Both you and the professional remodeler you have selected have one thing in common: Both of you want to create the home of your dreams in the most efficient, pleasurable and cost effective manner possible.

Your working relationship will depend on not only a strong commitment on the part of both parties, but also more than anything else, on open, frank communication and trust. At the frequent and honest level you will need to communicate, don’t be surprised if at the end of the process, you’ve become good friends.

For the next several months you will work closely to create something important to both of you. The success of your efforts matter to you because this is your property. The outcome matters to your builder/remodeler because your project will ultimately become a testimonial to his or her ability. Your total happiness with the finished product is a builder/remodeler’s absolute best form of advertising because the results are there for all to see.

A relationship based on friendship, good communication and trust is one of your best guarantees to achieving a superior result.

The 500+ members of the Homebuilders Association of Kitsap County (HBA) are as diverse in what services they offer as they are in number. But one important fact is consistent — selecting an HBA member assures you that your builder/remodeler is completely qualified, licensed, bonded and insured. Proof of that is a requirement for membership in the organization.

Some builder/remodelers provide everything from in-house design right down to the flowers in the yard. Others will allow you to work side-by-side with them and leave up to you just how much you would like to do yourself and how much you want done by outside professionals. Many others deliver levels of service everywhere in between.

When making a decision on a remodeler, be careful to choose one who can work comfortably with you, your spouse, and the rest of your team, while concentrating on providing you with the highest quality construction job possible to meet your needs.

HBA members can build anything you ask, whenever you ask, wherever you want it. However, some have particular expertise in specific price ranges and or types of properties, while others prefer to work in certain locations. Still others specialize in remodeling, having obtained the Certified Graduate Remodelor (CGR) professional designation, which is bestowed by the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) after an extensive course of study. Clarifying these issues is one of your primary tasks when choosing a builder or remodeler.

Avoid making an early commitment until you have thoroughly reviewed your options. Meet with your candidates more than once and make sure you are comfortable with your mutual communication level and the builder/remodeler’s ability to understand and communicate your desires to others.

Ask for references from past clients and talk to those people. Ask if you may visit them and physically inspect the quality of the completed work to see if it meets your own personal standards for quality and competence. Take particular notice of the finish work, as it is often a clue to the quality of what you can’t see.

Ask what sub-contractors will be used and check references on these as well. Using reliable, respected professionals will ensure fewer challenges in the long run.

If, after checking their references and seeing the quality of their work, you’re having trouble deciding between several qualified builder/remodelers you may want each of them to submit bids for your project. If you take this route, it’s critical to make sure each of the candidates receives exactly the same information and set of plans. This will avoid verbal misunderstandings or oversights — which can sometimes be very expensive and damage the relationship between you and the builder/remodeler you select.

The builder/remodeler handles details like coordinating the ordering of materials, hiring sub-contractors and paying vendors, as well as arranging for all permits and inspections.

Be sure that your builder/remodeler is well versed in Kitsap County’s Comprehensive Plan and in its somewhat time-consuming and onerous permitting process, as well as any city regulations and codes that may apply. Don’t be surprised if your builder/remodeler suggests using a planning consultant to help guide you through this legal maze prior to construction.

You will ultimately be negotiating the price of the project with a single builder/remodeler, so you need someone you trust explicitly. Remember, your working relationship may last for anywhere from a few months to a year, and will involve not only what for a lot of people is the single largest investment they make in their lifetime, but your ultimate comfort and enjoyment for years to come. For these reasons, you have to feel free to openly discuss your concerns both up front and as you go along.

Once you have selected and negotiated a contract with your builder/remodeler, you are ready for the excitement and satisfaction of watching a major transformation take place. Your builder/remodeler will want to be involved in the entire planning process as soon as possible. His or her advice can be especially helpful in pointing out and overcoming unforeseen challenges.

Your builder/remodeler will also want to develop a working relationship with your architect and other designers early in the planning process. Since many builder/remodelers do not typically handle landscaping and interior design services, these people should meet with you and your builder/remodeler before groundbreaking.

But your input is critical, so do your homework. Selection of things like cabinets, countertops, floor coverings, appliances, fixtures, and other amenities early in the construction process will assure you have adequate lead-time for them to be ordered, delivered and installed on time. This is especially important for items like custom cabinetry and other millwork.

Remodeling generally follows a typical schedule, which begins with removing all the old materials such as cabinets, fixtures, walls and windows if necessary and old floor coverings. Then the new construction begins, starting with framing, decking, the placement of windows, skylights, and doors, and then installation of any roofing and/or exterior siding if needed.

As your remodel begins to take shape, heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical systems are roughed in, followed by insulation, interior drywall, trim and then paint.

At this point, you begin to see your remodel project approaching completion. At this stage the tile, cabinets, final plumbing, electrical fixtures, and, floor coverings are being installed, Outside, landscaping and exterior site development, including paving, planting, irrigation equipment and lighting are all underway.

Inspections are conducted by the county or city, depending on where you are located — and sometimes by your lender as well, at several different stages of construction.

Once the construction process is complete, your builder/remodeler will be ready to call for a final inspection by the city or county. At this point, be prepared for the final walkthrough. This is when you and your contractor go over every inch of the project. Both of you should have a checklist — or what in industry terms is called a “punch list.” This usually involves minor, but important details. Review it several times and make sure you and your builder/remodeler agree on what is to be done and when it will be accomplished.

One final warning. your schedule is always subject to change. Although your builder/remodeler orchestrates a myriad of people and processes, there are always things beyond his or her control — like weather, holidays, labor and/or material shortages, delivery delays, as well as your availability to make important decisions – can all impact the completion date. Like any process involving skilled labor, diverse materials, and numerous people, remodeling a home or commercial building requires flexibility – and a good manager with strong people skills, and practical knowledge. Your confidence in your builder/remodeler will enable you to be pleased with the final outcome for years to come.