Mitchell Dean

When you are considering doing a large scale kitchen remodeling a little leg work should be done to find the proper contractor. It might seem like an incredibly daunting job finding the right contractor for the job, but it really doesn’t have to be. Here are a few ideas that you should take into account before making your decision;

Check Out Credentials

Make sure that you get recommendations for any of the contractors you are considering. Than with recommendations in hand you should begin doing some preliminary research either on the phone or on the internet. You will need to make sure that the contractor has all of the proper licenses from the state and local government and find out if they are members of any professional associations such as the National Kitchen & Bath Association or NKBA, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry or NARI and the National Association of Homebuilders or NAHB. Most remodelers that have been on the job for some time will be a member of at least one of these groups, investing in the proper coursework and passing the rigorous tests that are needed to earn particular certification, but all certifications are not equal.

Candidate Interviews

Once you have narrowed the list of contractors you are considering, you should arrange for meetings with them. There is actually a sample list of questions that you could ask potential contractors on the website of the NARI. How the contractor answers the questions you have is important because communication between them and you is key to getting the job done the way you would like.

Do a Reference Check

Once you have established a rapport with the contractor you should ask to see some of the contractors completed projects. If this request is approved than you should ask for references and follow up to verify them

Get a Contract

Take a close look at the paperwork the contractor provides you with and make sure they are professional. Be sure to scrutinize the contract to make sure it is fair and balanced. Make sure the written agreement has first a bid price, a schedule of payments, the scope of the work is described, there is a site plan, sequential schedule, change order clause, written procedural list, express limited warranty, clause for dispute resolution and a waiver of lien which actually prevents subcontractors and suppliers from placing a lien on your home if their invoices are not paid by the contractor.

The Bottom Line

You have considered your kitchen countertops and whether to go with granite countertops or marble countertops to change the look of your kitchen counters. You have also looked at all the different possibilities for kitchen cabinet refinishing. Once you decide on the counters and kitchen cabinets, it is time to do an actual reality check, see what can be afforded. You should conduct an honest and thorough investigation of your finances to reveal exactly how much you can truly afford. On the NARI website, there is a worksheet that makes this a little less painless and once that is done you can ask yourself how long you plan on staying in your home. If you are going to stay in your home for five years or less than you should consider this an improvement on investment; if you are planning on staying a little longer, you need to look at what will make you and your family more comfortable.

Depending on how you answer the above question, your budget might just need to cover a kitchen facelift instead of a total remodel. You should give careful consideration to what any work on your home will do for the value and then compare this to the values in the neighborhood. Being educated is always important to make the best decisions.