Residential Real EstateNARI Advises Consumers to Hire Professionals
According to U.S. Government statistical abstracts, nearly 80 percent of all homes purchased each year are existing homes, most of which require various degrees of renovation and remodeling. Unfortunately, not everyone is qualified or reputable to perform the work.
NARI President Joe Tripi says, "Homeowners should know that membership in NARI is the sign of a professional. Each member of NARI pledges to observe high standards of honesty, integrity and responsibility in the conduct of business.""
The NARI Code of Ethics distinguishes a NARI member contractor from any other. It offers homeowners a form of insurance and security -- for they know that NARI contractors adhere to the following standards:
1. By promoting those products and services which are functionally and economically sound, and which are consistent with objective standards of health and safety;
2. By making all advertising and sales promotion factually accurate with respect to product description, performance specification and cost-benefit analysis, and by avoiding those practices which tend to mislead or deceive the customer with respect to competitive pricing, saving claims, or the nature and significance of contracts, warranties, finance agreements, completion certificates, lien waivers or liability and workers" compensation insurance;
3. By writing all contracts and warranties such that they are fair and mutually beneficial to all parties concerned, such that they are free of ambiguities or omissions which tend to obscure contractual obligations, and such that warranty terms and provisions are free of the capacity to mislead or deceive the customer and to the quality or longevity of the product or service;
4. By promptly acknowledging and acting on all customer complaints, and in situations where complaints appear unreasonable and persistent, by encouraging the customer to initiate an approved third-party dispute settlement mechanism; and
5. By refraining from any act intended to restrain trade or suppress competition, and to thereby promote the private enterprise system and its guarantee of equal rights for all.
A NARI professional contractor also has ready access to the latest information in the field through publications, educational programs, conferences and an annual national convention featuring new products, materials and techniques.
Because education is the best protection, homeowners should contact NARI to find area NARI contractors and for information regarding their remodeling projects. A FREE NARI Membership Directory is available to homeowners. The 44-page directory includes tips on selecting a contractor, how to interview contractors and references, what to look for in a contract, planning your home improvement project, codes and permits, financing your project and much more. The directory is available by calling the NARI office at 216-739-0079.
NARI is a non-profit trade association with nearly 6,000 member companies nationwide, representing over 40,000 remodeling industry professionals. NARI is committed to enhancing the professionalism of the remodeling industry and serving as an ally to homeowners.