May is National Remodeling Month and to honor it we are posting articles and information from the NAHB website. These articles contain important information that all homeowners should be aware of, especially those that plan on doing home improvement projects in the future.
Here is great information posted by the NAHB on how to hire a professional remodeler. Our comments are below in red.
"Check out these steps for hiring
a professional remodeler:
- Collect
names of remodeling companies.
Start by searching the National Association of Home Builders’ Directory of Professional Remodelers at www.nahb.org/remodel. You’ll get a list of nearby remodelers to contact. Asking friends and neighbors for names of qualified remodelers will also help you find a match for your project. Also use resources such as BBB or your local Chamber of Commerce to find qualified remodelers. Search for virtual showrooms too - houzz, pinterest,, and instagram are fantastic places to view previous work.
- Discuss
your project with a couple remodelers.
Call a few remodelers from your list to discuss your project. Describe what you envision for the home remodel, styles you like, your estimated budget, and other ideas for the remodeling work. Ask the remodeler if they can provide background information on their expertise. They may have a website or brochure they can share that describes their experience and accomplishments. It is essential to discuss all of your goals and wishes, set a realistic budget and discuss it in detail with your contractor. They can often help your prioritize your wish list and point you in the right direction when making material selections.
- Ask
if the remodeler has general liability insurance.
Be sure to ask some important questions about the remodeler’s business that will help ensure you hire the best professional. Does the remodeler have a license, if required in your state? Do they have general liability insurance in case of an accident on the job? Do they guarantee their work? How do they handle any problems that may arise on the project? Having these answers in advance will prevent future problems and nail down the best professional remodeler for the job. Also, ask about workers comp insurance. Many homeowners don't think about this, but it protects the homeowner from lawsuits if a worker gets injured on their property. DO NOT overlook this - it is essential.
- Check the references and background
of the remodeler.
After you start speaking with remodelers and find one or two who match your project’s needs, be sure to conduct some background research by checking with the Better Business Bureau, talking to their references, and asking if they are a trade association member (such as NAHB Remodelers). Remodelers with these qualities tend to be more reliable, better educated, and more likely to stay on top of construction and design trends. Also, check for memberships in NKBA and NARI, in addition to being in a local Chamber of Commerce. Contractors that spend the money and time on these memberships are often more qualified and perform a higher quality of work than those that don't participate in these organizations.
- Don’t fall for the lowest bidder.
Many people may be lured by the lowest price to their remodeling project, thinking that they have found a great deal. But beware of these alluring low prices. These bids may be more costly in the end if the contractor is cutting corners, not taking into account certain costs, or is inexperienced. Professional remodelers have stories about coming into homes to fix remodels from unscrupulous contractors who did shoddy work or failed to complete the job. Often times, the lowest price may not ultimately provide the best value for your home remodel. True, true, true - cheap is usually not the best way to go when doing a home improvement project!!! Often you end up paying more later on to fix poor quality work.
Make the smartest investment in
your home by hiring a professional remodeler. They’ll help you stay on budget,
solve remodeling challenges, and provide a higher-quality service."
Cyndi
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