Is now the time to jump into that project you've been considering, but you don't know how to get started? In my opinion, finding the right fit in a renovation partner is the first and most critical step to setting the stage for a successful remodeling project and great client experience.

Your overall experience from the beginning of design through completion and beyond will be directly related to the person and company with whom you choose to partner. That's the most important decision you'll make, not what to do or how much to spend, but who you choose to help you make and execute on those decisions. We've all heard enough horror stories to know that all contractors are not equal, and not every contractor is suited for every job. The key is finding the right team based on your scope of work, preferred communications style and priorities.

First off, it's important that the sophistication of the contractor matches the complexity and scope of your project. Additions, whole-house renovations, kitchens and master baths are complicated. Conversely you may not need a fully staffed design build firm to replace your gate or install a doggy door. For larger projects, also ask yourself how involved you want to be in the day-to-day logistics required to manage the many people working onsite or who will be responsible for minimizing impact on your neighbors. And, consider what type of care and support you'll look for down the road. These factors and more play into finding the right partner for you.

A good place to start is a call to BOWA. Briefly describe your project and the top things that are important for us to know. Whether it's a kitchen redesign, while-house remodel or new construction, we'll select the person best suited for your project. You can then expect a 5-15 minute chat by phone with the person you'll be meeting with, which will allow us to learn more about your project and budget goals. This brief chat allows us both to prepare and lays out clear expectations for our first meeting in your home.

Before we meet you may want to consider creating a "Needs, Wants, Someday" list for your home, focusing on the challenges you're experiencing, not the solutions. What projects NEED to get done, and what you WANT to get done if there's money left in the budget. The SOMEDAY list is for projects you know will allow you to enjoy your home more than ever. Fully understanding your challenges and dreams allows us to develop the optimal design solution and create a master plan for future work.

Let's plan to give our meeting 60-90 minutes of undivided attention trying to eliminate television, phone calls and other interruptions as much as possible. This should give us plenty of time to talk through BOWA's process, for you to ask your toughest questions and to share your ideas and inspirations from magazines and sites like Houzz. The goal of this first meeting is for you to get the answers you need to evaluate us and for me to learn what's most important to you about your project, be it quality, timeliness, or keeping the area clean. If I know what you really care about, I'll care about it too.

This common sense approach encourages a collaborative, "working together" partnership that'll benefit you and your project and foster a great remodeling experience. You and your home deserve the best effort possible and choosing the right team to work with can help to make that so.

Tim Burch is a Vice President of BOWA, an award-winning design, and construction firm specializing in renovations ranging from master suites and kitchens to whole-house remodels. A Northern Virginia native and third-generation builder, Tim enjoys calling on his 30 years of design build experience to solve clients' home-related challenges. He is the Construction Advisor for The Mosby Heritage Area Association and sits on the Board of Building Appeals for Fauquier County. Prior to joining BOWA, Tim was the Lead Project Manager of Construction for the Emmy Award winning construction reality television show, Extreme Makeover Home Edition on ABC Television. For more information on Tim and the BOWA team, visit www.bowa.com or call 540-687-6771.