Photo by Sam Yu The Frederick Chapter, National Association of the Remodeling Industry, presented awards at its first Contractor of the Year program. The awards were based on national association criteria such as quality of work and innovation. From left are Bob Humphreys, Majestic Wood Floors Inc.; Dale Kramer, D.G. Liu Contractor Inc.; Steve Klitsch, Creative Concepts Remodeling Inc.; Doug Fauth, Carriage Hill Cabinet Co.; C.J. Dorman, Dorman Builders; Dave Carleton, Paul Davis Restoration & Remodeling, and Mark Pelletier, M.V. Pelletier Inc.

And that success was on view at the Contractor of the Year Awards program presented by the Frederick Chapter, National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

Member firms were honored for outstanding projects from kitchen renovations to entire home construction. Projects ranged from $50,000 to $1 million.

"Those that are doing good have good business standards," said Steve Klitsch, president of the chapter and owner of Creative Concepts Remodeling.

"It takes a grass-roots movement. When you do work at a house, visit the neighbors. Tell them what you are doing there, why your trucks are parked there. It also can lead to future customers in that neighborhood," said Klitsch, noting that referrals are based on good work and dependability.

"You might find someone who says they will do the work cheap, but then they might not show up the next day. Our members are licensed and insured," he said.

The awards program, the first for the local chapter, was based on criteria set by the national organization.

"I hope that this will give an incentive to those who won or did not win to continue the great work and perhaps get an award at next year's event," Klitsch said.

Reico Kitchen and Bath sponsored the awards event. Thad Whittenburg, vice president of sales for the company, said Reico is partnering with NARI chapters in the region to create a working relationship that will benefit remodelers and customers in cost and project planning. Klitsch said the local chapter is in the planning stages of establishing a scholarship for a student to study at a trade school for carpentry or other building skill.

Criteria for the nominees included whether the project met the client's needs and desires, enhanced the existing structure in function or aesthetics, showed superior craftsmanship, innovated in use of materials or techniques and whether the remodeler faced challenges or obstacles in doing the project.