What to Consider When Hiring a Kitchen Remodeling Contractor?
At last, you're ready to remodel your kitchen, and like so many others, you've decided to work with a kitchen remodeling contractor to do the job.
Before you jump in and get the first contractor you find, there are a lot of things to look into in order to pick a quality contractor who is a great match for your project. Here are some tips to help you:
Pick a general contractor.
A specialty contractor works on one exclusive aspect of the project, such as installing tiles, while a general contractor tackles all areas of the project, from design to permits to inspections and the rest. This simplifies things such that you can just hire one company instead of many different contractors doing different parts of the remodel. Check out the Kitchen Remodeling Houston.
Do your homework.
Ask for recommendations from friends, colleagues or neighbors, but do some Internet research as well. When looking up local contractors on the web, consider what other people are saying about them. How long have they been in the industry? A contractor who has worked in the area for no less than five years must be really good, or he simply won't survive the stiff competition. Also check whether they are licensed and bonded.
In the end, you just want to be confident that you're not just choosing a quality contractor, but also that they couldn't be more perfect for your kitchen remodel.
Get a few estimates.
Get at three estimates, but don't automatically go for the cheapest one. Cheap rates could mean substandard quality workmanship and materials. Look into the results of your research as well as the estimates you obtained before coming up with a decision. Find out more here about kitchen remodeling.
Ask plenty of questions!
If you ask many questions, you can appraise the contractor's abilities more accurately. The following are some questions you should ask:
> Will my project need a permit, and if so, do you know the process?
> What types of insurance do you have? (They must have full insurance including worker's compensation and liability).
> Do you have your own team of skilled workers for certain jobs (electrical, tiling, plumbing, etc.
> Will you take care of building inspections and approvals?
> How long will the remodeling project take?
> How do your clients usually pay you?
> Do you offer a warranty and/or maintenance service once as soon as the job is done?
Do not proceed without a written contract.
This document must come with all key details, such as the contractor's name and license information, when the project starts and ends, a schedule of payments, warranty details, and the like. Lastly, examine each and every line of the contract before affixing your signature.