Formerly known as a CotY Awards, the Remodeler of the Year (RotY) Award is an annual recognition given by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) to honor outstanding achievements in the remodeling industry. The award celebrates excellence in craftsmanship, innovation, and overall project execution among NARI members. 

Key aspects of the RotY Award include:

1. Categories: Awards are given in various categories, reflecting different types of remodeling projects, such as kitchens, bathrooms, additions, historical renovations, and more.
2. Criteria: Entries are judged based on criteria such as project design, functionality, problem-solving, aesthetics, craftsmanship, and overall success.
3. Judging Process: A panel of experts in the remodeling industry evaluates the submissions, often reviewing before-and-after photos, project descriptions, and other supporting materials.
4. Recognition: Winners receive industry recognition, which can enhance their reputation and credibility, and are often featured in NARI publications and at industry events.

The RotY Awards program comprises three levels of recognition:

Local RotY Awards: The Charlotte 2026 RotY Awards are the local level competition. The results of this competition are revealed at the Evening of Excellence on November 13th, 2026.

Regional RotY Awards: All Participants in the Local Competition can apply to the Regional Competition. (No win is needed.) Winners of the Regional Competition are automatically entered into the National Competition.

National RotY Awards: These awards are recognized at the Annual NARI Conference, which will happen in 2027. Therefore, they are called the 2027 NARI RotY Awards nationally.

Pre-Project Entry

• Select projects to enter.
• Photograph projects.
• Collect project documents needed.
• Ask Team Members to join your entry
• Take a RotY 101 class.

Project Entry 

Enter your projects in the NARI RotY Portal

Program Dates

August 20th - September 1st - Early Bird project entry dates. Special savings for early entries.

September 2nd - September 25th - Standard project entry dates.

October 5th - 23rd - Project judging period.

October 23rd - Superlative award nominations deadline.

Note: To be eligible, submitted projects must have been completed between December 1, 2024 and November 30, 2026.

What's Next?

• Secure your seats for the Evening of Excellence
• Vote for Superlative Awards

November 13, 2026 - Evening of Excellence Award Ceremony at the The Revelry!

Early Bird Special - August 20th - September 1st

Project: $250 each.  Teams: $150 each

Open Registration - September 2nd - September 25th

Project: $275 each.  Teams: $175 each

Late Registration - September 26th - September 28th

Project: $350 each.  Teams: $175 each

01: Residential Kitchen

Residential kitchen remodeling projects limited exclusively to the kitchen space.

Important:

Projects that include the remodeling of any adjacent or connected spaces such as a family room, dining room, or similar space must be entered in the appropriate Residential Interior category.

Photography:

Only interior photographs may be submitted in this category.

Residential Kitchen Project Categories:

Up To $100K  |  $100K - $175K  |  $175K - $250K  |  Over $250K

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02: Residential Bath

Residential bathroom remodeling projects limited exclusively to the bathroom space.

Important:

Projects that include the remodeling of any adjacent or connected spaces such as a primary suite, dressing area, or similar space must be entered in the appropriate Residential Interior category.

Photography:

Only interior photographs may be submitted in this category.

Residential Bath Project Categories:

Up To $70K  |  $70K - $150K  |  Over $150K

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03: Residential Interior / Interior Feature

• Residential interior remodeling projects that include, but are not limited to family room projects, bath or kitchen projects with adjacent space, home theater rooms, attic conversions, etc.
• Residential interior features are one special interior feature of a project such as railings and columns, masonry work, tiling, fireplaces, kitchen hoods, wall finishes, lighting, home automation, etc.

Important:

Work must be done within the existing walls of a residential structure. This category does not include room additions or basements.
The residential interior feature must be specified in the entry materials and in the descriptive text in order to qualify.

Photography:

Only interior photographs may be submitted in this category.

Residential Interior Project Categories:

Up To $100K  |  $100K - $250K  |  $250K - $500K  |  Over $500K

Residential Interior Feature Project Categories

Up To $50K  |  Over $50K

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04: Residential Addition

Residential additions including, but not limited to additions, add-a-levels, attic buildouts, and similar additions that increase livable space of the existing home.

Important:

The project is limited to one addition per structure.

Photography:

Interior and exterior photographs may be submitted in this category.

Residential Addition Project Categories:

Up To $250K  |  $250K - $500K  |  Over $500K

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05: Residential Exterior

Exterior remodeling projects that enhance the overall appearance of the exterior. Projects including, but not limited to exterior alterations of a residential building such as porticos, porches, enclosures, windows, dormers, and exterior resurfacings like siding, stucco, etc.

Important:

The project is limited to one addition per structure.

Photography:

Exterior photos may be used. Interior photos of attached unconditioned spaces may also be used.

Residential Exterior Project Categories:

Up To $100K  |  $100K - $200K  |  Over $200K

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06: Residential Detached Structure

Structures such as garages, pool houses, studios, guesthouses, sheds, gazebos, pavilions, etc., remodeled or added to an existing residential property.

Photography:

Interior and exterior photos may be used.

Residential Detached Structure Project Categories:

This category includes project dollar values of any amount.

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07: Entire House

Remodeling projects that remodeled or renovated a substantial portion of the entire residential house, inside and outside, or where multiple additions and/or style changes in footprint or elevation have been made in more than one location

Important:

The entry must include a description of the portions of the existing structure that were incorporated into the finished project.

Photography:

Pictures and plans submitted with the entry must highlight those portions of the home retained in the new design.

Entire House Project Categories:

Up To $250K  |  $250K - $500K  |  $500K - $750K  |  $750K - $1M  |  Over $1M

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08: Residential Historical Renovation / Restoration

Renovation and restoration projects of the interior / exterior of a residential structure, or addition to a residential structure, originally built at least 75 years ago.

Important:

Any and all changes must closely match architectural style and building type. Any and all products used are to be of a material authentic in style to the area in which the building was originally built, paying special attention to period trim detail and period coloring. Restoration of missing historic features and added structures are to respect the essential historic character and architectural style of original building design.

Photography:

Interior and exterior photos may be used.

Residential Historical Renovation / Restoration Project Categories:

Up To $250K  |  Over $250K

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09: Commercial Interior / Exterior

Remodeling projects that include interior and exterior improvements to previously occupied or existing commercial space.

Important:

Clearly define the type of client and the client’s needs in the project description.

Photography:

Interior: Only interior photos may be used. 
Exterior: Only exterior photos may be used. 

Commercial Interior / Exterior Project Categories:

These categories include project dollar values of any amount.

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10: Residential Landscape Design / Outdoor Living

Residential landscape design / outdoor living projects including, but is not limited to landscaping, pathways, driveways, patios, pagodas, outdoor kitchens, decks, terraces, pools, spas, etc.

Important:

Work is not exclusive to existing structures. Commercial projects should be entered in the Commercial Exterior category.

Photography:

Only exterior photos may be used.

Residential Landscape Design / Outdoor Living Project Categories:

Up To $100K  |  $100K - $250K  |  Over $250K

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11: Basement

Best basement conversion.

Important:

Work must be done within the existing walls of a residential structure. Additions are excluded from this category.

Photography:

Only interior photos may be used.

Residential Landscape Design / Outdoor Living Project Categories:

Up To $100K  |  $100K - $250K  |  Over $250K

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12: Universal Design - Kitchen | Bath | Other

• Kitchen / Bath: Includes projects utilizing Universal Design standards and practices. 
• Other: Includes projects utilizing Universal Design standards and practices that ARE NOT a kitchen or bathroom. 

Important:

Kitchen / Baths: Projects entered in this category must meet RotY criteria for Residential Kitchens & Baths (any price point). Projects entered in this category may also be entered into the appropriate Kitchen or Bath category separately with additional fee. All Universal Design entries will be judged by NARI Universal Design Certified Professionals. Entries for commercial projects are not eligible at this time.

Photography:

Only interior photos may be used.

Universal Design - Kitchen | Bath | Other Project Categories:

These categories include project dollar values of any amount.

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13: Residential Architectural Design

Residential remodeling projects focusing on architectural design under and over 500 sq ft.

Important:

Submissions should include full design plans which may contain site plans, floor plans, elevations and rendering including a minimum of one scaled drawing. Project does not need to be built.

Photography:

DO NOT not include any pictures of the completed project.

Residential Architectural Design Under / Over 500 sq ft Project Categories:

These categories include project dollar values of any amount.

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CLT: Residential Architectural Implemented / Built Design - Charlotte Chapter Only

Residential remodeling projects focusing on implemented (built) architectural design projects under / over 500 sq ft.

Important:

• Submissions should include full design plans which may contain site plans, floor plans, elevations and renderings including a minimum of one scaled drawing.
• Project needs to be built and completed.
• Architect or Designer must be a member of NARI.

Photography:

Before and After pictures of the project are required.

Residential Architectural Implemented / Built Design, Under / Over 500 sq ft Project Categories:

These categories include project dollar values of any amount.

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*Cost is defined as contract price, all extras, change orders and the fair market value of materials and products that were purchased, sweat equity and in-kind services provided, and/or any subcontract work. The cost of all homeowner provided products, services, or labor should be included in this cost. All mark-ups and profit should be included in the cost provided. For member-owned projects, costs should include normal mark-ups as if the project was contracted to an outside client.

1. Create a presentation (max 30 pages) that outlines the project goals and highlights the transformation you achieved. Include architectural drawings, before and after photos (high-resolution and horizontal preferred) and any other relevant project information.
2. Write a project summary in 100 words or less.
3. Complete and upload the Project Owner/Remodeler Agreement and Photographer's Release and Agreement. If entering a project in the Residential Architectural Design category, please complete the Remodeler's Release and Agreement.
4. Submit your presentation, project summary, entry fee and additional supporting documents by the deadline. 

Additional Rules and Helpful Information

• NARI members who have complete oversight of the remodeling project can enter the RotY awards. NARI Members who enter the award can add other NARI members that worked on the project as "Team Members." The entrant and the Team Members will all be equally recognized.
• While the judging process for National RotY Awards is held on a separate occasion from chapter awards, some national judges participate in judging local awards.

2026 RotY Program Rules

2026 Judging Guide (Reference Only)

Project Owner/Remodeler Agreement

Photographer's Release and Agreement

Remodeler's Release and Agreement  (Residential Architectural Design Category Only)