Create Your Perfect Kitchen: What to Look for in a Residential Remodeling Contractor

Remodeling the kitchen is more common than any other part of the home, according to a 2017 survey of 2,700 U.S. homeowners.

Whether you absolutely cannot stand the kitchen in your home any longer, or you just want to personalize it to your own needs, you want to hire the very best contractor for the best results.

Here’s what you need to look for in a residential remodeling contractor.

Referrals From People You Know

Word of mouth works. The experience of people you know is generally the most reliable.

This is a great way to have confidence that you won’t end up having a bad experience. The last thing you want to do is hire a remodeling contractor who doesn’t follow through or live up to expectations.

Professional Credentials

Find out if the contractor has membership in any trade associations. There are multiple trade organizations that set standards and provide education for remodelers.

Also find out if the contractor holds any certifications, such as Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR).

Your residential remodeling contractor should have contractor’s liability insurance as well. They can provide proof of this.

Good Standing with the Better Business Bureau

The primary purpose of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is to foster trust between customers and the businesses they hire.

Businesses receive a BBB rating based on reports from past customers and public data sources, as well as information provided by the businesses themselves. A high rating is a good sign.

The BBB also provides customer reviews you can read.

Information You Get from Interviews

You should typically conduct interviews with multiple residential remodeling contractors. Meeting face to face can tell you a lot about who you’re dealing with.

It’s important that you communicate well with the remodeling contractor and this is the only way to assess that. It’s also important to get the sense that you are being listened to.

This is also your chance to get into the specifics of the project and for the contractor to ask you questions about what you’re looking for.

Work Samples

A residential remodeling contractor will likely be able to show you photos of similar projects they’ve completed in the past. Ideally, you can easily find that yourself on their website’s gallery.

At the very least you can get detailed descriptions of the work they have done.

Then you should ask them if they can provide any references from the customers of those completed jobs.

References

When checking up with references from previous customers, ask about:

  • Timeliness with work progress
  • Ability to stay within budget
  • Anything that could have been done differently
  • Anything they wish they had asked/specified ahead of time
  • Customers’ overall satisfaction
A Thoroughly Detailed Contract

A good contract does not need to be pages of complicated legalese. However, it should describe the project thoroughly and include:

  • Payment schedule (amounts and times)
  • Agreement to obtain necessary permits
  • Lien waivers
  • Project schedule (approximate dates are to be expected)
  • Procedure for making any adjustments to the plan
  • Signatures
Now You Have What You Need to Find the Right Residential Remodeling Contractor

With all of this in mind, you’re ready to find the best residential remodeling contractor for you.

Get started today. Contact us here and you’ll hear back from us within 24 hours.