Order your free copy now and learn all you need to know about living the good life in the nation's fourth largest city!
| Remodeling |
Kitchen and Bathroom Designers provide expert product knowledge within their specialties, but they may lack construction experience or miss design opportunities associated with additions or movement of walls, according to building experts. If the project involves high-dollar budgets where expensive cabinets, materials and appliances will be used, consider either of these professionals.
Home Center Staff Designers are an easy, immediate and cost-effective way to learn about basic design ideas. You can check your local home-center store to learn about classes they are offering or simply visit the store and discuss with staff designers what you’re planning to build. You will find that design skills among the staff vary widely. Also be aware that the staff will recommend solutions using their store’s products.
Interior Designers and Home Decorators are specialists who offer advice on furniture, wall coverings, colors, styles and the overall physical appearance of your project. While not essential to the process, home decorators and interior decorators can save you both time and money by helping you to narrow down your choices and utilizing professional discounts for materials, such as furniture, home accessories, wallpaper or paint. Communicating your personal style and preferences are important when you meet with an interior designer or home decorator. Be prepared to show examples of styles you like that you’ve found in magazines or books. Based on your input, these professionals will develop ideas that will work for the space and help create a setting that represents your artistic sensibility. Keep in mind that while an interior designer also may do some interior space planning, most usually focus on interior decorating by selecting finishing touches, such as carpets, drapes, paint colors, fabrics and furnishings. You may find that their duties can overlap or be interchangeable with those of both residential designers and interior decorators.
Draftspersons primarily prepare technical drawings of designs created by others although some can assist with design. These days, most drafters work in Computer-Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) programs. You already may have a good idea of a floor plan you like; if that’s the case, it’s not uncommon to hire a draftsperson to draw the blueprints and have them checked by an engineer before speaking with general contractors to bid, apply for permits and build.
General Contractors coordinate and construct projects that typically involve three or more subcontractor trades, such as carpentry, plumbing, painting, roofing or electrical work. In Texas, no state license is required, but general contractors must get permits at the local level. Separate boards license the HVAC and plumbing trades. General contractors who specialize in production, concentrate on bidding and building from plans drawn by design specialists do not offer much, if any, design or drawing services unless they advertise themselves as design and build contractors.
Design and Build Contractors offer both architectural and construction services. They can carry a job from inception to move-in, and some experts believe their results are more cost-effective and allow for more collaboration during the building process. Using this method, one firm is accountable for the entire project, which can result in a less expensive design that is practical to build and causes less confusion between design and construction specialists who may not see eye-to-eye. Due to these advantages, the design-and-build method has become increasingly popular.
As you speak with these various professionals in the homebuilding process, look for people whose experience, designs and ideas best reflect your taste and sensibilities. There also should be good communication flow and understanding of the project. After all, it’s about building your new home, one of the largest investments you’ll make in your lifetime and the center of your family’s life.
— Finding Remodeling Professionals
Choosing your remodeler is the most important decision in a remodeling project. Take your time and be thorough in your search. Nearly half of all projects signed by a remodeling contractor are the result of client referrals. An additional 22 percent of jobs are the result of word-of-mouth referrals.
— Other Remodeling Resources
Check out these other resources in your area:
THE PUSH FOR GREENER HOMES
A major nationwide trend is building with sustainability in mind. This also applies to remodelers, who are leading the charge to provide eco-conscious solutions for home-remodeling projects, according to NARI.
Home Center Staff Designers are an easy, immediate and cost-effective way to learn about basic design ideas. You can check your local home-center store to learn about classes they are offering or simply visit the store and discuss with staff designers what you’re planning to build. You will find that design skills among the staff vary widely. Also be aware that the staff will recommend solutions using their store’s products.
Interior Designers and Home Decorators are specialists who offer advice on furniture, wall coverings, colors, styles and the overall physical appearance of your project. While not essential to the process, home decorators and interior decorators can save you both time and money by helping you to narrow down your choices and utilizing professional discounts for materials, such as furniture, home accessories, wallpaper or paint. Communicating your personal style and preferences are important when you meet with an interior designer or home decorator. Be prepared to show examples of styles you like that you’ve found in magazines or books. Based on your input, these professionals will develop ideas that will work for the space and help create a setting that represents your artistic sensibility. Keep in mind that while an interior designer also may do some interior space planning, most usually focus on interior decorating by selecting finishing touches, such as carpets, drapes, paint colors, fabrics and furnishings. You may find that their duties can overlap or be interchangeable with those of both residential designers and interior decorators.
Draftspersons primarily prepare technical drawings of designs created by others although some can assist with design. These days, most drafters work in Computer-Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) programs. You already may have a good idea of a floor plan you like; if that’s the case, it’s not uncommon to hire a draftsperson to draw the blueprints and have them checked by an engineer before speaking with general contractors to bid, apply for permits and build.
General Contractors coordinate and construct projects that typically involve three or more subcontractor trades, such as carpentry, plumbing, painting, roofing or electrical work. In Texas, no state license is required, but general contractors must get permits at the local level. Separate boards license the HVAC and plumbing trades. General contractors who specialize in production, concentrate on bidding and building from plans drawn by design specialists do not offer much, if any, design or drawing services unless they advertise themselves as design and build contractors.
Design and Build Contractors offer both architectural and construction services. They can carry a job from inception to move-in, and some experts believe their results are more cost-effective and allow for more collaboration during the building process. Using this method, one firm is accountable for the entire project, which can result in a less expensive design that is practical to build and causes less confusion between design and construction specialists who may not see eye-to-eye. Due to these advantages, the design-and-build method has become increasingly popular.
As you speak with these various professionals in the homebuilding process, look for people whose experience, designs and ideas best reflect your taste and sensibilities. There also should be good communication flow and understanding of the project. After all, it’s about building your new home, one of the largest investments you’ll make in your lifetime and the center of your family’s life.
— Finding Remodeling Professionals
Choosing your remodeler is the most important decision in a remodeling project. Take your time and be thorough in your search. Nearly half of all projects signed by a remodeling contractor are the result of client referrals. An additional 22 percent of jobs are the result of word-of-mouth referrals.
— Other Remodeling Resources
- The Houston chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) (www.nari.org/houstonchapter/)—NARI is a national professional association whose members voluntarily subscribe to a strict code of ethics. Consumers can search here to find a qualified local remodeler who is a member of NARI.
- Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA) (www.ghba.org/membership/find-a-member.html)—Here you’ll find a searchable database of member professional builders, remodelers, developers or product and service providers, which include financial institutions, architects, interior decorators, carpenters, painters, material suppliers and more.
- Attorney General Office of Texas (www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer/index.shtml)—The Texas Attorney General’s Office protects consumers and the legitimate business community by filing civil lawsuits under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act and other consumer-protection statutes.
- Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (www.window.state.tx.us)—The comptroller is the chief steward of Texas’ finances, acting as tax collector, chief accountant, chief revenue estimator and chief treasurer for all state government.
Check out these other resources in your area:
- Jobsite signs: Pay particular attention to homes with signs from their contracting company on their lawn. Is the site clean? Are tools and materials being handled in a responsible manner? Are there dust covers over the owner’s belongings to protect them?
- Local press coverage: Look for articles about local remodelers. Also check out local home-improvement columns in the newspaper and radio talk shows in your area. They can be a great source for finding a qualified, reputable and personable contractor.
- Direct mail: Some contractor will send direct mail to homeowners within a few blocks of a current job. Call and ask the homeowner if you could tour the project with the contractor.
- Seminars: Attend local seminars on home-improvement topics. Some firms host free seminars on how to choose a remodeler and other interesting remodeling topics. Check your local newspaper community news section for date and location information.
- Home trade shows: Although a somewhat tricky place to interview contractors since they are surrounded by other consumers, this is a great place to gather information about companies and make an initial contact with contractors. Later it is possible to meet with them at their place of business or in your home.
THE PUSH FOR GREENER HOMES
A major nationwide trend is building with sustainability in mind. This also applies to remodelers, who are leading the charge to provide eco-conscious solutions for home-remodeling projects, according to NARI.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
