Home Remodeling

We've all heard the horror stories: a kitchen with cabinets removed, a gaping hole in the wall, and the contractor skips town. A family room that looked beautiful until it started to rain.

I'm Shirley Rooker for the Federal Trade Commission.

How can you protect against disaster when you undertake your home beautification project? Planning and a good contract can help.

The best way to find a contractor is through friends and neighbors. Industry groups recommend you get a written estimate from at least three contractors, visit job sites, and inspect the quality of work.

You know checking references is important. But so is getting specific materials and the quality of products outlined in the contract, as well as a timeline for completion of phases of the project.

A survey by Consumer Reports found that dissatisfaction with home remodeling results was largely due to cost overruns and jobs that took considerably longer than scheduled. Keep those findings in mind when planning your project.

I'm Shirley Rooker, director of WTOP radio's Call For Action for the Federal Trade Commission.

January 2002