>’s experience & services<br />

SECTION 3<br />

Clean, professional Trade<br />

Partners<br />

• We only use the very best<br />

Trade Partners in the area<br />

to work on your home – to<br />

ensure the work is done correctly<br />

the first time and you<br />

will have few or no problems<br />

with your job. <strong>The</strong>se are all<br />

clean professional workers<br />

who:<br />

• Don’t smoke, don’t play the<br />

radio very loudly, don’t swear,<br />

don’t drink or use any nonprescription<br />

drugs while they<br />

are on your job.<br />

• Have all the required licenses,<br />

workplace safety, workers<br />

compensation insurance and<br />

Contractor insurance including<br />

5 million dollars liability coverage<br />

for your project.<br />

PROJECT PLAN<br />

We have spent over five decades<br />

developing a unique and<br />

comprehensive Design + Build<br />

planning process that covers<br />

every facet of your renovation<br />

from start-up to final inspection.<br />

Our plan includes all:<br />

• Construction & scheduling;<br />

• Field project management,<br />

and;<br />

City permits & inspections.<br />

All details for your Renovation<br />

project are summarized in<br />

the OAKplan following the<br />

Concept Design phase. This<br />

includes the final scope of work<br />

agreement, a GANTT chart with<br />

project milestones, and all material<br />

selections for your custom<br />

renovation project.<br />

How changes to your plan are<br />

handled by <strong>OakWood</strong><br />

<strong>The</strong> most detailed plans can’t<br />

anticipate hidden structural<br />

issues or problems that are<br />

concealed behind a wall. Even<br />

the best Renovators do not have<br />

X-Ray vision! Here’s how we<br />

handle this at <strong>OakWood</strong>:<br />

• We will provide you with a<br />

fixed price for a clear scope<br />

of work.<br />

• Any changes are professionally<br />

addressed with a change<br />

order process that allows you<br />

to say “yes” or “no”.<br />

• We will supply you with a<br />

written quote for any change<br />

before proceeding or giving<br />

you the opportunity to<br />

say “yes, go ahead” or “no,<br />

we’ll deal with this in another<br />

way” – otherwise we’ll move<br />

forward without that change.<br />

DAILY CLEAN-UP AND<br />

RESPECT YOUR HOME<br />

We will take the following specific<br />

steps to prepare, protect and<br />

respect your home:<br />

• Dust protection: covers for all<br />

stairs and flooring, vent protection,<br />

blue skin over tubes<br />

and shower bases, dust<br />

protection walls, etc.;<br />

• Zippered plastic barriers from<br />

work areas to clean areas;<br />

• Broom clean home at end of<br />

every day with major clean up<br />

at end of every week, and;<br />

• No-Go-Zones in your home<br />

where Trades and workers<br />

cannot go so that the homeowner<br />

can keep their privacy.<br />

Will meet or exceed all workplace<br />

safety standards while<br />

on your property:<br />

• Fence protection on<br />

appropriate sites to prevent<br />

accidents and theft;<br />

• PortaPoty on all sites to keep<br />

your home clean;<br />

• Ministry of Labour and Workplace<br />

Safety guidelines in the<br />

onsite project binders, and;<br />

• <strong>OakWood</strong> has established a<br />

complete and comprehensive<br />

safety policy to protect you<br />

the homeowner from litigation<br />

should an accident ever<br />

occur.<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong> provides all Trade<br />

Partners with a detailed 16 page<br />

Standard Operating Manual<br />

that clearly explains how we<br />

expect Trade Partners to conduct<br />

themselves while providing<br />

Renovation Services to customers<br />

for <strong>OakWood</strong>. This includes<br />

policies on communication,<br />

clean up, insurance requirements,<br />

uniforms, and much more.<br />

Please ask us for a copy to see<br />

the work standards and professionalism<br />

we enforce and that<br />

you can expect.<br />

SECTION 3<br />

• Architectural requirements;<br />

• Design elements;<br />

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SECTION 3<br />

Experience and Service<br />

SECTION 3<br />

Experience and Service<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

Why this is important<br />

Why this is important<br />

» <strong>OakWood</strong>’s experience & services<br />

» <strong>OakWood</strong>’s experience & services<br />

SECTION 3<br />

OAKWOOD IS AN<br />

ECO-WISE BUILDER<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong> has not only incorporated<br />

green practices into<br />

our way of doing business but<br />

we also provide you with expert<br />

advice on how to design and<br />

build your renovation in a way<br />

that reduces the impact on the<br />

environment.<br />

Our proactive eco-wise practices<br />

also include:<br />

• <strong>The</strong> use of sustainable materials<br />

and methods that use<br />

fewer resources to build, less<br />

energy to operate, have a reduced<br />

impact on the environment<br />

whenever possible, and<br />

when economically feasible.<br />

• We support suppliers and<br />

design professionals who<br />

share our philosophy and our<br />

commitment to the planet<br />

and that use sustainable and<br />

renewable resources.<br />

Green material options<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong> offers a wide range of<br />

green material selection options<br />

in most product categories. For<br />

example:<br />

• Dual flush toilets are offered<br />

as one of our five standard<br />

toilet options included in our<br />

price.<br />

• We offer LED light fixtures for<br />

a modest upgrade.<br />

• Flooring products with natural,<br />

biodegradable materials<br />

such as wool carpets, bamboo<br />

and cork flooring.<br />

You are in control<br />

<strong>The</strong> level of “greenness” of your<br />

project is totally up to you. We<br />

will always use <strong>OakWood</strong>’s high<br />

green standards as a base and<br />

allow you to determine how<br />

much greener you want the<br />

design and build of your project<br />

to be. <strong>OakWood</strong> will help guide<br />

you all the way.<br />

OVER 1,800 PROJECTS IN THE LAST 10 YEARS! DARE TO DREAM!<br />

Here is a small sample of renovation projects that we have completed. Visit the Gallery section of our<br />

website (www.oakwood.ca) to see many more photos in these categories:<br />

Kitchens<br />

Basements<br />

Bathrooms<br />

Additions<br />

Large Projects<br />

Renovations<br />

Attics<br />

Sunrooms & Solariums<br />

In-law suites<br />

Windows & Doors<br />

SECTION 3<br />

• Active support for the Canada<br />

Green Building Council<br />

mission to lead and generate<br />

the transformation to highperforming,<br />

healthy green<br />

buildings, homes, and communities<br />

throughout Canada.<br />

• Tankless or instantaneous<br />

water heaters that only heat<br />

water when needed to reduce<br />

energy costs.<br />

• And many other green options.<br />

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“<br />

We’re very pleased with the<br />

results and with our experience<br />

working with <strong>OakWood</strong>.<br />

”<br />

– Alex and Mindee Mirhady<br />

“<br />

In the space of about four<br />

months you took us from a<br />

virtually useless space to<br />

a modern kitchen that fit<br />

to the style of the house.<br />

”<br />

– Jennifer Spence and Pablo Sobrino


“<br />

In my Rolodex, under the<br />

heading “Contractors”, there<br />

is only one listing: <strong>OakWood</strong>.<br />

– Guy and Meredith Charlebois<br />

”<br />

“<br />

<strong>The</strong> quality of the workmanship<br />

is hard to beat.<br />

”<br />

– Rhona Lahey


“<br />

We now know why <strong>OakWood</strong><br />

has been in business for so<br />

many years and why we see<br />

so many of their signs in our<br />

neighborhood.<br />

”<br />

– Michelle and Glen<br />

“<br />

We look forward to working<br />

with <strong>OakWood</strong> in the future<br />

and enthusiastically recommend<br />

their services without<br />

any reservations.<br />

”<br />

– Dr. John Martins


“<br />

Our kitchen is more than<br />

the dream that we hoped<br />

it would be…<br />

”<br />

– Michelle and Glen


“<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong> was our number<br />

one choice and will be on any<br />

future projects.<br />

”<br />

– Carole + Lee Fasken


SECTION 4<br />

Follow-up and Guarantee<br />

PART 1 Key questions we recommend<br />

PART 2 Why this is important<br />

PART 3 <strong>OakWood</strong>’s compliance<br />

SECTION 4<br />

Follow-up and Guarantee<br />

» Key questions we recommend<br />

Why this is important<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong>’s compliance<br />

Part 1<br />

Top questions we<br />

recommend you<br />

ask to ensure you<br />

get an industry<br />

leading warranty<br />

and follow-up<br />

1 Will the Renovator guarantee<br />

that all work will meet the<br />

Ontario Building Code and as<br />

required be reviewed by a City<br />

Inspector?<br />

2 Does the Renovator provide a<br />

comprehensive walk-through<br />

checklist with the Homeowner<br />

at the completion of the<br />

project?<br />

3 Is the Renovator a small one<br />

to two person operation with<br />

the company owner physically<br />

working on your site?<br />

4 Does the Renovator provide<br />

a satisfaction survey at the<br />

conclusion of your project?<br />

5 Does the Renovator provide<br />

an after project completion<br />

service six-month to one-year<br />

free onsite inspection?<br />

6 Does the Renovator abide by<br />

the Ontario Tarion Warranty<br />

protection guidelines applied<br />

to home renovation projects?<br />

7 Does the Renovator provide<br />

a five-year warranty on labor<br />

and installation - with an optional<br />

ten-year warranty?<br />

SECTION 4<br />

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“<br />

Rest assured you will<br />

be in great company<br />

with <strong>OakWood</strong>.<br />

”<br />

SECTION 4<br />

Follow-up and Guarantee<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

» Why this is important<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong>’s compliance<br />

– Tony + Kelly Bailey<br />

Part 2<br />

Why Follow-up and<br />

Warranty is Critical<br />

FOLLOW-UP<br />

• Trying to schedule a Renovator<br />

to come back after the<br />

work is completed and paid<br />

for is both inconvenient for<br />

you and can be challenging<br />

for smaller Renovators.<br />

• A detailed walk through with<br />

a Senior Project Manager at<br />

the end of a project will ensure<br />

nothing was missed and<br />

that there are no deficiencies<br />

or corrections required.<br />

• Your Renovator should show<br />

you everything that has been<br />

done, including any agreed to<br />

change orders, and include<br />

a list of all items that are not<br />

finished.<br />

• Don’t sign off on anything<br />

until the work is completely<br />

finished to your complete<br />

satisfaction using the Tarion<br />

Construction Performance<br />

Guidelines.<br />

• A good Renovator will ask<br />

for candid feedback on your<br />

experience and ask you to<br />

complete a Customer Satisfaction<br />

Survey or form –<br />

without feedback a Renovator<br />

cannot change and improve<br />

their processes and services<br />

or celebrate their successes<br />

with any confidence.<br />

• All work should be carefully<br />

inspected before you make<br />

the final payment! When<br />

doing a final walkabout, look<br />

closely at the workmanship<br />

and note any problems or<br />

imperfections. Look for things<br />

like faceplates for switches<br />

and outlets, baseboard trim<br />

fit and finish, flushing mechanisms,<br />

sticky doors, cracks<br />

in drywall, popped screw<br />

heads, etc.<br />

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SECTION 4<br />

Follow-up and Guarantee<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

» Why this is important<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong>’s compliance<br />

WARRANTY<br />

AND GUARANTEE<br />

• When the job is finished, what<br />

kind of warranty will you get?<br />

Will your Renovator of Choice<br />

stand unconditionally behind<br />

their workmanship?<br />

• Remember, if something goes<br />

wrong, it won’t fail in the first<br />

few months. A guarantee<br />

matters down the road. What<br />

type of “hoops” do you need<br />

to go through to get action<br />

on your problem?<br />

• Ideally the warranty is with<br />

your Renovator who will<br />

represent your interests to<br />

any third party manufacturers<br />

and other Contractors where<br />

applicable.<br />

• At minimum, a comprehensive<br />

5-year warranty should<br />

be in place. An optional<br />

10-year warranty would be<br />

excellent.<br />

“At minimum, you should<br />

expect a comprehensive<br />

5-year warranty to be<br />

in place. An optional<br />

10-year warranty would<br />

be excellent.”<br />

“<br />

We now have a new home<br />

for years to enjoy! We want<br />

to thank the <strong>OakWood</strong> team<br />

and would highly recommend<br />

them to my family, friends<br />

and colleagues.<br />

”<br />

– Mike Hanna<br />

SECTION 4<br />

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SECTION 4<br />

Follow-up and Guarantee<br />

SECTION 4<br />

Follow-up and Guarantee<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

Key questions we recommend<br />

Why this is important<br />

Why this is important<br />

» <strong>OakWood</strong>’s compliance<br />

» <strong>OakWood</strong>’s compliance<br />

SECTION 4<br />

Part 3<br />

What you can<br />

expect when your<br />

Renovation project<br />

is complete<br />

DETAILED, POST<br />

CONSTRUCTION ONSITE<br />

INSPECTION<br />

• <strong>OakWood</strong>’s Project Manager<br />

will do a final walk through<br />

with you to inspect your<br />

entire renovation.<br />

• <strong>The</strong> Project Manager will<br />

ensure everything is finished<br />

to your complete satisfaction<br />

and the industry quality<br />

standards set by the Tarion<br />

Construction Performance<br />

Guidelines before final payment<br />

is requested.<br />

• <strong>The</strong> final inspection will also<br />

include a detailed Customer<br />

Satisfaction Survey where you<br />

can provide candid feedback<br />

on your experience with<br />

<strong>OakWood</strong>.<br />

• If as you settle back into your<br />

normal family life, you notice<br />

any problems that were not<br />

caught on our final walk<br />

through, one call is all you<br />

will need for us to schedule<br />

a time at your convenience<br />

for an <strong>OakWood</strong> professional<br />

to fix or correct the problem<br />

at once.<br />

INDUSTRY LEADING<br />

WARRANTY: YOU ARE<br />

PROTECTED<br />

As you would expect, we stand<br />

unconditionally behind our products<br />

and services. That’s why we<br />

offer an industry leading, 5-year<br />

warranty.<br />

How our warranty works:<br />

• Valid from the date of<br />

substantial completion or<br />

move-in on all additions<br />

and renovations.<br />

• Includes our complete<br />

customer care program:<br />

we will respond to all warranty<br />

situations within 24 hours.<br />

• We will work together with<br />

you to solve any warranty<br />

issues and ensure your<br />

satisfaction.<br />

THE OAKWOOD<br />

EXTENDED WARRANTY<br />

PROGRAM<br />

• In addition to our industry<br />

leading five-year warranty,<br />

we were the first to offer an<br />

optional 10-year upgraded<br />

warranty on all renovations.<br />

We recommend<br />

TARION Guidelines<br />

• Warranty guidelines that we<br />

recommend to our homeowners<br />

on their renovation<br />

are the TARION guidelines<br />

(www.tarion.com).<br />

• Tarion Warranty Corporation<br />

has been around for over<br />

30 years protecting new<br />

home owners in Ontario with<br />

a mandatory warranty that<br />

must be provided by the<br />

builder – and guaranteed<br />

by Tarion.<br />

• Although the Tarion guidelines<br />

are designed for new home<br />

construction they are just as<br />

applicable to renovations.<br />

• Ask your Renovator of Choice<br />

whether they will respect and<br />

follow these warranty guidelines<br />

and ensure you have<br />

proper protection.<br />

SECTION 4<br />

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“<br />

We look forward to working<br />

with <strong>OakWood</strong> in the<br />

future and enthusiastically<br />

recommend their services<br />

without any reservations.<br />

– Dr. John Martins<br />

”<br />

Thank you for reviewing our <strong>Consumer’s</strong> Guide <strong>Handbook</strong> and<br />

considering <strong>OakWood</strong> to be your Renovator of Choice.<br />

We take the responsibility of helping you realize your dream home<br />

very seriously. That is why we have taken the time to provide you<br />

with this list of important questions to ask each of the Renovators<br />

you are considering for your project. And why we have taken the<br />

time to explain why we think these questions are so important for<br />

you to ask, and provided you with our answers.<br />

We trust our <strong>Handbook</strong> has provided you with valuable information<br />

that will help you choose your Renovator with greater confidence.<br />

You may have many more questions. Please do not hesitate to ask<br />

our Team. <strong>OakWood</strong> is ready to provide as much detail as you need<br />

on how we will work with you to ensure a high quality renovation<br />

that is completed on-budget and on-time.

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