Here’s everything you need know to find and hire a trusted kitchen remodel contractor: what to look for, how to ask questions and who to choose.
The most important choice you will make when planning your dream kitchen is the contractor who will bring it to life. You can’t choose a contractor from a catalogue, unlike kitchen fixtures and finishes. It’s easy for you to become overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available. You’ll end up spending more money, time and frustration if you rush to make a decision or choose a low-quality contractor.
What Should You Look for in a Contractor
It is an expensive undertaking to remodel your kitchen. It’s not always one thing that makes a contractor stand out from the others when you are looking for kitchen contractors. Often, it’s a combination. These “Five C’s”, as we like to call them, are the core of any general contractor’s checklist.
- Competence – An experienced kitchen remodeling contractor should have a proven track record of success on similar projects.
- Credentials – A contractor with good credentials will hold a valid contractor’s licence, along with any other licenses required by your locality, like a residential contractor special license. Consumer Protection Agency can provide information on the requirements for contractors in your area.
- Coverage – An experienced contractor will be able to provide proof of personal liability insurance, property damage insurance and workers’ compensation.
- Communication Skills – An effective contractor will listen to you and communicate with you effectively so that they can confirm your vision.
- Comfort Level – You should feel comfortable working with the contractor for as long it takes to complete the project.
The “Five C’s”, while not a guarantee, can help you eliminate contractors who are less qualified or disreputable so that you can concentrate your search on professionals with the skills to complete your project successfully.
How to Find Kitchen Contractors Step-by-Step
It’s time to begin your search for a contractor. Once you have decided what you want from your kitchen remodel, and what you are looking for in one, you can start. Here are some insider tips that will help you avoid the most common mistakes.
Step 1: Search for local candidates.
Shop local when looking for the best general contractor to work on your kitchen project. Local kitchen remodeling contractors will be familiar with local codes, permitting procedures and other important information. Their business is also dependent on their reputation in the community. Here are some suggestions for finding a contractor in your area if you’re wondering, “How can I find one?”
- Word-of-mouth – Good work (and good news) spreads quickly. Ask your friends, family members, coworkers, and neighbors about their favorite remodeling contractors.
- Use online service – While not as personal or as personalized as a recommendation by a member of your network, online services such as Angie’s List and HomeAdvisor specialize in everything home-related. This includes remodeling contractors. You can also search by zip code or browse reviews. This is a great way to find contractors in your locality.
- Search Engines, Directories and Member Organizations – For a wider virtual net and to still sort results by the closest to you, turn to search engines such as Google or directories such as Yelp to find contractor leads and reviews. You can search for contractors near you by searching trade associations like the National Association of the Remodeling Industry or consumer-facing groups like the Better Business Bureau.
Step 2: Research the contractor credentials.
Congratulations if Step 1 produced a large number of local candidates for kitchen renovation in Auckland contractors! If you don’t have the time to spend months interviewing contractors, it will be necessary to narrow down your list to only a few candidates. Now it’s time for some detective work in order to narrow down the list of candidates. How to tell the difference between good and bad contractors:
- Visit the website. An excellent contractor’s website should be filled with compelling information to convert curious visitors into customers. Find out how long the company has been in business by looking at their About Us or History pages. You can find a portfolio of previous work that shows similar jobs in terms of size, complexity and style.
- Check for certifications. Most contractors adhere to the same standard of maintaining current and relevant licensing. Contractors must complete extensive coursework and tests to become certified by some professional associations. Look for top associations’ designations on the contractor’s website. These include the National Kitchen and Bath Association, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, or the National Association of Homebuilders.
Step 3: Interviewing candidates.
After you’ve narrowed down your list of candidates, it’s now time to interview your top choices. It can be difficult to decide how many contractors you should consider at this point. There is no magic number, except for the one you can manage. Here are some tips to get the best (and most) from the contractors that you interview.
- Ask questions and meet face-to-face, even if you have all the answers you need on the phone.
- Do some research on common interview questions, and select the most important ones for your project. For example: What is your business history? How many similar projects have you completed? Who will be on the site? What are your terms of payment? What insurances do you have? How do you deal with change orders? You should be able to get a good idea of the overall project and how it will go.
- Ask for three references from each candidate. Make sure to check references carefully. You’ll probably only be able access references who will give glowing reviews, but by asking the right questions you can learn more about the candidate than they would have willingly revealed. Asking a reference to tell you what they wish they had done differently could give you valuable insights into how to improve your project.
Request written estimates and proposals from each contractor. This request has three parts:
- Give as much detail and information as possible about the project.
- Ensure that each candidate gets the same information.
- Each candidate should be able to provide a breakdown of the costs for materials, labor, margins, and any other expenses. When you compare the quotes of each contractor, only their costs will be considered. This may help to make a more accurate comparison and an easier decision.
Step 4: Get a detailed written contract.
After you have chosen the right contractor to renovate your kitchen, you need to get everything down in writing to start building your dream kitchen! The contract is just as important as a blueprint or design. The contract helps to ensure that everyone is on one page and focused on the goal. If your contractor takes too long to complete the work, you can have a plan in place to deal with it before anything happens. Look at your contract carefully to ensure you can answer the following questions:
- Does it contain spelling mistakes or typos? An accurate contract should only include the information that you have agreed on. Contractors often use templates, so make sure to double-check that there are no details about other clients in the contract.
- Does your contract include all the important details of the project? Remember that the contract exists to protect both you and the contractor. The more clear it is, and the better result you will get. It should include key details such as: contact information for the correct person, products and materials to be used, dates of start and completion, daily hours of work, site plan, payment terms and schedule (including any payments that are contingent upon completion of specific work), and how change orders will be handled.
- Make sure to have proof of worker’s comp, liability insurance and a written contract with the contractor that he will get lien releases from subcontractors and vendors (which protects the client if bills are not paid).
After You Hire A Contractor
The signing of the dotted lines is an important milestone for any kitchen remodel project. Celebrate! You still have work to do to keep the project moving forward, but your role as a client has changed.
You have every right to visit the construction site at any time. Try not to get in the crew’s way or hover over them. Take photos of any project parts that you find problematic so you can discuss them with your contractor.
These records are also useful if any discrepancies occur during or after the construction. Create a folder for important documents such as contracts, change orders and records of payments. Note important conversations or calls so that you can keep a record for future reference. It may not be as exciting as choosing paint colors or researching the latest design trends but it is just as important to a successful kitchen remodel.