5 Tips to Stretch Your Remodeling Budget
by Rudy Nino

It's that time of year again, children are getting ready to go back to school, and that means fresh thoughts, new beginnings, and ideas for home renovation start to take shape. The San Antonio Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) reminds homeowners to seek out contractors who can turn their dream homes into reality.

"Preparing for a remodeling project requires a lot of patience and time," said Rudy Nino, CRG, of SA Building & Remodeling, and President of NARI, "local contractors of NARI are still very busy." He adds, "Just because a contractor may be busy now that does not mean that it will cost more, there are ways to stretch your remodeling budget."

Below are NARI's tips for stretching that budget:

Getting Started

* Hire a professional contractor who is familiar with the building codes in your area. Replacing work that does not meet code can be extremely expensive.

* A well-written contract can prevent costly mistakes or additions to the scope of your project. It is a critical step in maintaining your budget.

* Save money by planning ahead. Go through the design process with your remodeler first and choose everything you want to include in the new room(s), from appliances to light fixtures. This will define your budget and prevent hasty (and costly) changes later in the project.

* Compare products and their prices carefully before you make final decisions. And keep an open mind when you discuss product and design ideas with your contractor.

* Aside from product choice, another way to decrease the cost of your remodeling project is to pay attention to how labor-intensive some design features may be. For instance, laying a ceramic tile mosaic backsplash would be costly vs. a backsplash laid with conventional-sized tiles.

* The remodeling market, a $275 billion industry in the U.S. in 2005, is expected to continue to experience significant growth. It is estimated that more than a million homes per year undergo major renovation or remodeling.

NARI is a professional association whose members voluntarily subscribe to a strict code of ethics. Consumers may wish to search www.RemodelToday.com to find a qualified professional who is a member of NARI.

Consumers can also call the NARI National hotline at 800-611-NARI and request a free copy of NARI's brochure, "How to Select a Remodeling Professional," or visit www.narisanantonio.com and click on the homeowner's guide for more information.

About NARI: The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is the only trade association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry. With more than 7,000 member companies nationwide, the Association -- based in Des Plaines, Illinois - is "The Voice of the Remodeling Industry."TM For membership information, or to locate a local NARI chapter or a remodeling professional, visit our website at www.narisanantonio.com.

Company Name: San Antonio Chapter of NARI
Website: http://www.narisanantonio.com
Author: Rudy Nino
E-Mail: info@narisanantonio.com
Address: 1100 NW Loop 410, Suite 700
City: San Antonio
State: TX
Zip: 78213