DIY projects are all the rage these days. With so many tutorials and “experts” offering advice on home projects, it seems like anyone can accomplish just about anything.
But even the best walk-throughs and expert tips can quickly devolve into a DIY fail that ends up as a hilarious Facebook meme.
Don’t believe us?
Just check out some of them here.
And one more here.
Truth is, the best way to avoid a DIY fail is to hire a kitchen renovation company who knows what they’re doing in the first place. You’ll save money by not having to fix what goes wrong and you’ll end up with quality results you’ll love for years to come.
But not all companies are legit or can give you the results you want. There’s definitely a process you have to go through to separate the quality from the crappy. Here’s how to hire a company for your kitchen renovation the right way.
How to Hire a Kitchen Remodeling Company Without Getting Ripped Off
Gather a list of potential contractors
First things first, get together a list of contractors you may want to work with. The best place to start finding quality contractors is on reputable sites like Houzz or NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry).
Also, check out your contractor’s business rating on the BBB (Better Business Bureau) site and read reviews on Google and Yelp. Doing your research beforehand will help you paint a picture of what kind of company they are and decide if you’ll have a good experience.
Interview the contractors over the phone
Once you’ve looked at their backgrounds, it’s time to get in touch. Have a list of questions ready to ask each remodeling company like:
- How many kitchens have they done before?
- How long have they been in business?
- What percentage of business are referrals or repeat customers?
- Do they have the materials you want?
- Will they do the permits for you?
- Are they licensed and bonded or insured?
- How long will your project take?
But most importantly, get a list of references and access to their portfolio. If they have a history of satisfied clients, it’s more than likely you’ll have a good experience too.
Gather quotes
Get quotes based on the same preliminary details you give all the contractors. Get together a list of things like:
- The kind of materials you want for counters, cabinets, and flooring
- Appliance brands (if you know)
- Additional electrical or plumbing needs
- A basic kitchen layout for your remodel
- Your expectations of working hours
- Issues specific to your site (i.e. Does the kitchen need to stay organized for you to continue using it daily? Are there fragile items nearby? Will there be bathroom access? etc.)
- Your timeline expectations
Once you’ve gotten a response from each contractor, you’ll have a better idea of which will be the best fit.
Meet the contractor and discuss specifics
The next step is to have an actual meeting with the contractor. If they are using a design-build model, you’ll get to meet with the designer too.
Now is the time to get acquainted with the crew and see if you get along well. After all, you’ll be spending a lot of time together. Go over specifics like:
- Payment schedules
- Cost for extras (organizers, shelving, kitchen accessories etc)
- Their process for change orders
- Their policy on project delays
Whatever you discuss and decide on, make sure you get it in writing. An experienced contractor will go over the project scope with your line-by-line project so everything is clear. This helps reduce misunderstandings overpricing later and clearly defines what the contractor needs to do to complete the job.
Beware of a contractor that brushes over the details quickly or doesn’t provide you everything in writing from the get-go. If they’re ready to rush now, they’ll rush through your job later.