8 Steps To Ensure A High-Quality Kitchen
Remodel For Your Chicago Homes

Decide On The Scope Of Work Needed

Before you even begin to contact contractors and designers, you need to decide on the scope of your kitchen remodeling project. When you go into a consultation for a quote, the kitchen remodeling contractor will give a price based on what they think your renovation should include.

Without a set list of “asks” from you, your quotes will vary depending on who you talk to and what they CONVINCE you to do.

Based on your budget, what would you like to see done?

Do you want to refinish your kitchen cabinets or replace them entirely? Are your old countertops a disaster?

Write everything down you’d ideally like to change and everything that you’re fine with keeping. Every quote you receive will match your needs and wants rather than someone else’s ideas.

After a few meetings, you may decide on a few things you’d like to alter from your list. Go ahead! This is YOUR dream kitchen design.

Meet With Multiple Chicagoland Contractors

You should always meet with multiple Chicagoland contractors to ensure you get the best bang for your buck during your kitchen remodel. Your available options will depend on your location and timeline, but try to find at least two or three contractors to compare quotes. Run through your project scope with them and ask for a quote for everything from start to finish.

As you meet with each professional, remember the lowest bid may not lead to the most high-quality project. You’ll need to dig deep into the contractor’s background and get a more detailed estimate before making a final decision.

Vet Your Home Contractor Through Online Reviews

As you’re narrowing down your choice of contractor, one essential step is to assess their online reputation. If they have a website, that’s a great place to start, but you should also check sites like Angi, Yelp, and Google business reviews to get the full idea.

Every professional will likely turn up one or two bad reviews — some people are never pleased, no matter how good the service is. What should concern you is an abundance of negative reviews and commonalities between them. Plus, keep an eye on how your potential contractor handles bad reviews or mistakes.

Verify All Contractor Credentials — Like Insurance

Working with an insured contractor is typically more expensive upfront, but the risks of not doing so can be far more costly. Having all the right credentials is a sign of an experienced and knowledgeable contractor who’s in it for the long haul.

You’ll find they’re worth the extra charge — your Chicago home and wallet will thank you.

You can ask the contractor or insurance provider for a certificate of insurance to verify the truth. That slip of paper becomes the difference between costly lawsuits pointed at you and the liability falling on the contractor.

If you choose an uninsured contractor, you may be held responsible for:

• Contractor or subcontractor injuries on your property.
• Damages your crew causes to surrounding properties.
• Fixing shoddy results.
• Harm to others from the work on your home.

Other Articles You Will Enjoy

Ask For Detailed Estimate

While the final price may differ due to unforeseen circumstances, getting a detailed estimate from your kitchen remodeling contractor upfront can ensure you’re sticking to your budget and getting everything you need done.

When asking for quotes from different contractors, you’ll likely get generalized quotes back. You’ll see a ballpark figure for each phase of the project — like plumbing and electrical.

A detailed estimate keeps the contractor more accountable and allows you to negotiate if you see strange charges.

Make Sure To Hire A Professional Designer

Your kitchen design can make or break the quality of the final product. Choosing finishes on your own could lead to disastrous results, like mismatched kitchen cabinets and countertops, floors that are all wrong for the space, and a bad layout. Poor design can make even a well-executed project look terrible.

Working with a kitchen design expert can make your dream kitchen a reality. You’ll meet with them several times to ensure they’ve nailed every detail. They won’t let you pick finishes that don’t match and can meld your tastes with timeless elements for the perfect end product.

For example, your cabinet color and finish selections can completely change the aesthetic and function of the room. Small kitchens will look bigger with light-colored cabinets and a glossier surface. You can also make a large room appear homier with a darker selection and a matte finish.

ONLY Choose Materials From Reputable Brands

When pulling off a major home remodeling project like your kitchen, it’s tempting to find ways to cut corners and save your budget. However, attempting to reduce costs by buying substandard materials or finishes will take away from the end quality of your overall kitchen renovation.

To get the most bang for your buck, upgrade from composite to hardwood kitchen cabinets. You could also leave behind cheap kitchen countertops like laminate in favor of natural stone. A lot of thought goes into choosing each detail for your kitchen remodeling project, but the added design time and expense will be worth it in the end.

Maintain Constant Communication With Your Contractor

The only way to know the ins and outs of your kitchen remodeling project is to maintain constant communication with your contractor from beginning to end. Before construction begins, talk with your contractor to determine how they prefer to stay in contact. If you’re working with a large company, you may have one point of contact who coordinates with every department.

The most crucial element of communication with your contractor is to get everything in writing. If you aren’t working with a shady contractor, you should have physical proof of your agreements just in case they try anything underhanded. Keeping a careful eye on the project as it progresses will help you ensure you end up with a high-quality kitchen design you love.