•Independent trade contractors, building materials suppliers, architects, engineers, home inspectors, local lenders and insurance professionals.

Once you have developed a list of potential home remodelers for your project:

Check with your local or state office of consumer protection and the local Better Business Bureau. Ask if they have had any complaints about the home remodeler? If so, were those complaints resolved satisfactorily?

The Inside Scoop: Once you have your list of remodelers, how do you properly evaluate their credentials? Here are some things you need to find out. Does the home remodeler:

•Maintain a permanent mailing address, e-mail address, published personal phone number, fax number and a cell phone, pager or voice-messaging system? You will want to be able to reach the remodeler quickly and easily, especially at critical times.

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

Ask for a copy of the home remodeler’s insurance certificates so you can be sure you will not be liable for property damage or jobsite-related injuries.

Ask the home remodeler how much the project will add to your home’s value and obtain the necessary additional insurance.

•Have an established presence in the community?

How long has the company been in business under this name? Longevity 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, local officials and people involved in all aspects of the industry?

Does the home remodeler have a track record of successful projects similar to the one you are planning?

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.

•Actively participate in a trade organization such as NAHB Remodelers? Participation demonstrates a remodeler’s commitment to professionalism and the remodeling industry.

Has the home remodeler earned any professional designations? Through certification programs, these organizations confer designations such as

Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR), Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS), Certified Bath Designer (SBD), or Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) to those who meet the requirements.

Evaluate References: You don’t want to just question the remodeler, but also learn first hand from the remodeler’s current and former customers. Before you sign a contract, ask the home remodeler to share names, phone numbers and/or e-mail addresses of some customers and take the time to see the home remodeler’s work.

Ask to see jobs similar to yours. Does the quality of the work meet your standards?

When you talk to the homeowners, here are some things you want to find out: ➝

Would they hire this company again?

Did the home remodeler maintain a neat jobsite, provide regular broom clean-up and haul away debris including personal trash?

Did the home remodeler keep labor and materials delays to a minimum so that your job could be started and completed on time and within budget?

Did you find the home remodeler easy to work with? Did the home remodeler keep you informed as the job progressed?

Did the home remodeler supply you with paperwork in a timely fashion? How well did the home remodeler deal with the problems that arose?

Make the Decision: Now you’ve done your homework and it’s time to choose. Once you’ve made your selection, here’s how to work with him/her and ensure that your home remodel goes smoothly.

Live with Your Remodel: The only thing left is the remodeling itself. Learn how to adapt to your home as a work site, communicate with your remodeler and schedule your project for a smooth remodeling experience.

Prevent the Fever: Now that the project is under way, the disruption can become rather large depending on the scope of the remodel. Learn to manage the potential stress of a project that’s under way.

Be a Good Neighbor: A professional remodeler goes out of his/her way to minimize any inconvenience to your neighbors, but sometimes it doesn’t hurt to be neighborly yourself.

Let neighbors know well in advance about your home remodeling plans and keep them apprised of progress. Tell them when work will begin, the approximate completion date, what work will be done and whether workers might have to come onto their property. If delays arise, promptly contact your neighbors to inform them of the revised schedule.