Are you planning to buy new cabinets or renovate the ones you already have? Is it time for new flooring or custom lighting? Which countertop color will you select? Is your kitchen going to have an island?
The thrill of embarking on a kitchen remodel starts the minute you make the decision.
Regardless of your kitchen size, you’ll have numerous options for material and various recommendations for contractors.
It’s essential to be on the same page with your contractors if you want to increase your chances of a pleasant experience remodeling your kitchen. We provide you with some useful tips to choose a kitchen remodeling contractor below.
How to choose a kitchen remodeling contractor?
Your choice of contractor will impact how pleased you are with the final product and if you get value for your money. You may use the following tips to ensure you hire the right company for the job and get the results you need.
1. Write down your kitchen remodeling requirements
Before you begin the search for a kitchen remodeling contractor, write down all the requirements for your kitchen remodel.
Include everything from tile installation to floor furbishing and other installable assets.
2. List out kitchen remodeling contractors in your area
It takes some effort to find the most suitable contractor for your kitchen. Start by creating a list of local kitchen contractors.
It is best to hire from the locally available ones as they are likely to be familiar with the local codes and regulations.
3. Check their portfolios
Most reputed kitchens remodel contractors have an online presence in the form of a website. You can learn about their certifications, experience and also check out their previous work here.
Scan through their website picture gallery to see (and take inspiration from) the kitchen remodel designs they worked on.
For more information about our earlier projects, do not hesitate to look into our customer’s reviews on home remodeling projects in Bay Area & San Diego.
4. Check their references
By now, your list is probably down to a few contenders. As a next step, start checking for references. Their site may host testimonials from previous clients. If not, you may directly ask them for client references.
It is generally a positive sign if the company is willing to share some references for you to contact.
5. Check credentials
Ask your chosen contractor/company for licenses, insurance, and other necessary certifications eligible for your area.
It is advisable to engage with a contractor who is qualified and insured to work in your locality.
Contractor licenses are not the same as business licenses issued by authorities. They must undergo rigorous testing to establish their understanding of the skills, as well as the business practice and legislation, in order to get a license.
Confirm the license status with your state’s licensing board, and verify that the insurance policy is up to date.
6. Check their service plans and pricing
The next step is to ask your contractors for their service plans, pricing, and other offers that they may have. This information may either be obtained from their website or by directly calling them up.
7. Experience is important
A contractor who has been in the kitchen remodeling business for several years will have established either a positive or negative reputation in the community.
They’re also more likely to have built strong connections with suppliers.This is important because it may help you get access to a variety of materials at a discounted price.
8. Visit finished kitchen remodeling projects
After reviewing the references, you are probably down to only a few contractors. Now it is time to see their finished work in person.
While this may not always be possible, you may ask your shortlisted contractor to take you on a visit to a finished/close to finishing project.
If you get this opportunity, take note of the quality of work, the duration in which it was completed, materials used, etc. You may also ask your own questions to the homeowners
Also, watch out for:
- Poorly done work
- Use of low-grade materials
- Poor links between the cooker, refrigerator, sink, and cabinetry
- Bad lighting
- Insufficient storage or counter space
- Distorted tile work
- Grout or tile cracking
- Unleveled countertops with rough transitions between surfaces
- Bad cabinetry installation
- Flooring issues
9. Ask for written price estimates
More often than not, kitchen remodeling contracts end up exceeding the originally planned cost. As such, it’s vital that you ask for a detailed, written estimate or quote.
It is not just important for you to plan your finances but also to ensure that the contractor stays within his promised budget.
Additionally, this will give you a detailed idea of the itemized cost of each service like labor cost, plumbing, electrical work, flooring cost, etc.
For more on kitchen remodeling estimates, read ‘How to Estimate Kitchen Remodeling Cost?’
10. Make sure to read the contract
It is vital to make sure you read every word of your contract before signing it. This is to ensure it contains the following information:
- Proof of insurance.
- Total budget (with a detailed breakdown of items)
- Payment schedule.
- Start and end dates.
- The obligation for a contractor to obtain lien releases for sub-contractors and suppliers.
- A detailed list of products and materials to be used.
Read ‘What To Do If Contractors Don’t Show Up To Work’ for tips if it happens to you.
Questions to ask a potential kitchen remodeling contractor
Do not be hesitant to ask questions to the contractor, irrespective of what they are.
But what are the most important things to ask when evaluating and assessing prospective contractors?
How do you know you’re hiring a trustworthy, honest, dedicated, and capable company? The contractor’s willingness to give you more information is a good sign.
Following are some questions to ask a potential contractor:
- Will you provide a written and signed contract?
- What type of contract do you use?
- How long will the entire project take?
- Will I be able to use the kitchen at all during construction?
- Will you have someone on-site every day?
- What kind of warranty do you have?
- What experience do you have with this type of remodeling project?
- How are extras and order changes handled?
- Do you have the requisite licenses to work in this area?
- Will you help in procuring materials?
- Will you be able to fetch some discounts on materials?
- What is your customer care policy?
- Whom to contact in case of emergency or feedback while the work is ongoing?
Do you need an architect for a kitchen remodel?
Whether or not you require an architect is determined by the scope of your kitchen remodeling and the desired result.
Smaller jobs, like installing a window or knocking down a non-load-bearing wall, usually don’t need the use of an architect or designer.
These jobs are often handled well by the remodeling contractor.
On the other hand, hiring a professional architect may be beneficial if you are planning a complex remodel or whole kitchen makeover.
Best kitchen remodeling company in the Bay Area and San Diego
Now that you know the boxes to tick when looking to remodel your kitchen, it’s time to hire a contractor.
Style and Structure is a professional home remodeling contractor in San Deigo and the Bay Area with strong experience in handling kitchen remodeling projects in the region. Our design team has the necessary expertise and skills required to turn your dream kitchen into a reality. Contact us for professional advice for an estimate for your kitchen remodeling or other home remodeling services we are offering.
Conclusion
Your kitchen is the heart of your house. Having a well-designed and well-organized kitchen benefits enhances your living experience and adds to the joy of day-to-day living.
Because your kitchen is perhaps the most utilized area in your house, the money you spend on upgrading it is an investment that can only raise the market value of your property. If you’re not too sure whether you should renovate your kitchen, read ‘10 Signs That Your Kitchen Needs Remodeling’.