How to select a contractor for a kitchen renewal.

Selecting a contractor for a renovation of the kitchen can mean the difference between a soft and profitable renewal and a prolonged nightmare. The owners often feel qualified to judge a contractor who uses techniques that make sense to them, but that are not really reliable.

For example, many owners will ask contractors to provide three references. There are no contractors who do not have many satisfied customers if they can choose projects during years of service. Asking “Where are you working now?” and “Can I talk to that client?” It is the best reference.

Using the estimate of a contractor as a tool to judge them can also be problematic.

The design of the main line cuisine has worked with many talented installers who are deficient estimated writers. We have also worked with contractors who provided very detailed estimates and turned out to be poor artisans and unscrupulous businessmen. A detailed estimate shows the organization, but not necessarily the knowledge of the construction, the installation ability, honesty or reliability.

The recommendations of friends and family can be useful, but less if their work is different from their project. Construction projects vary greatly. Kitchen renovations often require complex household alterations, detailed finishing carpentry, sophisticated ducts and other challenges that use a very specific set of skills. Contractors who do excellent work by ending a basement, putting a terrace or building a family room addition, are often not up to the task of a complex cooking renewal.

The price is the worst way to judge how good a contractor is.

Expensive contractors can still be incompetent, simply too expensive or simply greedy. While less expensive contractors could offer a smaller company with a more personal service.

What are the most reliable ways of judging a contractor?

First look for the contractor in Google and read his online reviews. Bad criticisms can be revealing. Not having any review can also be a bad sign. Alternatively, large amounts of good reviews cannot be falsified. Unhappy customers will quickly take poor criticism even when they did not deserve, so having a strong positive relationship of good reviews for the poor is significant.

Read the reviews to see what previous clients have said.

You can learn a lot when reading these reviews. Even bad reviews can help you gain confidence in a contractor, if you suspect that the client was the root of the problem. Also see Yelp, Angie’s List and Houzz.com. The Angie list allows customers to review contractors who were not hired, so they can see if people felt that the estimate of a contractor was too high compared to others.

The most reliable reference you can get is from another industry professional.

A kitchen designer who respects may have worked with thousands of contractors during his career. An experienced professional reference is much more valuable than a friend or relative. Not only have much more experience working with cooking contractors, but they also put their own reputation when they recommend someone else.

Do you know a painter that you like? They will probably have worked with many general contractors. All cooking renovations must be painted and painters can see the finished product! The recommendation of an expert painter for a general contractor has a great weight.

The renewal of a kitchen is often people with larger and complex home improvements. Working with the right professionals at each stage is key. We hope to help with your project.

Wishing you a significant and memorable fallen day. . . And of course. . .

Enjoy your food!

Paul, Julie, Chris, Jeremy, Doug, Juliet and Mark

Main line kitchen design