Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1094974
NWA Home Show presented by NWA HBA NWA Democrat-Gazette | Sunday, March 24, 2019 5 DOWNLOAD OUR FREE APP TODAY! New! LOOKING TO BUY? WANTING TO SELL? LET US HELP! W i t h ove r 4 0 ye a r s ex p e r i e n c e i n t h e No r t hwe s t A r k a n s a s r e a l e s t ate b u s i n e s s, 2 c o nve n i e n t l o c a t i o n s a n d 2 0 0 + a g e n t s, L i n d s ey & A s s o c i ate s i s t h e l e a d i n g r e a l e s t ate c o m p a ny i n No r t hwe s t A r k a n s a s. 5. Get a clear and mutual understanding on miscellaneous details up front. There are a lot of little details that need to be settled before work starts. What times of day will they be working? How will he or she access the property? How will cleanup be handled? How will they protect your property? 6. Remember to be flexible. Remodeling is an interruption of your normal life. Remember to be flexible during the project so that you can handle the unexpected and go with the flow. 7. Discuss and agree on how change orders will be handled. With home remodeling there is always the chance you may want to change materials or other project details during the job. Before work starts, make sure you agree with your remodeler about how these changes will be handled. Also under- stand that changes could affect the schedule and the budget, so it's important you have all changes in writing. 8. Agree on a well-written contract that covers all the bases. The contract should include these elements: a timetable for the project, price and payment schedule, detailed specifications for all products and materials, insurance information, permit information, procedures for handling change orders, lien releases, provisions for conflict resolution, notice of your right under the Federal Trade Commission's Cooling Off Rule (your right to cancel the contract within three days if it was signed someplace other than the remodeler's place of business), and details on the important issues (such as access to your home, care of the home, cleanup and trash removal). 9. Ask for a written lien waiver from the home remodeler upon comple- tion of the work. If the remod- eler hires subcontractors for portions of the work, then it is their respon- sibility to see the subcontractors compensated. In order to ensure this has been done and to protect yourself, ask for a written lien waiver when the work is finished. This docu- ment will verify everyone has been paid. 10. Establish a project plan, covering all phases and dependencies in the work. Plan your big picture goals with the remodeler and discuss your needs. Hire a remodeler who will plan with you, listen to concerns and answer questions. -- From How to Hire Your Dream Remodeler by Tom Higgins, Superior Products Home Improvement, Littleton, Colo.