Trying to find a reliable contractor for any job can be a difficult task. There are often tons of options, and once you begin reaching out, you’ll likely be bombarded with offers for your project. Of course, it’s important to find a good contractor for any needs, but for a project as big and important as a kitchen remodel, it can seem even more daunting.
The kitchen is often referred to as the “heart of the home,” and with current popular home layouts — it’s very true! The kitchen can make or break a home. Not just from a visual perspective, either. Families are bound to spend so much time in the kitchen, from cooking and eating meals to sitting around the table chatting. It’s a room that many people want to feel perfect, which often requires some renovations.
If you find the right contractor, then a kitchen remodel should be fairly simple. However, if the contractor isn’t top notch, your kitchen remodel can quickly turn into a huge mess. So, how do you find the right contractor?
Here are some things to take into consideration:
Figure out your needs
Before you start your search for someone to renovate your kitchen, you’re going to want to figure out exactly what you want. Sure, the contractor can help you sort out the details, but without some sort of checklist to give your candidates, it’s going to be hard for them to give you the answers you need — and for you to determine if they’re the right fit.
And when we say detailed, we mean that you should be as specific as possible. Look at kitchen designs you like, and figure out what needs to change in your kitchen to make it happen. New cabinets? Countertops? Backsplash? Flooring? List it all.
Be picky
If you were to Google search “kitchen contractors near me,” you’re likely to find thousands of hits for your area, especially if you live in or near a large city. So, picking the right one can be overwhelming and may take some time. It might even get frustrating at times. But don’t give up or settle for the first contractor who seems good. Keep going until you can confidently settle on the best contractor for the job.
More than half of homeowners who have a kitchen remodeled have said they were unhappy with their experience with the contractor. That means that it’s quite literally more likely you’ll be dissatisfied with your contractor than you might actually be happy with the outcome. It’s important to try everything you can to beat those odds. Don’t be afraid to be picky. After all, it is your home.
Get detailed estimates
If you’ve never worked with a contractor before, you may be inclined to just put each contractors’ estimates up against each other and directly compare. This doesn’t actually work, because each contractor is going to have a different method for calculating their estimate based on their needs. That means that you might be inclined to go with the lower initial estimate, but if you review the scope and materials, you might realize some key things are missing. You’ll want to ask your contractor for as many details as possible about what is included in that estimate so that you can accurately compare those details across each proposal.
Protect yourself
So, you’ve landed on the best estimate and you’re ready to book a contractor. There are a few other things you’ll want to do before you fork over the money and break ground on the project. These are some simple ways to protect yourself from hiring someone who is, in the end, going to leave you in a worse position. First, check their license with your state’s contractor state license board, if they have the information available to you. Then ask for a copy of their insurance certificate.
Once you know they’re legit, do some more online research to try to find reviews online. You can even ask them for recent references who would be willing to speak on the phone with you about the contractor’s work. It might seem tedious and even a little overbearing, but it’s worth the due diligence to make sure that your remodel is going to go as smoothly as possible.
Get everything in writing
Congratulations! You’ve found a contractor! Time to get excited about your new kitchen. But first, make sure to get everything in writing. Read over your contract thoroughly before you sign it and ask any questions you think are necessary. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification. You should be as informed as possible about what’s laid out in your contract before you move forward. Make sure that it includes a bid price and payment schedule, the entire scope of the work, a site plan, a construction schedule, a change-order clause, an express limited warranty, a procedural list for close out, a dispute resolution clause, and a waiver of lien. All of those should be laid out before you sign on the dotted line.
Conclusion
We don’t say all this to intimidate you. We just want you to be as prepared as possible for a remodel, especially one as large and important as your entire kitchen. If your contractor is good at what they do, then this process should actually be fairly simple. It might take a bit of time (and a lot of phone calls) to weed out the ones that aren’t the right fit, but once you’ve done that — it should be smooth sailing from there. If at any point during the process you feel uneasy or like you’re getting unnecessary pushback on any of this (like referrals or contract changes), don’t be afraid to move on. It might seem like more trouble at the time, but in the long run you are saving yourself an even bigger headache by making sure you get this remodel done right the first time. Happy renovating!
