To help homeowners make informed decisions, the Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association (GVHBA) Renovation Council - in partnership with BC Hydro, Canada Mortgage & Housing Corp. and FortisBC - will present its popular fall home renovation seminar on Tuesday, Nov.

20 from 7: 30 to 9 p.m. at the Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Dr. in Vancouver.

More than 300 people registered last year, according to a press release.

Homeowners will be guided through the various stages of the renovation process, including design and planning, legal and contracts, selecting a renovator, municipal permits and inspections, and living through a renovation.

Presenters include prominent Metro Vancouver renovators, a construction lawyer, a municipal building official and a technical expert sharing the latest in green renovations. The seminar moderator will be GVHBA renovation council chair Jeff Bain, an award-winning home-renovation professional.

The exhibition area - featuring more than 40 renovators and suppliers of home-improvement products and services - will be open from 5: 30 to 7: 30 p.m. to allow homeowners ample time to discuss their renovation plans with the experts before the seminar program starts.

"Homeowners considering renovations can obtain creative ideas from the Internet, television, newspapers and magazines, but careful planning is needed to demystify the renovation process," said Bob de Wit, CEO of the GVHBA.

De Wit said $7.6 billion will be spent on home renovation and improvement in B.C. this year, of which $3.8 billion will be spent in

Metro Vancouver alone, so it is crucial that homeowners do their homework before they sign a contract with a qualified renovation contractor.

Seminar attendees will learn about RenoMark, an industry-led national program designed to provide greater confidence to homeowners hiring renovation contractors. To be accepted into the program, contractors are obliged to abide by a 10-condition code of conduct.

"Home renovation continues to be popular and there is no shortage of flyby-night operators taking advantage of trusting homeowners," de Wit said. "Dealing in the cash-only underground economy to avoid tax, rather than working with a professional renovator, exposes homeowners to liability issues and close scrutiny from municipal bylaw officials, provincial safety authorities and others."

Admission is free, but pre-registration is required. Register online at www.gvhba.org or call 778-565-4288. Public transit is nearby and there is ample onsite parking. Attendees are asked to contribute a non-perishable food item for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society.