Peace of mind

While modern bathrooms can be spacious, ornate rooms, it wasn't always this way. As many homeowners embarking on a bathroom remodeling project discover, working with unusually shaped rooms and existing structural features can pose distinct design challenges.

Help is at hand, however. Members of the National Kitchen & Bathroom Association (NKBA) have the experience and training to find innovative solutions to just about any design challenge.

Patricia Brown, CKD, NKBA Northern California president, says the association was established to give clients peace of mind, by promoting professionalism among its members. As well as monitoring standards and fostering excellence in the design, manufacture and installation of bathrooms and kitchens, the association monitors the ethics and behavior of affiliated trades.

"Clients can also rest assured that NKBA members are fully informed of current trends," says Brown. "The NKBA holds Professional Development Courses that raise the bar for both bathroom and kitchen design."

Brown says hiring an NKBA member will save homeowners money in the long run by avoiding costly mistakes. There can be other cost savings as well, with members able to source products at competitive rates.

The expertise of its members is highlighted by the annual NKBA Design Competition, with awards presented annually at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). Projects are judged on safety, functionality and visual appeal.

Another resource provided by the NKBA is the Kitchen & Bath Consumer Workbook, which offers remodeling tips and answers common questions.

To find a member in your area, call the NKBA, phone tollfree (800) 843 6522. Or visit the national website: www.nkba.org.

Story by: Trendsideas