Over 14 million buildings in Canada that will need retrofit and renovation over the coming decades to bring them up to better energy efficiency and higher comfort levels. The people who will do the bulk of this work are called RENOVATION CONTRACTORS or RENOVATORS.

When someone is a RENOVATOR, it means that they work on existing buildings to maintain, upgrade or repair parts of structure, finishes or control layers. The job requires great skill in problem solving and a depth of knowledge about how buildings are constructed.

Many renovators make their living upgrading kitchens and bathrooms for homeowners, but today there's a great need for a specific type of renovation called an "energy retrofit". This means that work will be done to improve the operational performance of a building, making it more energy efficient, more comfortable and easier to heat and cool.

A skilled RENOVATOR may have the following work experience:

• 5 - 10 years in construction carpentry, especially in home building;
• A background in design or project management;
• Years of experience installing insulation, air barriers, windows and doors;
• Experience with preparing and installing finish layers like drywall, tile and trim;
• Possible certification in regulated trades like electrical or HVAC;
• Strong skills in business and construction planning.

To be a successful RENOVATOR, a person needs to have the right tools for the job, combined with a wide knowledge of building materials.

The tools that a RENOVATOR will need will vary depending on the size of the job, but they can be categorized by the type of work being done: demolition and repairs, preparation of surfaces and structure, installation and finishing.

A renovator may have the following tools in their collection:

• Construction safety PPE;
• Hand tools and portable power tools for measuring, cutting and installing;
• Wrecking bars and sledge hammers for demolition;
• Ladders and scaffolding;
• Shovels, brooms, garbage cans and a truck for getting rid of demolition waste.

SAFETY NOTE: A renovator is likely to handle all types of construction materials, from insulation and drywall, to plaster and glass. Some older buildings may have hazardous materials in their construction, such as asbestos or other potentially harmful elements. The safe removal or isolation of hazardous materials is called remediation and should only be done by professionals with this type of expertise.

Modern renovators have an opportunity to reuse and recycle tons of materials as they retrofit existing buildings. The 'deconstruction' process involves the careful disassembly of buildings and the reuse of materials that are still in good condition.

Construction and renovation contractors may play a major role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving energy through the built environment. This includes making use of old materials that still have life in them and recycling materials that can be used to create new material instead of going to a landfill.

A deconstruction job may involve the following strategies:

• Recycling of metals like steel, aluminum and copper;
• Reuse of some insulation types;
• Recycling of glass;
  
• Reuse of wooden structural materials like beams, studs and rafters;
• Cleaning and reuse of trim and finish materials, such as moldings, flooring or handrails;
• Reuse of stone and other masonry elements;
• Reuse of electrical and plumbing fixtures, such as lamps, chandeliers, and bathtubs.

The skills required to renovate buildings may be gained through years in working construction. Learning how to do a lot of different jobs can be an advantage and there are some post-secondary programs dedicated to teaching general renovation and restoration.

The training path to becoming a renovator may include some of the following stages:

• Years spent working in construction and learning from experienced people;
• Vocational trades training or Apprenticeship related to home building or renovation techniques;
• Professional training and experience in Project Management;
• Trades training and certification in electrical, plumbing and/or HVAC;
• Experience with repair and maintenance of residential buildings;
• Training in construction safety, including working at heights, hazardous materials and confined spaces;
• Training in small business management, accounting and marketing.