Hiring a Remodeler
Find A Professional Remodeler or Home Improvement Contractor If you need a remodeler for any variety of home improvement projects, search the Builders League’s membership directory for professional and certified contractors in your area. All companies and individuals listed will be registered with the state of New Jersey as a Home Improvement Contractor, unless otherwise noted. Many will be certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Lead Safe Practices, depending on their area of expertise. CLICK HERE.
Opinion - If You Want the Job Done Right, Hire a Professional Remodeler
By Mitchell Zbik, Dwight Pittenger, Jason Bossart and Dan Gehrig
May is National Home Remodeling Month. Any homeowner planning to remodel wants nothing less than a professional job. We all want the best quality in terms of workmanship and materials when it comes to improving our most prized and valuable asset. When it comes to selecting a remodeler, however, too many buyers conveniently forget the time-proven adage that you get what you pay for. Read more.
Opinion - The ROI of Remodeling; It Pays Off In More than Dollars
By Mitchell Zbik and Bill Cappuccio
Many homeowners are surprised to learn that the equity in their home comprises a larger portion of their net wealth than the holdings in their stock market or retirement funds. Read more.
Check Credentials When Hiring a Professional Remodeler
If you are planning a home remodel this year, make sure you hire a professional remodelers with excellent credentials. May is National Home Remodeling Home. The Builders League of South Jersey recommends homeowners ask about these credentials when hiring a professional remodelers. Click here to learn more.
How to Hire a Remodeler
If you have collected photos of your dream kitchen, drafted a general budget, and talked with friends about how you wish your home was more comfortable or modern, you may be ready to hire a professional remodeler to get the job done right. Know the steps that protect you as a homeowner in New Jersey. Click here for some helpful tips to guide you in finding the best remodeler for your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Remodeling your home can moderize the style, make it more comfortable, improve energy-efficiency and home functionality, increase the value of your home and help with upkeep and maintainence. Remodeling is a sure investment in your home to ensure longevity, usefulness and home value. The Builders League answers some of you frequently asked questions. Click here.
Selecting and designing a home remodeling project
Embarking on a home remodeling project is an exciting and creative process. When considering your home remodel, take time to imagine, brainstorm and plan. While researching ideas for your home remodel, think about some of the most popular room requests remodelers receice from customers. Click here.
Home Remodeling Etiquette
While home remodeling can be an exciting adventure, it's important to remember that neighbors may not be quite as thrilled with the project as you are. Here are some tips to help keep the peace in the your neighborhood.
The BLSJ Home Improvements Remodeling Guide is under construction
In response to an increase in consumer phone calls looking for information on a variety of home improvement projects, the Builders League of South Jersey is developing a guide that will assist homeowners and renters in finding the right contractors, home builders and suppliers in southern New Jersey. All companies and individuals listed will be registered with the state of New Jersey as a Home Improvement Contractor, unless otherwise notes. Many will be certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Lead Safe Practices, depending on their area of expertise.
Until then, you can call the League at (856) 616-8460 for a list of remodelers in your area.
Remodeling Dos and Don'ts
1. Don't neglect your home. Do maintain and enhance the value of your home with maintenance and remodeling projects.
2. Don't try complex remodels on your own. Do call a professional remodeler to get the job done right the first time and save yourself time and money.
3. Don't necessarily hire the cheapest remodeler. Do a thorough check on the remodeler’s experience, references, and qualifications, such as membership with NAHB Remodelers. Write down a list of interview questions to help se identify the best remodeler for your needs. In New Jersey, you need to do the legwork to confirm your contractor is a registered Home Improvement Contractor with the state.
4. Don't lose patience during the remodel. Do prepare yourself for challenges and realistically understand the time and money your remodel may require.
5. Don’t try to remove or deal with lead paint on your own. Do call a professional remodeler or remediator to minimize exposure to lead paint. Know that all professionals working on homes or schools built before 1978 must be certified by the Environmental Protection Agency in Lead Safe Practices.
Think you might need a reminder during your project. Download the list.
Are You Also Considering:
All About Aging In Place - Click here
Green Remodeling - Click here.
Home Improvements Lecture series offered free to South Jersey homeowners
CHERRY HILL, N.J. March 21, 2011 – As warmer weather approaches and homeowners begin making plans for their home maintenance and improvement projects, the Builders League of South Jersey Remodelers Council is cautioning the public to conduct the necessary background checks on any contractors they hire to work on their homes.
The Builders League Remodelers Council is offering a Home Improvements Lecture series free to any neighborhood or community group or municipality in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties. The hour-long lecture will review the New Jersey Home Improvement Contractors Registration Act, how to search for a remodeler, what to look for, references, evaluating your remodeler choices, reviewing the contract and how to be a good neighbor during a remodeling project.
Read more.
Hiring Home Improvement Contractors in New Jersey
The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs has compiled a list of tips for hiring a remodeler or home improvement contractor along with information on contracts, warning signs and filing a complaint. This helpful document is still current. Click here.
Your Contractor Must Be Registered with the State
The New Jersey Contractors’ Registration Act, which took effect on December 31, 2005, requires those who sell or make home improvements to register with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. If your home is in New Jersey and you are having work done then your contractor must be registered. For more information, visit the New Jersey DCA page here.
Everything You Need to Know About Hiring a Professional Remodeler
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’s get started!
Find a Professional
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.
Get a List: 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. Learn the best way to begin your search.
The Inside Scoop: Once you have your list of remodelers, how do you properly evaluate their credentials? Get the inside information on what to ask and look for in home contractors.
Evaluate References: You don’t want to just question the remodeler, but also learn first hand from the remodeler’s current and former customers. Learn what to ask references.
Make the Decision: Now you’ve done your homework and it’s time to choose. Get some final guidelines to evaluate your remodeler. Since you’ve done the hard work of evaluating and hiring a professional, the next step is ensuring your home remodel goes smoothly.
A professional remodeler goes out of their way to minimize any inconvenience to your neighbors, but sometimes it doesn’t hurt to be neighborly yourself.
Home Maintenance: Finally, now that you’ve gone though the time, energy, and expense of upgrading your home you want to keep it in top shape. Click here for some tips on keeping your home well maintained.
