Whether the goal is to improve your home’s functionality or to boost its resale value, renovating the kitchen will help. But, unless you’re a highly-skilled DIYer, even a minor update calls for the expertise of a kitchen remodeling contractor.
Kitchen Remodeling Contractor Qualifications
How do you choose the right contractor to transform your home at a fair price? It all comes down to their qualifications, service offerings and work excellence. Here are some tips for how to choose the best contractor for remodeling your kitchen.
General Contractor vs. Kitchen Remodeling Specialist
When deciding on the right pro for your kitchen remodel, you have a choice between hiring a general contractor with kitchen remodeling experience, or going with a specialist kitchen remodeling contractor. To be clear, regardless of who you choose, both should be general contractors licensed through the state to ensure their work quality standards. The differences between these two lie in their business models.
A general contractor that handles a broad variety of projects could be a good choice for your kitchen remodel if they also have plenty of experience with kitchens. These builders will likely have more experience in adjacent projects, like earthwork, masonry and roofing, that kitchen specialists don’t do. If your project involves an addition to the home or a whole-home renovation, a general contractor would be a good fit, but most general contractors should be well-versed in knowing how to renovate a kitchen.
Kitchen remodeling specialists focus on all things kitchen. Many of these individuals also offer design services to help flesh out your vision for the new space before building it. If your project will be mostly limited to removing an old kitchen and creating a new one, these specialists offer the expertise to build the space of your dreams.
Credentials
Only work with a licensed and insured contractor. States grant contractor licenses, which are not the same as county or municipality business licenses. To earn a contractor license, they must pass rigorous testing to prove their knowledge of the trades, as well as business practice and law.
Ask the contractor for his or her license number and certificate of insurance (COI). Follow up to verify that they are in good standing. Reach out to your state’s licensing board to confirm the standing of the license. Contact the insurance policy carrier to verify that the coverage is current.
Active professional association memberships add another layer of legitimacy to the contractor’s resume. Most members of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) or National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) will promote these affiliations.
Services a Kitchen Remodeling Contractor Offers
A kitchen remodeling contractor will oversee your project from start to finish. They will handle all permitting and inspections, navigate building codes, make intelligent decisions on methods and materials and coordinate a team of professional skilled craftspeople. Contractors schedule and coordinate the entire project, including both their own employees and subcontractors. The scope of their work encompasses the entire physical project including:
- Demolition of the old kitchen
- Restoration or repair of the existing structure to prepare for the new build
- Construction of the new kitchen
Some contractors offer architectural or design services as well. These services add a level of convenience for customers who are in need of more than a simple remove-and-replace. If you have big kitchen renovation ideas that you’d like your contractor to help bring to life, such a service would be a great idea. Architects specialize in planning structural changes while designers improve functionality and aesthetics.
How to Hire a Kitchen Remodeling Contractor
Start your search by assembling a list of contractors. Ask your personal network of neighbors, friends, family and coworkers for referrals. Also, reach out to NKBA, NARI, or NAHB to find their members’ businesses in your area.
From there, you can further research those companies by looking up customer reviews on Google, Facebook, Yelp and other third-party websites, and checking their ratings on the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Narrow your pool of candidates to the top three or five. Prioritize your shortlist and reach out starting with your top candidate. Provide an overview of the project and any added services you’ll need, like architecture or design. Request their license and insurance credentials so that you can verify them prior to an in-home appointment.
Questions to Ask a Kitchen Remodeling Contractor
- Are you licensed and insured?
- Have you or your employees been certified in remodeling or had special training or education, such as a Certified Remodeler, Certified Remodeler Specialist, Certified Lead Carpenter or Certified Kitchen and Bath Remodeler?
- May I have a list of references from past projects?
- Who will be working on the project? Are they employees or subcontractors?
- What are your payment expectations?
- Will you provide an estimate or a quote?
Choosing the Right Kitchen Remodeling Contractor
Solicit bids from the contractors that pass your initial screening. In order to receive accurate quotes from multiple contractors for the same work, provide each contractor with the same information. Give them as much detail as possible about specific materials, brands or other choices you’ve already made. Include the following:
- Budget
- Kitchen design
- Cabinet types
- Countertop and flooring brands and materials
- Placement of electrical components
- Acceptable working hours
- Timeline
When proposals come in, review the documents for professionalism as well as content. Bids should be detailed and well defined. They should include:
- Price
- Payment schedule
- Scope of work
- Site plan
- Schedule of primary construction tasks
- Change order clause
- Procedural list for closeout
- Express limited warranty
- Dispute resolution clause
- Waiver of lien
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen?
Kitchen size, style, extent of remodel and your location all play into the cost of a kitchen remodel. The 2021 national average price tag of about $30,000 factors in a 200 square foot kitchen with 30 linear feet of semi-custom cabinets, no structural changes, minor layout changes, new appliances and a 30 square foot quartz countertop.
For a bargain price of about $8,000, you could simply reface the existing cabinets, install new laminate countertops and add two new appliances in a 100 square foot kitchen. If you’d like a more luxurious custom kitchen, expect to pay up to $150,000 or more for a 400 square foot remodel, including wall removal for a space increase, custom cabinets, new appliances with matching cabinet covers, exotic stone countertops, new wood floors and a large island addition.
Do kitchen remodeling contractors give free estimates?
Some contractors offer free estimates, while others charge $50 to $500 or more, depending on the scope of work. Many contractors who charge a fee will then apply that money to the cost of the job if you choose to hire them.
Should you hire an architect?
For most kitchen remodels, such as the “average” project mentioned above, an architect’s services would be more of a luxury than a necessity. However, if the space will be completely reconfigured, or if there is major disturbance to the structure of the home, the skills of an architect may be required.
What is the standard payment structure for a kitchen remodel?
Typical kitchen remodels require 30% to 50% down payment, and the remaining balance due upon completion of the job.
