| So you're not the perfect blend of Martha Stewart | | | | is reluctant to give names. |
| and Bob Vila. That's all right. Your home can still look | | | | While "how much will this cost [ is an important |
| the way you imagine with a little help from your area | | | | question, also ask how your candidate will be paid. |
| architects or designers. | | | | What up front fees must you pay and what amount |
| The first step to remodeling your home is to determine | | | | will be charged throughout the process? Find out if you |
| whether you will need an architect or a designer. | | | | will be charged to make changes to the plans while in |
| Generally speaking, you need an architect if you plan | | | | the floor-plan stage. And, asking what would happen if |
| to tear down or move walls. Some research on the | | | | the project goes over budget will help you determine |
| Internet or at your local library should provide you with | | | | who will be responsible to pay for any changes |
| a good sense of which one is the right person for your | | | | necessary to scale back the project. |
| job. Once this is determined, contact several architects | | | | Be clear about the kind of services your candidate will |
| or designers the area and begin the interview process. | | | | provide. You will find a range of responses to this |
| Interview several candidates to get some perspective | | | | question. Some candidates will only draw up the plans |
| on the different options available to you. | | | | and then turn them over to you to implement. Others |
| During the interview, find out what credentials your | | | | will draw the plans and work on the project to the end |
| candidates hold in their fields, but don't stop there. Once | | | | by overseeing the contractors. In the same vein, ask |
| you have learned the credentials, ask what | | | | the person you are interviewing what they can do to |
| organizations monitor these credentials, and find out | | | | "show" you how certain changes will look in your |
| what the candidates did to earn these credentials. | | | | home. This can be done through drawings depicting |
| Find out how long the candidate has worked in your | | | | your remodeled home (called interior elevations), scale |
| area. Generally, the longer the person has worked in | | | | models, or virtual reality computer programs that allow |
| one area, the better. It is difficult to do business in one | | | | you to "walk through" your remodeled home. |
| locale for a long time with a bad reputation hovering in | | | | And remember, during this interview you shouldn't be |
| the background. | | | | doing all of the talking. A competent candidate should |
| Ask your candidates if they have any completed | | | | be initiating questions about your house, your family's |
| projects you could tour to learn more about their ability | | | | lifestyle, and your tastes to gain a sense of your |
| and style. This may also give you an opportunity to talk | | | | wants and needs. These types of conversations |
| to former clients face to face. Be sure to ask for | | | | generate new ideas that expand the possibilities for |
| references, and, of course, be wary if your candidate | | | | your remodeled home. |