We had a question from a consumer the other day: “How can I be sure I’m hiring a legitimate, trustable contractor to renovate my home?” There are many legitimate contractors and businesses out there. Here are some tips to help you make an informed decision when hiring someone.
1. Ask trusted friends and family.
Start with those closest to you and ask about their experiences. Do they have a recommendation? How was the quality of work? Did the project come in on budget and on time?
2. Research the company.
Spend some time researching the company to find out what other people are saying. Check out online reviews and find out from other organizations or associations if the company is in good standing.
3. Shop around.
You may want to request quotes from several companies. The lowest estimate may not be the best deal – look closely at what each contractor is offering, and don’t be afraid to ask for explanations of the price discrepancies.
4. Become familiar with BC’s contract law.
Depending on how you enter into the contract, your written agreement with the contractor may be considered a future performance or a direct sales contract. Both of these types of contracts are regulated by our office, and you may have cancellation rights under certain circumstances.
5. Know how to recognize a scam.
One of the most common signs of a scam is the use of high-pressure sales tactics. Always take all the time you need to make an informed decision. Finally, trust your gut: if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Do you have a tip? We’d love to hear it!
ADDITIONAL READING:
What would you do? A guide to being a savvy consumer: home-repair
Contract deposits: are there limits?
Don’t buy into a home renovation scam!
I had a house built by a local contractor who was not a LICENSED builder, little did I know there was such a thing. He convinced me to take out a Home Warranty personally, which I am liable for any work for 10 years, so if I want to sell….I’m liable. Also, little did I know I was convinced this warranty was the best way to go….because as I have discovered, he couldn’t get warranty coverage because he wasn’t licensed. I did my due diligence, checked out his work etc but not once has he returned to correct any deficiencies! He is still working (as a fireman) and building on the side! I would like to sell my house but at what cost?
Hi Terri, have you contacted the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of BC? I’m not aware of any government organization that regulates the industry but the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of BC may be able to give you more resources and information. Their website is http://www.chba.ca. I hope they will be able to provide you with some information.
I live in a rental apartment that is run by a real estate property manager and there us someone in living in the building who hold a lot of authority by being implied to be the resident live-in manager, who fulfills many of the tasks that the property management company would be responsible for but when I asked the property manager if this was her role, he refused to clarify it for me.
I am in the understanding that resident managers are often contracted out by the management companies.
How do I find out if this person in the building is legitimate, and if not, what steps should I take to protect myself and other tenant’s?
Hi Heather, thanks for reaching out to us here. I’m really not sure. This is a topic outside of our area of authority. This sounds like something you may want to chat to the Residential Tenancy Branch about. While I can’t say for sure this issue falls within their laws, they may be able to point you in the right direction. Here’s a link to their contact info: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/residential-tenancies/contact-the-residential-tenancy-branch I hope this helps and best of luck!
I entered a dance competition that was supposed to run in March of 2020, it was postponed and then eventually cancelled. The company has refused to give refunds only credits for this season or next and are saying that their website states there are no refunds however the events they had scheduled for March and April of this year are now postponed to June or September which will not work for my business. I have explained this but they will still not issue a refund. The amount is in excess of 15,000.00. Is this legal or ethical on their part and how can I go about getting a refund from them?
Hi Lynsey, thank you for getting in touch with us. If it was your business that paid for the competition, consumer protection laws in BC do not apply to businesses and you may need to seek legal help. If you personally entered the competition and paid for it, we would like to know more details. You can give us more details about it by filling out our online complaint form here. Thank you!
My husband and I own a small apartment building in Victoria, bought in 2012. As part of the sale, we assumed the waste management contract for weekly recycling and garbage pick-up. This contract had been signed by the previous owner. Since then, the original waste company was bought out by a larger company. Having never seen the contract, we were unaware of the five-year automatic renewal and the price increases clause. Now, with the price of pick-up having gone up with ever-increasing frequency and in such huge jumps, we want to get out of the contract and go with a far less expensive company, but we seem bound by this contract, which was signed by the previous owner, is not in the present company’s name, and which was never updated or sent to us in the past 12 years. Is there any recourse for us?
Hi Kate, thanks for reaching out. I would suggest seeking legal advice, as this is an area that we don’t oversee. Access Pro Bono offers free 15 minute consultations to assess your situation. I hope this helps!