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On the local front, the municiâ€" pal building department can be a wealth of knowledge, Gurevsky noted. She also advises contacting the area Home Builders‘ Associaâ€" tion, Chamber of Commerce and Better Business Bureau to check on the past conduct of specific companies or individuals in the industry The consumer ministry‘s Pracâ€" tical (Gunde to Home Repairs provides valuable advice on setâ€" ting up contracts and dealing with specific projects such as siding and insulating. Other applâ€" icable MCCR publications inâ€" clude A Guide to Residential Driveway Paving, the Business Practices Act and the Consumer Protection Act. For copies or to ask specific questions about dealâ€" Outside of the public libraries, many sources of information on renovations are available to Onâ€" tamo consumers. "Whether you‘re hiring conâ€" tractors or doing the work yourâ€" self, you could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars by spending a few hours researching the kind of renovation work you are planning," said Marilyn Gurevsky of the Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations (MCCR). "Find the most recent articles in consumer magazines. Read up on the basic steps involved in the work and the kind of materials used. Ask the librarian for help." ng The most useful tool homeowâ€" ners planning renovations can own is a library card, consumer experts say HOME PAGE 30 â€" WATERLOO CHRONICLE, WEDNESDAY APRIL ; with renovation contractors, 550 Parkside Dr. Unit Bâ€"3, Waterioo Showroom open Mon. to Fri. 8â€"5; Sat. 3â€"3 p.m Research key to reducing renovation bill INSTALLED BY OUR PROFESSIONALS FREE IN HOME CONSULTATION Visit Our Showroom For Many Cash & Carry Specials HOME PRODUCTS LTD. GARDEN The Ontario Ministry of Energy can provide various publications on renovations relating to energy conservation and usage. â€" Other free housing ministry literature includes Get Your House in Shape, Convertâ€"Toâ€" Rent, How to Create an Accessory Apartment, Plumbing, Wiring, Understanding Your House, and the Water Resistant House. The Howland Road Information Cenâ€" tre features exhibits and ideas for home renovators. Specific ques tions about renovations are also welcome. The wealth of printed material is also available from the Ontario Ministry of Housing‘s Renovation Information Centre, 16 Howland Rd., Toronto M4K 2Z6 â€" (416) 461â€"7577. A ministry publication called Plans, Permits and Payâ€" ments is considered by many to be the home renovator‘s bible, Gurevsky says. The Toronto Home Builders‘ Association has produced a comâ€" prehensive set of brochures on many housing issues, including how to choose a renovator. Copies are available free to all Ontario residents. Contact the association at 5218 Yonge Street, Willowâ€" dale, Ontario M2N 5P6 â€" (416) 229â€"HOME,. contact the Consumer Informaâ€" tion Centre at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario MTA 2H6 â€" (416) 963â€"1111 or toll free at 1â€" 800â€"268â€"1142. Ontario residents with an 807 area code may call the 416 number collect. The TTY/TDD line for the hearing/ speech impaired is (416) 963â€" 146â€"8150 And if you step out of a vehicle that is touching the lines, ® © Beam of Canada inc 1988 DOM‘T LUG A VACUUM â€" PLUG iN A BEAM! GOLD MEDAL WINWER, 1987 CAMADA AWARDS FOR BUSIMES$ EXCELLENCE BEAM 3â€"Inlet Kit from only $449. For any home, * old or new! 5â€"star quarantee installs in nours No mess, no tuss, no damage * Up to 4x more suction than your * present vacuum Take extra care when working near overhead power lines. Never allow yourself or the equipment to come close to or contact the lines. Anyone touching that equipment will be seriously injured. Beam Builtâ€"in Vacuums 108 King St. N. Waterloo (NMext to Mr. Submarine) 747â€"2388 Watch out when workiing under power lines cIBEAM Lots of Free Parking you could be 8 artachments sweep, dust, pick up glass, gravel. woodchips. cold hreplace ashes Great for pet hairs,100 30° crushproof. ultraight hose Canada‘s best selling built in vacuums Or killed. 8103â€"18 finished. SPRING DECORATING SALE REGIONAL DRAPERY MFG. 154 Victoria St. South, Kitchener 749â€"8332 Waterloo North Hydro 300 Northfield Drive Waterioo, Ontario N2J 4A3 ENTER A TEAM IN THE CAMBRIDGE TIMES CLASSIC FUN RUN â€" MAY 28. CALL 653â€"7168 WHAT SHAPE IS YOUR BUSINESS IN?