Key Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Contractor to Remodel Your Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of your home, so remodeling this critical space is a big deal. Not only are you investing substantial amounts of resources, you are developing the environment that will set the tone for each and every day going forward. Before you jump into the project, you need to find the right kitchen remodel contractor in Fort Lauderdale to help you strategize the best plans for your space and ensure that your vision is fulfilled perfectly down to the last detail.

It’s very hard to judge the quality of a contractor from their brochures, ads, or website. Contractors know how to make their work look very appealing in marketing materials. So, to separate the quality kitchen specialists from the sub-par contractors, you need to dig for information. Before hiring a contractor, you should talk to clients who have worked with them before to see whether they are happy with the firm’s performance. But before you even get to that stage, you need to interview prospective contractors to see whether they could be the right candidate for your renovation. Here are some questions that can help you separate the superior renovation teams from the rest.

Basic Qualifications

The set of first questions ensures that a contractor meets the minimum standards for competent operation. It is a shame that you even need to ask because every contractor should have these basic qualifications covered. But many like to cut corners in a desperate attempt to maximize their profits.

What is Your License Number?

Asking for the contractor’s license number not only ensures that they have taken the required steps to obtain a license but it also gives you a way to check with local officials to see if the contractor is still in good standing. In South Florida, you can check with the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation to verify a contractor’s license by name, license number, or license type.

Are You Insured and Bonded?

A qualified contractor should carry three types of insurance at a minimum. They need to have general liability insurance to protect you in case there is an accident on your property or in the event that someone working on the project causes damage to someone else’s property. In addition, contractors should have workers’ compensation insurance, auto insurance, and a bond to provide thorough protection.

What Warranties Do You Offer?

Warranties on the quality of workmanship and products used in your Fort Lauderdale kitchen remodel not only provide protection to you and your family, but they also serve as an indicator of the contractor’s confidence in the service they provide. A contractor should be prepared to provide information about the warranties on labor and products before you make any commitments. This means you should not only receive verbal assurances but also have the opportunity to read the fine print and ask questions.

Project Questions

The next set of questions can help you understand how the contractor would approach your particular project. If you already have plans from an architect, you should share them. If you don’t have plans, you could explain your goals and see if the contractor is prepared to provide any suggestions or recommendations.

How Many Projects Like This Have You Completed Previously?

Your kitchen remodeling project will require the execution of specific skills, and not all kitchen contractors have sufficient experience to be trusted to complete the project satisfactorily. If you’re using unique stone or metal for countertops, for instance, you want to work with a contractor who is intimately familiar with fitting this type of material.

How Long Will the Project Take?

An experienced contractor should be able to break down the project and provide an estimate of how long it will take to complete. If the contractor is vague or uncertain, or if they promise results that seem too good to be true, then that could be a red flag indicating a lack of experience or integrity.

When Would You Be Able to Start?

While schedules can vary, it can be a bad sign if a contractor indicates that they can start on your project right away. It could indicate that others are avoiding using their services (and maybe they know something you don’t). Or, the contractor may be very popular but might be spreading their staff too thin to be able to maintain quality control over multiple projects.

Questions About Policies

Gathering information about a Fort Lauderdale general contractor’s policies can let you know what to expect and provide peace of mind as you prepare to start this major undertaking.

Does Your Price Have a Contingency Fund Built In?

An experienced contractor should be able to anticipate potential areas of uncertainty in a kitchen renovation project and plan accordingly. Either the cost estimate should include contingency expenses in these areas or the overall budget should provide a fund to be used to cover additional costs. If not, you need to discuss how the situation would be handled if a complication arises that could drive up the cost.

How Will Draws Be Structured?

Some contractors actually expect clients to pay the entire cost of a project upfront before they set foot on the job site. While it is common to make payments in advance to cover materials and the start of work, most of the time, clients will make payments after certain portions of the project have been completed. Your contractor should be able to tell you what those points will be, approximately when they will occur, and how much you will be expected to pay each time.

Do You Guarantee My Satisfaction?

The best contractors are more concerned about making their clients happy than about making money. And there’s one simple reason. If you go above and beyond to ensure that your clients are satisfied with every aspect of the project, then those clients will tell their friends, and the business will succeed.

At Marcela Montoya Remodeling, we work to ensure that all clients are 100% satisfied with the job long after the work is done. Make sure your contractor is prepared to stand behind their promises before you sign on the dotted line.

Work with a Luxury Kitchen Remodel Contractor You Can Trust

Interviewing contractors and following up on referrals is a lot of work. But it is worth the effort to find a Fort Lauderdale custom contractor that you can trust to produce the results you want with the consideration you deserve. We invite you to contact Marcela Montoya Remodeling with your questions and to learn more about how we can make your vision a reality. Simply call 954-900-9992 or contact us online at your convenience.