Sponsored

We're excited to have RenovationFind as a sponsor of the 2020 Edmonton Renovation Show. Before you visit this innovative company at the Edmonton Expo Centre from January 24-26, please enjoy our brief interview with the RenovationFind team below. 

Q: How does your service work?

"Homeowners can visit RenovationFind.com to access a directory of certified home improvement companies, including trades and contractors. All of the companies on the director are certified and it’s completely free to use. The companies have gone through a thorough pre-screening process. We use a third-party to run extensive background checks on seven of the most important criteria. Those criteria include legal background checks, credit background checks, monitoring for customer complaints, checking for proof of a valid business license and insurance, as well as WCB coverage, making sure that you know you’re getting the best companies recommended. Companies who are a member of the Better Business Bureau receive a higher ranking on the directory. We continue to monitor the companies based on these criteria to ensure they’re keeping up to standard and will remove companies from the directory if they fail to do so. 

RenovationFind helps protect homeowners by offering them a directory of ethical, trustworthy home renovation and home improvement companies. We also are focused on promoting the good companies, to help build a positive reputation for the renovation industry. It’s a win-win for both the consumer and the businesses involved."

Q: What can we look forward to from you at the Edmonton Renovation Show?

"We are going to have a booth at the show where people can come say hello and learn more about us. At our booth, homeowners can post their projects and we will get them three quotes from RenovationFind certified companies for that project. For example, if they are looking to do an update on their home plumbing, we can connect them with the best plumbers in Edmonton, providing them with actual quotes for their project from companies on the site.

We will also be doing a big prize giveaway for signing up as a RenovationFind Member. When you sign up for a membership, you will receive exclusive pricing and promotions from select partnering businesses, which is helpful if renovations are in the future. Also at the show, people can enter to win $1000 and an iPad when they sign up for a membership at our booth at the show."

Q: What advice do you have for homeowners?

"Research is the key. Create a plan for the project, and use it as a guide throughout the project. Make sure everything is on paper and documented, signed and legally executable. Check the contractor’s credentials and consult with sites like ours, ask for references and ask for documentation of their credentials such as prepaid contractor licence, permits pulled for your job and a detailed breakdown of your bill. 

Homeowners should not be afraid to ask for documentation as it is within your right to ask.

A tip when asking for references: I recommend to ask for the last three jobs and contact the references to verify the information. Request the contractor provide you with a valid invoice or documentation to prove the customer was real. By asking for the last three jobs, the contractor can’t pick and choose because it’s unlikely people ever want to give bad references. This is like you apply for a job and got the interview, and then you’re asked for references – the chances of you providing bad references is not likely. Once you get the necessary information, you’re decision-making process is that much easier."

Q: What inspires your services?

"I met a lot of homeowners through my granite counter top company that were being taken advantage of by people in the industry. K &J’s is one of the last companies in the house (during the construction or renovation process) so people would come to us and say ‘oh, my plumber, he took a deposit and disappeared’ or ‘I bought cabinets, I put 50 per cent down and I can’t get a hold of them and their company is out of business. I just started hearing so many horror stories, and it was kind of ridiculous. Everyone was being taken advantage of and no one knew how to find a good contractor, and then I started thinking about a better way to connect homeowners with trusted trades."

Q: What is your favourite part of the Edmonton Renovation Show?

"We love meeting homeowners and getting the opportunity to promote the companies on our directory. If we can connect a homeowner who needs work done with a reputable contractor, we’ve helped them both out. Everybody wins.

Q: What design or decor trends are you loving in 2019 or anticipating for 2020?

"We’ve learned that most people would rather renovate the home they are in than buy a new one. We talk to a lot of homeowners and conduct surveys at every show. People like to improve the house they’ve put down roots in, to stay in the neighbourhood they love; and are renovating their home so it functions better for them. Whether it’s a bedroom addition, a new and improved kitchen, or a basement suite, we’ve loved watching this movement of renovating to make a home better for the long-term."

Q: Are there any success stories you'd like to share?

"Homeowners have been pleased with the RenovationFind website. Feedback has shown that having a listing of companies that have already been pre-screened as well as the subsequent ongoing monitoring. This ensures quality companies are put forward, and takes a lot of stress out of the renovation process. For the companies, we can market their business to an engaged and interested target demographic. The companies on our site have seen increased business from quality leads generated from their listing and content posted on RenovationFind.com."

Q: What can folks expect when they work with you?

"For homeowners, you can expect honest, down-to-earth advice on hiring a trades or home renovation company. They can trust that we are doing our due diligence screening and continually monitoring all the companies on the website to provide you the professionals to get your job done right. If you become a RenovationFind Member, you will receive exclusive pricing and promotions from select renovation and home improvement companies in your city. They’ll find a huge list of categories including general contractors, cabinet installation, electricians, Edmonton Window Companies, indoor or outdoor painting, flooring companies in Edmonton, and more!

For companies, we are committed to promoting them to homeowners in their target geographical market, and highlighting their skills to help you get your projects completed. Their content and messaging will reach our vast membership through email campaigns, blog postings, social media marketing and search engine optimization targeting. We work hard to promote the best-quality companies on our site and love to see how our work helps their business grow."