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Kitchen & Bath Remodeling Help

NARI defines roles of home improvement professionals.

If the term “Do-it-Yourself” does not apply to you when it comes to home improvements, do you know whom to turn to when it comes time to start planning your remodeling project? There are many types of professionals within the home improvement field, and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) explains the varied types of home improvement professionals that you may need.

The General Contractor: Many home improvement projects do not require professional design services and can be best handled by an experienced contractor. A general contractor has knowledge of the materials and methods to manage the construction of your project. General contractors are also the right choice, if you have had your project designed by an architect or designer and you now need someone to manage the construction of those designs.

If it is design services you require, your options include:

The Architect: In cases where your professional remodeler does not provide design services, you may wish to seek the assistance of a professionally trained architect. Major remodeling projects require construction drawings for the purposes of defining a contract and procuring permits. Architects have an overall knowledge of design and are licensed by the state. Working with an architect with remodeling experience is a plus because he/she will be more aware of the special challenges that a remodeling project may present. Many architects do not accept smaller projects.

The Designer: Another option available is to hire a certified or licensed designer. Designers can also provide construction drawings and often have expertise in specific areas of the home, such as the kitchen, bathroom, space design, etc. and may be the best choice for a targeted project.

The Design/Build Contractor: If you prefer one company to handle both the design and construction services, you need to look for a design/build firm. Design/build is a concept developed to benefit the remodeler who wants one company to handle both aspects of the remodeling project. A design/build contractor will see your job through from start to finish, keeping design, engineering and budget in mind.

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