"Homeowners First" is NARI's commitment to deliver reliable remodeling services and information to homeowners
The program focuses on Professionalism, Expertise, Quality, and Information

Recognizing the challenges that homeowners face finding reputable, qualified contractors, Eastern Massachusetts NARI provides a helpful resource. Collected under the heading of "Homeowners First," the program integrates and extends EM-NARI efforts to deliver superior results, with a membership of reputable and reliable professionals in the remodeling community, to offer a better remodeling experience to homeowners.

The Homeowners First program builds on several existing NARI programs in these key areas:

PROFESSIONIALISM: Responsible ethical and business practices
As part of their membership obligations, all NARI members agree to uphold high ethical and professional standards. The foundation of this commitment is the group's 6-part Code of Ethics, which must be signed upon joining, and obligates every member to sound business practices in areas like marketing and sales, writing contracts, quality, and customer care.

EXPERTISE: Training, testing, and certification
NARI offers rigorous remodeling certification programs and encourages its members to continue their learning and education throughout their careers. The main programs include the , Certified Remodeler (CR), Certified Lead Carpenter (CLC) ,and the newly launched Certified Kitchen and Bath Remodeler (CKBR). Professionals who complete these programs not only improve their technical, communications, and business skills, they also demonstrate their commitment to excellence.

NARI members are already among the best trained in the industry, but the chapter stands behind its commitment to have even more certified members, so that homeowners can be assured of best-trained professionals.

The Find a Contractor section of this website indicates those companies that have certified personnel on staff.

QUALITY: Annual excellence awards competition.
To recognize excellence and quality in remodeling, EM-NARI conducts annual Contractor of the Year (EM-CotY) competitions in a variety of categories, including Kitchen, Bath, Exterior, Additions, and Historic Renovation, and many others.

The EM-CotY awards program panel of judges includes not only industry experts but homeowner to assure that perspective is represented. And beginning in 2004, an the program includes a customer service award category. In essence, by involving homeowners directly in the awards process, the awards competition strives to measure not only that the competing projects are technically and aesthetically excellent, but that they produced what counts most - a fantastic result for the homeowner.

View CotY Award winners in the Awards section of this website.

INFORMATION: More value-added information for homeowners
Homeowners are encouraged to avail themselves of the ever-growing information that EM-NARI provides, most easily accessible through this website.

Return to the For Homeowners main page to access useful data, including the listing of NARI members and the ability to search by town, specialty, and other criteria to find a contractor to meet your needs.

Find a Contractor/Member Directory | "HomeownerFirst" Program | "Why NARI?" | Articles | Wheelchair Ramp Program | Contractor Laws & Licensing | EM CotY Award Winners | Contacts: NARI Staff and Board