WE’RE READY
TUESDAY, JULY 6, 2010
Team Canada rolls into Softball City fresh off dramatic wins. Page 30 YOUR NO. 1 SOURCE FOR NEWS, SPORTS, WEATHER AND ENTERTAINMENT – THENOWNEWSPAPER.COM
Canadian spirit, Canadian smiles
❚PHOTO/Brian Howell
Brothers Liam and Patrick Becker are all smiles on Thursday as they watch a magic show during White Rock’s Canada Day celebrations. ‘Now’ photograph-
er Brian Howell was there as tens of thousands of people celebrated our nation’s birthday in Surrey and White Rock. See his photos on page 3.
❚HST/Builder says new tax will drive underground home renovation economy deeper
Under the table and bleeding Don’t get nailed by paying cash: it’s not worth the risk, builder warns
The president of a local Ted COLLEY builders’ association worStaff Reporter ries the HST will encourage a jump in people seeking cash deals on home renovations and repairs. Peter Simpson is president and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association, which represents more than 700 residential construction and renovation professionals. “We already have a burgeoning underground economy in the renovation industry and we think the HST will just drive it deeper,” Simpson said. “People don’t know what they’re getting into when they do cash deals.” Homeowners assume huge risks, he said,
when accepting an offer of renos or repairs without the proper paperwork. “If there are no permits or inspections and no WorkSafeBC coverage or liability insurance from the contractor, the homeowner is responsible for everything,” Simpson noted. “If the reno is botched, you have no legal recourse in court. The judge will say, ‘Where’s the contract?’ and if you don’t have one, you have no case.” If the contractor has no WorkSafe coverage and is injured while working on a home, the homeowner can be sued, he added. “Even if it’s just somebody cleaning your gutters, if he does a face plant and hurts himself, you’re on the hook for that liability. They’ve got to ask themselves is it really
worth putting yourself and your family at risk just to save a few bucks?” Simpson asked. He believes a permanent tax credit like the one offered last year by the federal government would go a long way toward killing the underground renovation market. Simpson said a 2.5-per-cent federal credit, combined with something similar from the province, would do the trick. “The homeowner would require receipts to claim the credit and that would encourage everyone to do it right. If consumers start saying no, it’ll put some of these renegade contractors out of business, but there’s got to be something in it for the consumer – a tax rebate.” tcolley@thenownewspaper.com