Remodeling: Parade of Homes

by Joel Barkman

With more home owners choosing to stay in their homes longer rather than move to new ones and take a loss in a down market, many of my clients are opting to make their homes more comfortable and "liveable" - and more appealing if they do eventually decide to sell.

My team and I will be hosting an open house at the end of this month to showcase some interesting "green" and energy-efficient products. Everything from geothermal heat pumps to recycled floor tiles. But one of our main focuses is to display features that make the house safer and "liveable" for people of all ages.

The house will be proudly displayed in the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association (NVBIA) annual Parade of Homes tour for 2011. Although the house we are featuring is a new home, there will be a section of the house dedicated to remodeling, because many of the "liveable" or "Universal Design" features in the house can be retrofitted into your existing home.

"Universal Design" is a term used to describe the philosophy of safety, comfort, and sustainability at home for occupants and visitors of all ages and abilities. The idea encompasses home features such as no-step entries, no-step garage entry, flush thresholds (no trip hazards), wider doors, wider hallways, curbless showers, proper height fixtures and electric, path and task lighting, natural light, properly placed (and aesthetically pleasing) grab bars, etc.

There will also be information regarding "The Livable Home Tax Credit". This tax credit is available to help those who wish to make their homes more accessible, and is worth up to $2,000.

As a builder I am always eager to design and build a new home, but as a member of the community for over 22 years, I am just as eager to see my neighbors remodel their existing home instead of moving away. It is for this reason that one of my beliefs is that well-built homes make for strong communities.

As an industry leader I am also very passionate about the building trade. I am a steady advocate of improving the image of the building industry through proper education, training, and ethical business practices. NVBIA has been educating and training its members for many years, which is critical to the success of the industry.

A large piece of the puzzle, however, is home owner education and training. How to maintain your home is every bit as important as Who you hire.

When you hire a professional home remodeler, you are buying a service rather than a product. The quality of the service the home remodeler provides will determine the quality of the finished project and your satisfaction with it. Listed below are some qualifications you will want to explore and questions you will want to ask when you interview a home remodeler.

Business Experience And Management

Does the home remodeler:

Maintain a permanent mailing address, a phone number, and a pager or answering system? You want to be able to reach the remodeler quickly and easily - especially at critical times.

Carry insurance that protects you from claims arising due to property damage or jobsite injuries?

Ask for a copy of the home remodeler's insurance certificates so you can be sure that you are not liable for property damage or jobsite-related injuries.
You should also ask the home remodeler how much the project will add to your home's value and then obtain the necessary additional insurance.

Have an established presence in the community?

How long has the home remodeling company been in business? Longevity usually suggests financial stability.
Does the home remodeler maintain solid relationships with experienced independent trade contractors (such as plumbers and electricians) and work with them as a team to keep your job running smoothly?

Possess a trustworthy reputation among customers, peers, and those in the home remodeling industry?

Ask for a list of building materials suppliers and call them to see if the home remodeler has an account or pays for materials on delivery. Most suppliers are willing to extend credit to financially sound companies.
Does the home remodeler have a track record of successful projects similar to yours?

Participate in a trade organization such as the National Association of Home Builders or NVBIA? Membership reflects a home remodeler's commitment to professionalism in the building industry.

Does the home remodeler have expertise and education in speciality projects, such as "Universal Design"? Or green home remodeling? A qualified home remodeler may have been trained as a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) or Certified Green Professional.

Construction and Technical Expertise

Does the home remodeler:

Have a working knowledge of the many types and ages of homes in the area? A sound structural and architectural knowledge of what is likely to be behind a wall or under a floor helps the home remodeler provide reliable estimates. Extremely low bids may reflect a remodeler's lack of this knowledge and a poor understanding of the actual costs involved.
Know what products and materials would likely be used for your project?
Offer an array of options when selecting products, materials, and techniques?
Specialize in particular types of projects?
Arrange for the building permit? Remember that the person who obtains the permit is the contractor of record and therefore liable for the work.
Understand the scheduling issues required to begin and complete your job within your timetable?

Customer Service and Communication

Does the home remodeler:

Respond promptly to your inquiries?
Emphasize customer service?
Listen to and understand your needs and wants?
- When you discuss what you'd like to do, does the home remodeler show enthusiasm for your ideas and suggest ways to make them work within your budget?
- You should ask the home remodeler for examples of how the company has solved home improvement challenges for other customers.
Facilitate and encourage communication? Ask how the home remodeler handles communication during construction (such as a message center in the house for you and the remodeling team).

Remember to "Ask a Builder" because whether building a new home or making your existing home more "liveable", with the answers to these questions, you'll be able to pick the professional partner that's the best match for your home.

E-mail your questions or comments to joel@goldenrulebuilders.com or write to "Ask a Builder" at P.O. box 294, Catlett, VA 20119.

Barkman is past president of the Fauquier Chapter of The Northern Virginia Building Industry Association.

Read Joel's column weekly in the