We've all heard the stories and seen the movies--the renovation project that turns nightmare. Even if you've never seen it, the phrase Money Pit is enough to keep you tossing and turning at night. 

"What if our project goes way over budget?"

"What if this project leads to unexpected repairs?"

"What if it takes too long?"

What if, what if? In this second edition in the Remodeling 101 series, we look at two absolute keys to having a stress-free remodel before you even get started: not lost in a nightmare but livin' the dream. 

1. Build a Trustworthy Team

It's not rocket science, of course. This isn't a secret tip -- but sometimes it's helpful to ask yourself how do I go about building a trustworthy team? Asking around to see who friends and family might recommend is a great first step, sometimes you may need something different. How do you go about finding trustworthy contractors, architects, or designers? 

One of the first places you might want to look are certification groups within the Remodeling & Home Improvement Industry. The foremost group, known as NARI (or National Association of the Remodeling Industry), conducts a thorough search of businesses before they are allowed membership, and even make members sign their Code of Ethics to make sure there is a consistent standard across all of the trades. 

Other up and coming internet platforms like Buildzoom keep track of contractor's licenses--using this data to compute scores for companies across the construction industry. 

Once you've got a handful of companies to think about, you will certainly want to see their past work and hear from previous clients. These days, companies make it easy for new clients to find them, research them, and connect with them-- take advantage of these platforms to go into your first meeting with some idea for the company's ethos and final work product.  It's completely appropriate to ask for references, and a good contractor will be happy to provide them. In our consumer driven age of the "review" -- it feels more secure knowing what other people think about the company you are interviewing. 

Lastly, you must determine if this company is a good fit for your project, your family, and you. Hard to quantify,  because a good fit is completely subjective & customized to you, it goes beyond the 5-star rating. Shake hands, have a face to face meeting, and make the call -- will this work? A good relationship will equal good communication, and good communication is the very best way to ensure stress free, timely, and within budget remodels. 

 2. Communicate Clearly With Your Team

Communication is a two-way street. Your contractor, sales rep, designer, or architect need to be good communicators (not just good talkers). On your side of the street, you have to be clear about what you want, be ready to ask questions, and make decisions.

Miscommunication leads to uncertainty and unfulfilled expectations, obstacles on the path to success. - Bill Asdal, "Remodeling Your Communication Skills"

Red flags about your team? If your contractor doesn't respond in a timely fashion or give you regular updates on the progress of your remodel, it can make the process miserable, even if the product is not. And who wants that?

Choose trustworthy professionals who excel at communicating with their clients and can capture your vision. The process doesn't have to be painstaking or anxiety-producing; it can, however, be free of stress, within your budget and timely with these two tips from our Remodeling 101 series. 

How does Benjamin Andrew Construction stack up? Here's what a homeowner {Morrell project} had to say: 

We'd love to talk to you about your next remodeling project. Let us contact you to get the conversation started.