Choosing who to work with may be one of the most important decisions you make during a custom home or major renovation.

It can also be one of the hardest.

You can search online, ask friends for recommendations, scroll through project photos and collect a long list of names. But a beautiful portfolio doesn't necessarily tell you what it will be like to work with someone when the project gets complicated.

How do they communicate? How do they handle problems? Do they understand the type of project you're undertaking? Do they work well with the other professionals on the team?

Those are the questions that matter once construction begins.

That's why we created the Homeowner HQ Directory.

More Than a List of Names. We're Building It Differently

The Directory is intentionally being built over time.

Designed to help homeowners discover professionals involved in custom homes and major renovations. From architects and architectural designers to interior designers, general contractors, engineers, landscape designers and specialty trades.

But we're not interested in having hundreds of listings simply to make the Directory look bigger.

We don't want it to become another open directory where anyone can create a profile and call themselves recommended. We'd rather have a smaller collection of professionals who have been thoughtfully considered and who bring meaningful experience to the type of work our homeowners are undertaking.

As the Directory grows, we're also working toward incorporating more homeowner feedback and reviews, creating another layer of information beyond a professional's own profile.

Because ultimately, homeowners need more than a company name and a phone number.

They need context.

For Homeowners

If you're planning a custom home or major renovation, the Directory can help you:

• Discover professionals in your area

• Explore different specialties

• Compare experience, services and projects

• Research potential members of your team

• Save professionals you're considering

• Begin conversations with potential hires

You can create a free account to save professionals and return to them as your project develops.

And remember: you don't have to hire someone simply because they're in the Directory. Your project, your expectations and your working relationship still matter.

For Professionals

If you're a professional working in residential design, construction or the trades, you can apply to be considered for the Directory. The application gives us a better understanding of your experience, services, portfolio and the work you do.

If approved, your profile gives homeowners a place to learn more about you before reaching out.

Your profile is also connected to the wider Homeowner HQ platform.

As our relationship develops, there may also be opportunities to contribute to Homeowner HQ. Projects can be featured and saved in our Inspiration Library (our version of Pinterest), you may be invited to have a project featured, and there are opportunities to contribute to Field Notes by sharing your experience and perspective.

These features are linked directly to your profile, giving homeowners more ways to discover your work, learn from your experience, and save your profile or projects as they plan their own homes.

If you're interested in being considered, you can apply to the Homeowner HQ Directory.

Start With the Right Questions

Finding a professional shouldn't begin with:

“Who has the best reviews?”

It should begin with:

“Who has the experience, approach and expertise that make sense for my project?”

The Homeowner HQ Directory is one part of that research.

We're building it to help homeowners move from “I have no idea where to start” to a more informed shortlist of people worth talking to. Because the right team can influence far more than how your home looks when it's finished. They can influence how the entire project feels getting there.