Plan Your Remodel
Choosing the Right Contractor
Choosing the right remodeler is about more than just completing a project—it’s about ensuring professionalism, trust, and results you’ll love for years to come.
How to Select a Remodeler
When planning a potential home remodeling project, it's important to work with a trustworthy team of professionals. In times of distress, such as weather-related natural disasters, including flooding, high winds, and winter storm damage, unscrupulous contractors can prey on victims seeking to repair their damaged property.
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) provides homeowners with helpful ways to find a qualified, professional remodeler or contractor.
Seven Tips to Find a Qualified Remodeler
Besides searching NARI's Find-A-Remodler directory, one of the best ways to find qualified, professional help is through word-of-mouth referrals. Local remodelers or contractors are an excellent way to find a professional. Common sources for qualified remodelers or contractors include:
- Relatives/friends/neighbors
- Business colleagues
- Lenders
- Real estate agents
- Local material supplier (lumber yards, specialty product providers, etc.)
Local remodelers are compelled to deliver quality work that satisfies their customers to survive. Local firms can be checked through references, including past customers in your community or through your local NARI chapter.
Another advantage to hiring a local professional is that they will know the local building code and permit requirements for your town or city. Building codes vary widely across jurisdictions and can change from year to year. Most structural work or footprint expansions require permits.
Many states, but not all, require contractors to be licensed, bonded and/or insured. Contact your state or local licensing agencies to ensure the contractor meets all requirements. Most states require a contractor to carry workers’ compensation, property damage, and personal liability insurance. Ask for a copy of their license and insurance certificate to make sure that it is current.
Check with your Consumer Affairs Office and the Better Business Bureau to ensure there are no complaints on record for the contractor. Check to make sure they are a NARI member. Search NARI members and find a remodeler in your local area.
If you solicit estimates from more than one remodeling contractor, be sure they are working from the same scope and quality of work. Discuss price variations, and beware of any estimate that is substantially lower than the others.
A good remodeling professional educates clients on green remodeling, universal design, lead safety, new products, building techniques, and trends. Make sure you’re hiring someone who has knowledge and expertise relevant to the remodeling industry. NARI offers eight certifications and provides education and training. Learn more about NARI Certified Professionals.
Don’t rely on a contractor’s personality or demeanor. If a professional does not offer references, ask for them and follow up with a site visit or phone call.
Find a Professional Remodeler
Connect with remodeling industry professionals in your area. All NARI members are committed to excellence, ethical business practices, and professional development.