Home Remodeling,Many homeowners in Hawaii often choose to remodel their existing home and customize it to meet their needs versus finding and purchasing a new home.

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by: Davidthomas

Home Remodeling
Many homeowners in Hawaii often choose to remodel their existing home
and customize it to meet their needs versus finding and purchasing a
new home. 
Getting Started*
Before beginning a project, whether large or small, make sure you
understand what is involved and know how it will be accomplished. There
are many questions that must be answered before you begin a remodeling
project.
Defining your goals –Do you
plan to live there a long time or is the house an investment? Will you
be able to recoup your investment if you decide to sell your home? If
this is not your long-term home, how will other people feel about your
aesthetic choices such as carpeting and color choices? Can you do the
designing and planning yourself, or will you need to hire a
professional? If you decide to do the work yourself, do you have the
necessary skills to get the work done? Where will you live while the
work is under way? Are you prepared to live with the mess and
inconvenience?
Budget – Before you make your budget, you will need to know what
materials you will need and learn the prices of potential materials.

Visit showrooms, home centers, lumberyards or appropriate
vendors.  Obtain catalogs – many appliance and cabinet
manufacturers have 800 numbers and showrooms will often photocopy
information for you. 
Do your math and calculate how much of everything you will
need.  List all the materials you will need and the services and
labor you will be using as well as any permits required.  Include
any shipping charges or taxes and add 15 to 20 percent to the total
cost as a contingency figure.
Include small details such as hardware, bathroom fixtures as well
as hidden components such as nails, glue and electrical wire.


Hiring a
Professional*
Although there are fees involved, when the scale and scope of the
remodel becomes too much, many island
insurance homeowners   look to a professional for
assistance in their home remodel. 
Architect – If you are planning
a renovation or addition, a state-licensed professional with a degree
in architecture may be essential.  Architects are trained to
create designs that are structurally sound, functional and
aesthetically pleasing.  They are also knowledgeable in
construction materials, can negotiate bids from contractors and are
able to supervise the actual work. 
Interior Designers – Even if
you are working with an architect, an interior designer specializes in
the decorating and furnishings of rooms and is able to offer fresh,
innovative ideas and advice.  Through their contacts, a homeowner
has access to materials and products not available on a retail level.
Kitchen and bathroom designers
– If you are planning to remodel your kitchen or bathroom, designers
who specialize in one or both rooms are individuals who are
well-informed on the latest trends in furnishings and appliances, but
they may have neither the aesthetic skill of a good interior designer
nor the structural knowledge of an architect.
Look for a member of the National Kitchen & Bath Association
(NKBA), a Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) or Certified Bathroom
Designer (CBD). Each association has a code of ethics and a continuing
program to inform members about the latest techniques and building
materials.
General Contractors –
Contractors specialize in construction, although some also have design
skills and experience as well.  General Contractors may do all the
work themselves or they may assume responsibility for hiring qualified
subcontractors.  Contractors order construction materials and see
the job is completed according to contract.  Contractors are also
able to secure building permits and arrange for inspections as work
progresses.
Subcontractors – If you are
considering doing the work yourself and are acting as your own general
contractor, you will need to hire, coordinate and supervise
subcontractors for specialized work such as wiring, plumbing or
tiling.  You will also be responsible for permits, insurance, and
payroll taxes as well as direct supervision of all aspects of
construction.  Some building codes require certain types of
electrical and plumbing work be handled by licensed contractors.
*Source: Home and Garden
Finding a Reliable Contractor**
Hire licensed contractors –
Licensed contractors must meet experience, examination and insurance requirements. 
Contact
the Hawaii State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
(DCCA) Professional & Vocational Licensing:

To verify if a person is licensed
Request prior complaints history on a licensee
To file a complaint on a licensee

Phone: (808) 587-3295, or
visit its website at pvl.ehawaii.gov/pvlsearch/app

You may also contact the Better Business Bureau to review basic
information on complaints filed with the BBB, against BBB member and
non-member businesses. Phone: (808) 536-6956 or visit its website at
hawaii.bbborg

Request References – Use references to check your contractor’s work
history, reliability and ability to stay on budget and schedule. 
Contact previous customers or personally review and examine the
contractors work. 

Obtain a Written Contract – A
contract should include details about what the contractor will and will
not do as well as include approximate start and completion dates.

Be sure the contract includes the contractor’s name, address,
phone and license number.
A detailed list of materials for the project should be included
in the contract with information such as size, color, model, brand name
and product.
Known as the “Right of Recision,” Federal law requires a
contractor give you written notice of your right to, without penalty,
cancel a contract within three business days of signing, provided it
was solicited at some place other than the contractor’s place of
business or appropriate trade premises.
Make sure financial terms are understood and spelled out in the
contract.  The total price, payment schedule, and any cancellation
penalty should be clear.
A warranty covering materials and workmanship for a minimum of
one year should be written into the contract.  The warranty must
be identified as either “full” or “limited.”  The name and address
of the party who will honor the warranty (contractor, distributor or
manufacturer) must be identified.  Make sure the time period of
the warranty is specified.


Be sure to put all changes in writing if your remodeling project is
modified while work is being done.  Both parties should sign an
amendment, called a “change order.”
Request a contractor’s Affidavit of Final Release be provided to you at
the time of final payment and a final waiver of mechanic’s lien. 
This s your assurance that you will not be liable for any third party
claims for non-payment of materials or subcontractors.
**Source: The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).

About the Author

Independent Insurance Agent Island Insurance discusses about auto insurance, personalinsurance, homeowners insurance and other types of coverages.

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