What Homeowners Should Know Before Remodeling

It all begins with a dream of the perfect home – or perfect home sale. But when it comes to remodeling projects, homeowners should expect the unexpected according to members of the Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council, Inc., the area's leading home improvement and remodeling industry resource for more than 48 years.

In the course of almost all projects, homeowners will find their home life disrupted and be surprised by problems or hazards they didn’t know they had.

To help homeowners get the best experience from their remodels, Milwaukee/NARI members offer ideas and suggestions to be considered before beginning the project. You should know if…

• You care more about increasing the value of your home or making it more comfortable and functional for you;

• Your project is timed for when it will cause the least amount of hardship for the household, allowing extra time for unexpected delays;

• Your budget and financing will cover all or just a portion of what you would like to have done;

• Your project is eligible for the tax credit through the American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009;

• Your HVAC system or any of your appliances are using excess energy and should be replaced for significant savings;

• Your windows or insulation allow air leaks and should be improved or replaced;

• Outdoor improvements are needed to draw water away from the foundation to prevent flooding;

• Your home was built before 1978, and your contractor is EPA Lead Certified to remodel such homes, as required by law;

• Building codes, electrical codes, building permits (including who will obtain the permits and if they are needed based on project type), and zoning will affect your remodeling plans;

• Your contract is complete and includes, in writing, all aspects of what you want, plus any warranties offered;

• Your contractor can provide certification of insurance covering workers’ compensation, personal liability, and property damage;

• Your contractor’s references were satisfied with every aspect of their remodeling projects;

• Your contractor will use waste recovery (recycling) instead of waste disposal of the debris from your project; and

• Your contractor has a record with the Better Business Bureau and is one of the members of the Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council, who each are required to adhere to a standard of ethics and professionalism

The Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council was chartered in July 1961, as a Chapter of the National Home Improvement Council. In May of 1982, the National Home Improvement Council merged with the National Remodelers Association to form NARI – the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

The Council’s goals of encouraging ethical conduct, professionalism, and sound business practices in the remodeling industry have led to the remodeling industry’s growth and made NARI a recognized authority in that industry. With over 900 members, the Milwaukee Chapter is the nation’s largest.

For more information on the Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council or to receive a free copy of an annual membership roster listing all members alphabetically and by category, and the booklet, “Milwaukee/NARI's Remodeling Guide,” call (414) 771-4071 or visit the Council’s Web site at www.milwaukeenari.org.