ByAli Sahabi of Optimum Group, LLC
President, Building Industry Association (BIA) Baldy View Chapter
One of the key reasons America celebrates National Remodeling Month in May is because at some point, every homeowner will probably need the services of a trained remodeling professional. Whether to customize a home to meet one’s personal tastes and needs; to increase the home’s value, comfort or energy-efficiency; or to bring the home up to current development standards before it can be placed on the market - eventually a homeowner will ask, “How do I find the right remodeler?”
Today, periodicals and lifestyle blogs feature the latest in home improvements and often run cautionary articles about how some improvements can actually diminish the value or salability of a home. So picking the most highly trained professional remodeler will ensure that any renovations done to the home for whatever reason will always maintain your home’s value, safety and integrity.
The first step when embarking on any kind of major improvement project will be to interview a number of remodeling candidates. You can find qualified remodeling professionals in your area by visiting the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) website www.NAHB.com and click on “Builders & Remodelers” for a directory of professional remodelers. This is critically important because a trained and certified professional remodeler will provide more value to the project by helping solve design and space problems, stay within budget by offering a range of product selections, share information on tax credits and rebates and make sure all of the required permits are in order.
When you have selected your remodeling candidates, check out their contractor’s license numbers by calling (800) 321-CSLB (2752) or visiting at www.cslb.ca.gov online. Make sure that they have done work in your area and are familiar with your local community development standards. Feel free to ask for references and examples of their work. Professional remodelers have years of specialized ongoing education, technical training and experience. They understand a home’s structure, electrical wiring, plumbing and other details that must be considered before attempting a home remodel and can anticipate, prevent or solve unexpected problems. A professional is the best equipped to help homeowners reorganize and maximize space in a home and can propose alternatives that keep budgets in check - such as providing a variety of product choices or redesigning interior space to minimize the need for building home additions.
More importantly, professional remodelers can help homeowners take advantage of energy efficiency tax credits or rebates for saving on remodeling expenses. These offer savings on installing energy efficiency improvements such as new windows, doors, insulation, roofing, and more. Remodelers may also know of additional local or state credits, rebates, and other methods of saving money on your home remodel.
The focus of your remodel can help you select the best-equipped professional for the job. NAHB offers a variety of official certifications and designations such as Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR), Certified Green Professional (CGP), Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS) or Graduate Master Remodeler (GMR) among other designations. For instance, a CAPS-trained remodeler has learned the specialized skills of modifying homes so they are safe, comfortable and accessible for both residents aging-in-place as well as people of all ages and abilities.
Professional remodelers offer solid business skills and understand that remodeling is about providing excellent customer service. These remodelers will take meetings and return phone calls to address customer concerns proactively. They prioritize customer satisfaction and take pride in their remodeling work. They generally belong to trade associations such as the Building Industry Association (BIA) where they benefit from education programs, acquiring knowledge and skills to better run a business and improve their home remodeling services.
Protecting your investment in your home is one of the most important reasons we celebrate National Remodeling Month in May as part of the nation’s three-month long celebration of the American Dream of Homeownership. Because remodeling both protects and enhances the value your home, using experienced and certified professionals is essential to protecting that investment.
For information on the buying, selling, remodeling or just to fully appreciate benefits of homeownership visit www.BIABUILD.com website and have a happy National Remodeling Month in May.
