What's a good home renovation deal? The province wants to know

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Home renovation complaints are the second-most common complaint the Manitoba Consumer Protection office receives.

Home repairs and renos gone wrong can be a costly nightmare. The provincial government says it has a plan to help, and it comes in the form of a questionnaire.

It hopes by reviewing your answers it will be able to draw up new rules to protect homeowners.

There are 16 questions in total. The province wants to know things like, how many permits were needed for your renovation, and who got them?

The answers will be used to write up future legislation for the province.

"Has it been good? Has it been so-so? Do they feel like they've been ripped off and taken advantage of by some not very reputable contractors?" said Consumer Protection Minister Ron Lemieux.

Jim Rutledge of Nisby Home Renovations has been in the contracting business longer than he can remember. He says a consumer should always invest in something they'll be happy with, but over the years, he's seen his fair share of shoddy renovation work.

"I find a lot of consumers hire a lot of people that aren't really qualified to do the job," he said.

The Consumer Protection Office says they receive an average of 80 renovation and repair complaints a year from both customers and contractors. Those in the industry say they've needed regulation for a long time.

"The consumer needs some kind of output and legislation that will protect them in helping them make decisions in renovations and the type of renovations they need," Rutledge said.

The Consumer Protection Office has recommendations for homeowners looking to make renovations and repairs.

"Contact different contractors, get different quotations, ask for references, check those references. It's important to have a written contract," said CPO director Gail Anderson.

The government has already received orders against contractors to repay customers in the past, so there are some provisions in place to protect consumers. The hope now is that further changes could determine when a customer is obliged to pay certain costs to a contractor, but only when certain parts of the job are done.

The CPO also says a homeowner should never give all their money for the job up front, because there have been stories of contractors disappearing before doing the job.

To have your input, log on to Consumer Protection Office website or email [e-mail] by March 31.

Right now there is no timeline as to when or if any legislation will be put in place.

- With a report by Cheryl Holmes