The most challenging aspect of a kitchen remodeling project is choosing the right contractor. There are countless kitchen remodeling service providers available, but finding that balance between cost and quality is no simple task. Let’s break down the right approach to hiring a contractor:
Use Referrals
You can skip the process altogether if you have a referral. If a family member or a neighbor has recently had a kitchen remodeled and is satisfied, then your best bet is to hire that company. Often, there will even be some form of benefit for the referral.
Make a Short List
If a referral isn’t an option, then make a short list of contractors that interest you. You can fill this list from the Internet or the Yellow Pages, and feel free to base it entirely orange county general contractors on price, for now. Optimally, you should have at least three options on the list.
Don’t Fixate on Price
After making your short list, don’t fixate on price. Particularly, be wary of kitchen remodeling service providers that provide you a quote that is well below the average of all quotes received. A contractor that underbids is likely to cut corners in order to avoid losing money.
Perform a Brief Interview
Call each contractor on your list. Speak to them briefly. The goal here is just to get a sense of the business you’ll be dealing with. If something about the conversation strikes you uneasy, cross that company off your list.
Request References
During that brief interview, request three recent references, and then follow through on them. Homeowners who have had a successful remodel will want to tell you about it and vice versa.
Check Credentials
Next, check credentials on all remaining kitchen remodeling service providers. Ensure that they have all proper licenses and insurance. Call the Better Business Bureau. Call the local Chamber of Commerce. Look online at sites dedicated to assessing such companies. Don’t put too much stock in one or two consumer gripes, but if there are many, then beware.
Perform an Extensive Interview
The final interview may be the tiebreaker. This is the point where you sit down in person to discuss the specifics of the job and arrive at a price. If you perform this interview on multiple contractors, use the same questions so that you can compare the answers.