Home Renovations -- Don’t Get Hustled!

Consumer Protection Ontario encourages homeowners to know their rights when starting renovations or repairs.



The first step to hiring competent home renovation contractors is asking the right questions.

As professional kitchen and bath designers for over 30 years, Monarch is proud of the solid reputation we’ve built throughout Durham Region, the GTA and beyond. Here, we answer Consumer Protection Ontario’s recommended questions for contractors:

Can I get references from people who have had a similar work done in their homes?
Absolutely! We are happy to provide you with references for jobs larger, smaller and similar to the project you are planning.

Will my estimate be included as part of my contract?
Yes, our contract will include your estimate, as well as a detailed description of all the work that will be done in your home.

Will you get any building permits on my behalf? Can you say so in my contract?
We will provide you with all of the necessary documentation and engineered drawings required for you to obtain your building permit. With the proper documentation, you will find obtaining your building permit a fast and easy process. We will gladly describe this within your written contract.

How will we handle any disagreements or disputes? Can you include that in the contract?We seldom have disagreements and disputes because Neil Samson, president and owner of Monarch, works closely with all of our clients to ensure they are well informed during every step of the renovation process and as happy as can be. Any disagreements or disputes will be resolved to your complete satisfaction. Our commitment to your complete satisfaction will be included in your written contract.

If I cancel my contract after the work is started, will I have to pay for any work or materials?
Yes, you will have to pay for any work and materials that have been custom ordered for you and work that has been completed to date. However, we endeavor to never put you in that position. We can say with pride that in our 33-year history, a client has never canceled a project while work has been underway.

More than just kitchen and bath design.
Monarch provides renovation services for every room in your home. We offer cutting-edge design services; licensed, bonded and insured trades; complete project management; and use only high-quality materials and finishes. That, combined with our commitment to your satisfaction, ensures you a seamless project. Visit our showroom or call 905-686-2001 to speak to a member of our design team.

The Real-Life Consequences of Building Without a Permit

Just over a year ago on this blog, we discussed the importance of obtaining the necessary building permits when doing renovations on your home. At Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre, we don't begin any renovation project without obtaining the required building permits first.

The City of Pickering's planning and development department describes a building permit as "your formal permission to begin construction or demolition."

A building permit from the City of Pickering ensures it has approved plans for any new structure, addition or renovation. Most importantly, all approved plans must comply with the Ontario Building Code, local zoning bylaws and other applicable laws and regulations.

"I can’t emphasize enough the importance of permits and inspections,” explained Monarch president Neil Samson in last year's blog post. “This is your guarantee that work will be done according to Ontario Building Code standards and your home will be returned to you in a safe and secure manner."

While obtaining a building permit from the city or town you live in may seem like a nuisance, it ensures your project is completed according to code and will often save you time and money later on. Although obtaining the necessary building permits before commencing a renovation is a Monarch Kitchen & Bath Centre policy, it is not the policy of many contractors and is a detail often left to the discretion of the homeowner.

In the recent case of a Toronto elderly couple, this "detail" may result in the demolition of their $80,000 addition.

A recent article on thestar.com explains: "After a six-year battle that included appeals to the courts, the Ontario Municipal Board and even the United Nations, an elderly Brunswick Ave. couple will probably now be forced to demolish a two-storey addition built without a permit."

Councillor Adam Vaughan, who joined a group of local residents in opposition to the addition, balked at the couple's plea that their fight to keep the addition was a human rights issue and discriminated against the disabled. "It's a planning issue. The addition was too big, and it was built without permission. It's unfortunate. But the lesson here is a very clear one: Do not build without permission because there are consequences. And the consequences become very expensive if you choose to fight rather than cooperate."

Sadly for the Tseng family, who have spent over $200,000 in legal and professional fees trying to keep the addition, this lesson comes a few years too late. (To read the entire article on thestar.com, click here.)

For a full list of projects you need a building permit for in the City of Pickering, click here. If you live in the Greater Toronto Area, click here for more information on obtaining a building permit for your renovation.

Planning a kitchen or bath renovation? Drop by our Pickering showroom today or call our design team at 905-686-2001.