Des Plaines, Ill., November 10, 2005 - During a typical remodel, a homeowner's temper can flare, with the addition of the dust, noise and of having a crew working in the home for most of the day.

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) offers homeowners some pointers on how maintain a good relationship with their remodeling contractors during a home remodel. . A first-rate remodeling contractor will often anticipate many of these points and prepare a homeowner for what's ahead.

NARI President Paul Winans, CR, says "The key to a good homeowner-contractor relationship is open communication," he continues, "start a dialogue over issues you have, no matter how small you think they are. Chances are the problem can be overcome."

NARI says, follow these tips and make life during a home remodel a little easier:

· Before work begins, sit down with your contractor and discuss details that will affect your daily routine. For example, ask that the workers do not block the driveway without checking whether the homeowner's car is out of the garage. Also, find out what their schedule will be so you know what to expect, and if the schedule falls behind, be sure to ask why to keep that line of communication open.

· From day one, be honest with your contractor about your expectations. Open communication establishes trust and is the basis of a good working relationship. Discuss problems or irritations as they occur so you and your contractor can devise alternative solutions.

· Be sure to let your contractor know if you are planning a vacation or business trip so they can make their own schedule. If you decide to let them work while you are away, give them a phone number so they can reach you in case there is a question.

· Allow plenty of time for your project, keeping in mind that delays due to weather, material shortage or other problems cannot be predicted ahead of time.

· Remove your personal property from the construction areas, and declare all work zones off limits to children and pets.

· Always put changes in writing, especially if the plans are modified while the work is being done. Have both parties agree on the changes and sign a written copy of them before the work begins. And remember, changes will often cause delays, so if you decide a change is in order, be patient with the extended timeline.

· Keep all paperwork related to the job in one place so that if there are any questions on the plans, you have an easy reference for clarification.

The remodeling market, a $230 billion industry in the U.S. in 2003, is projected to continue to grow as the U.S. housing stock ages. It is estimated that more than a million homes per year undergo major renovation or remodeling.

For more information about finding a qualified remodeling professional, consumers can call the NARI National hotline at 800-611-NARI and request a free copy of NARI's brochure, "How to Select a Remodeling Professional," or visit www.RemodelToday.com and look up the homeowners guide for more information.

NARI is a national professional association whose member companies voluntarily subscribe to a strict code of ethics. Consumers may wish to search www.RemodelToday.com to find a remodeler who is a member of NARI.

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EDITORS NOTE: NARI can provide hi-res digital before and after photos of award-winning remodeling projects to accompany your story. Contact NARI with your photo request at mhillgoth@nari.org or ask for Michelle Hillgoth at 800-611-6274.

For more remodeling industry stories, visit NARI's online news room at: http://www.nari.org/level2/pressroom/

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The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is the only national trade association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry. With more than 7,100 member companies nationwide, the Association -- based in Des Plaines, Illinois, -- is "The Voice of the Remodeling Industry"^TM. For membership information or to find a contractor in your area, visit NARI's website at www.RemodelToday.com, or contact the national headquarters office at 800-611-NARI.

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