Choosing your Winter Park or Orlando area home renovation contractor is the most crucial step in the kitchen remodeling process. Once you’re in contact with the right design-build team, everything else will fall right into place.
Interviewing To Find The Best Kitchen Remodeling Contractor
We recommend treating your initial consultations like you would any other interview. By asking the same five questions, you’ll learn just about all you need to know to choose the kitchen remodeling company that’s best for you.
1. Are You Licensed, Bonded, & Insured?
First and foremost, a valid contractor’s license is essential. A full kitchen remodel is not the place for DIY friends and family to lend a hand because there are no financial protections if something gets botched or – worse – warranties are voided for not having the work done by the pros.
And it’s worth it to ask for proof of bonding and insurance. Professional home remodeling teams won’t mind in the least and appreciate that you’re taking this seriously. While some freelance general contractors have a current license, they may not be bonded or insured – both of which are signs of professionalism, responsibility, and integrity.
2. What Is Your Communication Protocol & Expectations?
You’ll be forming a partnership with your contractor and their team, and healthy communication is the foundation of any successful relationship.
Learn what to expect from them – and what they can expect from you – to get your project communication off to a great start. For example, they may have specific company policies around:
- Communicating only during regular business hours.
- Responding within 48 hours or less (or not).
- Preferring emails over texts.
- Wanting anything verified via phone conversation/voicemail to be reiterated in writing.
- Etc.
The more you understand about how they communicate and what they expect from their clients, the more everyone is on the same page. The last thing you want is to feel like you’re not being heard or that they feel you aren’t quick enough to respond. An established contractor likely has a tried and true process they follow with every project.
3. How Accurate Are They With Project Timelines (On Average)?
So many things can send a kitchen remodeling project off schedule that has nothing to do with the construction team’s intentions. Unforeseen events like things we didn’t expect to find during the demo phase, back-ordered fixtures/finishes, supply chain issues, etc. are bound to happen. That said, you want to find a company that reasonably delivers finished products in alignment with projected timelines and effectively communicates throughout challenges.
Ask them about their recent projects and whether or not they finished them on time. If not, what were the significant factors causing the delays? The more you understand about how construction timelines are created and upheld, the more you’ll understand if/when yours has to shift here or there.
4. What Is Your Experience With ( fill-in-the-blank ) Situations?
Some clients are looking for relatively basic remodels that rip out the old and install the new for a refresh. However, other clients need something more specific.
You’ll want to learn more about a prospective company’s experience with kitchen remodels that go beyond the normal cosmetic enhancements, to include things like:
- Re-envisioning your kitchen layout, requires a very experienced eye and a design/build team.
- Designing a kitchen or whole-home remodel for aging in place.
- Making a small kitchen look, feel, and function bigger.
- Optimizing your ROI if you plan to sell the home in the next few years.
As with any profession, construction companies have their areas of expertise. You want to make sure the company you hire to re-do your kitchen is an expert at bringing client needs and wishes to fruition.
5. Can We Speak With Recent Clients?
Finally, we understand that meeting with us is significant but not necessarily the objective. Contacting recent clients for referrals gives you the opportunity to learn more about the company’s client experience.
Ask for client references that had a similar scope of work similar to what you’re interested in, and then ask them anything you want to know about their design/build experience: Was their finished project:
- Completed on time?
- Within budget?
- As stress-free as possible?
- Handled like a priority by the company?
- Relatively smooth from start to finish?
- Up to their original expectations and vision?
- Anything else you’re concerned about.
We often have clients who were referred to us by friends, family, or neighbors who worked with us and loved the experience and results. Those are the best referrals we can get, and you’ll find that speaking with previous clients gives you the best overall impression of what to expect from your kitchen remodel experience.
Bonus Tip: Make Sure You Like Them!
Since a full kitchen remodel can take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the scope of the project or related renovation needs, you’re looking for a team that has the right expertise and earns your respect and trust. You only want to work with professionals you can speak to – and express yourself honestly with – throughout the process.
Schedule An “Interview” With Details Construction Group
Details Construction Group is an Orlando-area kitchen remodeling company that excels in customizing client kitchen designs. We work closely with our clients during an inquiry/discovery phase to learn exactly what they need. Then, our design and build team gets to work, carefully curating every detail to enhance the kitchen’s look, feel, and workflow.
If you’re starting to look for your ideal kitchen remodeling contractor, give us a call, 407-221-7406, or contact us online. We’d love to schedule a time for you to “interview” us and learn more about our team and project processes.
