National-Home-Improvement-Month-BARRIER

What Should I Know About National Home Improvement Month?

May in 2002 marked the month-long holiday known as National Home Improvement Month. Created by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (or NARI), and the support of the U.S. Congress, this holiday was meant to initiate more home improvement transformations and assist homeowners in finding professionals to help with the required work. Another goal was to educate homeowners about the quality of their homes and help them to more easily identify the signs of problems that could eventually lead to damage or even bigger problems.

The Importance of Home Renovation and Maintenance

Remodeling your home is an important investment. But like any investment, it will require some maintenance. In fact, a full 66% of the US owner-occupied housing stock was built before 1980, and 38% was built before 1970. That means that many older homes will need some repair, renovation, or updating at some time during the time they are lived in. But how do you best go about it? 

To help you get started, you can use the National Association of Home Builder’s (or NAHB) National Home Improvement Month Tool Kit. The toolkit contains a step-by-step guide and templates for remodeling projects. You may even be able to find some radio programs dedicated to broadcasting some pro advice during the month, like the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Cape Cod. Besides creating a website for the toolkit, NAHB offers resources for the pro remodeler. You can also find advice or FREE evaluation from local home improvement professionals, like our team of waterproofing and foundation repair experts here at BARRIER Waterproofing Systems.

Things You Can Do To Ensure A Successful Remodel

Once you’ve narrowed down the list of remodeling options, you should decide on a budget. Remember that remodeling projects take time, so it’s best to plan ahead for the cost. Be realistic in your budget and include the products and services your home needs as well as the projects you want. If you plan to change the layout, structure, or plumbing of your home, you’ll need a permit from your local building department. Most professional contractors help with this area of the home improvement process, making things much easier for you where they can.

Choosing a professional remodeler for your home remodeling project is not an easy task. While home improvement shows provide a great opportunity to meet contractors, they are not always the best venues to interview them. Instead, they can be great opportunities to learn about different companies and their services. 

You can also attend a seminar or home show to learn more about the remodeling process or to ask questions. It is recommended to work one on one with a credible licensed professional when investing in your home to gain a personal understanding of the work being done, how it is done, and how it will help improve your quality of life. 

A direct approach could be to visit the worksite of potential home improvement contractors. You can assess their professionalism and communication skills by visiting current remodeling jobs. Ask for references and observe how they work together. Do they communicate well with other members of your renovation team? Do they keep the work site clean? Do they have experience with similar projects? You can also check with online presence reviews and other testimonials to see if the contractor in question offers a trustworthy service.

Conclusion

You can celebrate the home-building industry by hiring a remodeler during National Home Improvement Month. The process can be as complex or limited as your home needs, ranging from a small change to an entire overhaul of a home. In order to avoid getting ripped off, be sure to hire a remodeling company with an excellent reputation. Check their licensing and certification information, and check their business history. In addition to licensing, a professional remodeler should be able to provide references and insurance. They should also have experience in working with different kinds of homes.

Take the initiative this May to learn more about the improvements that your home needs to offer a higher quality of life for your family. Visit our website to learn more about the common signs of moisture intrusion that happen all across the country every day and the negative effects they have on the integrity of your home’s structure. You can also schedule a FREE evaluation for our team to inspect your home’s foundation and determine if you need any form of waterproofing system solutions to solve any problems. Give us a call today at (615) 257-1060 | (931) 536-1168 to get started.