Top Independent Reliable Sources for 9 home improvement industries

Don’t want to believe what a salesperson sells you? I don’t blame you. They have a vested interest in the outcome – a sale! So where do you go? Here’s a list of reliable sources that have the consumer’s interest in mind. It’s important to be in touch with those organizations that understand the struggle a consumer faces when navigating through the rings of home improvement contractors. In addition to the ones I note, look for associations in your area. 

Architects

Navigate through the American Institute of Architects website and you find that they are providing a great service to consumers.[1] Also, I consider Jeff Potter, president of the AIA, taking an opportunity to answer the question “Who Cares Who’s a Licensed Architect” a class act.[2] He shows what they have in mind for the public and the benefits they receive from their contractor experience.

Decks

Guitar shaped deck rocks on their news page?[3] Yep. The North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) is a helpful source and provides great deck safety awareness information.[4]

I also recommend reading what International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) has to say.[5]

Flooring

The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) is an unbiased source of information on all types of flooring with a successful flooring purchase experience in mind.[6]

Remodeling/Home Additions

The National Association of Remodeling Industry (NARI) is the only independent national association dedicated to remodeling.[7] It certifies remodeling professionals. NARI certification requires on-going education and training.  

HVAC

North American Technician Excellence (NATE) is the largest independent, third-party non-profit certification organization in the US for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians. They are dedicated to educating consumers on choosing the right professional.[8]

Insulation

The North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) provides an easy to use independent resource library on insulation and energy efficiency.[9] They also list tax incentives and rebates for residential customers and is recognized for serving the public interest.

Additionally, the Insulation Contractors Association of America (ICAA) helps you find professional contractors and provides a helpful consumer page.[10]

Lighting

The American Lighting Association partnered with Better Homes & Gardens and put together the only national consumer magazine on home lighting.[11] 

Plumbing

The NSF mark is found on millions of consumer, commercial and industrial products and they provide a helpful page about plumbing parts that consumers must sort through when it comes to selecting products for a home.[12]  You’ll also find their product database useful.[13]

The IAPMO has been protecting the public’s health and safety for more than 85 years in developing plumbing codes and standards.[14]

Roofing

The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) provides two useful pages for consumers and homeowners for you.[15][16]

---

[1] http://www.aia.org/about/index.htm

[2] http://www.architectmagazine.com/architects/aia--why-licensing-is-important.aspx

[3] http://www.nadrablog.com/

[4] http://www.nadra.org/index.html

[5] http://www.nachi.org/deck-inspections.htm

[6] http://www.wfca.org/

[7] http://www.nari.org/

[8] http://www.hvacradvice.com/

[9] http://www.naima.org/

[10] http://www.insulate.org/consumer.html

[11] http://www.americanlightingassoc.com/Free-Magazine.aspx

[12] http://www.nsf.org/consumer/plumbing/

[13] http://www.nsf.org/certified/consumer/listings_main.asp

[14] http://www.iapmostandards.org/Downloads/Brochure%20for%20IAPMO%20Standards.pdf

[15] http://www.nrca.net/Consumers/

[16] http://www.nrca.net/roofing/Information-for-homeowners-872