<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!--Generated by Squarespace Site Server v5.11.81 (http://www.squarespace.com/) on Thu, 31 May 2012 00:22:23 GMT--><rss xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" version="2.0"><channel><title>Remodelers Council of Southern California Blog</title><link>http://socalremodeling.org/blog/</link><description>News about remodeling, along with tips for getting through the process unscathed</description><lastBuildDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:04:46 +0000</lastBuildDate><copyright></copyright><language>en-US</language><generator>Squarespace Site Server v5.11.81 (http://www.squarespace.com/)</generator><item><title>Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Hiring a Professional Remodeler</title><category>Tips</category><dc:creator>Remodelers Council</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:01:34 +0000</pubDate><link>http://socalremodeling.org/blog/2011/11/8/everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-hiring-a-profession.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">913908:12903139:13638514</guid><description><![CDATA[<p style="color: #4c4646;">The decision to hire a home remodeler can be intimidating. This section will give you the tools and inside information on finding, evaluating, hiring and working with a remodeler. Your home is your biggest investment, and the best way to protect it is by hiring an ethical, professional remodeler. Let&rsquo;s get started!&nbsp;</p>
<p style="color: #4c4646;"><strong>Find a Professional</strong></p>
<p style="color: #4c4646;">When you hire a remodeler, you are buying a service rather than a product. The quality of the service the remodeler provides will determine the quality of the finished product and your satisfaction.</p>
<p style="color: #4c4646;"><strong><a style="color: #051e81;" title="Get a list" href="http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID=46696">Get a List</a></strong>: The first step to hiring a professional is to build a list of candidates, and flipping through the Yellow Pages is not the ideal method.&nbsp;Learn the best way to&nbsp;<a style="color: #051e81;" title="Begin your search" href="http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID=46696">begin your search</a>.</p>
<p style="color: #4c4646;"><strong><a style="color: #051e81;" title="The inside scoop" href="http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID=46697">The Inside Scoop</a></strong>: Once you have your list of remodelers, how do you properly evaluate their credentials?&nbsp;Get the inside information on&nbsp;<a style="color: #051e81;" title="What to ask and look for" href="http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID=46697">what to ask and look for</a>&nbsp;in home contractors.</p>
<p style="color: #4c4646;"><strong><a style="color: #051e81;" title="Evaluate references" href="http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID=46698">Evaluate References</a></strong>: You don&rsquo;t want to just question the remodeler, but also learn first hand from the remodeler&rsquo;s current and former customers. Learn&nbsp;<a style="color: #051e81;" title="What to ask references" href="http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID=46698">what to ask references</a>.</p>
<p style="color: #4c4646;"><strong><a style="color: #051e81;" title="Make the decision" href="http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID=46700">Make the Decision</a></strong>: Now you&rsquo;ve done your homework and it&rsquo;s time to choose. Get&nbsp;some final guidelines to&nbsp;<a style="color: #051e81;" title="Evaluate your remodeler" href="http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID=46700">evaluate your remodeler</a>.</p>
<p style="color: #4c4646;"><strong>Work With a Professional</strong></p>
<p style="color: #4c4646;">Since you&rsquo;ve done the hard work of evaluating and hiring a professional, the next step is ensuring your home remodel goes smoothly.</p>
<p style="color: #4c4646;"><strong><a style="color: #051e81;" title="Live with your remodel" href="http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?sectionID=715&amp;genericContentID=89768">Live with Your Remodel</a></strong>: The only thing left is the remodeling itself.&nbsp;Learn how to&nbsp;<a style="color: #051e81;" title="Adapt to your home as a work site" href="http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?sectionID=715&amp;genericContentID=46702">adapt to your home as a work site</a>, communicate with your remodeler, and schedule your project for a smooth remodeling experience.</p>
<p style="color: #4c4646;"><strong><a style="color: #051e81;" title="Prevent the fever" href="http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?sectionID=715&amp;genericContentID=89759">Prevent the Fever</a></strong>: Now that the project is underway, the disruption can become rather large depending on the scope of the remodel.&nbsp;Learn how to&nbsp;<a style="color: #051e81;" title="Manage remodeling stress" href="http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?sectionID=715&amp;genericContentID=89759">manage the potential stress</a>&nbsp;of a project that&rsquo;s underway.</p>
<p style="color: #4c4646;"><strong><a style="color: #051e81;" title="Be a good neighbor" href="http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID=46702">Be a Good Neighbor</a></strong>: A professional remodeler goes out of their way to minimize any inconvenience to your neighbors, but sometimes it doesn&rsquo;t hurt to be neighborly yourself.&nbsp;<a style="color: #051e81;" title="Learn more" href="http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID=46702">Learn more</a>.</p>
<p style="color: #4c4646;"><strong><a style="color: #051e81;" title="Home Maintenance" href="http://www.nahb.org/page.aspx/category/sectionID=124">Home Maintenance</a></strong>: Finally, now that you&rsquo;ve gone though the time, energy, and expense of upgrading your home you want to keep it in top shape.&nbsp;<a style="color: #051e81;" href="http://www.nahb.org/page.aspx/category/sectionID=124" target="_self">View</a>&nbsp;some tips on keeping your home well maintained.</p>]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://socalremodeling.org/blog/rss-comments-entry-13638514.xml</wfw:commentRss></item></channel></rss>
