1. Local trade associations, such as the Black Hills Home Builders Association.
2. Friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and others who have had remodeling work done.
3. Independent trade contractors, building materials suppliers, architects, engineers, home inspectors, local lenders, and insurance professionals.

Once you have developed a list of potential remodelers:

1. Check with your local or state office of consumer protection and the Attorney General. Ask if they have had any complaints about the remodeler. If so, were those complaints resolved satisfactorily?
2. Check with your state's licensing agency and the state and local building inspectors to see if they have received any complaints about the remodeler and to verify that the remodeler has the appropriate licenses and registrations.

The Inside Scoop on How to Evaluate a Professional Remodeler

The hardest part in evaluating a remodeler is knowing exactly what to look for and ask. This detailed list will help you decide with confidence who is the best professional for your home.

Business Experience and Management

Does the remodeler:

1. Maintain a permanent mailing address, e-mail address, published personal phone number, fax number, and a cell phone, pager, or voice-messaging system? You will want to be able to reach the remodeler quickly and easily, especially at critical times.
2. Carry insurance that protects you from claims arising from property damage or jobsite injuries?
3. Have an established presence in the community?
4. Have experience?
   
5. Maintain solid relationships with experienced independent trade contractors such as plumbers and electricians and work with them as a team to keep your job running smoothly?
6. Possess a trustworthy reputation among customers, peers, local officials, and people involved in all aspects of the industry?
7. Have a track record of successful projects similar to one you are planning?
8. Actively participate in a trade organization such as the Black Hills Home Builders Association? This and similar organizations help to keep their members informed about new products, construction techniques, business practices, and industry issues. Participation demonstrates a remodeler's commitment to professionalism and the remodeling industry. How long has the remodeler you are considering been a member of these associations?

Other questions to ask:

1. Ask for a copy of the remodeler's insurance certificates so you can be sure you will not be liable in these situations for property damage or jobsite-related injuries.
2. Ask the remodeler how much the project will add to your home's value and obtain the necessary additional insurance.
3. Ask for a list of building materials suppliers and call them to see if the remodeler has an account or pays for materials on delivery. Most suppliers are willing to extend credit to financially sound companies.
4. How long has the company been in business under this name? Longevity suggests financial stability.

Construction and Technical Expertise Does the remodeler:

1. Have a working knowledge of the many types and ages of homes in the area. Knowing what is likely to be behind a wall or under a floor helps the remodeler to provide reliable estimates. An extremely low bid may indicate lack of experience and an inability to later cover the actual costs involved in the job and create unnecessary change orders.
2. Explain what products and materials he/she are likely to use for your project?
3. Offer an array of options and thus demonstrate knowledge of and experience with a variety of products, materials, and techniques?
4. Specialize in particular types of projects?
5. Arrange for the building permit? (The person who obtains the permit is the contractor of record and therefore liable for the work).
6. Offer a warranty? If so, what kind and for how long? What is covered under the warranty and what is not?
7. Agree to begin and complete your job within a reasonable timetable?

Customer Service and Communication Does the remodeler:

1. Respond promptly to your inquiries?
2. Schedule meetings and attend them on time?
3. Emphasize service and develop a trusting relationship with you?
4. Listen to and understand your needs and wants and work with you to ensure that the plans for your job accurately reflect your expectations?
5. Show enthusiasm for your ideas and suggest ways to make them work within your budget when discussing your written priorities?
6. Facilitate communication among all parties involved in the project?
7. Provide you with schedule updates so you can make appropriate decisions and prepare for any unavoidable inconveniences?

Other Things to Ask:

1. Ask the remodeler for examples of how the company has solved similar space problems for other customers.
2. Ask how the company handles communications during the construction phase of the job such as a message center in the house for communication between you and the remodeling team, including the designers, architect, and independent trade contractors.

How to Evaluate a Home Remodeler's References

Before you sign a contract, ask the remodeler to share names, phone numbers, and/or e-mail addresses of some customers and take the time to see the remodeler's work. Ask to see jobs similar to yours. Does the quality of the work meet your standards?

Ask the homeowners:

1. Would you hire this company again?
2. Did the remodeler maintain a neat jobsite, provide regular broom clean-up, and haul away debris including personal trash?
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?
3. Did you find the remodeler easy to work with?
4. Did the remodeler keep you informed as the job progressed?
5. Did the remodeler supply you with paperwork in a timely fashion?
6. How well did the remodeler deal with the problems that arose?

Final Guidelines Before Hiring a Remodeler

You’re almost there, but there are a few final steps before taking the plunge.

Ask yourself if you feel comfortable with the remodeler and confident that this company will do the work according to your plans, budget, and specifications.

If you are satisfied with the answers to your questions, ask for a written estimate of the work to be done based on a set of plans and specifications. Be prepared to pay for this package. If the estimated cost of the project is more than you can afford, see if you can trim something from the project or postpone part of it so you can still work with a professional remodeler.

 

Ask the remodeler to explain the plans, specifications, and company procedures to you. For instance, once construction begins, how does the company handle changes to the initial design, choice of materials, or schedule?

If you compare your estimate with another, be sure each one is based upon the same set of plans, specifications, and scope of work. If your remodeler suggests any deviations, ask the remodeler to present them as options separate from the main proposal.

Find out whether the remodeler uses a detailed, written contract that protects both of you and that complies with local, state, and federal laws. The contract must spell out the work that will and will not be performed and provide a fair payment schedule.

Select the remodeler with a track record of a variety of excellent projects and plenty of experience with your type of project. Beware of an exceptionally low price.

If you have completed all the steps on how to evaluate a remodeler, congratulations! You can now choose with confidence the best professional home contractor for your project

Work with a Professional

Since you’ve done the hard work of evaluating and hiring a professional, the next step is ensuring your home remodel goes smoothly.

Live with Your Remodel: The only thing left is the remodeling itself. Learn how to adapt to your home as a work site, communicate with your remodeler, and schedule your project for a smooth remodeling experience.

Preventing Remodeling Fever

The train-station atmosphere of a remodeling project can lead to remodeling fever. The main symptom of this temporary affliction is feeling a loss of control that results from disrupted routines and the impact on your personal space.

The best way to prevent this fever is to prepare well, remember that "This too shall pass," and focus on the progress being made. A few other suggestions from remodeling pros:

Prepare for inconvenience. A remodeling project can turn your home and -- on some days -- your life upside down. A kitchen remodel will, of course, affect meal planning, but a little ingenuity and some culinary shortcuts can lessen the impact. Set up a temporary cooking quarters by moving the refrigerator, toaster oven, and microwave to another room. Arrange a dishwashing station in your laundry room. If the weather is warm, fire up the grill and dine alfresco.

Designate a safe haven in your home where you can escape from the chaos and commotion.

Guard against dust. During a remodeling project, dust has the unfortunate tendency to appear everywhere from lampshades to plates stacked inside your kitchen cabinets. To keep out as much dust as possible:

1. Seal off doorways and stairs.
2. Turn off central air or heat when workers are sanding and stock up on extra filters so that you can change them often.
3. Have deliveries made though a designated entrance.
4. Use doormats and temporary floor coverings where appropriate.
5. Remove anything that might get damaged by the dust or at least cover it with plastic drop cloths that are taped shut.

Maintain a sense of humor. Remember that certain things are out of your control and it's best to laugh rather than upset yourself about things like the weather or delayed delivery of materials. See the remodeling process as an adventure. Tell the kids that you are "camping in" and transform inconvenience into fun. Along the way, celebrate as different stages of the project are completed. The day the drywall is completed, for instance, could be marked by a nice dinner out!

Homeowner Remodeling Etiquette

While remodeling can be an exciting adventure, it’s important to remember that neighbors may not be quite as thrilled with the project as you are. While a professional remodeler will help lessen the impact on those living by you, here are some additional tips to help keep the peace in the neighborhood:Let neighbors know well in advance about your remodeling plans and keep them apprised of progress, detail by detail. Tell them when work will begin, the approximate completion date, what work will be done, and whether workers might have to come onto their property. If delays arise, promptly contact your neighbors to inform them of the revised schedule.

Make sure noisy power tools are only used during standard business hours. Reasonable hours are 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Inform your neighbors of any large trucks entering the neighborhood and ask subcontractors to park on one side of the street only. Try your best to have materials dropped off in your driveway or yard rather than the street, and keep your yard as tidy as possible. Watch for debris that might find its way onto your neighbors' yards, especially if a roofing project is involved.

Remove dumpsters as quickly as possible. If you have room left in your last dumpster, invite neighbors to dump anything they might have lurking in their garage that needs tossing.

If the neighbors are unhappy with an aspect of your project, promptly visit them to apologize. Consider bringing a peace offering such as brownies or muffins. When your project is complete, show your neighbors your appreciation by throwing them a party. You can thank them for their patience and proudly show off your remodeled house.