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About our Organization…
The Renovation Co-op (also known as The Aston Whitehall Renovation Co-op is a privately managed network of General Contractors, Architectural Specialists and Single-Trade Service Providers.
All member-services are individually Licensed and Insured for their specific types of trade, and are thoroughly screened and vetted for membership approval.
The Co-op also provides you with with free access to a select group of related, Professional Service Partners (Mortgage Brokers, Real Estate Brokers, Financial Planners, Accounting & Bookkeeping Services, etc.) see Canadian Renovation Funding Program
Note: You will never be directly solicited by any of our vetted partner-services unless you contact us to personally request a recommendation to such services. We will always respect your privacy!
The Renovation Co-op’s main goal is to provide a safe & efficient environment for the purchase and fulfillment of every type and level of service related to the ownership of a home.
Each registered client is closely “matched up” with the same type and level of service that is required to fulfill the client’s specific request.
See Contractor Types & Levels of Service
Industry-Supported
In addition to monthly administrative fees paid by its service-members, the Co-op is supported through monthly contributions and fees paid by related businesses and organizations tied to the Canadian Construction Industry (suppliers, financial services, real estate services, distributors, manufacturers, etc.) See Subsidies & Rebate Programs
The Renovation Co-op represents the very best of the Canadian Service Industry throughout the Toronto area and across Ontario, setting high professional standards for dozens of companies and individuals working within the construction and personal service-related industries.
General Contracting
Services
Introduction
What is meant by
“General Contracting”?
The Renovation Co-op defines General Contracting as projects that require the 3rd-party management of 2 or more unrelated, single-trade services. For example, Basement Finishing, Additions, or Kitchen Renovations normally require such management.
There are 8 types and levels of General Contracting Services (see Types an Levels)…from individually-licensed contractors who perform smaller projects totally by themselves… to Design-Build Contractors who manage the construction of large-scale, $500,000-to-$1 million+ Additions and Custom Homes.
As a result, one of the toughest challenges a homeowner faces when seeking a contractor, is effectively pinpointing the correct type and level of work that a contractor performs on a regular basis, which leads to obtaining estimates that are spread out “all over the place.”
To address this issue, our organization’s vetting process for all new member-services is designed to precisely determine the member’s preferred type, level and experience performing a specific category of contracting. (Basements, Kitchens, Additions, etc.)
Levels of Service
To accommodate the various types and levels of estimate requests received each day, The Renovation Co-op has developed its own classification system that categorizes its member-Contractors into 8 separate Levels of Service:
Level 1
Individually-licensed & insured General Contractors who perform most of the work themselves (Partial Basements, basic Bathroom Retrofits, etc.).
Levels 2-7
From General Contractors who perform some of the work themselves and manage other tradespersons (one project at a time)… to those contractors who are set up to efficiently manage 2 or more projects simultaneously (Basement Renovations, Kitchens, Additions, etc.)
Level 8
Larger, General Contracting companies that act as top-level Project Managers, overseeing one or more teams of contractors for larger, full-scale projects such as $500.000+ Additions, Custom Homes, etc.
The 2 major factors that are given priority within the Co-op’s rigid membership application process are:
1- The applicant’s professional history, performance qualifications and after-sale service performance.
2- The member-applicant’s ability to adhere to the professional Codes of Conduct established by The Renovation Co-op.
In addition, all applicant-service providers must be able to verify up-to-date insurance coverage, along with other credentials that meet or exceed the Co-op’s own professional standards, including verifiable, personal referrals from established businesses operating within the applicant’s specific type of service.
Most importantly, each member-applicant must display a positive and professional attitude toward both clients and other Co-op member-partners.
Disclaimer: Regardless of whatever criteria is required for membership approval, The Renovation Co-op assumes no liability whatsoever for any issues that may occur between its registered clients and such recommended services or individuals. All contractual agreements made between the parties remain the solely responsibility of and between such parties.
Related Professional Services
As the Renovation Co-op continues to expand the resources and services made available to registered clients, the screening and vetting of all Co-op-approved, related Professional Services remains just as important an issue as it is for the Co-op’s construction-related service members.
And although most of the Co-op’s Related Professional Service providers already operate under the guidelines and scrutiny of multiple governmental agencies, it is the personalized yet “no-nonsense” approach to our registered clients by such specialists that will always remain of key importance to our organization.
General Contracting
Categories
Interior
Renovations
Exterior
Renovations
Architectural
Design & Permit Services
Regardless of whether you are planning a major renovation or small project,
our member-Architectural Specialists will get you the permit quickly!
For complete information about our
Architectural Design & Permit Services:
Subsidies
&
Rebate
Programs
Save Thousands
on your next
Renovation Project!!
Estimating Procedures
To help facilitate the flow of private, secured information and communications between our member-service partners and their clients, we’ve developed our own proprietary, Renovation Management Platform.
This unique system enables all project-related information to be entered, updated and tracked 24/7 by both registered clients and Co-op members alike.
For example…one of the biggest issues that most contractors and their clients face is the lack of adequate communications between the two parties throughout the estimating process, and as the project proceeds along its various stages of production.
When you request an estimate, you will have access to your own personal secured account, which will include updated status reports of the estimate process, as well as status reports on construction, progressive payment reports etc, along with the balance of your Renovation Credit Account (see Renovation Credit Program)
Please Note: If your project requires a Building Permit, The Renovation Co-op will be unable to process an estimate for your renovations until you have submitted a copy of the final drawings and a stamped permit.
If you do not have your own architect, please request an estimate for your Drawings and Permit Processing.
Note: If you hire a Co-op Member-Architectural Specialist, you will receive a rebate of up to $1,500. see Architectural Rebate
The following procedures assume that a permit has already been acquired:
Step 1: Project Assessment Report
Step 2: Submission of Bid Request
Step 3: Review of Bid Responses
Step 1: Project Assessment Report
For your Basement Apartment Renovation project, a Senior-Level Contractor is selected to conduct an Initial Site Examination of the property. He or she will first review a copy of the client’s Final Permit drawings, and then personally review the overall project with the homeowner(s).
Following the Initial Site Examination, the senior contractor submits a Project Assessment Report to the Co-op’s Bid Preparation Team.
Step 2: Preparation & Submission
of a Bid Request
Based upon the Project Assessment Report submitted by the senior-level contractor, the Co-op’s Bid Preparation Team determines the type and level of general contracting service that will be required to complete the client’s project.
A Bid Request is then submitted to a carefully targeted group of member-contactors who regularly perform the same type and level of work required by the client.
Step 3: Review of Bid Responses
Note: While it is important to ensure that all bid responses are submitted quickly, the targeted group of contractors will always be given adequate time to check availability and pricing from their sub-trades, suppliers, etc. before committing to a price.
Step 4: Automatic Request for Subsidy Funds
Upon completion of the bidding process, an automatic request is sent to the Canadian Renovation Funding Program to obtain any Subsidy Discount Funds, Rebates or Grants that may be available for the project. (see Subsidies, Rebates and Incentives)
The approval of subsidy funds for each request normally takes 4-6 hours, and is determined based upon the availability of funds at the time of the request, as well as the type of project involved and its location.
Step 5: Online Estimate Review
Upon completion of the bidding process and the automatic request for Subsidy Funds, a telephone appointment is arranged between a Co-op Service Rep and the client to simultaneously review the completed estimate.
Throughout this 5-minute Online Estimate Review, the rep verifies that the client fully understands what is being presented, and that the client can properly navigate through the estimate.
The client’s Online Estimate is divided into 2 segments:
Scope of Work: Provides a full, detailed description of the work that is to be performed
Contract Price: Displays the Final Sale Price after deductions from approved subsidy funds and rebates have been calculated, along with the portion of Renovation Credit that can be applied (if available from within the client’s Renovation Credit Account). see Renovation Credit Program
In 2016, The Canadian Renovation Funding Program was established to oversee the Renovation Co-op’s complex series of Subsidy & Rebate Programs, while providing a free advisory to clients who require financing.
The program consists of a select team of retired and semi-retired finance specialists, each having their own successful careers within specific areas of Financial Services, including Residential & Commercial Mortgage Financing, Investment Banking, Private Mortgage Financing and Construction Loans.
The program also includes experts from the Insurance and Legal Service Industries, with combined expertise in Real Estate Law, Home & Personal Insurance, Eldercare Law, Immigration, Divorce & Family Law, Bankruptcies and Criminal Law.
By providing such a vast range of financial expertise, The Renovation Co-op helps facilitate the flow of business between its registered clients and member service providers.
Recommendations for Co-op-Approved Brokers
& Related Professional Services
The Funding Program has recently introduced a free Loan Advisory Service, which is being offered exclusively to registered clients of The Renovation Co-op.
Upon the client’s request, a Program Specialist will identify and recommend a specific, Co-op-Approved Mortgage Broker or other Financial Service Provider who regularly specializes in the type of loan product that best fulfills the client’s requirements.
This targeted “pinpointing” of a broker’s unique experience greatly increases the client’s chances of quickly obtaining the most appropriate type of loan that fits his or her needs, and not the other way around.
Co-op-Approved Brokers
All Co-op Approved Mortgage Brokers are highly-skilled, career-minded professionals, whose customer loyalty and personal dedication will always be directed toward their client, and not the lender.
And, as each of our recommended brokers are self-employed business owners, when it comes to long-term relationship-building it is you (the client) who actually becomes the broker’s “employer.” And the only way for the broker to retain that long-term “employment” with you, is to always act in your best interest…and not that of a bank’s or other institution’s employees,
Non-Stop Training…
As new mortgage loan products continue to become more complicated, mortgage brokers must always maintain a vigilant, watchful eye over the industry, always seeking opportunities and/or information that may further help their clients obtain the best mortgage rates, terms and loan conditions.
In fact, most Renovation Co-op-Approved Mortgage Brokers have the highest attendance record in the industry when it comes to participating in financial forums and special loan product briefings.
For many typical, “less-engaged mortgage specialists, this effort has become too hard a challenge.
However, The Renovation Funding Program recommends only serious, career-minded mortgage specialists who are already highly motivated to grow and excel within their own professional levels of financial expertise.
Note: As a registered client, you will always have permanent access to this free advisory service, and you will never be obligated to purchase any services offered through The Renovation Co-op.
However, if you purchase a loan (for any purpose), a credit of $2,500 will be deposited into your Renovation Credit Account. (see Renovation Credit Program)
As an additional incentive for the purchase of renovations, The Renovation Credit Program was created in 2018. This revolutionary program enables registered clients to earn substantial credits when purchasing any Co-op-approved services (non-renovation-related) that are recommended through The Renovation Funding Program.
Upon registering as a client, your online account will contain a link to your Renovation Credit Account, which will normally display an initial balance of “$0.”
When you complete a purchase from a Co-op-approved, Professional Service Partner (Mortgage Broker, Realtor, Insurance Broker, etc.) an amount of $500-$2,500 will be automatically added to your Renovation Credit Balance.
For details:
The Laneway Suites Program
Introduction…
In June, 2018 the City of Toronto approved a zoning change that allows for the construction of “Laneway” Housing Units (also referred to as “Carriage Houses).
This bold, innovative legislation now enables many homeowners to convert their rear, detached garage (or empty backyard space) into a 1-2 story rental property without the need for going through a Committee of Adjustment review.
Note: There are some restrictions. For example, the structure must be fully detached from the main house.
There are other specific restrictions that apply with regards to obtaining a building permit, etc. For details go to https://werenovate.com/planningapp to request an estimate for drawings & permit process. You will be contacted immediately.
The new approval for laneway housing represents a meaningful solution to the lack of rental housing within the core of the city, and also adds a new option for renters in the type of units that are close to transportation.
The design & style of a Laneway House is almost limitless, as these units are fully detached from the main house itself, which makes the design independent from the main house’s design.
Rental Income & Added Property Value: Depending upon the design, the type of accommodations you decide to add within the unit, as well as the area, high-quality tenants will pay a premium price for such a desirable rental unit.
Compared to the added-value created through the conversion of your basement into a rental apartment (which can be substantial unto itself), the-added value from the construction of a separate, income-producing Laneway Rental Unit will be unsurpassed.
In addition, for those homeowners who prefer not to have “total strangers” living in their basement, a laneway rental unit offers a high degree of privacy.
Estimate Request:
