Hiring a General Contractor for Your Kitchen Remodel
The most important part of remodeling your kitchen isn’t your choice of granite countertops or stainless steel appliances. It’s finding and hiring the right general contractor for the job.
Before you embark on a major kitchen renovation, you need to find the kitchen remodeler who will help you make your vision a reality. These builders are custom remodelers – that means they customize or personalize your kitchen to your needs.
To find them, start by asking for recommendations from friends and neighbors. Research the internet. Read the builder’s website and look at photos of his work. Also, read reviews. Browse similar neighborhoods in your area for anyone who is having work done on their home. Builders often put signs in front of the homes so that people will know who’s doing the work and possibly ask for assistance.
Meet with each general contractor individually, and show him what you want done. He should ask you enough questions to get a sense of how you’ll use the space. Questions that will help him meet your goals:
- How do you use your kitchen now? How would you like to use it in the future?
- Do you like to have multiple people cooking in the kitchen?
- What do you dislike about your current kitchen?
- How important is storage space? How important is counter space?
- Do you entertain frequently?
The best kitchen remodeler will want to get to the root of why you are undertaking this project at this time and what you expect the outcome to be. He will listen to your goals for the space and make experience-based suggestions, then help you devise a realistic budget that will be on target for your dream kitchen. He can help you find the proper value for your money.
Finally, a smart homeowner does his or her homework both before and after meeting with the builder. Always ask for and check references. Ask to visit a local project in progress. If you’ve chosen the right general contractor, you will not only develop a relationship with him, but you may also find yourself investing more in your kitchen remodeling or doing some additional projects while the builder is still in your home.
