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We're thrilled to have RenovationFind as a sponsor of the 2019 Edmonton Fall Home Show. Before you visit this inventive company at the Edmonton Expo Centre over the October 18-20 weekend, please enjoy our brief interview with the RenovationFind team below.

Q: How does your service work?

“RenovationFind helps protect homeowners by offering them a free online directory of reputable, trustworthy and ethical home renovation and trade companies. All companies listed on the directory have gone through and passed a comprehensive certification process. We use a third-party organization to run extensive background checks on seven criteria that we find the most important when hiring a contractor. 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. If the company is a member of the Better Business Bureau, they will receive a higher ranking on the directory. It doesn’t end there. We continually monitor the companies based on these criteria to ensure they’re keeping up to standard.

RenovationFind provides homeowners with legitimate, reputable and trustworthy companies. It also existed to help promote those good companies so we can improve the reputation of the home renovation industry. We help the consumer and we also help those worthy companies.”

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

"At every show we have a booth where homeowners can come meet our team and learn more about what RenovationFind does. We also give them the chance to post a project they might have. For example, if they want to renovate the basement, we will get them three quotes from RenovationFind Certified companies that focus on basement development in Edmonton. It’s a great way for them to get started on their home renovation project.

Visitors to the booth can also sign up for a RenovationFind Membership. Our members get exclusive pricing and special deals from select RenovationFind partner companies. We want to grow our membership, so we are entering everyone who signs up in a draw for a $1,000 and an iPad at our booth at the show.”

Q: What advice do you have for homeowners?

"Before you hire any contractor, do as much research as possible! Make sure you get all estimates and contracts on paper, so it’s documented, signed and legally executable. Ask for and check references, ask to see documentation of their credentials such as a prepaid contractor’s license, liability insurance, WCB coverage, permits pulled for your job and a detailed breakdown of your project.

As a homeowner, it is within your right to ask for these things so don’t be shy to do so.

A tip when asking for references: I recommend asking 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 the jobs they know will only give a good reference. You wouldn’t provide a bad reference during a job interview, and neither will they."

Q: What inspires your services?

"I have worked in the renovation industry for many years. Through my own granite company K & J’s Custom Granite, I kept hearing stories about people getting taken advantage of. Since granite is one of the last things to go into a house during a renovation, we’d hear about the plumber who took a deposit and didn’t show up or a cabinet company that went out of business part way through the job. No one knew how to find a trustworthy, quality contractor. I saw the problem and started thinking about a way to connect homeowners with trusted trades.”

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

"I love the home renovation industry and love seeing homeowners getting excited about their home transformations through renovations. I also am passionate about promoting the companies in our directory. If we can connect a seeking homeowner with a trustworthy company, we can help both out. This is our goal at home shows.”

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

"We talk to a lot of homeowners during these home and renovation shows, and we often conduct surveys. We’ve learned that most homeowners are more interested in renovating the home they have rather than buying a new home and moving. People are renovating to improve the home they love, or to accommodate their changing needs. It seems more people are interested in staying rooted in their communities and home renovations allows them to do that.”

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

"Homeowners have been pleased with the RenovationFind directory. Consumer feedback has told us that having a list of pre-screen and continually monitored contractors really 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?

"If you are a homeowner, you can expect honest, unbiased advice on hiring a renovation contractor or trades company. They can trust that we are doing our due diligence screening and constantly monitoring all the companies on the website. For those who sign up for a RenovationFind Membership, they can expect exclusive and discounted pricing and promotions from select renovation and home improvement companies in your city. They’ll find a huge list of categories including general contractors, concrete contractors, Edmonton painting contractors, siding contractors, HVAC contractors, electrical companies in Edmonton and more.

For companies, we are committed to promoting them to homeowners in the geographical market they serve. We send out promotional content to our vast membership via blog postings, social media marketing, email campaigns and search engine optimization targeting. We want to see these companies succeed and work hard to promote them and providing quality leads for their business.”

The Edmonton Fall Home Show is your source for trusted home experts, like RenovationFind. Join us at the Edmonton Expo Centre October 18-20 to get great ideas for your space and see HGTV Canada Celebrity Contractor Bryan Baeumler (appearing Friday and Saturday). We can't wait to see you at the show!