Q. We have several home improvement projects planned for this year. We will visit the Home Show this weekend. What advice may BBB offer as we evaluate businesses to partner with for these projects?
A. The arrival of the Home Show this weekend typically is motivation for many homeowners who are considering remodel projects. Whether your home improvement project is small or gigantic, if you are hiring someone to do it, there are some considerations to be “nailed down.”
The Better Business Bureau has some tips for those planning to attend the Tri-State Home Show and for those planning to hire a contractor. Home shows are a great place to get new ideas and options for your project. Here are some things to keep in mind to maximize your Home Show experience:
– Do a little investigating ahead of time. Look for websites of the vendors who provide the services and products that you are considering. This way you will have some advance understanding of what they offer. (Visit the Home Show website to find a list of exhibitors. www.homeshowchattanoga.com . In advance, using a search engine for inquiry, research online a company’s name plus words like “complaints” and “reviews.”
– Check out specific local contractors and businesses with the BBB at www.bbb.org/Chattanooga. The BBB business review will provide a grade rating, if BBB accredited, complaint history and resolution and customer reviews, positive and negative. BBB will be onsite at the show and available to assist with questions. Stop by and pick up a brochure on “10 Tips for Hiring a Contractor.”