Look for remodeling advice in
magazines like Remodeling Ideas.

Tips 1-5: Contracts, Communication

It's one thing to know you want to remodel; it's another thing to know how to do it right.

Any remodeling project can seem overwhelming, but it's guaranteed to go more smoothly if you know a couple of insider tricks. We contacted more than a dozen award-winning remodelers from across the country to get design ideas.

 

1. Plan ahead. Making product selections early can prevent delays later. Proper planning can also help keep you on budget. "You'll end up making the same decisions, but you'll know what they're going to be and what they're going to cost ahead of time," explains Ridley Wills, founder of The Wills Co., a design-build firm in Nashville.

2. Remember the big picture. Long-term maintenance, energy-loss, and repair expenses can add up quickly, so make sure you include them in your calculations when comparing prices.

3. Find good help. Hire remodelers who have more than three years of experience, membership in the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), a good record with the Better Business Bureau, and positive customer references. Most important, select a remodeler you trust.

4. Visit a job site. When evaluating remodelers, visit their current job sites. The best remodelers maintain clean and organized work sites, take precautionary measures to ensure safety, and know how to keep a low profile in a neighborhood.

5. Be a good boss. The most important thing you can do during a remodeling project, other than write checks, is treat your remodeler well. "The perfect clients are easy to get along with, honest, and have an appreciation for what we do," says Anthony Wilder, founder of Anthony Wilder Design/Build in Bethesda, Maryland.