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Remodeling Pathway

Getting started

From first consideration to contract, this process can take from a couple months to a year pending project scope. Additional time will be needed to actually start your project. If you are thinking about a major renovation – kitchen, addition, whole house – plan for a minimum of six months from consideration to project start.
1

Ask yourself the important questions

  • How long do you plan to stay in your home? Are you preparing to sell or is this your forever home and you want to improve your life and love your home?
  • Looking to sell or have budget restrictions consider a cosmetic touch up – wall paint, cabinet painting, new surfaces, fixtures or hardware. Exterior changes.
  • Forever home? Consider full remove and replace or structural reconfiguration - room reconfiguration, new cabinets, remove walls or add space through an addition.
  • Are you doing all the home improvement or renovations now or in stages? The contractor needs to know all your dreams now to guide you to smart money saving processes. 
2

What is your style?

  • Research projects online for design ideas and design inspiration
  • Note products or materials you like and don’t like. Does everyone in the family have the same style and desires or do differences need to be addressed?
  • Create a physical or online picture book of likes and dislikes to share with your designer/contractor.
  • Pay attention to product or material price ranges. Your style, likes and choices will directly impact the project price. Understand your needs verses wants. 
3

Money, money, money

  • Odds are the project is going to cost more than you think.
  • Even if you don’t know what a project costs, you know what you are comfortable investing or can afford.
  • You must discuss a budget with your contractor. Hiding your budget will only disappoint you in the end with a proposal out of your means.
  • The contractor should guide you on your style, likes and choices for a project cost you can afford.
  • Budget must include design service, estimate fees, project cost (labor and materials), contingencies, after project accessories. Don’t expect anything for free.
  • Discuss with your contractor, bank or other lender possible financing options if necessary. 
4

The right professional

Interior Designer

  • Research projects online for design ideas and design inspiration
  • Note products or materials you like and don’t like. Does everyone in the family have the same style and desires or do differences need to be addressed?
  • Create a physical or online picture book of likes and dislikes to share with your designer/contractor.
  • Pay attention to product or material price ranges. Your style, likes and choices will directly impact the project price. Understand your needs verses wants. 

Architectural Designer or Architect

  • Typically, projects focused on planning and designing homes, additions and other structurally related changes.
  • Projects require construction drawings, architectural plans or bid sets for the purposes of defining a contract and procuring permits.
  • The designer or architect will enlist a structural engineer as required to ensure the building supports and resists the loads to which it is subject too, guaranteeing the overall safety of the home.
  • Degreed, certified or licensed. 

Trade Contractor

  • A home improvement or remodeling professional who typically executes specific component of projects – plumbing, electrical, HVAC, drywall, cabinetry – under a General Contractor or Design Build.
  • May do direct contract work or service work.
  • Some trades require state licensing. 

Specialty Contractor

  • A home improvement or remodeling professional who organizes and executes specific projects – windows, roofing, siding or bathtub covers.
  • Is in charge of the project and any additional required trade partners (subcontractors).
  • Business has WI Dwelling Contractor Certification and has at least one person on staff with WI Dwelling Contractor Qualifier required to pull permits, if required.

Design/ Build Contractor

  • One company for design and construction services - new construction to remodeling projects.
  • Designs, organizes and executes the project start to finish.
  • Is in charge of the project and all trade partners (subcontractors).
  • May or may not have specialty trades on staff.
  • Business has WI Dwelling Contractor Certification and has at least one person on staff with WI Dwelling Contractor Qualifier required to pull permits, if required.

General Contractor

  • Organizes and executes all types of projects from new construction to handyman.
  • Projects that do not require professional design services.
  • Project designed by an architect or designer, and you now need someone to execute the construction.
  • General Contractor is in charge of the project and all trade partners (subcontractors).
  • May or may not have specialty trades on staff.
  • Business has WI Dwelling Contractor Certification and has at least one person on staff with WI Dwelling Contractor Qualifier required to pull permits, if required.
5

Find a professional

Your home is your largest asset. Hire the best to protect it. All NARI members are local, trusted and proven professionals with proper licensing and insurance.

A great place to meet your future home pro is by attending a NARI Milwaukee consumer home show or coming to NARI’s Tour of Remodeled Homes. Meet contractors in person and have a conversation before inviting them to your home.

Find a Contractor
Hire a NARI Milwaukee member

Start with The Basics

  • Does the company have a verifiable business name, address, local telephone and website?
  • Ask friends and family for referrals. Did they have a great experience with their remodeler? Would they hire them again? Are they NARI members?
  • Look up consumer ratings, reviews, and look online for legal matters to ensure there are no adverse files on record.
  • Review the contractor’s website or brochure before reaching out. 

Ask the right questions

  • Describe what you envision for your home remodel. Does the contractor see your vision or do they steer you in an opposite direction making you feel like they aren’t listening?
  • Share your desired investment level. Can they work within your budget or are they willing to help you understand what you can get for that investment level?
  • Ask about their process. Be prepared for an initial video conference or telephone conversation, followed by an in-home visit. After the initial visit, many contractors proceed to design agreements, estimate agreements, and construction/project agreements.
  • Ask their experience and accomplishment levels with a project like yours. Do they specialize in the type of work you want done?
  • Ask if your remodeler has any NARI Certified Professionals on staff. Certified Professionals have advanced training and commit to continuing education.

More than price

  • You are looking for the contractor you have best personal connection with – the one you feel comfortable with, you trust, you like. It’s a relationship first, during and after the project.
  • Don’t be lured by the lowest price – its typically not a great deal.
  • Be skeptical of unusually low prices. These bids may cost more in the end – especially if the contractor is not including everything, all bids are allowances, contractor doesn’t pull permits, or is inexperienced.
  • Ask clarifying questions about each bid making sure they are equal in what is being proposed and priced.
  • Sometimes the higher price might be worth the better-quality materials, better business processes, and the professional service you will receive.

The contract(s)

  • Do they have a contract with terms and conditions you can review in advance?
  • Verify insurance coverage. Ask to see a copy of the contractor's certificate of insurance. At the time of project start call agency to verify insurance is still in place.
  • Do they have the required state licensing to pull permits if required?
  • Pending your project there may be several agreement steps.
    • Design agreement enlisting the professional to create project designs for your consideration. Understand who owns the designs once complete. Do not expect free designs. Professionally completed designs take education, time and talent well worth the fee. 
    • Estimate agreement enlisting the professional after approved designs to work with you on selections, acquiring bid drawings, obtaining trade partners quotes, and assembling the complete estimate. Do not expect free estimates. Pending scope of project, a professional estimate is considerable work on the contractor’s part.
    • Construction/project agreement enlisting the professional to proceed with executing the designed and estimated project.
  • Contracts are long and intended to protect both the homeowner and the remodeler. Review the contract carefully. Ask about terms you don’t understand. In Wisconsin, home improvement practices are governed by Chapter ATCP110.
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