Resources

Before Hiring a Contractor

• Verify the contractor holds a Virginia State Contractors License
• Verify local licensing as required
• Get verification of properly endorsed insurance coverage
• Take your time and do some research
• Ask questions and trust your instincts
• Obtain several estimates and be sure you are comparing “apples to apples”
• Ask for references and call them
• Get a written contract and read it
• Talk with friends, family members, and neighbors for referrals
• And remember…if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is!!

Contact the Board for Contractors Department of Professional & Occupational Regulation at 804-367-8511 or www.dpor.virginia.gov.

Green Remodeling & Energy Efficiency

Why go green?

• Increasing energy efficiency can offset the monthly costs of a home equity loan by dramatically lowering energy bills
• Green remodeling can adapt a home to regional conditions (such as natural landscaping), provide increased comfort (such as better air quality), and make a home easier and cheaper to maintain with durable products if maintained properly
• Many energy efficiency upgrades qualify for federal tax credits

What are the top ways to increase energy efficiency?

• Install appropriate levels of insulation
• Install high-efficiency windows instead of those that minimally meet the energy code
• Seal all exterior penetrations in areas being remodeled
• Purchase only EnergyStar®-rated appliances
• Install only low-flow water fixtures
• Upgrade to at least an EnergyStar®-rated water heater, or better yet, a tankless water heater
• Purchase the highest efficiency HVAC system you can afford and make sure it is correctly sized for the area you want to condition.

Learn more at www.nahb.org/efficiencytaxcredit.

Accessibility & Independent Living

What should my home contain if I want to age in place?

• A master bedroom and bath on the first floor
• A low or no-threshold entrance to the home with an overhang
• Lever-style door handles
• No change in levels on the main floor
• Bright lighting in all areas, especially places like stairways
• A low-maintenance exterior
• Non-slip flooring at the main entryway
• An open floor plan, especially in the kitchen/dining area
• Handrails at all steps

Learn more at http://www.aarp.org/home-garden/home-improvement.