Remodeling a home kitchen can be a wise investment that increases your home’s beauty, value, and function. But a kitchen renovation is one of the most complex home improvement projects since it can involve electricity, plumbing, gas, storage, flooring, and even windows. Experienced, reputable contractors provide the best renovations, but hiring the right company is essential. Before signing a contract, get bids from several businesses, compare their offerings, check references, and look at their finished work.
Interview Several Contractors
Taking the time to choose the best contractor is well worth it. Get the names of 5-10 reputable nearby contractors. Local businesses care about their reputation in the community and understand area building requirements. Ask friends and family whether they can recommend a company. Word of mouth is an excellent way to locate the best Kitchen Remodel Companies.
You can also find companies listed online and read their reviews. Facebook and Google are excellent sources since they provide information that offers insight into contractors’ reputations. Avoid any companies that do not have websites or have poor reviews.
Remodeling Experience Counts
Stick with companies that have a proven track record of producing high-quality work. Contractors should be able to provide a portfolio showing examples of their work. Established companies generally provide galleries on their websites, and these should include no fewer than ten completed projects.
Experienced, trusted remodeling professionals are very busy, so don’t be surprised if they take a few days to get back to you. Many are also booked for months, so they cannot begin your project immediately. But that’s a good sign. According to HGTV experts, poor contractors are typically ready to start immediately because they need the work or are willing to bump another project to begin yours.
Follow Up on References
Always ask for references when interviewing a contractor. Reputable businesses will provide a list of previous clients, and you should contact them to find out what their experience was like. Questions to ask include:
- Do you like your new kitchen?
- Did the contractor finish on schedule?
- Was the contractor on time for appointments?
- Did the project come in on budget?
- What is the quality of the work?
- Would you recommend the company?
If possible, tour clients’ completed kitchens so you can see the work for yourself.
Review Bids Carefully
When you interview contractors, give them as much detail as possible. They will use this information to work up a proposal. Per Forbes, ensure contractors understand your preferred brands and other crucial specifics. Also, provide the contractor with the following information:
- The budget
- The proposed kitchen designs
- Choice of flooring and countertop materials and brands
- Electrical components placement
- A timeline
- Your acceptable working hours
Once you have settled on several contractors, request bids, review them carefully and ensure each includes the price, payment schedule, site plan, scope of work, and schedule of primary construction tasks. Submissions should have a change order clause, a list of closeout procedures, a limited warranty, a waiver of lien, and a dispute resolution clause.
A professionally renovated kitchen can add valuable space and beauty to your home, but it is essential to hire the right contractor. Gather a list of contractors and interview each. Get and check references and request bids. Review bids and then choose a well-reviewed company that provides a detailed proposal, transparent terms, and professional documentation.