Looking For The Right Kitchen Remodeling Contractors Near Me

You’re ready to take the plunge! You’ve thought about taking your old, tired kitchen from frumpy to fabulous for several months now (or longer!), and you’ve determined that it’s time to take the first steps towards getting that kitchen remodel project on the books, so to speak. You’ve searched for ideas, determined your wants and needs, and decided on a timeline. Now, the truly important step – finding kitchen remodeling contractors – is the only thing left before you get the ball rolling.

So, what are the steps for finding the right kitchen remodeling contractor near you? How do you determine who is right for the job and who will be reliable, hard-working, and respectful of your budget? After all, you read about contractor scams all the time. How can you be sure you won’t be the next victim?

Well, all it takes is for you to do a little homework. If you follow this list of tips for finding reliable and trust-worthy kitchen remodeling contractors, you should wind up with an individual or company who can get the job done well.

Tip #1: Ask for referrals

It’s time to start asking around for ideas on who to hire. Start with your friends and family. Know anyone who’s recently remodeled their kitchen? Then ask them about their kitchen remodeling contractors and if they would hire them again. If they say “no”, move on. If they answer “yes”, then ask them some specific questions about why they liked his/her work and what would make them use this person or company again.

Don’t just ask about the good stuff. Inquire about problems too and how this contractor handled anything negative that might have infringed on the remodeling process. How someone reacts in a difficult situation can speak volumes as to their reputation and work ethic.

Tip #2: Check out their credentials

As you narrow down your search, ask each contractor you’re considering about their credentials. Are they just a general contractor or do they specialize in kitchens? If they profess to be a kitchen remodeling specialist, inquire as to which designations they’ve received, if any.

There are a number of professional organizations that bestow designations on contractors after they’ve completed additional education and training. These include the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) or the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB). The fact that the contractor invested their time and energy to receive these designations means a lot when choosing your ideal contractor. However, it’s a good idea to look up each designation they mention as some don’t require a lot of effort to receive.

Of course, you’ll also want to make sure they are properly licensed by your local municipality and state. Check out those credentials as well to be sure they are up-to-date.

Tip #3: Choose several to interview

It’s always a good idea to narrow your search down to a few candidates before you choose just one. This way, you can compare and contrast their answers to all the questions you’ll ask during either an in person or phone interview.

Prepare your questions in advance and ask each candidate the same list of queries. Listen carefully to their answers and take notes. You’ll also want to notice how each communicates with you, the potential client. Kitchen remodeling contractors should be good communicators and should allow you to talk as well. If they’re doing all the talking and offering you no chance for input, they might not be the right person for the job. Open lines of communication are important during such a huge project.

Tip #4: Ask for references

Now that you’re pretty sure you know who you’re going to hire, ask for references for recent work they’ve completed. You don’t want to talk to someone who hired them 5 years ago but, rather, someone for whom they’ve done work in the last year or so.

Talk to the references directly. Don’t just settle for written quotes given to you by the contractor. And, if at all possible, ask if you can see the finished product in person. If you’re able to do that, take some time to ask that former client some questions about the contractor while you’re there, including their work ethic, how they handled problems, and if they stuck to the timeline and budget.

Tip #5: Put it down in writing

Having a signed contract is super important any time you hire a contractor of any sort. Same goes for your kitchen remodeling project. Review the contract carefully (and let a second person you trust review it as well) and be sure it includes things like price, payment schedule, site plan, warranty information, sequential schedule of tasks, and dispute resolution information. Don’t sign until you’re sure everything you’re concerned about is covered in the contract.

At Mr Cabinet Care, we can provide all the information outlined in the above tips so that you know you’re getting a kitchen remodeling contractor that has the expertise and experience you require. With more than 35 years of experience in the kitchen renovation business, we can provide you with top-notch service backed by our guarantee that your job will be done right. For more information on our products and services, call us today!