Find a Contractor for Your Home Improvement Project

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Home Remodeling

An unfinished basement or attic, disused bedroom, or decades-outdated living room might seem like wasted space to some but to others, these rooms represent a world of possibility. A home remodeling project, from a subtle re-envisioning to a structural overhaul, can breathe life and energy into even the most tired, lackluster spaces, making your home feel as new as the day you moved in. In this guide we'll show you how to use the breadth of the Web to get ideas, plan your rooms, develop a budget, hire the right professionals, and more.

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Design Styles

Modern, Colonial, Tudor, Southwestern: there are no one-style-fits-all looks when it comes to ... read more »

How to Remodel Your Home

A serious remodeling project could mean taking down walls, tearing up floors, and buying roomfuls ... read more »

Find a Contractor for Your Home Improvement Project

If yours is a big job, chances are you don't have the skills, tools, time, or know-how to complete it on your own. This means you'll need to find a contractor or other outside professional to make your vision a reality. Use the resources in this section to ensure that you select the right people for the job.

Dulcinea's Insight

Before you use the Internet to find names of professional builders, designers, or architects, ask friends and family if they have any recommendations. Then use the Web as a tool to find out more about that person or company.

The sites in this section let you filter professionals geographically, enabling you to find a contractor more easily.

See if each professional that you're considering has his or her own Web site. Often experts have portfolios displaying their projects posted on their sites. This can help you determine if you like their work, and whether they've done something comparable to your home improvement project.

Use the Better Business Bureau's Web site to find out if there are any unresolved complaints against the people you're considering for the job.

Dulcinea's Picks

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) has a database of professional remodelers. Type in your zip code for a list of remodelers (with e-mail addresses and company Web sites) in your area.

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The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has an "Architect Finder" where you can look for a specific architect or firm in your area. The group has a community of 80,000 licensed professionals.

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The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) has a "Designer Referral Service" that helps you find an experienced professional designer near you. Their site also includes a "Knowledge Center" with informative articles.

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Danny Lipford is the site of the weekly TV show Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford. Look for articles on products from drywall to decks. You'll also learn how to determine what pro is right for your job, and the questions to ask your contractor before hiring him.

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DoItYourself.com answers whether an architect is truly necessary for all home remodel projects, and provides information about building designers. It also offers thoughtful advice for people wondering if they could design a remodel themselves.

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