Remodeling | Choosing a Remodeler

Choose a remodeler member of the Home Builders Association of Hickory-Catawba Valley

Many remodelers may have experience and offer you a good price, but the best professional remodelers have some special qualities you want to seek when you hire someone to remodel your home. Be on the look out for remodelers with these attributes:

• Promptness — Does your remodeler keep his or her appointments? Do they show up on time and prepared?
• Trustworthiness — Make sure you trust your remodeler and if not, then move on to another candidate.
• The remodeler is an NAHB Remodelers member — Membership with NAHB Remodelers demonstrates a remodelers commitment to professionalism and excellence. NAHB earn competitive awards, achieve higher training and education, and lead the industry in innovation. Search for an NAHB Remodelers member in your area using the Directory of Professional Remodelers.
• Past clients return to the remodeler for repeat business — When a significant amount of a remodeler’s business comes from repeat and referred clients, it’s a safe bet that previous customers applaud their work.
• The remodeler makes it his business to protect your home — Construction can be dirty and messy. Make sure your remodeler will take appropriate measures to control dust and protect your home.

How do you weed out shady contractors and find the best professional remodelers? Be sure to ask these questions when interviewing candidates for your remodeling job:

• Do you have General Liability Insurance?
• Do you carry worker’s compensation insurance?
• Will you provide me with a written lien waiver?
• Are you a member of NAHB Remodelers?
• Will you obtain all the required building permits?
• Do you guarantee your work?
• Who will be in charge of the job?
• Have you or your company been a party to any construction-related litigation within the past five years?
• Will you provide me with written references or contact information of previous customers?
• What percentage of your business is repeat or referral business?
• How many projects like mine have you completed in the last year?
• How will you protect my home? What about protecting my children and pets?
• How is cleanup handled?

From the National Association of Home Builders Remodelers Council