Start your remodeling project on the right foot by selecting a licensed and insured, professional remodeling general contractor.

The complete process of kitchen and bath planning, design and installation requires a tremendous amount of expertise. Not only do planning and space requirements have to be met, but plumbing, electrical, lighting and construction issues must also be addressed. Ultimately, the kitchen and bath must be aesthetically pleasing and, most importantly, be functional, safe and satisfy the needs of the homeowner.

SOME USEFUL TIPS TO CONSIDER:

Employ a contractor with an established showroom in your area. Plan to visit their business and set aside ample time to convey your thoughts and ideas to the desginer who will assist you from start to finish.

Contact your state or local licensing agencies to insure the contractor meets all licensing and insurance requirements.

If soliciting bids, be sure the bids are for the same scope and quality of work. Ask for references. A reputable firm will be proud to have you visit their previous projects or speak to their clients.

Proper planning is important. Think your project through from start to finish. Design and function are of prime importance and a professional remodeling contractor will see to it that your needs are met.

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"I want to remodel my kitchen & bathroom. Where do I start"

Once you've decided to create your dream kitchen or bathroom, there is a process you should follow to assure your project becomes a good investment. Careful planning and attention to design, cabinets, equipment and fixtures are needed to create a kitchen or bathroom that is not only a good investment in a family's life style, but a good investment in a family's real estate property. With so many decisions to make and so much to think about, you need a professional to design, organize and plan this project, someone who understands all the complexities involved.

FIRST and foremost you need a budget. This is the starting point for any project. It's not. "what will a kitchen or bath cost," but "what are we going to invest in our new kitchen or bath."

SECONDLY, find a design professional to help in creating your new room.

How to Choose a professional Remodeler If you own a home, no matter what it's age, sooner or later you may join the millions of people who remodel their homes each year. The reasons for remodeling are as varied as the projects themselves. Generally people choose remodeling to add comfort, convenience, space, and ultimately to enhance their investment in what may be their most valuable asset. Your home is too important to entrust to anyone but a professional remodeler who can. Save you money by doing your job right the first time. Understand that your comfort during the project and its successful completion depend on effective communication and follow-through. Maintain a safe job site to prevent damage to your home or injury to household members and pets. Provide the best possible materials with in your budget. Ensure your job meets or exceeds applicable building codes and regulations. Guarantee the quality of the work with a warranty. Before you meet with a remodeler , develop an idea of what you want to do. Write a list of your needs and wants. Look at magazines and collect pictures of what you like. (the more clearly you can envision the project and describe it on paper, the more likely you can convey a clear image of your project to a professional remodeler.) Now it's time to begin your search: Seek referrals from others who have had remodeling work done, as independent trade contractors, building materials suppliers, architects, home inspectors and local tenders. And local building inspectors to see if they have received any complaints. When interviewing prospective remodelers, here are some questions you may want to ask. Does the remodeler. Maintain in a permanent mailing address, phone number and paging or answering system? Carry insurance that protects you from claims arising from property damage or jobsite injuries? Have an established presence in the community? Have a trustworthy reputation among customers and the business community? Ask for a list of building suppliers and call them to see if the remodeler has an account or pays for materials on delivery. (Most suppliers are willing to extend credit to financially sound companies.) Specialize in particular types of projects? Arrange for the building permit? Offer a warranty? If so, what kind and for how long? Agree to begin and complete your job with in your timetable? Respond promptly to your questions? Listen to your needs and wants? Ask the remodeler for examples of how the company has solved similar space problems for other customers. Interview previous and present customers. And before you sign a contract. •  Ask the remodeler to share names and phone numbers of some customers with you and the time to see the remodeler's work. •  Ask the homeowners if the would hire the company again. Did the company maintain a responsibly neat jobsite? Did they keep delays to a minimum? Did they find the remodeler easy to talk to? Did the remodeler keep the informed as the job progressed? How to Live With Your Remodeling Project With remodeling, your home becomes the work site. You live side by side with the project from start to finish. You have to adjust your daily routines to make way for the construction that will transform your dreams into reality. Successful remodeling projects depend upon mutual trust and consistent communication between you and your remodeler. Plan ahead to keep your project on schedule. A full kitchen or bathroom remodel project may take a few weeks while cabinet and shower or bathroom surround refacing and tub re-lining may take just a day or two. Luxury Bath and Kitchens will provide you with a schedule for each phase of the project. Realize that any changes you make after work has begun may affect schedule and budget. In your pre-construction meeting, be sure to ask about the following: If you are choosing hardware for new cabinets that have not yet been drilled , your choices are plentiful. From any size pull or knob, and or combination you would like, to a wide variety of designs. Your only limitations are yourself. Depending on your cabinetry, you can choose one that looks best to you. A good place to start looking, is in the kitchen design magazines. You will see a vast selection being used in all different types of designs. It's also a good idea to bring a sample door or drawer with you to a decorative hardware showroom so you can see how it looks before you buy it. If you can't bring a sample to the showroom, most will allow you to borrow a few to take back home with you, and try them on for looks.