Considering remodeling? If so, remember that your home is too important to entrust to just anyone. For most of us, that means using a professional.

If you are going to hire someone else to do the job, you might want to check out the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) website.

The site offers many good recommendations. It can be found at http://www.nahb.org/. A wealth of remodeling information is in the “For Consumers” section.

First, the site reminds us that while a professional may cost more initially, you can actually save money in the long run because the job only has to be done once. Paying a professional to fix a botched amateur job is not a good use of your money.

Have a plan. Before you begin having walls removed, have a design on paper.

Be prepared to be inconvenienced. My family remained in our home while a major remodel was underway, and we would never do that again. Remember that your comfort and happiness depend on the successful completion of the job. A job that drags on for months is a nightmare.

Professional remodelers should help you select the best materials within your budget. They also ensure that your job meets local building codes and regulations. If they aren’t willing to guarantee their work, keep looking. And, lastly, a professional remodeler should respond promptly to your service calls and inquiries.

All that sounds great, but how do you begin? NAHB recommends you develop an idea of what you want to do. Make a prioritized list of your needs and wants. Collect pictures from magazines and websites. Try to describe your vision in writing. All these are of tremendous help to a remodeler.

Think about traffic patterns, furniture size and placement, colors, lighting and how you expect to use the remodeled space.

Determine how much you can afford to spend. Don’t forget furnishings and landscaping. If you need to borrow money for the project, talk to your lender to see how much that will cost.

In your search for a professional remodeler, get referrals from local trade associations, such as the home builders’ association or remodelers’ council. If you have a friend or relative who has had remodeling done, ask them who they used and whether they were happy with the result.

Building materials suppliers, architects, home inspectors, lenders and even insurance professionals may have recommendations for you to consider. Once you have a list, check with the local Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints are on file and whether they were resolved satisfactorily.

On Jan. 1, 2004, the Texas Residential Construction Commission (TRCC) was born. If you hire someone to do more than $20,000 in material improvements over a 12-month period or change the square footage of your living space, the job must be registered with the TRCC.

You might want to check out the list of registered builders on the TRCC website at http://www.trcc.state.tx.us/. If something goes wrong with the remodel, you may be able to get the problem resolved though the TRCC’s dispute resolution mechanism.