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Renovating your home is a unique experience. It is a true business partnership between home owner and renovator. Not only are you working together to turn your visions and dreams into reality, on time and on budget, but you usually continue to live in your home while renovation takes place.

Each partner plays an important role in ensuring a smooth process. The renovator needs your home to be a good working environment so the job can progress without delays or problems. You, on the other hand, want as few inconveniences and disruptions to your daily routine as possible.

Open communication and trust are the corner stones of any good partnership. Your contract will spell out many of the "housekeeping' items: who is responsible for what; access to water, electricity and washroom facilities; storage of tools and materials; your position on music and smoking; and a myriad of other details. Before the work begins, sit down with your renovator and discuss openly how you can best achieve steady progress in your renovation.

• They schedule their work according to your preferences; they keep inconveniences to a minimum and clean up at day's end.
• They keep you informed at all times: when to expect subtrades; progress updates (many renovators provide a written, daily report if they leave before you get home); and when you are needed for decisions.
• They are available on short notice to answer your questions or to deal with changes.
• They honour the deadlines set out in the contract.
• The unique nature of renovation sometimes results in surprises once the work is underway. Experienced renovators deal with challenges professionally and with your best interests in mind.

• The work area should be clear of furniture and personal items--this protects your belongings and makes for a safer work environment.
• If you are responsible for selecting materials (tile, flooring, etc.), this needs to be done on time so that work is not delayed unnecessarily.
• Changes should be kept to a minimum once the work is underway, otherwise you might have to revise scheduling and budget.
• Discuss your concerns or ask questions as they come up.
• Finally, payments should be made in accordance with the schedule set out in the contract.