Probably the most common adjective used to describe Vancouver as a city is 'livable.' We've got the mountains meeting the sea, horse drawn rides through Stanley Park, the freshest fish, fruits and vegetables on Granville Island and the list goes on. It is indeed a livable city. And Vancouver residents take their 'livability' seriously as the steady number of bathroom renovation projects in Vancouver homes proves out.

Bathroom renovations and remodeling have become important not only as features that help add value to your home but also as a touch of luxury that the entire family (if you're willing to share) can enjoy. If you're thinking about touching up a bathroom or even adding a new bath you've come to the right place.

Handy Canadian has compiled a great directory of Vancouver contractors that specialize in bathroom projects. Every contractor listing will provide you with a description of services provided, the contractor's service area, contact information, licensing and even reviews from previous customers. This is a great place to start to build your short list of bathroom contractors.

But before you sign the dotted line you need to do a little due diligence. The perfect project starts with the right contractor and it's worth your time to do a little digging to make sure you've found him or her.

Quick Tips On Qualifying Bathroom Contractors

• The city of Vancouver, and most of the surrounding communities, requires that all businesses have a valid business license. This is the first document you want to see from your prospective contractor. Call the issuing bureau and make sure the license is valid and that there are no complaints filed against the contractor.
• If your bathroom renovation is going to involve plumbing or electrical (or both) work you will most likely need a permit from the city. In order to obtain that permit the contractor is going to have to prove that he or she has the Certificate of Qualification for a particular trade. A C of Q is not easily obtainable as it involves 9,000 hours of classroom and apprentice training. Make sure your contractor, or the sub he intends to use, has the appropriate certification. The last thing you want to do is have the renovation done without obtaining the permit(s) and then have the city tell you to tear it out.
• Insurance is another area of concern. You want to make sure your property is covered is damage occurs but you also want to ensure that the contractor's employees and subs are covered should they injure themselves on your property. Ask for a certificate of insurance and call the issuing agency to verify that coverage is current and valid.
• Of course the contractor's reputation is of paramount importance. Past performance is a good indicator of what you can expect both in quality of workmanship and professionalism. Call the contractor's references and ask them about the nitty gritty of the experience. They will most likely say they are overall pleased but ask about how easy it was to do business with the contractor. Check the Vancouver Better Business Bureau and Google the contractor's name and see what comes up. Spending time on this step will not only narrow down your list but give you a sense of confidence to go forward with the project.

Once the job is done you'll be torn between showing it off to friends and neighbors and just hogging it for yourself. Let your buddies go see a Canuks game without you. You can enjoy the evening laid back with a glass of wine and enjoy your new whirlpool bath.

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