ou’ve heard the horror stories. All too often a remodeling project starts as a dream and ends as a nightmare due to:

•poor workmanship,

•building code violations,

•inadequate communications,

•lack of daily project clean-up,

•failure to complete on time,

•lack of project supervision,

•not completing at the agreed budget price,

•jobsite (your home) theft.

Many remodelers

•lack the technical education, experience or skills in one or more aspects of the project,

•are insufficiently capitalized to manage the project’s scope,

•fail to carry adequate insurances to protect the homeowner’s (or their own) liabilities,

•don’t possess adequate subcontractor relationships,

•rely on retail “Big Box Stores” for materials; they don’t have the specialty material suppliers to provide selection, quality and properly-priced options, or

•may lack the integrity, professionalism or business credentials to provide the work you want at a fair price.

The State of Texas does not require any testing, registrations or licensing to perform remodeling work. So how can a homeowner maneuver through the myriad of contractors who claim to offer “quality workmanship and project management” for the remodeling of their home?

Tips to screen out potentially “bad” contractor choices.

•Seek referrals from former customers with a job of similar scope and type. Invest time in this process. Don’t stop after the first referral is called; you may have been set up.

•Contact the Greater Houston Builders Association for information on the contractors you’re considering (www.ghba.org or 281-970-8970).

•Recognize that experience working for a remodeling contractor is vastly different than managing a remodeling company that must comply with financing the project, providing competent suppliers and subcontractors, and providing a process and finished product compliant with all codes and legalities.

•Be aware that experience building new homes is vastly different from the complexities of remodeling.

•Ask each prospective contractor for his industry affiliations, his level of involvement with those

(including the professional educational programs), and activities he’s participated in.

•Let the remodeler know that you will be requiring a copy of the certificate of insurance issued to their company. Discuss the coverage with the prospective contractor—are you and your home adequately protected?

•Ask for a list of the supplier’s major trade suppliers and call several to investigate the company’s integrity in paying bills, avoiding liens being placed on homes, and complying with the terms and conditions of their purchases. A conversation with a major supplier’s credit manager can be very revealing about the type of contractor you’re considering.

•Ask for the contractor’s professional designations. Since Texas requires no licensing, testing or registration, these identify those who have secured levels of knowledge and have been certified accordingly by the National Association of Home Builders, which also requires continuing education to maintain these designations. Verify at www.nahb.org. l

By Warren Clark

BMC SELECT Building Materials