Key Measurements: Recreation Rooms Rule

Recreation rooms are one of those spaces that can require space that easily extends beyond the square footage of the average home. Traditional games such as pool and table tennis demand dedicated space, but there are many home games that could fit on a tabletop. Let’s find out what games your home could host by taking a look at the dimensions of some of the favorites.

Pool Tables

Pool tables are available in several sizes, and the most common ones are designated as 9-, 8- and 7-foot. The actual dimensions are as follows:

9 ft.: 5 ft., 2 in. wide and 9 ft., 4 in. long

8 ft.: 4 ft., 8 in. wide and 8 ft., 4 in. long

7 ft.: 4 ft., 2 in. wide and 7 ft., 4 in. long

All tables are 30 in. high and need a clear space above the table of at least 30 in. from hanging light fixtures. You will need at least 5 ft. clear around the table and next to walls with an addition of 2 ft. or more when placed next to other furnishings such as another game table. Considering the overall size of the pool table and the area required to function, you may need as much as 300 square feet dedicated to it.

The floor must be level, and it will need to support as much as 3,000 pounds, the weight of a traditional wooden pool table. You must provide diffused lighting with a rating of 375 lumens on the playing surface, which is about three 150-watt incandescent bulbs. Sharp shadows and fluorescent lighting should be avoided.

Table Tennis

Table tennis is another space eater when it comes to recreation rooms. The tables come in just one size, 5 ft. wide; 9 ft., 6 in. long; and 30 in. high. You need at least 7 ft. at each end of the table, and 4 ft. on each side clear to the walls. You should add a couple of extra feet if the table will be placed next to other furnishings. Similar to a pool table, it requires about 300 square ft.; though the required footprint is narrower, it needs more than 23 ft. in length.

Steps to Navigating a Remodel With Your Partner

Remodeling is challenging under the best of circumstances — but what do you do when you and your partner seem to disagree every step of the way? If planning for your project has hit a rocky patch, consider this your intervention.

Look at the Big Picture First

It’s important to start from a positive, we’re-in-this-together place, and a good way to do that is by sitting down to share your grandest goals. Think of this as several levels up from talking about paint colors and decor styles — this is the foundation of your project, and something you can return to when you disagree.

Here are a few questions to spark conversation.

How do you want our new space to make you feel when spending time there?

What activities do you envision happening there?

How do you see us using this space now? What about in five years?

Name Your Top Priorities

When you get into the messy middle of your project, it’s easy to start viewing every decision as carrying equal importance, from the number of square feet to the wood finish on the floors. But giving everything equal weight is a recipe for conflict. A good way to begin with an open mind is to create your own personal list of top priorities. Each person’s list should contain no more than three to five priorities, with just one item starred as the No. 1 priority. This allows you to take a bigger-picture view of the project, recognizing that, although certain things are very important to you, there are certainly plenty of other areas where you might find more wiggle room.

Do a List Swap

Once you have your lists of top priorities, begin fleshing them out with more ideas and wishes for your project. With these longer lists in hand, try a list swap. This exercise, developed by couples therapist and clinical sexologist and shared in a previous story, can help partners find more places to compromise and agree. who used to teach classes to couples on how to navigate a remodeling project, suggests that significant others exchange lists — then each person circles things that are similar, checks items they can compromise on and crosses out ideas they completely disagree on.

Are You a Manager, a Micromanager or a Hands-Off Remodeler?

When you’re planning a remodel, there is plenty to think about. But one thing that might not be on your radar is your level of interaction with the process and, by extension, with the pros involved. How this plays out can impact everything from the length of time a project takes to your overall satisfaction with the work.

This guide will walk you through the pros and cons of three very different approaches to working with contractors and other pros — as a manager, a micromanager or a hands-off remodeler. Read on to learn about these styles, and then tell us in the Comments which approach has worked best for you.

The Manager

Why being a manager can be a good thing. In a sense, as the homeowner, you are the overall manager, no matter what the project is. It’s your money and on your property where the work is happening. Even if you have an official project manager (and for nearly any remodeling project, that’s a very good idea), there is still room for you as the homeowner to act as a sort of big-picture manager. Taking care to keep good records, track your finances and generally have a healthy sense of where things are going is part of being a responsible manager. A good manager doesn’t hide from potential challenges, communicates clearly and effectively, and voices concerns rather than letting things fester.

Drawbacks to being the manager. There’s a difference between holding up your end of the responsibilities and simply jumping in and trying to take over. Jumping in frequently to check in on how things are progressing can be perceived by your contractor as overstepping. Stepping in too frequently also can disrupt work and create more confusion than it resolves.

Takeaway: Clearly define your official role. Are you hiring a project manager? This could be your general contractor, a designer or an architect. If you are, it’s important to recognize that you are actually paying this person to handle the management of your team and project. If not, you are by necessity taking on the role of project manager — a very different scenario! In the (more common) case, in which you have hired a project manager, it’s important to clearly define where your role ends and your contractor’s or designer’s role begins. It can help to sit down with your contractor before work begins to go over exactly what each party will be responsible for, and where those responsibilities might overlap.

Key Measurements for a Heavenly Stairway

Some stairways are easier to ascend than others, and there are reasons for that. The parameters of stair design are set by building codes, and there are also recommended configurations based on average human proportions.

There are, for example, tread-width-to-riser height relationships that make stairs more comfortable for the average person to traverse. Building codes set a minimum for staircase width, but wider dimensions are often necessary. Other important considerations are head clearance, railing dimensions and landings.

Calculating Staircase Square Footage

Since they require so much space, efficient staircases must be designed. The trick is a balance of comfort and efficiency that satisfies the building code and enhances the architecture of the space.

The length of the run is the total dimension the treads must occupy to complete the required rise. Staircases use significant square footage by the time all the steps are in place, landings are located and headroom has been cleared.

Consider that if a tread is 12 inches and you need 19 of them, that is 19 feet for the length of the steps alone. Now add at least 3 ft. on each end for landings, and you have 25 ft. in which to place that stairway path, at minimum. When you multiply the 25-ft. length times the 4-ft. width, which includes the railing and the wall, you have a 100-square-foot area that is required for that staircase. Double those figures to account for the hall or path to go around the staircase, and you have 200 square feet for one staircase. This is the size of a single-car garage.

March Motivation: Advice for Rebooting Your Home Projects

Decision fatigue, disagreements, lack of follow-through, budget issues and even the weather — home projects can stall out for all sorts of reasons. Being able to pinpoint the reason your project got stuck (or never really got started) in the first place will help you choose a good first step to get the ball rolling again. If you’d love to get your home project restarted, this guide is a good place to begin.

Pinpoint the Reason Your Project Stalled

When you think about your stalled-out project, what problem or issue comes to mind first? If you’re having trouble pinning down the reason for the roadblock, it may help to think about it in terms of phases of work

Here are a few examples of issues that can crop up at each stage of the process.

Big-idea stage: Indecision or disagreement about the vision or project scope

Preparation stage: Trouble deciding exactly what you want; budget issues

Team-building stage: Difficulties in hiring the right pro (or pros) for the job

Planning stage: Team communication breakdown; decision fatigue

Construction stage: Delays; miscommunication; feeling generally overwhelmed

Pick One Simple First Step

Once you can name the main reason your project got put on the back burner, it’s time to pick one small task that can help get things back on track. Choose something that feels straightforward and doable. Create a ideabook, call your architect or sit down with your partner to discuss the project.

Why You Stopped: Decision Fatigue

Even in a relatively “small” project, the number of decisions required can be truly mind-boggling. If you were up to your eyeballs in paint swatches and fabric samples and just couldn’t take it anymore, it’s no wonder — our everyday lives are already filled to overflowing with decisions to be made! Once you’ve had a chance to do some deep breathing, a good first step before you dive back into your project is to get organized.

Don’t Be One of Those Homeowners Who Goes Over Budget on a Renovation

demolished her built-in bookshelves as part of a living room DIY, she found it gave the room some much-needed space. Unfortunately, she also found a hidden subfloor made from asbestos(!) tiles. She hadn’t budgeted for a new subfloor — or for the removal of a toxic substance. Yikes

Reconsider DIY

“If you don’t have the expertise, you could end up paying between 10% and 40% more,” says. Why? While your DIY labor is technically free, your lack of know-how can be costly.

And then there’s hiring and scheduling. A task like moving a wall could mean hiring an engineer and an architect, not to mention coordinating permits. A general contractor knows who’ll do the best work for the best price, and they’ll know when to schedule them to avoid wasting dollars on inefficient use of time.

Hire the Right Experts

If you decide to forgo the general-contractor route and hire individual workers yourself, it’s best to get at least three quotes for each service performed. Talking to professionals isn’t just about finding the most competitive price. It’s also an opportunity to figure out what services each individual contractor includes within his fee.

Map Out the Project Step by Step (So You Don’t Miss Anything)

So, you’re planning to put up a backsplash. What do you need to put into your budget? The tile and adhesive, right? And that’s about it?

Things to consider before starting your home renovation

When it comes to home renovations, there are two unassailable truths: It’s going to take longer than expected and it’s going to go over budget – sometimes way over. Oh, and given the number of nightmare stories out there, chances are you’re going to loathe your contractor. (They probably won’t be too thrilled with you, either, a lot of the times.) If you are thinking of undertaking a renovation this spring or summer, spare yourself the migraines and the moping and the complaining to friends about how awful it has all been. Get going now on the most important step of the process: proper planning.

THE TIME IT TAKES

The biggest mistake would-be renovators make? “Not doing enough homework up front,” he says. Even small renos, such as redoing a kitchen or bathroom, take 30 to 60 days of planning. That’s the time you will need to find a contractor, create a design and make more decisions than you can imagine. Meanwhile, you’ll have to decide how you want to use the space, visit stores to price materials and comb through design magazines for the look you want.

HOW TO PICK A CONTRACTOR

To find the right contractor, you need to do more than ask for a few references. “We’re all going to give you references, and we’re going to give you the best ones we’ve ever had,” says. For all you know, those references could be friends or family. “What you should do is go and look at one of the jobs [the contractor] is halfway through right now.” Talk to the client. Is the contractor reasonable to deal with? Is the job running on time? Has the contractor been going over budget?

recommends going to where contractors shop for their supplies and asking a few questions. Do the suppliers know the contractor? How often is he in buying materials? An electrician who has been purchasing thousands of dollars worth of material week in and week out for years is probably a lot more reputable that someone with a spotty shopping history.

HOW TO BE A GOOD CLIENT

There’s no shortage of complaints about bad contractors. But know this: Even the good ones are frustrated by clients sometimes too. “Whether you like it or not, I’m part of your family, and it’s going to be a love-hate relationship,”

Your Complete Guide to Home Renovation

In this guide, we will share the essential steps of home renovation and everything you need to know about making your dream home a reality. From finding your interior style to budgeting, furnishing, extra little tips from our own personal experiences and more, we got you covered

Choosing your interior style is a great way to kickstart your renovation journey. If you have no idea where to start, Pinterest is one of the perfect inspirational sites to go for! You can do a general search for popular home interior designs,

Sharing some inspiration, one of the increasingly popular options is the minimalist style. Going by the “less is more” approach, think clean, modern lines and simplicity, The lack of clutter is pleasing on the eyes and helps ease the mind

Now that you have settled on your home interior style, next up is determining how much it will cost to make your vision a reality. Factors that you need to consider when budgeting are:

Professional fees for interior designer or contractor

Size of home

Type of home (HDB, condominium, or landed house)

Type of furniture, appliances and materials

Moving costs

Buffer for extra charges or last-minute changes

To get a budget estimate of your home renovation project, you can start by using Qanvast’s useful renovation calculator, with costs based on $20m worth of past home renovation contracts. Either that, or the traditional approach of picking a sample style from your Pinterest board or anywhere online and send it along with a request for a quote from interior designers and contractors

Reasons to Renovate Your Home

Home renovations are costly, time-consuming and messy. Still, many people choose to renovate their homes for a variety of reasons. There are almost as many reasons to fix up your home as there are projects to choose from. Here are the top reasons for renovating your home.

To increase your comfort or enjoyment of the home.

This one comes first for a reason. Although there are many good reasons to renovate your home, your own comfort and enjoyment are important factors that shouldn’t be overlooked. If you renovate solely based on how it will impact the future sales price down the line, you may end up living in a showplace that doesn’t feel like a home. Your comfort and enjoyment are more important than what improvements will make the most money when you eventually sell.

To fix a safety issue.

Some home renovation projects just can’t be put off. Electrical problems, roof leaks, or a crack in the foundation are some problems that must be taken care of to keep your family safe and prevent catastrophic or total loss of the home.

To improve the home’s value.

If you plan to sell the home within the next few years, you may want to renovate some or all of it with an eye toward getting the most you can when you put it on the market. Some projects that have the best immediate return are opening up the main living space, replacing the front door, and updating the kitchen or bathroom

To upgrade the home’s function.

Maybe you need more space, or a second bathroom would make things a lot easier during those busy mornings. Maybe your husband wants a man cave, or you would like a deck or a patio for outdoor entertaining. Renovating so that the home functions better for the residents is a good idea, as long as the upgrades don’t hurt the home’s value or decrease usable space.

Things You Need to (NOT) Do For Your Next Home Improvement Project

Yet, there are still very real pains homeowners feel in the midst of a home improvement project. If it looks so easy on TV, how can remodeling be so difficult in real life? Sure, those snapshots of the before and after paint a beautiful picture, but what you don’t see is the all of the time and stress involved. Not to mention the real-life aggravation of living months without a functional kitchen.

Don’t Wind Up In Project Purgatory

The home improvement journey is a wild ride that has the potential to produce some truly stunning results, but it is easy for projects to stall or take an unexpected turn for the worse. So, don’t start without a plan, and coincidentally, don’t expect everything will go according to plan.

Don’t Think You Can Do It All Yourself

But, “I don’t need any help.” Yes you do. Even if you’re an ardent do-it-yourselfer, it is wise to consult an expert prior to demo day. When hiring professionals, do your due diligence in research. It’s great you’re asking for help, but make sure you find GOOD help. Dive into whether they have ample experience, are licensed, and have past client references. But just because they’re a good architect, interior designer or general contractor, doesn’t mean they’re right for you. To choose the best person for your project, also consider if they are paying attention to what you say. Are they asking the right questions? Do they seem curious about your needs, wants and the way you live?

Don’t Try to Tackle The Unknown

“You don’t need a professional for that.” Whatever you do, don’t believe this lie. Sure, you can take on painting your living room, but when it comes to structural changes, electrical, plumbing, roofing and windows, leave it to the pros. It isn’t uncommon to discover structural problems as you tear down walls, replace cabinetry, or re-tile a floor, especially in older buildings (but new construction doesn’t guarantee smooth sailing either). This can make your ‘weekend project’ a ‘whole life project’.

Don’t Be Cheap or Lavish. Be Smart With Your Renovation Budget

While it can be easy to want to go all out and spare no expense when remodeling or building a new space, price tags do matter. Quality is certainly crucial, so by no means should you settle for shoddy materials over trusted brands, but you want to keep the big picture of your project in full view. This includes long term maintenance, energy loss, and repairs. Those expenses add up quickly, so consider them in your plan when comparing prices.

How to Choose a Builder

Questions to Ask a Builder

When you buy a new home you want to get full value for your investment. This means choosing an established and reputable builder-someone you can trust, someone who has the technical skills, a proven track record and a professional business approach.

Fortunately, there are many good builders around, and with a little effort you will have no trouble finding someone who is right for you. Before you enter into a contract with anyone, ask questions, lots of them, to make sure it is the kind of company you want to do business with

Is home building your profession?

Home building is a serious business. It takes commitment to keep up with everything that is going on in the industry. It requires solid business skills and a track record of satisfied clients. If a “builder” proposes to build your home part-time, you should proceed with caution. If this builder offers you a “better” financial deal, you need to wonder-the old adage that you get what you pay for holds true for home buying as well.

What is your experience, and how long have you been in business?

Good builders are proud of their track record, whether they have been in business for 3 or 30 years. They will tell you about their background, their training and experience, their strengths and what sets them apart from others. They will be honest with you about what they can do for you, when and for how much.

Are you a member of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA)?

Membership in the Association is an indication of a builder’s commitment to the industry, to the success of their own company and, ultimately, to their customers. Members agree to a Code of Ethics that calls for fair and honest dealings with consumers.

HOW TO CHOOSE A CUSTOM HOME BUILDER

There are MANY decisions when building a new home; one of the most important decisions is choosing your builder. Your relationship with your builder sets the tone for your entire building experience!

Below is an in-depth overview of how to choose a custom home builder. Also included is an explanation of what determines a GOOD builder as well as several questions you should be asking each potential builder.

The best way to choose a builder is to ask local friends and family who have built a home in the area. Create a list of builders that friends and family recommend as well as the builders they were NOT happy with.

If you are new to an area or don’t have any friends/family that have built a home locally, you can find builders through your local home builders association. Other great resources include local real estate agents and mortgage lenders. These professionals have experience with local home builders and typically know the reputation (whether good or bad) of each builder. Do make sure that the realtor or lender does NOT have a monetary relationship with a builder that could possibly sway his/her decision!

WHAT MAKES A GOOD HOME BUILDER?

A reputable home builder will have a solid list of references who are happy with their completed homes and recommend the builder. A good builder will be patient and willing to answer all of your questions as thoroughly as possible. He/she won’t try to rush you or make you feel silly for asking questions.

How to Choose a Builder

Do your research

Write down all of the works you want carrying out before you ask anyone in to quote.

Make sure you include jobs you want doing now and potential jobs you want doing in the future as this may affect the way the first jobs are carried out. For example, if you want a two storey extension but can only afford a one story now, foundations need to be laid.

You may sell in the future, check the home improvements will add rather than detract from the value of your property.

Are there any restrictions to works to your property, eg is it a leasehold, or a listed building.

Find out what regulations the buildings work need to pass or if any planning permission is required or contact your local authority for their rules and regulations.

Find three builders to secure quotes from. Make sure they are recommended by a company such as Checkatrade or Citizens Advice.

If a builder claims to belong to an organisation or they employ a plumber or gas engineer, check their membership is up to date.

Ask to visit other properties the builder has worked on, especially similar jobs.

Ask what insurance the builder has so you can work out what additional insurance you need

Make sure you sign a contract for the works.

What guarantees will they give you for the work? Alert the contractor to issues they need to be aware of, eg if any of your family are asthmatic or affected by dust, as well as required start and finish times.

If not offered through the service you use, to ensure an independent consultation via a building surveyor. Ask them to view your property before and after the works to make sure the builder has carried them out correctly and not caused further damage to your property.

Costs

Ask for quotes to be broken down by labour, number of days work, materials and if any additional tradespeople will be used, for example an electrician.

Make sure you understand what is and isn’t included in each quote. For example some builders include the cost of getting building regulations sign off, some expect you to pay for this.

Be careful of offers to do the work for ‘cash’ with no VAT. If anything goes wrong and you don’t have receipts or guarantees for the work/payments you make, you won’t be able to make any claims.

Agree when and how you will pay, eg ‘stage’ payments at the end of each week. The builder may require you to pay upfront for materials, but make sure you pay the merchant directly or only when the materials are on-site.

Choosing the best lot in a new construction neighborhood

There is so much new construction going on in the Raleigh area with new home developments popping out of the ground in Cary, Apex, Holly Springs and south of Chapel Hill in Chatham County. Choosing the right lot is as important as the builder and floor plan when it comes to resale in the future. Having worked with buyers of new homes for years I have some tips to help avoid surprises and choose the best lot.

When you go into a new home community the model home is sometimes the only home in the neighborhood. The sales office will have a pretty layout of the neighborhood showing home sites, common areas and amenities. I don’t pay any attention to that. It’s a good idea to get a list of available lots, the home site premiums, and which plans will fit on the lots. Often the largest lots aren’t the best lots because of slopes, drainage and useable area.

Register of Deeds and Planning Application

I go to the county Register of Deeds website in the county where the site is located  and get the recorded plat which shows lot dimensions, size of the lots, easements, and retaining walls and common area. I enlarge the lot sections that are available and save to dropbox to view on my phone and tablet and sometimes print. The Register of Deeds will also have the HOA Documents and covenants.

Recently I learned a couple of things about recorded common areas. If a neighborhood has a perimeter buffer you may feel secure that the buffer area is protected and those trees will always be there. What happens if the developer buys adjacent land and incorporates it into the subdivision? The perimeter buffer is moved to the new perimeter and you may end up looking at houses not trees.

In another case, in Briar Chapel in Chapel Hill, the builders sold homes with a wooded view on common area behind the homes. The builders weren’t told that the developer had sold extra sewer capacity to a 1000 home neighborhood a few miles away. Long story short this was allowed per the covenants and the neighbors woke up one day to the sound of bulldozers in the common area behind their homes.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST LOT FOR YOUR HOME

Buying a new home is an exciting time, yet some of the decisions you have to make can be daunting. One such task is choosing the lot your home will be built on. The type of home you select will help you narrow down the options. For example, a front drive home and a rear detached garage would have different lot availabilities. Once you have a better idea of the kinds of houses you are looking at, you can move forward with refining your lot choice.

DIFFERENT LOT TYPES

A common lot type you will encounter is the zero-lot line. According to Mike Liebel with CIR Realty, “Zero-lot lines can be a great solution to enhance the utility and usability of narrow lots in communities.” A recent Calgary Herald article elaborates by explaining that, “the zero-lot line segment is an emerging option in master-planned communities across Calgary. It involves building against one side of the lot, setting up a five-foot-plus separation between the home and neighbour.” If you want to maximize your space without stressing your budget, a zero-lot line home would be a great fit for you.

If you like having easy access to the rear portion of your property, choosing a rear lane or corner lot might be the best option for you and your family. A corner lot is exactly that, a lot situated on the corner of two streets with frontage on two sides. This type of lot opens up the side yard but can be a bit pricier due to increased desirability and architectural detail required on the exterior. Another lot of choice is an interior lot, which is a lot fronting only one street with houses on either side and a yard behind the home. Interior lots can afford a bit more privacy and quiet as you are farther from street traffic.

LOT LOCATION

If you appreciate easy access to your home, choose a lot near the entrance of the subdivision to facilitate quick in/out travel. Check out the transit routes as well. A lot located on a bus route allows for easy commuting. If you’re thinking about children, you may want to choose a lot close to a park or recreational centre. Additionally, most well-planned master communities offer prime lots that back onto a green space or pond.

SUN EXPOSURE ON YOUR LOT

The sun exposure is another key aspect to consider. If you’re an avid gardener, a backyard with a southwest exposure will make sure your plants get the rays they need to thrive. Couple this exposure with a pie-shaped lot and you can eat local all summer! If you’re more of a low maintenance type of yard person, a northern exposure may suit you well—with the additional benefit of keeping you cool in summer. For those of you that are morning people, choose a backyard with an eastern exposure and get ready to enjoy those morning coffees on the deck. Prefer a cold drink in the afternoon? Then west-facing backyard exposure may be just the ticket. Visit a few lots at different times of the day to get a good sense of the sun direction and where your preference lies.

How to choose a home remodeling contractor

So you’re ready to put in a new bathtub, or you finally picked out that new tile for your kitchen. If you don’t want to do the work yourself, or you don’t have the time or skills to tackle a DIY home improvement project, hiring a contractor is the way to go. But choosing a home improvement contractor can be a headache: How can you tell if someone is good at a job you don’t know how to do?

When you choose a contractor, you’re hiring a new employee for a job. You wouldn’t hire the first applicant for a job at your business, so don’t choose your home improvement contractor without narrowing down the best candidates. Examine portfolios of previous work, check licensing, listen to referrals and gather competitive bids before you make a final decision.

Get recommendations

The first step in finding the right home improvement contractor is to create a list of 10–15 local contractors who have the right expertise. You’ll gradually narrow down this list to the top contenders and ultimately use it to select your contractor, so it’s best to include more names than you’ll need at this point.

Red flags

Successful contractors will make it easy for you to get in touch with them and see examples of their work. Be cautious of home improvement contractors who lack basic information, such as a website, social media presence and reviews

Compare each contractor’s portfolio

Choose a contractor who specializes in the type of remodel you need; someone who specializes in remodeling kitchens might not be ideal for your bathroom renovation. A home improvement contractor with a creative eye can also be helpful for certain projects. For instance, if you want to lay a tile entryway with a detailed mosaic or paint a room with a faux finish, you’ll need a contractor who does that type of work well.

How to Choose a Remodeling Contractor

When choosing a contractor to head up your remodel, these simple steps can mean the difference between complete confidence and sleepless nights.

Ask for Referrals

Word of mouth-hands down, is the best way to find a qualified professional to tackle the job. Ask relatives, friends and neighbors whom they’ve had good experiences with. And ask what made it a positive experience, how the contractor handled problems and whether he or she would use the same contractor again.

Look at Credentials

With recommendations in hand, do some preliminary research, whether it’s with a phone call or a visit to the contractor’s website. Find out whether he or she holds all the required licenses from state and local municipalities, along with designations from any professional associations such as the National Kitchen & Bath Association, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and the National Association of Homebuilders. Look for contractors who have invested in course work and passed rigorous tests to earn particular certifications. Be aware, however, that not all certifications are created equal. Do some homework and find out the requirements.

Interview Candidates

Narrow down the list of contenders and set up meetings. Try to keep it to three contractors, because things can get confusing beyond that. How a contractor answers questions is extremely important, but communication goes both ways. Candidates should ask plenty of questions, too

Check References

Ask to see some of the contractors’ projects. If you approve of them, request references and call contractors’ former customers to check up on them. Ask how the contractors did at executing the projects. Were they on time and on budget? Were the customers pleased with the outcome? Was there anything that could have been done differently?

How to Choose the Right Home Remodeling Contractor

Often times, the hardest part of starting a home remodel is choosing a remodeling contractor. What do you look for? Do you hire an architect or a design-build firm? How do you choose? Searching for the right contractor takes work. To make it easier for you, and to ensure your experience is as enjoyable as possible with the fewest regrets, we’ve put together a few steps for you to consider as you begin the selection process.

Know What You Want and How You Want to Live

Beyond knowing what you want your kitchen or bathroom remodel to look like or where you want to add or expand living space in your home, you should also consider having an important conversation with your remodeling contractor about how you plan to live, work and play in your home (in 5 years, 10 to 15 years or even a lifetime). Do you have plans to keep your home in the family for many generations? Do your family members have any health or physical needs that will need to be accommodated now or in the future? How does the flow in and around rooms currently function for you? What challenges are you experiencing with your home, or anticipate in the future?

Decide Which Delivery Method is Best for You

If you’re considering a major remodel, it’s important to explore the two most common delivery methods for your home remodel. Many homeowners start by hiring an architect, working with him/her to come up with a plan set, then shop around for a building contractor. With this approach, the homeowner makes decisions about almost every detail of the home remodel design and building process without any input from the contractor.

Ask for Referrals from Friends & Family

Reputable home remodeling contractors generate glowing recommendations. When you’re ready to remodel, be sure to ask your friends, family, neighbors, and other acquaintances to identify a remodeling contractor that they trust and would use again. Asking for a recommendation helps you narrow down your selection, and may also help you determine which contractors to avoid. Look for someone who has experience in your neighborhood or specific remodeling expertise (e.g., you need someone who has experience remodeling kitchens).

Review Their Reviews

Put your computer to work and take the time to read online reviews. And, look for places where reviews are hard to fake, such as Houzz, Google, Yelp and a third party customer satisfaction surveying service, like GuildQuality. What are people saying about the company and their experience with them? And better yet, how is the home remodeling contractor addressing complaints? Look for someone who is able to provide quality references and don’t be afraid to ask to see some of their completed projects in person or to speak to their past clients! This simple exercise can tell you a lot about your contractor prospects and help you hire the right one.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST LOCAL CONTRACTORS FOR YOUR HOME RENOVATION

Are you dreaming of a new kitchen, an updated bathroom, or about adding a room to your home? Or perhaps you’re in the process of building your dream house? Before you can start any of these projects, you need to find the right local contractor for the job.

Use the Right Search Engine

Before you can choose the right local contractors for your home remodeling project, know where to look for. You could go to Google and type in “local contractors.” But while Google’s algorithms will bring you a few local businesses, it will also bring you plenty of others that are far away.

Find a Specialist

Different types of work you need to have done around the home require a different type of contractor. No matter the type of work you want to do, there’s at least a few local contractors out there who would be great for the job. The trick is finding them.

Check the Reviews

Once you’ve narrowed your search, assess your options. Luckily, online reviews make this a breeze. They are just as good as asking a friend or neighbor for their opinion.

Screen Potential Contractors

Once you’ve narrowed down your search to contractors with great online reviews, it’s time to start screening. This is an important step. Websites allow you to book services online, and can make it tempting to skip this step. But resist the temptation.

Here Are The Interview Questions To Ask A Potential Contractor

Dreaming up a new kitchen or spa-worthy bathroom may be the most fun part of renovating, but choosing the right renovation contractor is the most important part. This person will rip out your walls and spend your money, so it’s really important that you like and trust them enough to embark on the remodeling journey together.

Customers are your best sources for information, so don’t be afraid to ask a potential contractor if you can speak with their past customers. Put on your reporter’s hat and ask questions like, “Were deadlines and expectations met?” and “What were your best and worst experiences?” Christina Hoffmann, content manager for HouseLogic.com, recommends checking online reviews, too. “Look at Yelp, Angie’s list, and online forums,” she says. “Make sure you’re seeing the full gamut of what people are saying.”

Don’t just ask for an overall price estimate. “One of the most important questions to ask is, ‘Can you itemize prices?'” Hoffmann says. “Then you can compare apples to apples. If prices are not itemized, you don’t know what they’re charging for.” An itemized list also lets you identify areas where you can make changes to shave costs.

Remodelers must perform quality work and maintain a good reputation to stay in business—plus, you’re paying for their relationships with other contractors or suppliers. “Ask how long they’ve been doing business locally,” Hoffmann recommends. “You want them to be established and have an established team of subcontractors.”

Most states require contractors to pass an exam and take annual education courses to maintain a current license; insurance covers employees. That way, if someone gets hurt on the job, the company’s insurance covers the medical bills. Otherwise, an injured worker could come after you, the homeowner, to foot the bill. A surety bond is liability for you in case the contractor doesn’t finish the job or goes out of business.