April Fools pranks are not a uniquely American tradition - but in other countries they have their own character. In France, for instance, the victim of a prank on the first day of April is referred to as a "poisson d'avril," or “April fish” (Referring to a young fish that is easily caught.) Many French pranks include a fish or at least a vague reference to one within the joke being played.

As much as you may enjoy practical jokes, there are certain times when you simply don’t want to be fooled - and that includes when you’re choosing a remodeler.

Your home is too important an investment to trust to just anyone. So how can you make sure you select the remodeler who is right for your home?

Here are three tips that can help:

1. Interview Your Remodeler: Don’t just pick someone out of the phone book or from an online listing. Talk to potential candidates. Find out how long they’ve been in business. As them to show you work they’ve done that’s similar in nature to what you want to do.

2. Does Your Remodeler “Get It?”: One of the most important factors in choosing your remodeler is finding someone who understands exactly what you want. When you talk to a contractor does he or she listen and ask questions? Look for a remodeler who “gets” your vision—and can offer suggestions on how to make it happen.

3. Check References: Any reputable remodeler will provide you with references. But a name on a piece of paper doesn’t really tell you much. Call one or two references and ask the homeowner what it was like to work with the remodeler. Was it a good experience? Did they feel listened to? How did they resolve problems? Those issues are every bit as important as price and expertise when it comes to choosing a remodeler.

Of course there are other things to consider when choosing a good remodeler, but if you start with these three things, you’ll be well on your way to choosing the right one for your project. Asking pertinent questions is one good way to avoid being fooled.

Question For You:

What’s the next remodeling project you have planned for your home?

Please email us and let us know – hope you are having a great start to your April!