Irons Brothers Construction will be an exhibitor at the Seattle Home Show, the oldest and largest consumer home show in the U.S., from Feb. 15-23 at CenturyLink Field Event Center. For hours, admission fees, parking information and other details, visit www.seattlehomeshow.com.

If you have collected photos of your dream kitchen, drafted a general budget, and talked with friends about how you wish your home was more comfortable or modern, you may be ready to hire a professional remodeler to get the job done right. Irons Brothers Construction has some helpful tips to guide you in finding the best remodeler for your project.

“Do your homework when hiring a professional remodeler,” recommends Joseph Irons, Building Industry Association of Washington Treasurer and General Manager of Irons Brothers Construction. “A professional has training, experience, and references from satisfied clients to demonstrate their remodeling expertise.”

Check out these steps for hiring a professional remodeler:

1. Collect names of remodeling companies.
   Start by searching the local and national members of building organizations, such as the Master Builders Association of King & Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Both have member directories on their websites that you can contact. Asking friends and neighbors for names of qualified remodelers will also help you find a match for your project.
2. Discuss your project with a couple remodelers.
   Call a few remodelers from your list to discuss your project. Describe what you envision for the home remodel, styles you like, your estimated budget, and other ideas for the remodeling work. Ask the remodeler if they can provide background information on their expertise. They may have a website or brochure they can share that describes their experience and accomplishments.
3. Ask if the remodeler has general liability insurance.
   Be sure to ask some important questions about the remodeler’s business that will help ensure you hire the best professional. Does the remodeler have a license, if required in your state? Do they have general liability insurance in case of an accident on the job? Do they guarantee their work? How do they handle any problems that may arise on the project? Having these answers in advance will prevent future problems and nail down the best professional remodeler for the job.
4. Check the references and background of the remodeler.
   After you start speaking with remodelers and find one or two who match your project’s needs, be sure to conduct some background research by checking their insurance, registration with WA State Department of Labor & Industries, talking to their references, and asking if they are a trade association member (such as NAHB/MBAKS Remodeler). Remodelers with these qualities tend to be more reliable, better educated, and more likely to stay on top of construction and design trends.
5. Don’t fall for the lowest bidder.
   Many people may be lured by the lowest price to their remodeling project, thinking that they have found a great deal. But beware of these alluring low prices. These bids may be more costly in the end if the contractor is cutting corners, not considering certain costs, or is inexperienced. Professional remodelers have stories about coming into homes to fix remodels from unscrupulous contractors who did shoddy work or failed to complete the job. Often, the lowest price may not ultimately provide the best value for your home remodel.

Make the smartest investment in your home by hiring a professional remodeler. They’ll help you stay on budget, solve remodeling challenges, and provide a higher-quality service.

For more tips on planning a home remodel or hiring a professional remodeler, visit the Consumer Tips Page from Irons Brothers Construction at www.ironsbc.com