Avoid remodelers at all costs when:

* You can’t verify the name, address, telephone number or credentials of the remodeler.
* The salesperson tries to pressure you into signing a contract.
* The company or salesperson says your home will be used for advertising purposes so you will be given a “special, low rate.”
* The builder/remodeler tells you a special price is available only if you sign the contract “today.”
* No references are furnished.
* Information you receive from the contractor is out-of-date or no longer valid.
* You are unable to verify the license or insurance information.
* You are asked to pay for the entire job in advance, or to pay in cash to a salesperson instead of by check or money order to the company itself.
* The company cannot be found in the telephone book, is not listed with the local Better Business Bureau, or with a local trade association, such as NARI.
* The contractor does not offer, inform or extend notice of your right to cancel the contract within three days. Notification in writing of your Right of Recision is required by law. This grace period allows you to change your mind and declare the contract null and void without penalty (if the agreement was solicited at some place other than the contractor’s place of business or appropriate trade premises-in your home, for instance.)

In addition, be cautious when:

* You are given vague or reluctant answers.
* The contractor exhibits poor communication skills or descriptive powers.
* The contractor is not accessible.
* Your questions are not answered to your satisfaction.
* The contractor is impatient and does not listen.
* Only the work is addressed, instead of your needs as the homeowner.
* There is no presentation book of previous projects presented

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) has compiled just the list you need:

How long have you been in business? Look for a company with an established business history in your community. Surviving in any business in today’s competitive marketplace is a difficult task. Most successful contractors are proud of their history in the industry.

Who will be assigned as project supervisor for the job? Also ask whom you should contact if the supervisor is not available. Get exact names and contact phone numbers for all persons who will be involved in the project.

What is the time frame for starting the project? Now is the time to ask questions about work schedules. You should ask: What is your estimate for completion? How early will your crew normally begin work? When will they normally quit for the day? Will I be contacted about delays or changes in the schedule? By whom?

What is your approach to a project of this scope? This will give you an idea of how the contractor works and what to expect during the project. Listen carefully to the answer. This is one of the big indicators of the company’s work ethic.

How do you operate? In other words, how is your firm organized? Do you have employees or do you hire subcontractors? If you do have employees, what are their job descriptions? Do you use a project supervisor or lead carpenter to oversee the project? Other firms will have additional positions. You should know what parts of your project will be handled by staff, and which will be contracted out to independent contractors.

Is your company a full service or specialty firm? If you are planning a small project, say replacing the bathroom plumbing, you may be better off hiring a specialty plumbing firm or a bathroom remodeler. However, if your project involves multiple changes, entire rooms or additions, you should consult a full service or design-build firm.

Do you have design services available? If you are considering a large or involved project, you will need design services. If the contractor does not have design-build capabilities, you should consider hiring an architect. Depending on the size and scope of the project, you may need an architect or structural engineer.

Does your company carry workers compensation and liability insurance? Ask for copies of the insurance certificates to verify coverage. In addition, some states require licensing and registration. If your state does have construction licensing laws, ask for your contractor’s registration and license, then confirm the license number and expiration date with your local jurisdiction.

Are any of your company’s employees certified? Trade certifications are good indicators of dedication, professionalism and knowledge of the industry. Remodelers are required to meet certain industry criteria to maintain their certifications. NARI offers six designations: Certified Remodeler (CR), Certified Remodeler Specialist (CRS), Certified Remodeler Associate (CRA), Certified Kitchen & Bath Remodeler (CKBR), Green Certified Professional (GCP), Certified Lead Carpenter (CLC), and Certified Remodeling Carpenter (CRC).

May I have a list of references for projects you have completed which are similar to mine? The contractor should be able to supply you with a minimum of three references, including names, telephone numbers and addresses. As a follow up to this question, ask how long ago the project was completed and if the contractor can arrange a visit to see the finished job. You should also ask for professional references from suppliers, financial institutions, or subcontractors to verify sound business practices.

What percentage of your business is repeat or referral business? This will give you a good indication about the company’s customer satisfaction. According to research conducted by NARI, most remodeling businesses attribute over 50 percent of their annual volume to customer referrals; some even claim up to 90 percent or more of their total annual sales.

How many projects like mine have you completed in the past 12 months? This will help you determine the contractor’s familiarity with your type of project. You should confirm that a good portion of those completed projects were similar to the type of project you are proposing.

Will we need a permit for this project? Most cities and towns require permits for building projects. Failure to obtain the necessary permits or to arrange obligatory inspections can be illegal. In some cases, if a project violates a zoning law or some other regulations, it may even have to be demolished if there is no way to comply with the law. A qualified remodeling contractor will be conscious of the permit process, and ensure that all permits have been obtained before initiating any work.

May I have a list of your suppliers? You may want to add calling the contractor’s suppliers to your list of follow up actions. This will help protect you from mechanics liens for nonpayment by the contractor. Suppliers also can be a source to establish credit history for the company.

Getting the right contractor for your job is best first step you can take to ensure a successful home remodel.

Now you might figure that living in beautiful coastal Los Angeles that I don’t really need a roof, and for 10 months of the year you would be right. But unfortunately, in a wet year we can get a foot or two of rain. So my wife says we need a roof over our heads.

Until recently, that hasn’t been much of a problem. You see, we were very astute shoppers when we bought our home a few years ago. We picked one that ALREADY HAD A ROOF. Feeling smart and smug, we’ve been getting along just fine with our old grey roof.

It’s so high up off the ground, you have to kind of squint to see it, and it’s always looked smooth and dry. Until the winds came. This April Los Angeles had several weeks of strong, hard winds. (not florida winds, or kansas tornado watch winds, but good solid 45-50 mph winds roaring through like a freight train.) Since my house sits on a ridgeline, Easterly winds have a clear shot at my house. Nothing to slow them down as far as the eye can see. When the wind blows at my house you can feel it in your bones. And this year, it managed to get under our skin. Or at least under the roof tiles.

The next morning we started finding old grey roof tiles out on the sidewalk, in the street and down in the backyard. For a day or two we pretended that it was somebody elses roof blowing away. But soon enough we walked down the block, looked back up our hill and could see the gaping hole on the north slope of our roof. No deck for me. I was getting a roof.

(Okay, I confess, we
did put it off for a month or two to match better with my work
schedule.)

Step one on any significant remodeling job is to pick the right
contractor. The first step is to make a list of who you know, and who you trust who can give you the best referrals. Who’s done a similar project recently? Who’s in the business? I’m lucky. One of my friends owns a number of rental properties, and has always been able to recommend high quality contractors who price out well below the “retail” price.

After a bit of looking around, some preliminary estimates from other
contractors we chose his guy. Easy to talk to, the great eference and 50% of his normal retail price. Now lets hope that what they say about low bidders isn’t true.

So here we are on a bright, sunny May morning, with 4 men on my roof, (well on what’s left of my roof). There’s a truck in the driveway, and
loads of old roof flying through the air going thunk.