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Hiring a Kitchen Remodeler
How to Find and Hire the Right Kitchen
Remodeler for Your Kitchen Remodeling Project
By: Mark J. Donovan
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A kitchen remodel can cost a fortune.
Typical kitchen remodeling costs can range between $10K and $50K, and even
higher in some cases, depending upon the size of the kitchen and the materials
and appliances incorporated into the remodel. Consequently hiring a kitchen
remodeler who’s an experienced professional is critical. Hire the wrong kitchen
remodeler and you could end up wasting a lot of time and money, and experience
major hassles. This said, remodeling a kitchen is a great way to improve the
live-in value of your home.
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For most homeowners the kitchen is
the most important room in the house. In addition, a kitchen remodel also
provides a high rate of return on investment because most prospective home
buyers highly value a modern and luxurious kitchen.
When hiring a kitchen remodeler it’s important to first thoroughly interview
multiple prospective candidates and conduct reference and background checks. As
part of the initial interview each kitchen remodeler should present to you a
portfolio of their past work, specifically as it relates to kitchen remodels.
Who cares if they know how to build a deck or sunroom! It’s a remodeled kitchen
that you’re looking for, so be wary of the contractor who has few kitchen
remodeling projects to show you that they’ve personally completed.
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An experienced kitchen remodeler
should be able to demonstrate to you craftsmanship skills along with a strong
knowledge base on the latest kitchen remodeling trends. Carefully review the
kitchen remodeling design features that each kitchen remodeler incorporates into
their kitchen remodels, and see if they match your kitchen remodeling design
ideas and goals.
Also make sure each kitchen remodeler includes a list of references, with
contact information, in their portfolio presentations.
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I highly recommend doing at least
three reference checks for each candidate, and at least one reference should be
from a slightly older project, such as 3 to 5 years out. This way you can obtain
an accurate handle on each kitchen remodeler’s current work habits as well as
get a sense on how well their work holds up over time. Also I suggest checking
with the Better Business Bureau and your state to see if any of your kitchen
remodeler candidates have any past complaints or legal issues. |
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For your part, you should provide to each prospective kitchen remodeler
candidate a list of the key features you want to incorporate into your kitchen
remodel. Also, sketches of your proposed kitchen layout can also be of great
help in explaining your kitchen remodeling objectives. In addition, any pictures
of specific kitchen design ideas that you want to incorporate into your kitchen
remodel should also be provided to the kitchen remodeler candidates. This way
they can provide you with bids that meet your specific kitchen objectives.
Besides the top level kitchen design features, it’s also important to discuss
during the kitchen remodeler hiring process any type of structural or mechanical
changes that may be required. For example, will any existing kitchen walls need
to be moved or framed, or will any additional electrical wiring or rough
plumbing be required to support your kitchen remodeling plans? By having this
type of detailed upfront conversation with your prospective kitchen remodeler
candidates, and asking the right questions, you should be able to determine if
they have the general contracting skills to undertake your kitchen remodeling
project. Again, you don’t want to hire a kitchen remodeler who is strong on
kitchen design ideas but a neophyte in actual carpentry and general contracting
skills.
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subcontractors, such as for plumbing and electrical work, or if they will
do this type of work themselves. If they tell you they plan to do the
plumbing and/or electrical work themselves, ask for them to present copies
of their plumbing and electrical licenses to you. They must be properly
licensed to do this type of contracting work. Also, if your home was
built prior to 1978 confirm that the kitchen remodeler candidates have
undergone lead paint and RRP certification.
If they haven’t, and your home was built pre 1978, then by federal law it’s
illegal for them to work on your home. |
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A home built pre 1978 could have lead paint in it, and there are specific
federal laws on how to remodel or work on a home that could potentially have
lead paint in it. If a kitchen remodeler candidate dismisses this as no big
deal, show him or her the door.
With this basic summary for screening kitchen remodelers you should greatly
improve your odds of having a successful kitchen remodeling project. However,
for more comprehensive information on hiring a kitchen remodeler, you may want
to check out my “Kitchen Remodeling Bid Sheet”. It is loaded with helpful
suggestions on screening prospective kitchen remodelers and includes a detailed
questionnaire that you provide to prospective kitchen remodelers to fill out.
You can then compare their responses with the Homeowner Advice section in the
“Kitchen Remodeling Bid Sheet” to identify the right kitchen remodeling
contractor for your kitchen remodel.
The “Kitchen Remodeling Bid Sheet” is very low cost and can potentially save you
thousands of dollars on your kitchen remodeling project. In addition, it will
reduce the number of hassles that often accompany a kitchen remodeling project
that is not well planned out or managed. Lastly, it will help to prevent project
delays and reduce the overall time for actually completing your kitchen remodel
by ensuring you hire the right kitchen remodeling contractor.
For help on your kitchen remodeling project, see my
Kitchen Remodeling Bid Sheet. The Kitchen Remodeling Bid
Sheet provides a request for quote checklist section that you can provide to
prospective kitchen remodeling contractors. It also includes a comprehensive
kitchen remodeling cost breakdown table, in Microsoft Excel format, that allows
the contractor to include his projected remodeling costs for every phase of the
project.
How to Finance your Kitchen Remodeling Project -
can help provide funds for your new home improvement project if financing is
required.
Related information on Kitchen Remodeling and Kitchen
Renovation Design Ideas
Additional Kitchen Remodeling Design Resources
Kitchen Faucets and Appliances from Amazon.com
Kitchen Remodeling Price Quotes For FREE,
No Obligation!
Fill out our 3-5 minute quick and easy form, and receive a free price quote
on kitchen remodeling from one of our prescreened and licensed kitchen
remodeling contractors. This process is free and there is no obligation to
continue once you receive your kitchen renovation price estimate.
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