Questions to Ask Before Selecting a Contractor for Your Kitchen Remodel
Whether you’re remodeling to refresh the heart of your home to better fit your needs or to increase property value before selling your home, a kitchen upgrade can be a worthwhile investment. But first, it is critical to select a well-qualified professional to carry out your vision of new countertops, cabinetry and more. So, how do you make sure you’re choosing the best contractor for the job? It’s simple. Interview prospective contractors. Here’s a look at questions to ask that will help you make an informed decision.
1. Do you have proper licensing and insurance?
Be sure to ask for a copy of the contractor’s certificate of insurance. For peace of mind, contractors should have both workers’ compensation and liability insurance. Do your homework and contact state and local agencies to verify if the contractor you’re considering is properly licensed and if any recent formal complaints have been registered.
2. How many years have you been in this industry and what are your specializations?
Selecting a contractor with experience and specializations in the exact type of work you are seeking helps take a lot of the guesswork out of knowing what you can expect when it comes to the final results of your dream kitchen. This insight often better ensures work is on time, on budget and of the quality you expect.
3. How involved are you in the design process?
It’s important to have a detailed blueprint of your desired kitchen design. This can be drawn up by an architect or, in some cases like with The Kitchen Man, you can work directly with the contractor to develop your plan. (Learn more about our design process here.)
4. Do you work with any subcontractors?
From cabinet to counter and even flooring installation, you’ll want to get a list of any other parties expected to be involved in your kitchen renovation and their qualifications. Make sure they are covered under worker’s compensation laws and disability insurance and determine how frequently the business owner is expected to check in on progress.
5. What’s our timeline?
In an ideal world, all goes according to plan and you have the kitchen of your dreams in the exact amount of time specified, but sometimes delays are inevitable. To get a better picture of when your contractor will begin and conclude a project, ask how additional projects might affect your anticipated timeline and how any changes to your timeline will be specifically addressed.
6. What’s the best way to communicate with you and/or your team and when can I expect updates?
Whether it’s the business owner, a project manager or an office assistant, a designated point of contact is essential. Email? Phone? Text? You’ll also need to know the best way to reach this person. Establish when updates on your kitchen remodeling project can be expected and when your point of contact is available to respond to any questions.
7. Do you have a warranty for your service or the materials you use?
Many contractors offer a warranty or guarantee on their work. For example, at The Kitchen Man, we offer a lifetime warranty on every countertop we fabricate and install. In some cases, materials used in your kitchen remodeling project even have a manufacturer’s warranty. You’ll want to make sure you obtain a copy of this information, detailing specific warranty/guarantee coverage before construction begins.
The Kitchen Man is a highly experienced and specializes in premium granite countertops, marble countertops, quartz countertops and concrete countertops in Wilmington, NC and the surrounding areas. Our experienced team, led by owner, Chris Dabideen AKA The Kitchen Man, is ready to help you transform your kitchen from drab… to fab. Contact us today to learn more.