With so many choices available to home improvement consumers today, it can be hard to know where to shop for the products and services you need for your home. From the “big box” stores to your neighbor’s cousin, it seems like everyone is in the business and wants to sell you something. How to decide? Here are a few suggestions to help start you on the right path.

Buy local. It isn’t just about fruits and vegetables. The benefits of supporting local business are many. “Three times as much money stays in the local economy when you buy goods and services from locally owned businesses instead of large chain stores” as noted in The Economic Impact of Locally Owned Businesses vs. Chains: A Case Study in Midcoast Maine, by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and Friends of Midcoast Maine, September 2003. Small businesses also create more jobs and contribute more to local charitable causes. Longevity is a good sign, too; a business that has been around for many years will likely be there later on when you need service or have questions.

Talk to the experts. Businesses that concentrate on a particular specialty, such as millwork, plumbing, lighting, etc., will offer a broader range of products and greater product knowledge than those which try to be all things to all people. This means you are more likely to find the right products and services for your specific project, and not a “one size fits all” solution.

Is anybody listening? It’s equally important to feel comfortable with the people who will be helping you with your projects. Someone who listens to your needs and concerns will help you feel more at ease. You’ll feel more involved and in control. Somebody who knows the right questions to ask can help you figure out what you need, even if you’re not sure what that is yet. They can also help steer you to the right solution for your budget, especially when there seem to be too many choices and too much information.

It pays to be a member. Those stickers on the door can also tell you something about a business. Membership in regional and national business organizations such as the Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce, the Retail Lumber Dealers Association of Maine, the National Kitchen and Bath Association, and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry show that a business or individual is serious about what it does and keeps up to date on the latest products and trends. Such organizations also may provide training and certification for its members, and have a “code of ethics” that members agree to subscribe to.

No one can guarantee that everything will always go smoothly with every project; things happen and people make mistakes, but if you take the time to do your homework, make sure you feel comfortable with the people you are working with, and keep a sense of humor; home improvement projects can be a pleasant experience.

For more information, contact Laura Blair, Riverside Millwork Center, 353 Riverside Drive, Auburn, 207-783-3881.