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We're excited to have RenovationFind as a sponsor of the 2020 Winnipeg Renovation Show. Before you visit this innovative company at the RBC Convention Centre from January 10-12, please enjoy our brief interview with the RenovationFind team below.

Q: How does your service work?

"RenovationFind.com is a free online directory of certified trades, contractors and home improvement companies. All companies listed on our website www.renovationfind.com have gone through a stringent pre-screening process. Using a third-party organization, we run extensive background checks on seven of the most important criteria so we can provide homeowners with legitimate, reputable and trustworthy companies. 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. 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.

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 Winnipeg Renovation Show?

"We are going to have a booth at the show where people can come and learn more about us. At our booth, homeowners can post their projects and we will get them three quotes from RenovationFind-approved, certified companies for that project. For example, if they are looking to get help finishing their home, or are seeking advice on any home project they may be neglecting, we can connect them with general contractors in Winnipeg, providing them with actual quotes for their project.

When you sign up for a RenovationFind Membeship, you can enter to win $1,000 and an iPad at our booth at the show. Members receive exclusive pricing and promotions from select partnering businesses, which is helpful if renovations are in the plans down the road.

Q: What advice do you have for homeowners?

"The most important thing you can do for any home project is to research everything. Make sure that every part of the project is on paper and documented, signed, and up to the current legal standards. 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. Doing this will keep you prepared for anything that might be thrown your way.

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 previous three projects 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 choose the projects they may have done better on, and concealing perhaps a poor outcome. It’s not likely 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."

Q: What inspires your services?

"I met a lot of homeowners through my granite countertop 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 awful stories, and I felt like I needed to do something about that. People were getting ripped off and no one knew how to find a good, trustworthy contractor, and then I started thinking about a better way to connect homeowners with trusted companies that will complete their project properly."

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

"We love meeting homeowners and getting the opportunity to promote great companies in our directory. If we can connect a homeowner who needs work done right, and a great-quality contractor looking for a job to tackle, we’ve helped them both out. That is why we do things like this home show."

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

"When speaking with homeowners at these shows, we’ve learned that most people would rather renovate the home they are in than buy a new one and move. It’s a lot less stressful, and people have the ability to keep their neighborhood or other home features they can’t bear to give up. Instead, they can renovate their home to meet their changing needs, and work towards the perfect forever home. Whether it’s a kitchen renovation or a new basement development, we’ve loved watching this movement of renovating to make a home better for the long-term stay, and making families comfortable and happy in their homes."

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 evaluated and continuously monitored takes a lot of stress out of the renovation process. You will choose a company for your project, and be able to move forward knowing you’re making a great choice. For the companies, we can market their business to an engaged and interested 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 and reliable 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. 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, plumbers, painters, electricians, Winnipeg insulation companies, window installations, cabinet refinishing in Winnipeg, and more!

For companies, we love to see how our efforts helps their business expand. We promote the companies on the directory to potential customers in their regional geographical market. We do this through email marketing campaigns, social media, search engine optimization targeting and blog content marketing. We want to help promote all those great companies out there.”