For many homeowners, do-it-yourself home renovation and repair projects are a source of great enjoyment and pride. The London Home Builders' Association invests considerable time, effort and money in spreading the word that new home and renovation construction are not hobbies. Through articles and brochures, we provide our fellow Londoners with accurate comprehensive information to ensure they can make educated decisions about their housing needs.

You might think we wouldn't support homeowners doing their own work. The truth is, we understand the satisfaction you get from a job well done. In fact, our best reward is seeing the joy on clients' faces when a job is done.

The best advice we can offer is to consider your own skills and abilities carefully when planning your projects. Getting in over your head can end up costing more than hiring professional help in the first place.

Before you jump in, take a few minutes to review the following questions:

• Are you up to speed on current building codes and good building practices essential to many projects? What about new energy- efficient methods of construction and building materials?
  
  
• What would happen to your income if you were injured at home and unable to work?
  
  
• Do you have time to research, plan and do the work properly? Do you know how long it will take? Is your family prepared for the inconvenience?
  
  
• If there are parts of the job you can't do, do you know trade contractors and subtrades that will do a good job? And will you be able to schedule their work without overlaps or lengthy delays?
  
  
• Do you have the proper tools to do a good and attractive job?
  
  
• If you act as your own contractor and hire someone to work for you, do you know how to protect yourself against liability in case of accidents or mistakes? Or against damage to your home in the course of the work? Do you know the government requirements for ensuring a safe worksite?
  
  This last point of safety is extremely important. Every builder and renovator is well aware of the Green Book, which details legislation regulating construction and safety requirements.
  
  But every year there are stories about brave souls who have taken on either the entire construction of their new home or a major renovation. We hear about it when someone gets injured and it's written up by the Construction Safety Association of Ontario and Labour Ministry. Usually fines are levied for failing to reasonably protect workers in their home, or provide a safe worksite. Unfortunately, sometimes the injury is fatal and the homeowner bears not only the financial burden of a fine, but the emotional trauma of being responsible for such an accident.
  
  If your primary reason to do the work yourself is to save money, talk to one or several renovators before you make a final decision. An experienced renovator may be able to suggest ways of reducing the cost of your project while still using professional services, by modifying the design or substi-tuting products that you might not be aware of.

  Tom Kerkhoff is president of the London Home Builders' Association.