Have many of your remodeling questions answered, review the links below.

• Why remodel?
• When is it time?
• What are some remodeling ideas?
• How do I plan?
  
• How do I pay?
• What are the qualities of a professional remodeler?
• What should I expect?
• Are you licensed and insured?
• What is the kitchen "work triangle" and why is it important?
• How are you different from other contractors?
• What are the questions i should ask potential contractors?
• What's my next step?

Why remodel?

Remodeling your home can modernize the style, make it more comfortable, improve energy-efficiency and home functionality, increase the value of your home, and help with upkeep and maintenance. Remodeling is a sure investment in your home to ensure longevity, usefulness, and home value.

When is it time to remodel?

Perhaps it was that moment when you realized that avocado green and harvest gold are no longer the "in" colors for today's trendy kitchens. Or maybe you had an epiphany one day as you stood in line to use your own bathroom. Whatever the impetus, the thought has crossed your mind: Maybe it's time to remodel . . . ( (If you decide to follow through on that thought, you'll join millions of others who decide to remodel their homes each year. The reasons for remodeling are as varied as the projects we undertake. Some of these include:

• Adding more space.
• Upgrading cabinets, counters, appliances, and fixtures.
• Creating a floor plan that's customized for your lifestyle.
• Improving energy efficiency with new windows, doors, insulation, and climate control systems.
• Increasing the resale value of your home.

What are some remodeling ideas?

Before you head too far down the remodeling path, it's a good idea to think through your wants and needs:

• Decide what changes you want to make.
• Ask yourself and other family members what you like and dislike about the house, then create a prioritized list.
• Look at magazines and collect pictures of what you like.
• Think about traffic patterns, furniture placement, colors, lighting, and how you want to use the remodeled space now and in the future.
• Visit here, for more ideas on remodeling your home to make it more comfortable, modern, and valuable.

How do I plan a remodel?

The first step is to develop an idea of what you want to do. Write a prioritized list of your needs and wants. Look at magazines and Web sites and collect pictures of what you like. The more clearly you can envision the project and describe it on paper, the better prepared you'll be in making your decision.

Think about traffic patterns, furniture size and placement, colors, lighting and how you expect to use the remodeled space. If your decision to remodel involves creating better access for someone with limited mobility, you may want to consider contacting a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist.

Figure out how much money you have to spend on the remodeling job, furnishings, landscaping or any other cost you might incur. If you’ve decided you want to hire a remodeler, learn how to choose a professional, avoid contractor fraud, and make your dream home reality.

How do I pay for a remodel?

One of the most important considerations for your home improvement project is financing. After all, the project will go nowhere if you can't pay for it. Fortunately, there are several options that can provide the dollars you need. Four of the most common are a home improvement loan, a home equity line of credit, a home equity loan (second mortgage), and a cash-out refinancing of your current mortgage. However, the simplest method of financing is cash.

What are the Qualities of a Professional REmodeler?

When you hire a remodeler, you are buying a service rather than a product. The quality of service the remodeler provides will determine the quality of the finished product and your satisfaction with the result. To ensure your satisfaction, make sure you hire a qualified, professional remodeler.

QUALITIES OF A PROFESSIONAL REMODELER

Many remodelers may have experience and offer you a good price, but the best professional remodelers have some special qualities you want to seek when you hire someone to remodel your home. Be on the lookout for remodelers with these attributes:

• Promptness—Does your remodeler keep his or her appointments? Do they show up on time and prepared?
• Trustworthiness—Make sure you trust your remodeler and if not, then move on to another candidate.
• The remodeler is an NAHB Remodelers member—Membership with NAHB Remodelers demonstrates a remodelers commitment to professionalism and excellence. NAHB earn competitive awards, achieve higher training and education, and lead the industry in innovation.
• Past clients return to the remodeler for repeat business—When a significant amount of a remodeler’s business comes from repeat and referred clients, it’s a safe bet that previous customers applaud their work.
• The remodeler makes it his business to protect your home—Construction can be dirty and messy. Make sure your remodeler will take appropriate measures to control dust and protect your home.

What should I expect during the remodel?

While remodeling can be an exciting process, it can also present unexpected challenges. Many problems can be avoided by planning ahead. Check out these 10 Tips for a Smooth Remodel. Read the article here.

Are you licensed and insured?

DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen associated with The Remodeler is a local family owned and operated remodeling company in Colorado Springs, Colorado. DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen is fully licensed and insured (License # 11140); members of the Better Business Bureau, NAHB (National Association of Home Builders), the Colorado Springs Remodelor s Council and NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) and NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association).

What is the kitchen "work triangle" and why is it important?

The "work triangle" is the kitchen area from the refrigerator to the main cooking area to the main sink. Connect the three and it should form a triangle (unless you have a 'one-wall' kitchen). It's important because at or immediately adjacent to the triangle's points, all the key kitchen activities—food preparation, cooking and clean up—take place. The work triangle helps to ensure that your kitchen will be functional. It keeps cooking activities centered in one area, with all the necessities close at hand.

How are you different from other remodeling contractors?

DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen differs from ordinary remodeling contractors in these important ways:

• We are committed to building lasting relationships with our clients by delivering a high quality experience through nationally renowned products, professional craftsmanship and excellent customer service.
• I've dedicated my business to helping you and other clients understand professional remodeling design and construction.
• We have taken thirty years of experience and refined the design-build process. This process guarantees that each of our clients has a first-class remodeling experience.
• Utilizing the design/build process allows us to identify and prioritize the parameters of your project. We help you establish your remodeling goals, priorities and budget.
• We take responsibility for the entire project, from start to finish. We eliminate the confusion between the client, designer-architect, sub-contractors and engineers.
• Everything is included; there are no surprises. The contract clearly defines the phases, products and services, virtually eliminating the potential risk of exceeding your predetermined budget.
• We commit, in writing, to completing your project in a timely manner.
• We assign a "Lead Carpenter" to manage each project ensuring that you will receive the personal attention that each of our clients deserve. He is the person that makes it all happen. This person is much more than a very talented craftsman. The Lead Carpenter is your guide through the daily activities of remodeling your home. The Lead Carpenter becomes your own personal project manager and craftsman all in one.
• We are licensed, ensuring that your home is safe and in compliance with all applicable codes.
• We are fully insured, protecting you and your home while we build your dream.
• We guarantee your project with a 3-year workmanship warranty: The best warranty in the business. No maintenance headaches - every job is guaranteed. If you need service, we will come back with no hassle.

What are the questions i should ask potential contractors?

NARI members share the short list of questions they are usually asked by homeowners and offer a list of questions that you should ask:

Timing and money are the most common questions a home improvement contractor hears, but during an interview with a homeowner when homeowners should be asking about credentials and verifying business practices what is often heard is, “When can you start? When will it be finished? How much will it cost?"

These simply aren't enough. Yes, timing may be "everything" in comedy, but that certainly isn't the case when it comes to remodeling. If you are going to have a successful remodeling project, you need to learn the right questions to ask and how to ask them.

When a group of NARI remodeling contractors were asked what questions homeowners asked most frequently, the group unanimously agreed that their most popular queries were:

• When can you start?
• When will you be finished?
• What time will you knock on my door each morning?
• What time will you quit for the day?
• Are you going to work everyday?
• Can you finish before (insert any major holiday or significant family event)?
• How much will it cost per square foot?

Unfortunately, these are not the type of questions that are going to tell you much about a particular contractor.

While a reasonable timetable and budget is important, it shouldn't be the primary focus of an interview or a job. Homeowners should also focus on trust and quality.

Start by asking questions about a company's business practices and experience in a similar type of project. If you decide you want to hire a particular remodeling contractor, then you can discuss when he or she can start, what time he or she can knock on your door each morning and when you will have your home to yourselves again.

Here are some questions NARI members recommend you ask before signing a remodeling contract:

• How long have you been in business?
• Who will be assigned as project supervisor for the job?
• Who will be working on the project? Are they employees or subcontractors?
• Does your company carry workers compensation and liability insurance? (Always verify this information by calling the agency. A copy of an insurance certificate does not let you know if the policy is still current. Even if the certificate has an expiration date. you cannot tell if the insurance has been canceled by either party. If licensing is required in your state also ask if the contractor is licensed and call to verify compliance with the law. Not all states offer or require licensing. Check with your local or state government agencies.)
• What is your approach to a project such as this?
• How many projects like mine have you completed in the past year?
• May I have a list of reference from those projects?
• May I have a list of business referrals or suppliers?
• What percentage of your business is repeat or referral business?
• Are you a member of a national trade association?
• Have you or your employees been certified in remodeling or had any special training or education, such as earning a Certified Remodeler (CR), Certified Remodeler Specialist (CRS) or Certified Lead Carpenter (CLC) or Certified Kitchen & Bath Remodeler (CKBR) designation?

It's also important to realize that sometimes it's not the answers you get that are significant, but what you don't get. Asking the right questions is not enough. You need to pay attention to your instincts and to what information is missing.

Unlike your accountant or stockbroker, your remodeler will be a part of your daily life and available for some on-the-job education. He or she will be privy to your personal life, more so than your doctor or lawyer. Your contractor will know how you look early in the morning and how well behaved your dog is. It makes sense that you should take some time to carefully select this person and make sure that it is someone to whom you can ask questions.

Remodeling can be a fun experience. You get to create your dream room or home and learn a little about design and building along the way. All you need to do is ask questions. Questions that, according to NARI members, remodelers don't feel that are getting enough of. So tap into your curiosity and ask away.

What’s my next step?

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Thank you for considering DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen. Whether your project is large or small, choose the company you can trust. We look forward to working with you.