Better Homes Peterborough
Contractor
selection
Choosing the right contractor for your home energy upgrades is crucial. You need to think about their credentials, experience, and project management skills. Using these best practices makes your home more energy efficient. It also helps keep or raise its comfort and value.
Investing in a good contractor means better quality and lasting energy upgrades for your home. Consider these best practices to guide you through the selection process:
Verify credentials
- Licensing and certification: Ensure the contractor is licensed, insured, and bonded. Check for any certifications related to energy efficiency or specific trade skills.
- Memberships and affiliations: Look for contractors who are members of reputable industry organizations.
References and reviews
- Previous clients: Request references and follow up with past clients, as this will provide firsthand insight into the contractor’s reliability, quality of work, and customer service.
- Online reviews: Check reviews on platforms like Google or the Better Business Bureau. Be wary of contractors with consistently poor reviews or unresolved complaints.
Obtain multiple quotes
- Don’t settle on the first quote; obtain at least three to compare pricing and services. Beware of significantly low bids, which might indicate cutting corners.
Understand the scope and cost
- Detailed quote: Obtain itemized quotes that break down the costs for materials, labour, and additional fees. Transparency here helps avoid surprises later.
- Incentives and rebates: Discuss how they handle the application for rebates or grants. Programs like the Home Renovation Savings Program, the Canada Greener Homes Loan, and/or the Better Homes Peterborough Loan Program may require additional paperwork or the selection of equipment with minimum efficiency ratings.
Compliance and building standards
- Local codes: Ensure the contractor is well-versed in local building codes and standards specific to Peterborough. These can affect everything from insulation thickness to window installations.
- Energy efficiency standards: Check if they adhere to or exceed EnerGuide recommendations, which can be critical for performance and eligibility for specific loan and rebate programs.
Quality of work and materials
- Material quality: Discuss what materials they use. Higher quality materials might have a higher upfront cost but often result in better energy savings and longevity.
- Warranty and Aftercare: Inquire about warranties on both labour and materials.
Communication and project management
- Communication: Good contractors keep you informed throughout the project. Evaluate their communication during initial interactions to indicate their project management style.
- Project timeline: Consider their availability to start and complete your project, considering seasonal demands, especially for external work like solar panel installations.
Questions for general contractors in Ontario
- Are you licensed to work in Ontario and have the necessary insurance (liability and workers’ compensation)?
- Can you provide references from past clients for similar home energy retrofit projects?
- What warranty or guarantee do you offer on your work?
- How are you updated with Ontario’s building codes and energy efficiency standards?
- What is your approach to managing project timelines, and how do you handle delays?
- Do you offer a detailed, written estimate, and what does it include?
- How do you handle changes or additions to the scope of work once the project has started?
- Do you subcontract any part of the work, and if so, how do you ensure the quality of their work?
Additional questions for HVAC contractors in Ontario
- Can you explain your process for ensuring the HVAC system is sized correctly for my home to maximize efficiency?
- What are the efficiency ratings of the proposed equipment, and how will my energy bills be impacted?
- Does your company participate in any current rebate or low-interest loan programs?
- What maintenance services do you offer, and how often do you recommend servicing the HVAC system for optimal performance?
Additional questions for a windows contractor in Ontario
- Are the windows you install ENERGY STAR® certified, and do the energy specifications meet the criteria of current rebate and low-interest loan programs?
- How do you ensure proper installation to prevent air leaks or water infiltration?
- What are the warranty terms for the windows and installation work?
- What post-installation checks or adjustments do you perform to ensure optimal performance?
Additional questions for an insulation contractor in Ontario
- What type of insulation materials do you recommend for my specific retrofit needs, considering Ontario’s climate?
- Do you perform air sealing as part of your insulation service, and how do you ensure it is effective?
- Can you explain your safety protocols for installing spray foam insulation and how you ensure that the materials used won’t negatively impact my home’s indoor air quality?
- What are the health implications of your insulation materials, and do you hold any certifications (like GREENGUARD)?
Additional questions for a solar contractor in Ontario
- Can you explain how you conduct your solar assessment and customize the system design to fit my home’s specific energy needs, property layout, and aesthetic preferences?
- How will you handle the integration with the local utility, including net metering setup and any required permits?
- What is your approach to ensuring my solar system is optimized for Ontario’s variable weather conditions, and what performance guarantees do you offer?
In Peterborough, where energy efficiency can significantly impact your comfort and utility bills, choosing the right contractor is not just about cost but long-term value and reliability.
By following these guidelines and asking the right questions, you can ensure your investment in energy retrofits pays off in comfort, savings, and sustainability.
Remember, the best contractor is one who not only meets but exceeds your expectations in craftsmanship and integrity.