Canadians love their homes. So much so that homeowners spend more than $40 billion each year repairing, improving, upgrading and expanding them. That's slightly more than is spent annually on building new homes across the country!

When it comes to major renovations or additions, the stakes are particularly high - costs are substantial, projects can take months to complete, disruption to your daily routine is unavoidable, and the consequences of mistakes can be long-lasting.

Major renovations or additions are usually once-in-a-lifetime projects, and should receive the same care and attention as other family milestones, such as weddings. A dream wedding and a fantastic renovation are candidates for lengthy anticipation, careful planning and thoughtful execution.

To give homeowners confidence, to reduce risk, to minimize inconvenience, and to maximize the pleasure and added value that a well-conceived and executed project can add to your home, the Greater Ottawa Home Builders' Association (GOHBA) offers this guide to a successful renovation.

We are the voice of the residential construction industry in Greater Ottawa. Our members include not just new home builders, but renovation contractors, suppliers, lenders, subcontractors and others involved in all aspects of residential construction.

Our RENOMARK symbol identifies those renovation contractors who have agreed to the GOHBA code of ethics as well as a renovation specific code of conduct, who provide warranties, who understand the value of customer service during and following projects, and who are regularly exposed to information on current trends, the latest materials and new regulations.

We are confident in saying that the first place to start your renovation project is by hiring a RENOMARK renovator. The GOHBA wants you to live happily ever after with your renovation project!