When you decide to remodel your kitchen, you know you’ll have a lot of things on your mind. You must be careful to make the right decisions and establish the right project for this costly investment. At the same time, you should look for the right contractor.
The contractor you go for will influence the quality of the completed work, as well as the return on investment. If you want to make sure you choose the best contractor, you must know what aspects to pay attention to.
Here are some pro tips from Cabinet Set to consider if you want to find a good contractor.
Table of Contents
1. Make a List
First things first, you must evaluate your options. Finding a good kitchen contractor is not that easy. After all, you’ll be greeted with tons of options when you do a quick Google search.
That being said, consider compiling a list of about 5-10 kitchen remodeling contractors from your area. Look into their experience and ratings and compare them until you find someone who can get the work done properly.
“Search for kitchen contractors in Google or Bing,” suggests Mitch Schwartz from The Furnished Kitchen Remodeling. “Take the top five contractors on the search result page. Then use your favorite referral network, such as Google My Business, Yelp, and Facebook, to check each contractor’s online reputation.”
Mitch also suggests asking for recommendations. “Ask your neighbors for recommendations. They will probably know someone nearby who recently had their kitchen remodeled.”
2. Look for Credentials
Of course, you cannot hire just anyone to help you with your kitchen. The contractor you choose must be insured and licensed.
Some states offer contractor licenses. However, it is important to know that these are different from the municipality or county business licenses. One has to take a test and pass it to gain a contractor’s license.
So, before hiring anyone as a contractor, ask for their certificate of insurance and license number.
“Ask the contractor for his or her license number and certificate of insurance (COI),” said Mark Wolfe and Lexie Pelchen. “Follow up to verify that they are in good standing. Reach out to your state’s licensing board to confirm the standing of the license. Contact the insurance policy carrier to verify that the coverage is current.”
3. Check Their Portfolio
Before you hire someone as a kitchen remodeling contractor, you must see the way they work. After all, you cannot hire someone until you see what they’re capable of.
That being said, ask a contractor to show you what they’re working on at the moment. If possible, tell them to take you to one of their current projects. Another thing you could do is check their website for pictures of projects. You should see at least ten kitchens that were completed.
You can also take a look at sketches, blueprints, and other similar aspects while on the website.
Of course, you should also look for red flags while at it. Do not ignore any sign that is telling you that this contractor may not be the best.
“Avoid hiring contractors whose websites list only a few projects,” says Mitch Schwartz from The Furnished Kitchen Remodeling. “Look closely at the pictures of their sample work. If it is below your standards or you do not see anything you like, take the contractor off your list.”
4. Get an Estimate
Anyone who wants to hire a kitchen remodeling contractor should get a written estimate with all costs. So, you should get an estimate on the pricing for everything, including labor.
Another thing you should see on the written estimate is the amount of time it would take for the project to be completed.
5. Ask Questions
Do not shy away from asking questions. Even if you feel like it can be uncomfortable, knowing as much as possible is in your best interest. Move to a different contractor if one is unavailable or uninterested.
Also, pay attention to the way the contractor communicates during your interview. It can tell a lot about them.
The Bottom Line
It is not hard to find a contractor as long as you know the factors to take into account. Consider the aspects presented in this article and you’ll be able to find the right contractor.
