Mid America Events & Expos

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Don’t let an unprofessional contractor turn your remodeling project into a disaster

Here are four things you should do before you sign a contract

We’ve all heard stories about remodeling jobs gone bad. From the contractors who take down payments but never show up to do the work, to those whose sloppy skills lead to disappointing results, it’s enough to many homeowners wary about starting a renovation. But there are ways to help ensure that the remodeling contractor you hire is both professional and ethical.

“A professional contractor will encourage you to ask a lot of questions,” explains Bjorn Freudenthal, general manager of the award-winning College City Remodeling in Lakeville. Freudenthal also is president-elect of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s Minnesota Chapter (NARIMN), producers in part of the Mid-America Remodeling & Design Expo™, November 4-5, 2006 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Here are some steps you should take to determine a contractor’s reputation, quality of work, project scheduling and experience:

Call the Minnesota Department of Commerce, (651) 296-4026, to verify that the remodeler is licensed by the State of Minnesota. The license number should appear on all printed material supplied by the contractor.
Find out whether the remodeler is a member in good standing with the Better Business Bureau and whether he or she is a member of NARI or another builders association.
Request a list of recently completed projects. Make sure the remodeler provides you with a diverse portfolio, and doesn't merely specialize in one or two areas of remodeling. The remodeler should include at least two projects for consideration that are similar to your own. For a complete list of questions to ask a contractor’s references, visit www.101expos.com/MARDE.
Take the time to interview potential remodelers rather than simply soliciting bids. The interview process will allow you to determine whether you and the remodeler communicate well, whether his or her bid reflects your needs and expectations, and whether the remodeler is an individual you will feel comfortable having in and around your home.

Freudenthal also recommends that homeowners who are considering any kind of renovation attend the new Mid-America Remodeling and Design Expo™, which will focus entirely on remodeling, home products and interior design, or visit www.narimn.org. Exhibitors will include remodeling contractors, lighting and flooring suppliers, and design professionals who can help put the finishing touches on virtually any project.

“With its narrower focus, this expo will be substantially different from all other area home shows, so our attendees can have more realistic expectations,” adds event producer Robin Kocina, President of Mid-America Events & Expos. “The Mid-America Remodeling & Design Expo™ will allow you to spend quality time meeting with quality businesses to discuss your specific needs, and comparing their services and products. All of our seminars and workshops will also be geared toward remodeling and home design.

“You won’t find someone offering to clean your jewelry, or check your spinal alignment at this show,” Kocina says. “What you will find are people who can help you remodel your bathroom or kitchen, or give you other ideas for updating and re-designing your home and making it more livable. We also will have the Technology and New Products Arena where homeowners can browse the latest home-related items on the market.”

For additional information about this expo, visit www.101expos.com or call 612-798-7256. To find a qualified NARI professional, visit www.narimn.org or call 612-332-NARI.

Sponsors for this year’s Mid-America Remodeling and Design Expo include AM 1500, Channels 5 and 45, Midwest Home, and Floors Galore & More.

Media Note: For additional information, or to schedule an interview with a NARI spokesperson, call 612-798-7220.

About NARI
NARI of Minnesota is a Chapter of The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), the only trade association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry. With more than 7,000 member companies nationwide, the Association is “The Voice of the Remodeling Industry”TM. For membership and chapter information, or for more on the COTY Awards, visit the NARI MN website at www.narimn.org. or contact the headquarters at 612-332-NARI.

The remodeling market, a $230 billion industry in the U.S. in 2003, is expected to continue to experience significant growth. It is estimated that more than a million homes per year undergo major renovation or remodeling.

NARI is a professional association whose members voluntarily subscribe to a strict code of ethics. Consumers may wish to search www.narimn.org to find a qualified professional who is a member of NARI or contact the headquarters at 612-332-NARI for a copy of the consumer directory, “Remodeling Today.”