David Capretto is the 2011 President of the Buffalo Niagara Builders Association.  This article was published in The Buffalo News Home Finder (January 29, 2011)

Have you ever wondered what sets professional home builders apart from guys who work “out of the back of their trucks”?

Well, the answer is simple and it comes from the word “professional.”

As with most professions, home builders and remodelers who keep up-to-date with new laws, methods and materials can offer the most to their clients.

You wouldn’t feel comfortable getting your taxes done by someone who hasn’t studied the latest tax code or going to a doctor who only finished four years of medical school instead of 12, would you?

In the home-building profession, there are new building codes every three years, in addition to new energy, fire, plumbing, electrical and mechanical codes, all of which come with countless upgrades. There are statewide, county, municipal and city codes. Professional home builders and remodelers have to be on top of these and take them into consideration when building your new home.

Because buying a new home is such a huge investment, one that you will live with for many years, it make sense to have it built by someone who knows the latest codes, as well as someone who knows what the newest materials and techniques are, where to get them, and how to use them.

Each year there are hundreds of new products available to make your home better and your life easier.

Many residential construction industry professionals keep abreast of new rules, product advancements and changing technology by attending the annual International Builders’ Show.

More than 50,000 of the industry’s top professionals — builders, remodelers, architects and suppliers — recently attended the IBS in Orlando, Fla.

One of the largest professional trade shows in the country, the IBS is a week-long learning experience consisting of around 200 seminars covering everything from housing trends to new products and services to the latest installation techniques.

In additional to the education sessions, about 1,000 manufacturers and suppliers display their products across approximately 500,000 net square feet of exhibit space during a four-day trade show.

During Green Day at IBS, manufacturers showcase their newest energy- and water-efficient appliances and products and there are classes for green project management, design trends and building science.

The federal Department of Energy’s 20 college Solar Decathlon teams also display models of the solar-powered homes they’ll be building on the National Mall this fall.

IBS is just one of the many programs, certifications and on-going educational efforts that professional home builders and remodelers undertake to be able to provide you with the best products and services available when it comes to your home.

But how do you find one of these professionals?  The Buffalo Niagara Builder’s Association website is a good starting place, providing a searchable Member Directory at bnba.org. 

Another good resource is the Better Business Bureau, which rates businesses using 16 different factors and tracks customer complaints.  You can read up on the history of your prospective home builder/remodeler at bbb.org and search their directory for an accredited member. 

Take a few extra moments to do your research up front and choose a professional home builder – you will be pleased that you did.