DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen gives remodeling tips

FALLBROOK — October is National Kitchen and Bath Month, bringing heightened attention to the two rooms most often remodeled in homes across America, and DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen in Fallbrook, part of one of the nation’s largest franchise companies in the industry, has seven key tips to help homeowners make the most of their remodeling budget.

“Remodeling was a $275 billion industry in the United States last year and continues to grow,” said Jennifer Jones, owner of DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Fallbrook. “And there are key things that homeowners can do to get the most bang for that buck. A little planning and education at the start can go a long way to realizing one’s remodeling dreams.”

Below are DreamMaker’s seven tips for maximizing a remodeling budget:

•Have a specific budget in mind before you take on a remodeling project. This sets the proper boundaries for you and your remodeler.

•When hiring a professional, ask friends for reliable referrals, request to see examples of past work and contact old customers to get feedback. Check out the remodeling contractor with the government Consumer Affairs Office and the Better Business Bureau.

•Ask to see a copy of the contractor’s certificate of insurance. Most states require that the contractor carry worker’s compensation, property damage and personal liability insurance.

•Get a signed contract that you and your remodeler agree upon. The contract should address expected start and substantial completion dates, include a list of what materials will be used for the project and detail what the contractor will and will not do.

•Before making changes to a project – what remodelers call a change order – find out how it will impact the cost and the expected completion date. Get a written copy of the change order.

•Agree upon the timeframe of a remodeling project. Any disruption can be an inconvenience, but don’t let it be an uneducated surprise that goes on longer than you expected.

•Do a walkthrough with your remodeler after the project is finished so each one is satisfied with the results. If anything does not meet with your approval, this is the best time to point it out.

For more remodeling tips, expert advice or information about DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Fallbrook, please contact Jennifer Jones at (760) 728-8600 or visit their Home Environment Design Center located downtown at 433 South Main Avenue, on the corner of Beech Street and Main.