Finding, working with real estate agents: click
Getting
Professional Help:
Search Home Building Companies:
- Search home building companies within your area
that have customized homes and styles.
Search by state:
- Link to our Home Improvement Center to view home
improvement projects and service providers:
Select home project:

Answers to
your
home building,
home
remodeling, and home
improvement
questions and guides:
1-866-241-9050
|
- Use ServiceMagic to pre-screen customer-rated
"home inspection" contractors: click
here
or use the local yellow pages to search:
home
inspectors
- The ASHI sets the standards for home inspections
and requires its members to abide by a code of ethics
and standards.
ASHI Inspector search:
http://www.ashi.org/find/
- Most inspectors use a checklist that they mark
and note any repairs as they inspect the home. The
Inspection Report usually provides maintenance tips
on how to keep the home and property in good shape.
Top-ten inspection list from inspectamerican.com
http://www.inspectamerica.com/
- Use ServiceMagic to pre-screen "all-other"
professional service providers: click
here
or search the yellow pages for other services: open
yellow pages

|
Selecting
Your Professional Builder / Service Provider |
Start
with a Pre-Screening Search:
Make Sure the Building Contractor has NARI Membership
(if you are building or remodeling your home):
· |
the National Association
of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) represents
building and remodeling contractors, product
manufacturers, and other industry specialists |
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· |
the association is
committed to enhancing the professionalism of
the home building/remodeling industry |
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·

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NARI members must
abide by the NARI code of ethics: view
code of ethics |
 |
· |
NARI certification includes exams
and certification classes: view
certification steps |
 |
· |
more information
about the NARI: visit
NARI.org
contact the NARI chapter within your area
for information about a potential contractor:
view
NARI chapter directory |
 |
Investigate
Their Established Business:
· |
check the contractor's
place of business, phone number, and other
industry associations make sure they
are valid establishments |
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·

|
make sure
the contractor is fully licensed with
local and state governments, if required
check with your local jurisdiction to
ensure the license is valid and up-to-date
do not base the contractor's license
with a business card or verbal commitment
lookup state, county and city governments
for information on the contractor's license
for professional services:
http://www.statelocalgov.net |
 |
· |
make sure the contractor is
fully insured and carries worker's compensation,
liability insurance and property damage
insurance ask
to review the documentation |
 |
· |
check with your local Better
Business Bureaus, building associations,
and other consumer protection agencies:
view
the Better Business Bureau
ensure that there is no outstanding complaints,
fines, or penalties issued against the contractor
if so, make sure the contractor provides
a valid explanation |
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|
· |
you can view more information
about selecting your contractor: from
the national association of the remodeling
industry |
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Interview
the Contractor:
· |
meet with the contractor face-to-face
be prepared to show what work needs to be
performed |
 |
· |
be detail in your specs
this increases the likelihood that the
contractor is the right person for the job |
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·

|
be prepared
to ask questions about the contractor
and your project — note that you
are looking for the person with best all-around
service and qualification |
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· |
sample question include:
— business establishment
— time frame
— operation policy
— certifications and permits
— insurance
— crew and use of subcontractors,
if any
— review of sample projects
— other
|
 |
· |
the NARI has a complete
list of interview questions:
view
interview questions
NARI also provides a summary of "warning
signs" during interviews: click
here |
 |
· |
request for
a list of references from previous clients
contact these references to inquiry on the contractor's
work habits, completion schedule, clean up,
and any other related issues or problems that
the previous client may have experienced
sample questions to ask — |
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·

|
question:
did the contractor complete the project within
your satisfaction? |
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· |
question:
was the project completed on time? |
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· |
question:
did the contractor fulfill his or her part of
the contract or service agreement? |
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· |
question:
was the contractor easy to communicate with? |
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· |
question:
did the contractor and his crew showed up
on time? |
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· |
question:
were you satisfied with the subcontractors
that your contractor used? |
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· |
question:
would you recommend this contractor again
without hesitation?
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