In a Down Economy, Renovate - Just Start Small

According to the National Association of Realtors, large-scale renovations may not be worth it. In 2006, home sellers got only 80 percent of their remodeling costs back, down from 91 percent in 2005.

But if you need to sell your home -- or make it more livable until you can sell -- build a deck or revamp your kitchen or bath -- and enjoy the best return on your investment, according to Ricky Medina, of Reliable Contractor Connections. His company offers homeowners the opportunity to select from high quality, pre-screened, licensed and insured professional contractors for any household task -- at no cost to the homeowner.

Part of a national trend

Reliable Contractor Connections, serving Oakland County, is one of the fastest-growing types of businesses in the country -- a home referral network, or HRN. There are more than 500 HRNs in the U.S. and Canada.

Who should use an HRN? You should if you:

-- need a competent contractor to fix your plumbing, replace a roof or

renovate your kitchen and don't know where to start

-- are you new to the area and don't know whom to trust

-- are you just too busy to find and screen the contractors you need to do

the job

And unlike many web-based referral services, Reliable Contractor Connections offers a personalized approach, says Medina, a lifelong resident of Michigan and volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.

"I want to be a safety net and bring trust when connecting contractors and homeowners together," he says.

Contractors welcome

Reliable Contractor Connections has developed a diverse network of highly skilled professional contractors includes plumbers, general contractors, electricians, painters, handymen and more. They pay no fee to join the home referral network, only a modest fee once they get the job. This makes Reliable Contractor Connections a no-risk proposition for contractors, as well as homeowners.

The company matches homeowners with contractors based on budget, project scope and detail, schedule and craftsmanship. Then, the homeowners choose the contractor that is right for them. Reliable Contractor Connections is available throughout the project to make sure they are completely satisfied. For more information, contact Ricky Medina at 586-306-8366