Who will you hire to do your remodeling? Your team can include designers, builders, and numerous tradespeople. Who you bring on board depends on the scope of your project and the degree of specialization involved. Rest assured that there’s someone out there to help, no matter what task is involved.

Architects are trained and certified to design buildings (see page 32). If your renovation involves changes to your home’s systems (electrical, heating, plumbing) or structural changes, you’ll need an architect or structural engineer to design or approve your plans.

If you're building an addition, it’s a good idea to have a certified engineer check the suitability of the land and your house’s structure and foundation.

A contractor or builder/contractor is the person who will oversee the construction of your remodeling. Contractors often started out as carpenters. Although it's possible your contractor will pick up a hammer, most spend their time coordinating the project, scheduling inspections and overseeing subcontractors.

A design/build firm has a designer and contractor on staff who will handle your project’s design and construction.

Subcontractors are the carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and other tradespeople that your contractor or designer will hire.

Specialty designers specialize in different types of design. Interior designers design rooms and choose materials and furniture. A certified kitchen or bath designer specializes in the planning and layout of kitchens or bathrooms. A lighting designer is skilled in lighting a room to its best advantage. A landscape designer plans the arrangement and location of outdoor structures and plants.

There's another important member of your team: your building inspector. Hired by the town, he or she will periodically inspect your renovation and determine if it meets the requirements of local building codes, which are local regulations that mandate construction methods and materials (see page 32).

UNIVERSAL DESIGN

Make sure your architect or contractor knows about Universal Design. This is a design practice that accommodates all people, including those with disabilities, such as someone who uses a wheelchair or walker. Think about installing ramps rather than stairs leading to one of your home's entrances, for example, the door coming in from the garage. If you are putting in new doors, reframe doorways to increase the clearance to at least 36 inches so that users of wheelchairs and walkers, as well as baby strollers, can pass through unencumbered. To prevent slips, use soft, nonskid surfaces on tub bottoms, shower floors and stair treads and landings. Install grab bars in showers. For more ideas, contact the Center for Universal Design (www.design.ncsu.edu/cud).