The Consumer’s Guide to Hiring a Kitchen Remodeling Contractor

Looking for “The Consumer’s Guide to Hiring a Kitchen Remodeling Contractor”? You’re in luck! HFS Financial has been assisting homeowners with their home improvement loans for close to 60 years. We want you to be able to confidently choose the best kitchen remodeling contractor in your area. Here’s what you need to know to make that happen.

Figure Out Financing

First, you definitely need to figure out what your financing options are. Many home improvements require a substantial financial commitment. Before you can begin the project you’re dreaming about, you need the peace of mind that you will be able to secure the necessary loan.

Homeowners across America often ask us, “Can I get a kitchen remodeling contractor that offers financing?” Yes! HFS Financial partners with contractors in all 50 states to offer excellent contractor financing. As you’re narrowing down your choice for a kitchen contractor, be on the lookout for a contractor who uses HFS for their kitchen remodeling financing. Then you can move forward with confidence in hiring a kitchen contractor.

Read Reviews and Reach Out to References

Second, the consumer’s guide to hiring a kitchen remodeling contractor must mention the importance of studying contractor reviews and speaking to references. Hiring a contractor sight unseen is not recommended. There are many unqualified contractors out there that you want to avoid.

Customer Reviews

One great thing about living in the 21st century is all of the resources you have at your disposal to thoroughly study any contractors you are considering. Maybe you need to know how to check references and reviews before hiring a kitchen remodeling contractor. That’s what this guide is for — walking you through these important steps.

Successful contractors will have a well-running website that will give you a lot of helpful information. Besides their financing info that you’ve already learned about, you can also find customer reviews. Reading these reviews is a great way to quickly see what experiences other homeowners have had with the contractor in question.

Contractor References

After scouring sites for positive reviews, make a list of your favorite candidates. Then you can schedule a meeting with each prospective kitchen remodeler to talk to them in person and ask for references. This is something that contractors expect. If any of them are hesitant to give you former customers to contact, you might just have your answer about hiring them.

When you reach out to the references, ask each one the same questions. Chat about their overall experience with the kitchen contractor. Ask if they felt well informed throughout their kitchen transformation. And don’t forget to discuss the budget also. You want to find a fair contractor who gives you his best estimate of the cost of the work and then works diligently to stick to that.

One final thing you could ask for is pictures of the finished kitchen upgrades. If the references are willing to share pictures, you can get a feel for what your new kitchen could look like. You could also be inspired by materials or layouts you see.

Settle on the Scope of Your Project

Third, on our list of must-know items to cover in the consumer’s guide to hiring a kitchen remodeling contractor is this: finalize plans before you hire. At HFS Financial, we like to say it this way: Before hiring a kitchen remodeling contractor, decide on the scope of the renovation. Here are some reasons why this step is important.

Planning Benefits the Budgeting

To start any home improvement project, you need a budget that is as precise and accurate as possible. In order to apply for kitchen remodeling financing, you have to decide what your upgrade will include. A total renovation will have a much different price tag than just new cabinets or countertops.

The Scope Makes Managing the Project Much Simpler

Another reason why you need to make precise plans is that the contractor needs exact information as well. They need to know what materials you want to use so that they can order appropriately. And they also need to know how to schedule the work that needs to be done.

Enter the Hiring Process Educated

Fourth and finally, the consumer’s guide to hiring a kitchen remodeling contractor also includes what to expect once you hire a contractor. In other words, enter the hiring process educated. Here are two things you definitely need to know before finalizing your hiring process.

Documents

Be familiar with what documents to expect from a kitchen remodeling contractor. Paperwork is a necessity for any business transaction. And ensuring that you have all the necessary documentation for a kitchen remodel is important. Here are a few documents to be familiar with.

The contract itself cannot be left out, as this is the paper that seals the deal you are entering into. Look for a scope of work — information regarding all of the methods, materials, and manpower that the project will entail. You should also see a construction schedule — a timeline of the approximate span of the project. And don’t forget the cost estimate either. This helps you see that the proposed budget is being followed as much as possible.

Dangers

Be aware of the scary pitfalls of hiring an unqualified kitchen remodeling contractor as well. A kitchen contractor needs to have the proper licensing and proof of insurance in order to conduct business. These items are self-explanatory and yet merit a mention in this guide.

Unfortunately, there are unlicensed and under-insured kitchen contractors that are in operation. You can avoid the dangers of hiring one of these unqualified contractors by being vigilant in the pre-hiring phase of your home improvement project.

Be sure to inquire about licensing and insurance coverage before you sign your name on any contract. Finding a contractor who has a bond is even better. This means the contractor has secured the backing of an outside business to cover costs if their company defaults for any reason or does work that has to be redone.