Home Renovation Tips and Checklists

Thinking of building a shed, garage, or deck?
Before starting your project here are some handy tips to assist you:

• Check with the Building Services Division (905-546-2720) to see if your project complies with the Zoning By-law for size, setback, location, etc. This should be done well ahead of when you plan to start your project, don’t wait until the last minute since you may require additional approvals or require additional time to obtain all the necessary information.
• Please note that you may have to hire a Qualified Designer to prepare your drawings if your project is complex or beyond your design capabilities.
• If you are hiring a contractor make sure they hold a valid Trade Licence from the City of Hamilton. You can check by calling Municipal Law Enforcement at 905-546-2782 and press '3' for licensing.
• Be a good neighbour; as a courtesy inform them of your plans and keep lines of communication open during the project. Tell them when the project will start, when it is expected to finish, and what they can expect in the way of deliveries, garbage, disruptions, and noise.
• Get a Building Permit.
• Do not start construction until the Building Permit is issued.
• Before you dig call 1-800-400-2255 to locate any underground services.
• Follow all Noise By-law regulations during construction.
• Call for inspections at the required stages. Wait for each stage to be approved by the Building Inspector before proceeding to the next step. The City usually offers same day inspection service.
• Ensure that all persons on the property follow proper safety procedures during construction.
• Do your research.

Common Problems to avoid:

• Making changes without advising the Building Inspector. Changes must be approved prior to construction.
• Not following the approved drawings.
• Not giving yourself enough time to properly complete all steps of the project (plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time).

Thinking About Hiring a Contractor?
Building Services recommends you take additional care before hiring a contractor or before signing paperwork for repairs. When deciding on a contractor:

• Call to determine if the contractor is licensed at 905-546-2782 and press '3' for licensing.
• Don’t be pressured into signing anything.
• Always get a written estimate and three (3) other independent quotes, get a fully itemized estimate and make sure the details get written into a contract.
• Shop around if you are asked to give a down payment of more than 5% to 15% of the total contract price.
• Determine if the job requires a Building Permit. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to ensure that a Building Permit is obtained, when required, prior to commencing construction.

If you have concerns about contractors’ activities, you can contact the Building Services Division at 905-546-3950.

*Please Note: Documents are provided in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. If you do not already have the Acrobat Reader installed, please visit the Adobe Web Site and download this free reader application. If you are experiencing difficulty opening the PDF files, right click on the linked text and select open in new window.