Choosing the best kitchen and design remodeling company for your remodel requires much thought and preparation. First tip: have some method of documenting your conversations. It’s so frustrating to try to remember who said what, or even to try to remember why you eliminated someone.
Communication
Finding the right fit is as much about communication styles that mesh as it is about their expertise. Hiring a design professional whose communication style leaves you frustrated makes the process more stressful than it already is. Kitchen remodels are stressful: they are expensive, they involve not having the use of your kitchen for potentially months depending on the extensiveness of the renovation, and they need to be right the first time. Good communication is key. This is first on the list because as you move through the next steps, you need to trust your gut from the first conversation – regardless of who it is with at the kitchen and design remodeling company. Often this is someone in an administrative role. Think that isn’t important? Have you ever had dealings with someone who is unpleasant and unhelpful when trying to contact the person you need to reach? Did it make you feel stressed and uncomfortable before you even picked up the phone?
Compile a List
First, make a list of your criteria. Here’s a tip for this and getting references: Use your lists for every call so you’re sure you ask them all the same questions. It’s the only way to be sure you’re on a level playing field. An internet search is likely to return a lot of results. You need a way to sift through that to get to the ones who, on the surface, appear to be a match for your criteria. What might that criteria be? Here are a few suggestions:
Look for Design and Renovation Firms
Are they a one stop shop? A design and renovation firm has multiple benefits. Not only are they kitchen design experts, they are construction experts as well. They have trusted and long-standing relationships with all the trades and vendors. They also understand local codes and permitting. There are kitchen remodelers who can do a design as you describe it, but that does not make them experts in kitchen design and trends – how to use them and which to avoid.
Specific Criteria
- How long have they been in business? Yes, everyone has to start somewhere, but if your kitchen remodel where you want them to get that experience?
- Are they local? Locality affects many aspects of a remodel project. Understanding designs and upgrades that work in your community is important. Yes, it’s your kitchen, but an experienced kitchen and design remodeling company can make you aware of changes you want to make that may narrow the audience for your home sale in the future. The goal isn’t to talk you out of it necessarily. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t proceed if it’s what you really want, just be aware of future limitations. Locality can also affect the timeline of a project.
- Are they licensed and insured?
- What credentials do they have?
- Do they have relevant awards? Industry awards and awards they’ve been nominated for by the local community for their work, such as the Best of Madison Award, indicate they are reputable and respected.
Reviews
The internet has made it easy to do a fairly deep dive into a kitchen and design remodeling company. Reviews on their Google business account is a good place to start. The company website and social media pages are also valuable tools. Read posts, look at pictures, and read comments and reviews, don’t just look at the star rating. Look for additional reviews on sites like Houzz, Porch and Thumbtack in the search results. Check with the BBB. Even if the business isn’t a BBB member, sometimes you’ll see complaints.
Next Steps
Consultation
Once you’ve narrowed the list, arrange a consultation in their office. This is an opportunity to get a feel for the fit, not to mention design specifics. Having this meeting in their office – or anywhere other than your home – prevents the distraction of being in your home. This is a relatively brief getting to know you meeting. Ask to see a portfolio, ask about their process, how they resolve conflict, ask about their design philosophy, if they’ve ever had a project go south and how they resolved it. If selected, what is the timeline for getting your project on their schedule? This will require a conversation about the extent of the remodel. If it’s a facelift it might work out sooner than a complete remodel. This is also the time to ask for references, keeping in mind they will never give you a negative reference. Hopefully, these are all clients who have consented to have their information shared.
Speaking of References
Create a list of questions to ask each one and make notes of their responses.
Your list could include things like:
- How long ago was this work done?
- Was the result what you anticipated? Why or why not?
- Were there concerns, how were they handled, and were they resolved to your satisfaction?
- Would you describe the overall experience as collaborative?
- How were workers to work with?
- Did the project adhere to the budget and timeline? If not, what were the issues and how were they resolved?
- Have there been any issues since the project’s completion?
- Are you satisfied with the result? In hindsight, is there anything you would have done differently?
- Do you confidently recommend this firm?
- (Now for the BIG ask) Would there be a time you would be willing to allow me to look at their work? If they are willing, this is the opportunity to check out the workmanship.
Selecting the Final Kitchen and Design Remodeling Company
Presumably, this exhaustive effort has led you to a few companies to pursue for project estimates. The site visit and discussions will give you an even better idea if this relationship is a good fit, a timeline and price range.
At Long Last
You’ve had several opportunities to interact with the principals to know if it will be a good fit. It may be tempting to simply choose the one with the lowest price range. Resist that temptation on that piece of information alone. Disregard anyone who pressures you to commit before you’re ready or doesn’t guarantee the quality of their work.
This is an expensive and exhausting venture. Choose the kitchen and design remodeling company that best ticks all the boxes. You’ll be glad you put in the effort before making the selection. This was a lot of work.
In the Madison, Wisconsin area, DC Interiors and Renovations is a great example of a kitchen and design remodeling firm who meets all the criteria. This local one stop shop has been at the top of the field for more than twenty years. That’s no small feat in an industry with rapidly changing influences! They have many awards and are nominated once again for The Best of Madison Award. Be sure to look them up when you’re in the market for a kitchen renovation!
How to Choose the Best Kitchen Remodeling Company
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