You’re ready to remodel, so now what?!?

Well, let’s start by finding you a professional remodeling contractor that can guide you through the project from beginning to end.  One of the most obvious places to start your search is by word-of-mouth.  Family, friends or neighbors can be a great resource and provide you with valuable insight; if however, you are not getting the results you would like, try asking the real estate agent that originally sold you the home or by calling the regional remodelers association.  Regardless of how you go about your search, choosing the right professional to give you the master bedroom or gourmet kitchen of your dreams, is easier than you think.

If you find that you are still lost in the process, try starting local.  A local remodeler is likely a part of your community who will run into you time and time again at the coffee shop, grocery store, or gas station.  It’s clearly in their best interest to perform quality work for you.  In an industry that is built upon reputation, that last thing a contractor wants or needs is to be running into a dissatisfied customer on a regular basis. 

Additionally, a local remodeler is likely to be familiar with the local permitting process.  Although the building code is universal throughout New York (except in New York City), each building department will likely have its own quirks, preferences and interpretations.  A word to the wise, more renovation projects than you think require a building permit from your local jurisdiction.  Maybe you want to avoid the process now but when it comes time to sell your home, you are likely to run into a world of difficulty if you didn’t get the proper permits and certificates of occupancy.  

You will also find in New York that licensing of contractors varies from county to county.  In the Hudson Valley only Putnam, Rockland and Westchester Counties currently require contractor licensing, while the rest do not.*  If you live in one of these counties, ask to see a copy of their license and/or contact your county licensing agency to ensure the contractor you have chosen meets all requirements.  

While being licensed should indicate that your remodeler carries the proper insurance (worker's compensation, property damage and personal liability), it’s not a sure thing so regardless of where you live, always ask for proof of insurance.  If you ask for proof of insurance and the contractor balks…  Walk!

Should you decided to solicit estimates from more than one company, be sure that they are all working off the same scope and quality of work.  Discuss any noticeable variations in price and always beware of any estimate that is substantially lower than the others.

At this point in the process, it’s a really good idea to find out if your professional is a member of a recognized trade association**.  Members of these organizations are regularly exposed to enhanced industry knowledge and can provide the consumer with additional education as well.  Factors such as green technology, universal design, lead safety, innovative products, building technique and design trends are all areas to take into consideration.  

Last but not least on your to do list is to check references.  If a professional is not offering references, you should ask for them and then follow up with a site visit or phone call.

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*Licensing requirements for electricians and plumbers will also vary from county to county and city to city so if you plan on hiring these professionals directly check on your local requirements.  

**Some of the most easily recognized trade associations for residential remodeling contractors are National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), and the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).  Additional associations to consider are the American Institute of Architects (AIA) if you are selecting an architect as well as the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) for real estate professionals. 

What You Should Know About Hiring a Remodeler

With the ongoing challenging economy, many families are choosing to remodel their homes to fit their changing needs, rather than selling their home and buying another one. Your home is likely your largest investment, and even simple remodels can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, so you want to make sure you find a contractor you can trust.

As the home building and remodeling industry celebrated National Remodeling Month in May, here are some important considerations to ensure you make the right decisions when you find, evaluate and hire a remodeler.

You should start by asking for referrals from friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, and others who have had remodeling work done. Or, ask local independent trade contractors, building materials suppliers, architects, engineers, home inspectors, lenders and insurance professionals for recommendations.

There are also websites where consumers leave comments about their experience with local businesses, such as www.yelp.com, www.angieslist.com and www.kudzu.com. But be careful about these sources of information, you have no way of knowing who left the comment or if they were honest. 

Once you have a list of potential home remodelers for your project, do research to verify that they are appropriately licensed and/or insured. Contact your local or regional Builders Association and the local Better Business Bureau.  In counties where remodelers are licensed (Westchester, Putnam & Rockland) be sure to verify that the remodeler is licensed.  

When you begin meeting with remodelers, you want to find out information such as: 

• How long they have been in business in your community? Can they provide references from customers and suppliers they work with?
• Ask for a copy of the insurance certificates.
• What is their working knowledge of the many types and ages of homes in the area, and what sort of issues could arise?
• Do they provide a written estimate before beginning the work, and a detailed contract that spells out the work that will and will not be performed, protects both of you, provides a fair payment schedule contract and complies with local, state, and federal laws?
• Do they offer a warranty? What is covered under the warranty and for how long?

For more detailed checklists for finding, evaluating and working with a remodeler, as well as other information about remodeling your home, go to www.nahb.org/remodeling