NARI home remodeling show starts Friday
Tips, presentations to be part of event
After decades in the home remodeling business, Nick Kerzner says he has concluded that the relationship between homeowners and the contractors they hire has some similarities to a marriage, or at least a short-term nuptial agreement.
You need to make sure the contractor is committed to the project, and if unexpected problems pop up, you have to be able to talk about them and work on getting them resolved, he said.
“You have to have communication,” said Kerzner, owner of Kerzner Remodeling & Construction in Oconomowoc. “No project ever goes without incident.”
Kerzner, known to some as “The Construction Guru” on his Sunday morning radio show on WISN-AM, will offer tips on hiring and working with a contractor this weekend at the Milwaukee NARI Home & Remodeling Show, which takes place at the State Fair Park Exposition Center in West Allis.
The annual NARI show, which runs Friday through Sunday, will feature more than 100 exhibitors who provide everything from kitchen and bathroom renovations to roofs and “smart home” technology.
“If you already know what you want and you’re looking for a remodeler or an associate to do some work for you, when you go there you’re going to be meeting the people you’ll be dealing with,” said David Kittleson, of Closet Concepts in Wauwatosa, who is chairman of the show. “And you’re on neutral ground. They’re not in your home and you’re not in their office.”
The Milwaukee NARI show — NARI stands for National Association of the Remodeling Industry — also provides lots of attractions beyond an opportunity to connect with the group’s contractors.
Among special features at this year’s show:
» MobCraft Beer Brewery
and Taproom will talk about home brewing at 6 p.m. Friday.
» South Milwaukee’s Emerald City Catering and executive chef Steve “Oz” Ozbolt will have a presentation on football season party foods at 1 p.m. Saturday.
» C. Adams Bakery, of the Milwaukee Public Market, will discuss baking for the holidays at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
» Dinners with Class LLC and James Jens will talk about brunch for the holiday crowd at 11 a.m. Sunday.
Kerzner has a presentation planned for each day of the show. “What Type of Contractor Do You Need?” is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Friday. At 11 a.m. Saturday, Kerzner will discuss “Communicating with Your Contractor.” Sunday’s presentation, set for 1:30 p.m., is titled, “Home Remodeling TV Show Effect.”
Many other exhibits, including a Focus on Energy interactive lighting display, are planned for the event.
The Green Bay Packers’ noon Sunday contest against the Minnesota Vikings will be broadcast live at the show so fans won’t have to miss the game to attend.
The show is open Friday from noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Tickets for seniors 60 and older cost $8, and children 17 and younger, along with active and retired military personnel with identification, will be admitted free, NARI said.
For more information, visit www.milwaukeenari.org or call Milwaukee NARI at (414) 771-4071.