Renovation Trust
Homeowner and Contractor Protection
Disputes And Dispute Resolution 
Avoid Disputes - Communicate!
During a project, especially a big project, always communicate with your contractor. As soon as you see something not to your liking or not going as you expected, communicate it to your contractor. Ask questions if you are not sure what you are seeing or what is or is not going on. Do not wait for further work to be done that will make a fix either impossible or very expensive.
Your contractor is not a mind reader and probably not a designer.
No Verbal Agreements
Avoid verbal agreements; document everything. It's especially important to upload any change orders on your project that may either increase or decrease the price of your project. Make sure to keep all emails and text messages in case there is a dispute.
Use The Renovation Trust Tools
Beyond protection of money, Renovation Trust also offers a variety of tools that you may need to document and manage your project. Avoid disputes by documenting everything. Here are some ways we can help:
Document Storage
Store all your contracts, quotes, diagrams, permits, guaranties and warranties etc. on each of your projects.
Inspirational Photos
Upload photos with descriptions to explain to your contractor what you are looking for and dreaming of.
Progress Photos
Document the progress of your renovation by uploading pictures of the progress at each stage of your project.
Scope of Work
The scope of work is meant for you to enter a detailed description of your project. You can even add the most minuscule details to avoid any misunderstanding.
Change Orders
Every change that may alter the scope or price of your project must be entered here.
How The Dispute Resolution Process Works
If you run into a problem, disagreement or dispute with your contractor, we have a process to help you through. Sometimes misunderstandings happen - we are here to help.
Raise A Concern
Have a problem with the work your contractor is requesting payment for? Raise a Concern on the milestone. By clicking the Raise a Concern button, the project freezes and no changes are able to be made on the project until the concern has been resolved.
At this stage, you can talk, email or text with your contractor. See if you can work things out. Really work hard to get a solution. Sometimes you may have to compromise.
File A Dispute
If you cannot reach a resolution and settle the concern, you may file a Dispute. To file a dispute, click the Dispute button on the milestone in question. You must then pay an $89 Dispute fee to begin the dispute process - your contractor must do the same as well.
Paying the nominal fee will do a few things:
Freeze the money. Neither you, nor your contractor will have access to the money allocated towards this project. This protects your money until the dispute is settled.
A Renovation Trust Dispute Negotiator will be assigned - someone who will try to settle the dispute.
If the Renovation Trust Dispute Negotiator fails to settle the dispute, the money will continue to be frozen until a mutual settlement is reached, or an arbitrator/court with standing provides a resolution.
We will do our best to assist you through the process all while protecting your money. Have questions? Contact us.