The United States is a country of renovators and remodelers, judging from the steady growth of home improvement projects across the nation in recent years.People are remodeling their homes at historically high rates, according to the National Association of Homebuilders. Many of these projects are complex and expensive, and too often people neglect to fully protect their assets and bank accounts because they fail to properly assess the risks of major home renovations.There are a few basic things homeowners need to think about before, during and after renovation that will go a long way toward protecting their little piece of the American Dream. One of the most important tasks comes well before even the first nail is hammered.“It always goes back to choosing the right contractor,” says Mark McCormick, technical director of personal risk services at Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company.