Renovating a kitchen is no simple task. There are all sorts of issues to address, ranging from whether you want new cabinets or prefer the idea of kitchen cabinet refacing. You also have to think about what to do with the countertops, the flooring, and even the splash pad that is mounted over the range. Rather than trying to make these decisions on your own, why not look for a contractor who can help you come up with some ideas?

Checking Credentials
As you begin to consider working with certain contractors in Delaware, Pennsylvania or Florida one thing you want to keep in mind is that the professional in question must have the right credentials. This means that the contractor must have a valid business license. Don’t hesitate to ask to see the license. You can rest assured that any contractor who is honest will have no problem providing proof that he or she has an up-to-date business license issued by the local municipality. If there is any hesitation about providing proof of a valid license, take that as a sign that you need to work with a different contractor.

You also want to ask about the level of business liability insurance that the contractor carries. Think of what could happen if one of the crews working in the kitchen is injured on the job. What if a member of your family is injured as the result of the negligence of a member of that crew? Liability coverage helps to ensure that benefits are on hand to take care of any breakage or injuries that occur as the result of the actions of the crew. Unless the contractor has this type of coverage, you need to keep looking.

Asking for References
Reputable contractors have no problem providing prospective customers with references. Ideally, you want at least three references that you can talk with before making any decisions about the renovation project. Contact each one of those references and ask them very specific questions about the type of work that was done, the quality of the work overall, and even how courteous the crew was during the project. It also never hurts to delve into certain aspects of the renovation to see what those references think. For example, if you’ve decided to go with a kitchen cabinet refacing, ask those references if they had similar work done. When the response is yes, find out more details about how things turned out. If you like what you hear, working with that particular contractor could be a very good idea.

Collecting Quotes
Before you move forward with the renovation project, always get quotes from at least three different contractors that you’ve qualified in terms of credentials and references. While you do want to work with someone who offers a competitive price, that is not the sole reason for obtaining the quotes. You also want to see who provides specific details about what is included in that quoted price. The last thing you want to face is having the work underway and then finding out something you thought was included will cost a little extra. When the details are in writing, it is much easier for everyone to be on the same page.

Make sure the details do list specific things you want, such as the kitchen cabinet refacing, a new countertop, and laying new tiles for the kitchen floor. As long as you are happy with the pricing and the specific tasks that will be performed under the terms of the quote, accept the bid and schedule a start date.