Choosing a Home Improvement Contractor

Finding a remodeler who’s right for you is not as simple as picking up the Yellow Pages. On a big project, you may be working closely with this individual for several months, so you want to do everything possible to ensure that you make the right decision. Here are some good places to start your search.

Seek referrals from friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and others who have had remodeling work done.

Talk to independent trade contractors, building materials suppliers, architects, engineers, home inspectors and local lenders.

Contact local builder and remodeler trade associations, their related state association - the New York State Builders Association (NYSBA), and their related national group, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Once you have identified some strong candidates, do even more checking to insure that these are the kinds of remodelers with whom you would like to do business. Call your local or state consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau to find out if there are any unresolved complaints filed against the remodeler. Contact local building inspectors to verify that the remodeler has a clean record. Also, interview previous or present customers.

What to Look For, What to Ask

When you hire a remodeler, you are buying a service rather than a product. The quality of the service the remodeler provides will determine the quality of the finished project and your satisfaction with it. You will want to explore the following qualifications when interviewing a remodeler.

Maintain a permanent mailing address, phone number, email, fax and pager number for the remodeler.

Make sure the remodeler carries insurance that protects you from claims arising due to property damage or jobsite injuries. Ask the remodeler how much the project might add to your home’s value and obtain the necessary additional insurance.

Check to see how established the company is in the community. How long has the remodeler been in business? Does the company maintain solid relationships with experienced independent trade contractors? Does the company possess a trustworthy reputation among customers, peers, and those in the industry?

Inquire whether the remodeler carries a designation such as Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR), Certified Bath Designer (CBD), or Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD).

Ask them about their knowledge and conformance with the NY State Home Improvement contract law and its payment, escrow and lien law provisions.

P.S. – Did you know that by hiring a home improvement contractor rather than performing the construction yourself, you reduce your legal liabilities on the project substantially? For examples of these liabilities contact NYSBA at 518-465-2492.

We encourage you to work with us on protecting consumer interests throughout New York State. Below are some other helpful links:

CONSUMER GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING IMPACT FEES
CHOOSING THE RIGHT CUSTOM HOME BUILDER
HOW TO FIND A PROFESSIONAL REMODELER
FIND A BUILDER, REMODELER OR CONTRACTOR BY CONTACTING A NYSBA AFFILIATE
HOME BUYER'S DICTIONARY
MORTGAGE BASICS
PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM CONTRACTOR FRAUD
REMODELING VS. MOVING