As home owners interview potential contractors,
being able to understand the terminology used can help to avoid miscommunication,
ensure a smoother remodeling experience,
and enjoy a new or updated kitchen, bathroom or room addition even sooner.
Learn How Speaking the Language can Help you with a Remodel Project
Families remodel their homes for many different reasons that include redesigning the space better to better suit the family’s current lifestyle or saving money on utility bills. Whatever the reason for a remodel, it helps to know how to talk to a remodeler or contractor.
Remodeling continues to be a great solution for many home owners in today’s economy. Americans spent $116 billion on improvements to owner-occupied units in 2010, and economists at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) forecast that nationwide remodeling expenditures will increase to $131 billion by 2012 as the housing market recovers from the recession. Locally, the average permit cost for a residential addition or remodeling project has increased in 2011 compared to the last two years.
As home owners interview potential contractors, being able to understand the terminology used can help them avoid miscommunication, ensure a smoother remodeling experience, and enjoy a new or updated kitchen, bathroom or room addition even sooner.
Currently some of the most popular remodeling projects, according to NAHB surveys, include bathroom and kitchen remodeling, windows or door replacements, room additions, whole house remodeling, decks, roof replacements and finishing basements.
Below is a glossary of some of the common terms used by builders and remodelers to help you understand the language of your remodeling project:
Families remodel their homes for many different reasons that include redesigning the space better to better suit the family’s current lifestyle or saving money on utility bills. Whatever the reason for a remodel, it helps to know how to talk to a remodeler or contractor.
Remodeling continues to be a great solution for many home owners in today’s economy. Americans spent $116 billion on improvements to owner-occupied units in 2010, and economists at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) forecast that nationwide remodeling expenditures will increase to $131 billion by 2012 as the housing market recovers from the recession. Locally, the average permit cost for a residential addition or remodeling project has increased in 2011 compared to the last two years.
As home owners interview potential contractors, being able to understand the terminology used can help them avoid miscommunication, ensure a smoother remodeling experience, and enjoy a new or updated kitchen, bathroom or room addition even sooner.
Currently some of the most popular remodeling projects, according to NAHB surveys, include bathroom and kitchen remodeling, windows or door replacements, room additions, whole house remodeling, decks, roof replacements and finishing basements.
Below is a glossary of some of the common terms used by builders and remodelers to help you understand the language of your remodeling project:
Allowance: A specific dollar amount allocated by a contractor for specified items in a contract for which the brand, model number, color, size or other details are not yet known.
Bid: A proposal to work for a certain amount of money, based on plans and specifications for the project.
Building Permit: A document issued by a governing authority, such as a city or county building department, granting permission to undertake a construction project.
Call-back: An informal term for a return visit by the contractor to repair or replace items the home owner has found to be unsatisfactory or that require service under the warranty.
Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS): The CAPS designation was developed by the National Association of Home Builders and AARP. CAPS professionals have been taught the strategies and techniques to meet the home modification needs of home owners who want to continue living in their homes safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of age or ability level. CAPS graduates pledge to uphold a code of ethics and are required to maintain their designation by attending education programs and participating in community service.
Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR): A professional designation program offered through the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodelers Council™. To attain the CGR designation, a remodeler must take a specified number of continuing education courses and must comply with a strict code of ethics.
Certified Green Professional (CGP): The CGP designation recognizes builders, remodelers and other industry professionals who incorporate green building principles into homes— without driving up the cost of construction. CGP professionals have a solid background in green building methods and solutions.
Change Order: Written authorization to the contractor to make a change or addition to the work described in the original contract. The change order should reflect any changes in cost and schedule.
Cost-plus Contract: A contract between a contractor and home owner based on the accrued cost of labor and materials plus a percentage for profit and overhead — also known as a time-and-materials contract.
Draw: A designated payment that is "drawn" from the total project budget to pay for services completed to date. A draw schedule typically is established in the contract.
Green Remodeling: One of today’s hottest trends that incorporates sustainable, durable, and healthier design into the renovation of existing homes to improve energy efficiency or indoor environmental quality. Some of the top upgrades that can make a home more energy efficient include putting in high-efficiency windows and low-flow water fixtures, replacing appliances and water heaters with new ENERGY STAR®-rated ones, increasing or upgrading the quality of insulation, and purchasing a high-efficiency HVAC system that is appropriately sized for the area that is to be heated or cooled. An added incentive for green remodeling is the federal tax credits offered for certain energy efficient home improvements that are installed through the end of 2011.
Lead Renovator: An EPA Lead-Safe certified contractor who follows specific work practices to prevent lead contamination in dwelling built before 1978. In 1978, the use of lead paint was officially banned from residential construction. Before that, however, lead paint was used in more than 38 million homes, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Lien Release: A document that voids the legal right of a contractor, subcontractor or supplier to place a lien against your property. A lien release assures you that the remodeler has paid subcontractors and suppliers in full for labor and materials.
Mechanic’s Lien: A lien obtained by an unpaid subcontractor or supplier through the courts. When enforced, real property — such as your home — can be sold to pay the subcontractor or supplier. If a subcontractor or supplier signed a lien release, then this lien cannot be enforced.
Plans and Specifications: Drawings for the project, and a detailed list or description of the known products, materials, quantities and finishes to be used.
Punch List: A list of work items to be completed or corrected by the contractor, typically near or at the end of a project.
Subcontractor: A person or company hired directly by the contractor to perform specialized work at the job site — sometimes referred to as a trade contractor.
