Having the right contractor is critical to ensuring your kitchen remodel is how you envisioned. Get recommendations from friends and family and interview candidates by phone or in person.
When you narrow down the list, ask each candidate to provide references for previous kitchen remodeling projects that are similar in scope to yours. Also, request insurance credentials and verify they are correctly licensed in your area.
Reputation
While assembling a short list of potential kitchen remodel contractors, consider how many positive or negative reviews each has. Too few positive or too many negative reviews might be indicative of a contractor who isn’t reliable or trustworthy.
Then, request client references and testimonials. Seeing and hearing firsthand how a contractor performs can give you a better idea of whether they will meet or exceed your expectations during your kitchen remodeling project.
During this phase, asking prospective kitchen remodelers for their license number and insurance policy is also a good idea. Ensure that their license is in good standing and their insurance coverage meets minimum state requirements for your area. Obtaining and reviewing this information can help eliminate contractors not licensed or insured in your state. It also helps you establish which remodeling contractors are committed to their profession by maintaining membership in national industry organizations. These credentials are often promoted on a company website.
Experience
The kitchen remodel is among the most extensive, expensive, and highest ROI home investments. So, you must find a contractor with enough experience to handle the job correctly.
Ask potential contractors how long they have been in business and how many years of kitchen remodeling experience they have under their belts. This will give you an idea of their establishment and help you compare their expertise to other local contractors.
Choosing an experienced kitchen remodeling contractor is especially important if you want a complete renovation or a major overhaul. They will know what to expect during a project of this scale and can provide helpful insight into design elements and layout planning. Additionally, they will have an existing library of designs and samples to draw from that can streamline the process.
Budget
Before starting a kitchen remodel, homeowners must have an initial budget. This will help them make selections down the road and keep them from overspending.
Typically, the most costly part of a kitchen remodel is anything that requires moving plumbing, gas, or electrical lines. Homeowners can reduce these costs by keeping the layout of their kitchen as unchanged as possible and avoiding any significant structural changes.
Location is another factor that can significantly affect the cost of a kitchen remodeling project. For example, a kitchen remodel in a big city is likely to be more expensive than a kitchen remodel in a small town. This is why homeowners need to shop around and compare estimates from different contractors before making a final decision.
Communication
You and your contractor must be on the same page to complete the job. Having miscommunications can set back the timeline of the project and increase costs. To avoid this, meeting with contractors and discussing the scope of work in detail is essential before starting any work.
This will allow you to gauge how well they listen and understand your vision for the remodel. It will also allow you to voice concerns and ask questions about the project.
If you are uncomfortable with how a contractor communicates, move on to another candidate. It is a good idea to request estimates from several contractors and compare them regarding cost, material selections, and overall layout. Payment schedules can also reveal much about the contractor, so ask what is expected before hiring them for your project.
