KITCHEN REMODELING

Finding the right contractor for a kitchen remodel might seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. A few simple steps can mean the difference between complete confidence in a contractor and doubts that cause sleepless nights.

Ask for Referrals.

Hands down, word of mouth is the best way to find a qualified professional to tackle the job. Ask relatives, friends and neighbors who they have had good experiences with. Also ask what made it a positive experience, how the contractor handled problems and whether he or she would use the same contractor again.

Look at Credentials.

With recommendations in hand, do some preliminary research, whether via a phone call or a visit to the remodeler’s website. Find out whether the contractor holds all the required licenses from the state and local municipalities, as well as designations from any professional associations like the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) or the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB). Any remodeling professional worth his or her salt will have invested in the coursework and passed rigorous tests in order to earn a particular certification. Be aware, however, that all certifications are not created equal.

“I would find out what the certification is and what it took to get it,” says Sara Ann Busby, owner of Sara Busby Designs in Elk Rapids, Mich.

Interview Candidates.

Narrow down the list of contenders, and set up meetings. Is there a magic number of contractors you should interview?

“Ultimately, the right number could be one,” says Al Pattison, president of NKBA; he recommends talking with no more than three. “With too many quotes, it gets too confusing trying to make a decision.”

A list of questions to ask potential contractors can be found on NARI’s website . How a contractor answers questions is extremely important, but communication goes both ways.

“One of the most important things [a homeowner] can find in a designer and a builder is somebody who listens to them,” Busby says. “One of the things that’s made us successful is we don’t do all the talking.”

Check References.

Once a rapport has been established, ask to see some of the contractor’s projects. If they meet with approval, request references and then call to verify them.

Get it in Writing.

After zeroing in on one contractor who seems right for the job, take a look at the documents he or she has prepared for you. Do they look professional? Scrutinize the contract. Does it seem fair and balanced? Make sure that the written agreement includes a bid price and payment schedule, the scope of work, a site plan, a sequential schedule of primary construction tasks, a change-order clause, a written procedural list for close-out, an express limited warranty, a clause about dispute resolution and a waiver of lien, which would prevent subcontractors and suppliers from putting a lien on a house should their invoices go unpaid by the contractor. If everything checks out, go ahead sign on the dotted line with confidence.

Tips on How to Hire a Contractor

• Get Recommendations

Start with your friends and family and then check in with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry for a list of members in your area. You can also talk with a building inspector, who’ll know which contractors routinely meet code requirements, says This Old House general contractor Tom Silva, or pay a visit to your local lumberyard, which sees contractors regularly and knows which ones buy quality materials and pay their bills on time.

• Do Phone Interviews

Once you’ve assembled a list, Tom recommends that you make a quick call to each of your prospects and ask them the following questions:

• Do they take on projects of your size?


• Are they willing to provide financial references, from suppliers or banks?


• Can they give you a list of previous clients?


• How many other projects would they have going at the same time?


• How long have they worked with their subcontractors?

The answers to these questions will reveal the company’s availability, reliability, how much attention they’ll be able to give your project and how smoothly the work will go.

• Meet Face to Face

Based on the phone interviews, pick three or four contractors to meet for estimates and further discussion. A contractor should be able to answer your questions satisfactorily and in a manner that puts you at ease. Tom says that it’s crucial that you two communicate well because this person will be in your home for hours at a time. On the other hand, don’t let personality fool you. Check in with your state’s consumer protection agency and your local Better Business Bureau to make sure contractors don’t have a history of disputes with clients or subcontractors.

• Investigate the Facts

Now that you’ve narrowed your list, put your research to use. Call up former clients to find how their project went and ask to see the finished product. But Tom says you shouldn’t rely on results alone. Even more important, visit a current job site and see for yourself how the contractor works. Is the job site neat and safe? Are workers courteous and careful with the homeowner’s property?

• Set a Payment Schedule

Payment schedules can also speak to a contractor’s financial status and work ethic. If they want half the bid up front, they may have financial problems or be worried that you won’t pay the rest after you’ve seen the work. For large projects, a schedule usually starts with 10 percent at contract signing, three payments of 25 percent evenly spaced over the duration of the project and a check for the final 15 percent when you feel every item on the punch list has been completed.

• Don’t Let Price Be Your Guide

contractor is probably cutting corners or, worse, desperate for work”—hardly an encouraging sign in a healthy economy. Beyond technical competence, comfort should play an equal or greater role in your decision. The single most important factor in choosing a contractor is how well you and he communicate. All things being equal, it’s better to spend more and get someone you’re comfortable with.