Remember you're buying a service rather than a product. The quality of service delivered will determine the quality of the finished project and your ultimate satisfaction with it.

Here are a few pointers that will help assure the success of your next remodeling project:

Plan the Project

Create a clear vision - Develop an idea of what you want to do. Write a prioritized list of your needs and wants. Comb magazines and collect pictures of what appeals to you. Refine your vision and reduce as much as you can on paper. The clearer your vision the easier it will be to convey what you want to a professional remodeler.

Spec the decorating elements - Thoroughly take into consideration the traffic patterns, furniture placement, colors, lighting and how you will be using the remodeled space.

Budget your project - Many times a great idea will start out simple and small but grow and grow as we think of more features and elements that would be "nice to have". Set your budget and stick to your limits. Many a remodel project has gotten out of hand when undertaken without a clear scope of work and costs. Talk to your bank to determine how much you can borrow and to an appraiser to be sure you are making an investment that will enhance the value and marketability of your home.

Prepare for the inconveniences - Try to anticipate the obvious and not-so-obvious inconveniences that are a necessary by-product of most remodeling projects. Since the most common of projects involve the kitchen, bedroom or bathroom, prepare for maximum inconvenience for an extended time. Even with the greatest of planning unexpected delays will inevitably occur. Being patient and flexible will enable the simplest or most complex project to proceed with minimum difficulty and result in optimum satisfaction.

Begin the Search

Personal referrals - Start with your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and others who have had remodeling work done.

Professional referrals - Continue with Independent trade contractors, building materials suppliers, architects, structural and civil engineers, home inspectors and local lenders.

Industry/trade associations - Crosscheck your candidates with a local trade association, such as the home building association and remodelers' council.

Consumer advocates - Check with your local or state office of consumer protection and the local Better Business Bureau. Have there been any complaints about the remodeler? If so were those complaints resolved satisfactorily.

Government agencies - Finally, check with the appropriate state licensing agency in addition to state, county and local building inspectors to see if they have received any complaints about the remodeler ant to verify that the remodeler has the appropriate license(s).

Business Experience and Management

Does the remodeler:

• Maintain a permanent mailing address, phone number, and a cell phone or pager with an answering service?
• Carry sufficient insurance to protect you from claims arising from property damage or jobsite injuries? Ask that you and your project be named on a rider and obtain a copy of the certificate of insurance showing your coverage.
• Have an established presence in the community?
• Have a trustworthy reputation among past customers, peers and others involved in all aspects of the industry? Ask for a list of suppliers and check if the remodeler has an open account or pay cash on delivery for materials? Most suppliers will extend credit to financially sound companies.
• Actively participate in trade organizations such as the remodelers' council or the National Association of Home Builders? These organizations help keep their members informed about new products, building techniques, business practices and industry related issues.

Construction and Technical Expertise

Does the remodeler:

• Show good working knowledge of the many types and ages of homes in your area?
• Offer an array of options and demonstrate knowledge of and experience with a variety of products, materials, styles and techniques?
• Specialize in particular types of projects?
• Arrange for all necessary permits? Alert - The person who obtains the permit is the contractor of record and therefore liable for the work.
• Offer a warranty for the work?
• Agree to begin and complete your job within a written timetable?

Customer Service and Communication

Does the remodeler:

• Respond promptly and satisfactorily to your inquires?
• Emphasize service and developing a trusting relationship with you?
• Listen to and understand your needs and wants, and work with you to ensure that the plans accurately reflect your expectations?
• Facilitate communication among all parties involved in the project?

Narrowing the Field

Before you sign a contract, ask the remodeler to provide you names and phone numbers of past customers. Also, to verify the quality of work ask to see jobs similar to yours.

Questions to ask previous customers:

• Are you happy with the overall quality of the project?
• Would you hire this company again?
• Did the remodeler keep labor and materials delays to a minimum so that your job could be started and completed on time and within budget?
• Did the remodeler maintain a reasonably neat jobsite, provide regular cleanup and haul away debris including personal workmen's trash.
• Did you find the remodeler easy to talk to, and did the remodeler keep you informed as the project progressed?
• Did the remodeler complete final "pickup" work in a timely manner (those little incomplete or repair items that finalize the project).

Finalize Your Choice

• Make your choice then ask yourself "Are you comfortable and confident that this company will complete the project to your plans, budget, and specifications?"
• If you are satisfied with the answers, ask for a written estimate of the work to be done based on your plans and specifications. Ask that any recommended deviations be written in as options.
• Ask the remodeler to explain the plans, specifications and company procedures to you.
• If your comparing estimates be sure each remodeler is using the same plans, specifications and scope of work. Alert - The lowest price does not necessarily mean the best
• Finally, be sure that the contract is in written form and conforms to local and state laws.

Minding Your Money

• Prepare to pay for the project. So if the costs are above your available cash trim the project or speak to your bank or lender.
• If your remodeling project is small in dollars you may want to serve as your own "fund control" and parcel out the payments during the progress of the job. Alert - be sure to inspect each step and not to overpay at any step of the project.
• If the project represents a significant amount of money consider having your bank's construction lending department, or an independent firm serve as the "fund control". Some construction material suppliers will provide the inspections and disbursements of funds at preset stages. Independent fund control services will charge a minimal fee of up to 2 points, but the security, protection, and assurance can be well worth the peace of mind.
• Maintain good records of all project related costs as they will be required for tax accounting purposes.

Professional Designations

The Remodelors™ Council - This industry origination represents and serves the interests of its remodeling industry members. The Remodelors Council is committed to improved management and technical competency of council members, excellence in service to the consumer, and effective government representation of remodelers' interests at the federal, state and local levels.

Working in partnership with locally-organized Remodelors Councils at more than 150 NAHB-affiliated state and local builders' associations, the council provides information, certification, education, and recognition programs geared to keeping remodeler members competitive.

Certified Graduate Remodelor™ designation - The Remodelors Council's education and designation programs promote professionalism in industry practice and broader consumer awareness of the remodeling industry, and improve the expertise and credibility of NAHB Remodelors. Here you'll find Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS) and Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR) designation overviews, answers to frequently asked questions, program applications, and more.