You’ll want to stay away from the lowest bidder. You get what you pay for, and choosing the contractor with the lowest prices might mean they’ll cut corners, resulting in costly mistakes in your kitchen remodel. Check each contractor’s references. Eliminate contractors that receive bad or ambivalent reviews. Visit completed projects in person.
- Make the Right Decision
When it’s time to select a contractor, start by narrowing the list of potential candidates. Request references from each candidate and call to verify the information on their resume. Look for candidates with plenty of experience, proven skills and high standards. A solid track record on projects similar to yours is a good sign, and membership in professional associations adds credibility.
Once you’ve narrowed your list of contractors, ask them to provide a detailed quote for the project. Remember that a low price may indicate subpar materials or hidden costs later.
Choosing a remodeler from Lake Oswego, Oregon, with enough experience to complete your project on time and within budget is important. A new contractor may need help understanding how to meet your kitchen vision while staying within your budget or may underestimate the timeline for completion. Either way, a low-quality outcome can result in unnecessary costs, including higher short-term rental or hotel bills and huge food bills while you’re without your kitchen.
- Get Recommendations
The best way to find a kitchen remodeling contractor who will fit your job is to get recommendations from friends and family. Ask them who they worked with and whether or not they were happy with the results. You can also get recommendations from search engines, directories or member organizations. Contractors in Canby, Oregon, have good reviews and customer ratings.
Once you have your list of potential candidates, request quotes. Then, compare them to identify the pros who offer the best value for your project. Be careful about choosing the lowest bidder, as you may pay more for substandard work or overruns. Check each pro’s portfolio for photos of completed projects. Look closely at the details and artistry to see if they match your expectations. Also, ask each candidate about their license number and insurance coverage to confirm they are properly licensed to work in your state.
- Look at Their Portfolio
Once you’ve narrowed your list, ask each kitchen contractor for a portfolio of past work. It may be a physical book or an online portfolio with images that show the project before, during and after the renovation. Pay attention to the layout, colors and designs that make up each portfolio to see if there are any common themes. It’s also good to look for design certifications from professional organizations.
Once you’ve got a good idea of what each kitchen remodeling contractor has to offer, it’s time for an interview. Take the time to review the employees working on your project, change orders, payment terms, deposit %, and other important details. It will give you a better understanding of their work style and communication skills. It’s also a great time to answer any other questions about your kitchen project.
- Get a Quote
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices to one or two contractors, ask each to provide a quote that breaks the cost of materials and labor down for clarity. It can help you weed out overpriced or underpriced contractors and choose the best option for your kitchen remodel. It’s also a good idea to check that your contractor is licensed, insured and has been in business for at least five years. It will protect you against any potential mishaps during the project.
Final Words
As you gather recommendations and research potential pros, remember to take the time to visit finished projects in your area. You can get a sense of the quality of work from the cleanliness of the space, the professionalism of the contractor and any issues that may have been overlooked, such as crooked tile or messy grout, unorganized storage or sloppy electrical wiring. A kitchen redesign project might succeed or fail based on the smallest aspects. More
