RBA Houston

Home Improvement for the Novice

If you’ve owned your home for a while, you will probably consider home improvement in the foreseeable future. Home improvement remodeling can be a very exiting time or potentially a very anxious and miserable experience. Here are some common sense tips to make the experience enjoyable and rewarding.

1.      Call the Better Business Bureau in your area and request their pamphlet “How to hire a remodeling Contractor”.

2.      Select several companies with a good complaint record. Remember, any company could get a complaint; it’s how the complaint is handled that is important.

3.      Compare length of time in business as well as references to determine the quality of the company. Every company has at least 2 or 3 happy customers. Some companies, when faced with financial or customer problems, simply change names and phone numbers and start all over.

4.      Try to deal with firms that have affiliations with trade associations like The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) or The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). Both of these organizations offer certification and continuing education. Many good craftsmen are not good businessmen. You want to deal with someone that will be in business if you need them.

5.      Lowest price is not always best value. Many companies, realizing that it is easier to win the job if the price is low, will look for ways to cut corners. Many improvements require no inspection. There is often no written specification on home improvement projects. These are some of the reasons that home improvement ranks near the top in consumer complaints.

6.      Make sure that you and your contractor are on the same page. Do not allow any work to start without a written agreement detailing all work to be done, estimated time frame and payment schedule.

7.      Do not pay in advance. If a company needs your money to start the job, this indicates poor financial management, see number 3 above. Mos